Word to the Wise
Thursday, December 5, 2024 - 1st Week of Advent - Thurs
[Isa 26:1-6 and Matt 7:21, 24-27]"Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." [Isaiah] "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...." [Matthew]
A major insurance company once portrayed itself as a mountain with the jingle, "Get a piece of the rock!" I think of that jingle when I read Jesus' words in today's gospel passage, which seem to echo Isaiah's image as well. Jesus' words come at the end of the Sermon on the Mount!! That collection of his teachings form the foundation of Christianity! They are not just pious suggestions. They demand action: Only the one who DOES the will of my Father in heaven..... Everyone who listens to these words of mine and ACTS on them..... Do we need examples? Jesus' own conduct is a good place to start, but we can "fast forward" in the same Gospel According to Matthew to chapter 25:31-45 - the scene of the Last Judgment - for a list of the ways we can put the Sermon on the Mount into DOING and ACTING. Piety, alone, is not enough. Christianity is not like a set of clothing we can put on and take off as we like.
Advent comes during a secular season that emphasizes "Buy, buy, buy" so you can "give, give, give," and so help the "economy!" We cannot "buy" love and concern to give. We have our very selves and time and resources that can add up, with the right intentions, to love of neighbor. During a season in which many people suffer from loss of hope and love, can we bring our own hope and love in practical ways that image God's love? The process may have to begin inside us with overcoming our biases and judgments followed by reaching out to others - putting skin on love! If we can do this, we may not only be a "gift" to others but a "gift" to ourselves as well! This is love in ACTION! AMEN