Are you selective when you hear or read the Word of God? Are you ready to do what Christ tells you, even when it is difficult? - Daily Reflections September 13,2014

BUILT ON ROCK OR ON SAND?

 

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I say?” This question of Jesus strikes us. Sunday after Sunday, we hear the Word of God. Some even hear it every day if they attend daily Mass or read the Bible at home. But do we do what the Lord tells us?

       Are we not selective, picking up words we like? Don’t we have the tendency to enjoy the nice words of Jesus but ignore His often demanding words? Many wonder why the Masses they attend seem to have no effect on their lives. Others wonder why God doesn’t seem to answer their prayers.

       Jesus illustrates this with the parable of a man who builds His house on sand while another builds it on solid rock. The house built on sand easily collapses during a flood, while the house built on rock remains safe.

       Could it be that we are like the man who built his house on sand? What was wrong with him? Two things went wrong: Digging until reaching solid rock was too difficult for him. And then he lacked foresight; he did not think of the yearly autumn floods.

       Lack of foresight and taking it easy — these were the problems of that man. Jesus says that all those who call on Him but do not do what He says are like this man, heading for disaster.

       The saint that the Church honors today, St. John Chrysostom, was a man who built his “house” on solid rock. His mother gave him a good education; he studied under famous Greek master Libanius. He lived a strict monastic life for six years. He spoke out against the luxury and corruption at the royal court and was exiled by the enraged empress. Once back, she exiled him again but still this did not shake him. His last words before dying were, “Glory be to God for everything. Amen.”

       Listening to God’s Word and then doing what we are told makes us strong, so strong that no suffering and problem can shake us. Because our “house” is built on the solid rock of God’s Word. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you selective when you hear or read the Word of God? Are you ready to do what Christ tells you, even when it is difficult?

 

Lord, thank You for reminding me of something so essential. Help me to live out Your Word, even the most demanding words, in my life.