Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, bishop and martyr
My family and I were vacationing at the beach last week. For several days I watched my son build structures in the sand that would later be washed away as the tide came in. Sometimes my husband would help. But even when they built the walls higher and thicker, the water would eventually wash over it and it would collapse.
I was reminded of this when I read today’s readings, especially Matthew’s gospel (7: 21-29) with the familiar passage about the two foundations. Jesus says, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.”(v. 24) Whereas, everyone who listens to Jesus’ words but doesn’t act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. “The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” (v. 27) The key is listening and acting on Jesus’ words in order to build a solid foundation of faith.
The beginning of the gospel reading focuses on the relationship between saying and doing God’s will. If we say we are a disciple or follower of Jesus, then our actions/ our lives should reflect that. Jesus addresses the false prophets as well as those disciples who perform works in the Lord’s name but live evil lives. We are reminded that entrance into the kingdom of God is only for those who do God’s will.
The theme of the gospel message can be applied to today’s first reading (2 Kings 24: 8-17) as well. We read of the reign of Jehoiachin who “did evil in the sight of the Lord just as his forebears had done.” (v. 9) We hear of Judah being conquered by the Babylonians under Jehoiachin’s rule. Most of the rulers of Israel and Judah reported in Second Kings violated God’s law and therefore were considered largely responsible for the fall of the kingdoms. They did not have the solid foundation that comes from listening and acting on God’s word.
How is your foundation? It’s never too late to start building or strengthening that solid foundation like the wise man. We are all called to conversion. Let us take some time to pray and reflect on how God is calling us to build a stronger foundation of faith. Establishing a daily routine of scripture reading and prayerful reflection can be a great place to start. Keeping a prayer journal, sharing with others on their faith journey, praying as a family, attending weekday mass, taking quiet walks with ears and eyes open to God’s presence.
Let us build a solid foundation of faith so that when the water and winds come our house of faith will not collapse, and we can help build the kingdom of God.
-Eileen Miller