Bible Text: “Everyone who hears those words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock and everyone who hears these words and do not put them into practice are like foolish men who built his house on the sand- and great was its fall”. Matthew 7. 21-29
These words of Jesus were spoken right after the long Sermon on the Mount. It is all about the beatitudes. Jesus described those who will be obedient to His teachings as blessed. It means that he is abundant with the treasures of God and possesses real happiness for observing the precepts of the Lord.
In today’s gospel Jesus had disclosed the two possible extreme responses to the sermon of Jesus. He compared the two different persons who built their own houses, one on solid rock and the other on the sand. The two houses were both buffeted by a super typhoon and only the one founded on solid rock was able to withstand the fierce wind while the second was totally damaged. Once again, Jesus is reminding us that when we have decided to follow Him, it does not mean that we will never be free from any form of suffering, persecution, trials and the likes. Problems and difficulties are always intertwined with our life here on earth. God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, nor sun without rain but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way. These odd situations have purpose in our life. It is an opportunity for us to prove that our choice for God is indeed firm. Even in a choice between life and death, we would rather choose death over life if it is the only way to prove that our love for Jesus is real.
This is the very reason why we have the daily celebration of mass. The word of God is the source of encouragement so that we will continue to hold on and go against the current of the world. The Holy Eucharist is the source of our nourishment to keep our soul strong and healthy so that we can beat every trial that may come across our way. Jesus said, if we prevail, we will reap life but if we succumb to temptations, great will be the disaster.
Life is choice, so choose wisely!