The WORD today reminds me that I should anchor my life on God.

In Tagalog, we have a saying: "Para kang nakasandal sa bato o pader". This means that one usually do not worry of there is someone powerful backing the person up. Someone powerful to rely and lean on, someone you know will have your back. This is very nice to have. And the readings today reminds me that we can have this in God.

The first reading reminds us that God is powerful. We sometimes forget this, just because he is gentle as well. The gospel compliments this, and says that trusting in him and doing his works is like having a house built on a rock cannot be destroyed by rain, flood, and wind… Having a strong foundation enables us to withstand these challenges that could destroy others - like a house built on sand.

All of us are in this earth for a brief moment only. This is a temporary stage for us. We are just travelling, But as we travel, we are actually building our house – our permanent home, whether in heaven or not. The things we do in this world, the choices we make in this life, and the actions live our lives by, would determine how we want our eternal home to be. We are building a home. We are building a foundation. We are starting in this life.

As we build our eternal home, it is good to ask who is our foundation? Who is the rock upon we are building our house? The first reading tells us that it is to God that we should build our foundation. The strong and eternal rock, so it is indeed wise to build our foundation on him. The gospel further says that we should listen AND ACT upon God’s words. It is not enough to recognize God. Satan recognizes God as well – but he does not follow God. We should recognize God and follow His ways. Hindi pwedeng puro realizations. Hindi pwedeng puro lip service. We should act and follow God’s will in our lives.

God has given us a lot of things. Gifts. Time, talent and treasures. We know that we cannot physically bring anything when we die. All of our time, talents, and treasures will be left in this earth. This is why we should use them - not only for ourselves but also for others. This is why we should do our best to share them, so our earthly blessings can be used to build our heavenly home.

Do do I rely on in life? Do I rely on worldly power and connections, or do I rely on God? What is my foundation in this life? Do I listen to the word of God? Do I act on the word on God? How can I strengthen my foundation in life? Do I live serving and loving God through others especially this pandemic?

May we be wise and use this life to work towards building our house on a rock, a solid foundation.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another reminder. Lord, I thank you for your strong love. Thank you for your power. And I thank you for the opportunity to make the most of this life. Lord, sorry for focusing on other things. Sorry for building my foundation on other things. Help me be a wise builder and build the foundation of my house, of my life, on you. Help me make good choices in life. Help me make the right choices in life. May I always choose you, in the little and big things, Lord. May I use this life wisely to build my eternal home in heaven with you. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

Thursday of the First Week of Advent

Lectionary: 178

Reading I

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

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.”

My Simple Reflection

Thursday, December 1, 2022

House On A Rock