Lord, You’re The Solid Rock On Which I Stand
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.
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, 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.
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.
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
R. 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
Whereas it is necessary that a house be built on a solid foundation to survive the forces of nature, it would be foolhardy to limit our attention to the foundation alone and carelessly build the walls and the roof with poor quality materials. For a house to be foolproof, it must have a rock-solid foundation, strong walls, and sound roofing. If not, when the rain pours, the rivers flood, and the wind blows, the house will collapse. And what a terrible fall it would be!
Similar dangers can threaten our spiritual edifice. Many people begin with a strong foundation of love of God and His Word. But as their life moves on, they get distracted from God, offer merely lip-service to Him, buy into the cheaper materials of the world, and go on building up their edifice on those convenient, world-friendly resources. Then, when trials and tragedies strike, their edifice crumbles, and its foundation becomes a stumbling block for them (1 Pet 2:7-8).
May the Word of God be the foundation, the walls, and the roof of our spiritual life. May God be above, beneath, before, behind, and around us.
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!