The house of your faith

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In God Alone

Margaret Rizza

Today is Thursday the 25th of June, in the 12th week of Ordinary Time.

'In God alone is my soul at rest. He alone is my rock, my strength.' There are probably things on my mind as I try to pray, right now. Things bothering me, worrying me, things I’ve got to do. Those hassles and concerns may be important. But for these few minutes, can I just put them on one side, and find a moment of peace for my soul? A moment of rest with my God, my rock, my strength?

3:45

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 7:21-29

‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”

‘Everyone then who hears 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 beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’

Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

5:53

In God Alone (Instrumental)

Margaret Rizza

We might have been familiar with the house on the rock parable since childhood, but today we are going to reflect on this parable of Jesus as if we were doing an examen.

Reflect on your life recently. When did you most hear and act on the wise words of Jesus? Maybe you can recall a moment of consolation, as if the house of your faith was built on a rock.

When recently have you not acted on Jesus’s words, perhaps leaning on your own understanding only?

Maybe there was a feeling of your house collapsing under the buffeting of the rain and wind when your circumstances were challenging. Or perhaps you feared this happening.

As we hear the reading again, offer these times, times of wisdom and times of foolishness, to God and his loving mercy...

9:16

Matthew 7:21-29

‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”

‘Everyone then who hears 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 beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’

Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

10:35

As we prepare to end our time of prayer, offer your gift of faith to the Lord, whether you feel that it’s built on the sand or on rock at present. Let him see your heart and listen for his voice.

12:39

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen