1st week of Advent, Thursday – 05th December 2019 — Gospel: Mt 7,21.24-27
Strengthen your foundation
The Sermon on the Mount ends with two contrasting types of foundation, which designate the two types of discipleship. It is addressed to everyone who hears the teachings of Jesus; it applies the principle of judgment by deeds. Warnings of judgment become darker as everyone, like Israel, is called to do God’s will. Obedient and loving action will be the criteria on the day of judgement. If the person fails to obey than he is considered foolish and will be rejected. As Disciples of Christ, we can suffer the same basic split: the split between hearing and doing, or between doing and being (cf. Rom 7). The wise understands that he will face a stern judgment on the last day and that the judgment will issue life or death. Hence he acts decisively to build on the firm foundation of Jesus’ words. On the other hand, the fool merely hears the teachings of Jesus, does not truly understand, and fails to grasp the essential connection between hearing Jesus’ words, doing them and being saved in the final crisis.
