Act on It

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120116.cfm) reminds me of the important of acting upon God's word. 

Saying and doing are two different things. You can say good things about God without being good. You can say your plans to help out others without doing them. Same with listening and doing. You can listen to all the homilies and teachings, attend masses and retreats, without actually doing God's work. Though listening and saying are good things, they are incomplete without action. 

This is why in the gospel, Jesus puts a premium on doing God's will. Saying good things about God and acknowledging God are great, but they are incomplete. Knowing God's will is good, but incomplete. We need to act. 

It is not only wise, but necessary, to act on God's words so we can spend eternity with Him. 

God wants us to act. We need to act. Knowing him and knowing about him is not enough. We should act and submit to his will. We should act and make him more alive in this world. We should act and follow him, because as we do, we are changed to be more and more like him. As we act, we are transformed. As we become more and more like him, it will be easier for us to spend eternity with him. 

May we be willing not just to know and speak about God, but more importantly, act on his word and make him more alive in this world.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I stop at listening to you and about you. Sorry for the times I get contented with just talking about you. Help me do more than that. Help me act. Use me to make you and your love more real and more alive in this world. Use me in whatever way you can. I surrender to you. As I do my best to act on your word, transform me and make me more like you. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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December 1, 2016
Thursday of the First Week in Advent
Lectionary: 178

Reading 1 Is 26:1-6

On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:

“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”

Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a

R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Is 55:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call him while he is near.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not 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.”