GOD, OUR SOLID ROCK
Introduction
The first reading comes from an insert in Isaiah that was written in a later period. It speaks of God’s judgment and the victory of God over “cities” of sin. But Jerusalem, God’s community, God’s city, will stand. Those faithful to God can rely on him: he is faithful and solid as a rock.
Those who accept the call and challenge of Jesus’ words by living as his disciples are building on rock. This is true both for the individual disciple and for the community of the Church.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
to those who trust in you
and live the gospel of your Son,
you are a dependable rock.
In the storms and tensions of our times,
may our faith never waver,
but give us the courage
to live as we believe,
consistently, radically,
that with your Son we may do your will
and live in your love now and for ever. Amen!
1 Reading ISAIAH 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: 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.
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 saviour. R.
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.
Alleluia ISAIAH 55:6
Alleluia, alleluia.
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call him while he is near.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MATTHEW 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.”
Commentary
Discerning God’s Will
Knowing God’s Will is no easy work. There are three things we can do: (1) Have the deepest desire to do God’s Will; (2) Do the very best to discern through prayer and spiritual consultation; (3) Surrender totally into God’s hands. The prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, a great master in discernment of spirits, can aid us:
“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding
and my entire will,
all that I have and call my own.
You have given it all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
That is enough for me.”
Intercessions
– That people may find in the faith and love of our Christian communities the support to be faithful to God and to one another, we pray:
– That people who suffer may keep putting their hope in God and find strength in the crucified Christ, we pray:
– That we may learn to trust and rely on one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
accept this bread and this cup
as a token that with your Son
we wish to rely on you.
Give us the Spirit of your Son,
that we may not be swept away
by every fad or novelty.
Keep our faith and trust rooted in you,
and help us to live accordingly,
through Jesus Christ. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
thank you for speaking to us
in the words and deeds of your Son
and strengthening us with his body.
Grant us the wisdom
of a quiet, solid faith
that makes us live as we believe
and which prompts us to support one another
on the way to you.
May we thus give a bit of certainty
to those among us who waver and seek.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
Build your house on rock. Build your life on the Lord and the gospel and you will never be disappointed, for God loves you and stays with you. May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!