Thursday, December 4, 2014

Thursday of the First Week of Advent

(Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7:21.24-27)

The motorists were complaining about the sand that was put over the ice.  They said it didn’t melt the ice or give them more traction.  According to these travelers, the sand only messed up their cars.  They needed rock salt to give their wheels something to move on.  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 God like a motorist a rock hard road.  In the gospel Jesus says that acting on the word of God is like building a house on rock.  The person who does so will never slide into the pitfalls of guilt.  But the one who does whatever she wants is like a builder who lays a foundation on sand.  In time she will find her house shaking.

During Advent we are to prepare for judgment.  If we find ourselves firmly established on the word of God, we can rest assured.  If, on the other hand, we find ourselves swaying in doubt and guilt, we better start rebuilding our lives on firmer ground.