Thursday of the First Week of Advent
(Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7:21.24-27)
Bicyclists are wary of sand. If they a patch of some on the road ahead they are likely to point at it with a warning to their companions. They know that sand can cause tires to slip and riders to fall. They need the bare, rock-hard road for a peaceful ride. In both readings today we see references to rock and in the gospel a lesson about sand.
Isaiah writes, “…the Lord is an eternal rock.” He means that one can trust him like a cyclist a rock hard road. Jesus calls acting on the word of God like building a house on rock. The person who does so will never slide into the pitfalls of guilt. On the other hand, the person who always does what is easy, like a builder who lays a foundation on sand, will soon be in trouble.
During Advent we are to prepare for judgment. If we find ourselves firmly established on the word of God, we can rejoice. If, on the other hand, we see our foundation crumbling because we always did what came easy, we better start building quickly on firmer ground.
