Where would you build your house?

Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deut 11:18, 26-28, 32
Ps 31:2-3b, 3c-4, 17, 25
Rom 3:21-25, 28
Matt 7:21-27

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock..." (Matt 7:24)

The theme of today's readings is Salvation. We learn from Paul's letter to the Romans, that since "all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God..." (Rom 3:23) only through God's grace freely given, can we come to faith in Christ who has redeemed us by His blood.

That this faith and belief in Christ is apart from the works of the Law. It is a free gift of God; and one that is not based on merit. However, Jesus clearly states that faith without action is like a man who builds his house on sand.

Having received the gift of faith in Christ, we are impelled to try to become like Him in our own lives; to follow the Great Commandment that Jesus taught: love of God and love of neighbor. Our love cannot exist in a vacuum. By its very nature, love is meant to reach out to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in need. This is exactly what Jesus did... and this is what He expects of us.

The Will of the Father is that we place the welfare of others above ourselves. To act beyond ourselves and our own needs and desires. To be selfless and humble. This is really a radical concept in this day and age, and it is definitely not easy when our culture is constantly demanding that we think only of ourselves and what we can buy or do or become.

Fortunately, we have examples of people who were successful in living holy lives; often in spite of difficult conditions. These are the saints of the past and of the present. We are called to be holy too; to build our lives on rock; and not sand. The saints of the future.


~ Image from Hermano Leon Clipart