“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” –   MT 7: 21

 

Every once in a while, there is an opportunity to substitute ourselves into the symbols God uses as examples in the Words He shares with us in the Sacred Scriptures.  Both the First Reading from the Prophet Isaiah and St Matthew’s Gospel today allow for us to hopefully see what the message is for each one of us if we but look at ourselves as a Nation or as a House.

 

In the First Reading we hear how God will give us what is needed to protect us as long as we are just, keep Faith in Him with a firm purpose, live in His Peace, and always Trust in the Lord!!  What happens if we don’t?  The Lord will humble us, bringing us down from our perceived lofty position.  When we are returned to the dust from which we came from, we will be trampled upon, no longer thought of, forgotten.  If we but open ourselves to Love God and Serve God by desiring Him in everything we do, we can avoid such disaster and destruction.

 

It is only in doing God’s Will that will ensure we will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, realizing all that we long for or Hope for.  Isaiah tells us that God is an eternal Rock and even Jesus says that we need to build ourselves on this Rock in order for us, as a house, to avoid being damaged by winds and storms.  Sisters and Brothers, we must be built up through the words and examples of Jesus.  If we fail to do so, by believing that we can do it all on our own, then we will collapse and be completely ruined by all the world has to throw at us.

 

We may fool ourselves and others with our speech, but God cannot be deceived. He will see our heart, as it truly is, with its motives, intentions, desires, and choices. There is only one way in which our sincerity can be proved, and that is by how we live.  Fine words can never replace good deeds. Our character is revealed in the choices we make, especially when we are tested. A true person is honest and reliable before God, one's neighbor and oneself. Such a person's word can be taken as trustworthy. Only we, by ourselves, will collapse to the falsehood and spiritual disaster of what this world has to offer in and of itself.  However, if we make Jesus and His Word the rock and foundation of our lives, then nothing can shake us nor keep us from God's presence and protection.  Therefore, let us, as a symbol of a nation or a house, stand firm and secure with the Lord, the Eternal Rock.

 

"Lord Jesus, you are the only foundation that can hold us up when trials and disaster threaten us. Give me the wisdom, foresight, and strength of character I need to do what is right and good and to reject whatever is false and contrary to your will. May I be a doer of your word and not a hearer only."

 

May God’s Grace and Blessings Always be with you and yours!!  Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us!!  

 

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Bob

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church

Houston, TX