First reading Isaiah 26:1-6
Open the gates; let the upright nation come in
That day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
to guard us he has set
wall and rampart about us.
Open the gates! Let the upright nation come in,
she, the faithful one
whose mind is steadfast, who keeps the peace,
because she trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord for ever,
for the Lord is the everlasting Rock;
he has brought low those who lived high up
in the steep citadel;
he brings it down, brings it down to the ground,
flings it down in the dust:
the feet of the lowly, the footsteps of the poor
trample on it.
Responsorial Psalm 117(118):1,8-9,19-21,25-27
Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes.
or
Alleluia.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his love has no end.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in men;
it is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
Open to me the gates of holiness:
I will enter and give thanks.
This is the Lord’s own gate
where the just may enter.
I will thank you for you have answered
and you are my saviour.
O Lord, grant us salvation;
O Lord, grant success.
Blessed in the name of the Lord
is he who comes.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
the Lord God is our light.
Gospel Matthew 7:21,24-27
The wise man built his house on a rock
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’
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God, my rock
In today’s first reading from the prophet Isaiah, he proclaims, “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the everlasting Rock”. What is the message that the prophet wanted to convey? Like the rock, God is durable, stable, firm and reliable. This is the truth of faith that we need to cling to, especially in these times of political tensions in many parts of the world and economic crises. God is our rock. On Him, we can lean upon and find security.
In the gospel, Jesus speaks of two men building their houses. One on the sand and the other on the rock. When a storm comes, the only house standing is the one on the rock. Thus, the essential part of the whole building is the foundation. God is the firm foundation that enables us to stand amid the storms we face. When we listen to His word, keep it and put it into practice, we build our lives on solid ground.
Reflective question:
Do I build my life on God, my Rock?
Do I build my life on God, my Rock?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
