Sure Foundation

Lord! Lord!

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,[a] but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you.[b] Depart from me, you evildoers.’
24 [c]“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
28 [d]When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 [e]for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.-Matthew7:21-29

As I reflected, I wondered how is it possible that somebody who has done great things for Jesus is unknown to Jesus? Then I realize that Jesus is in some way warning us about a 'yeast' that is present in the religious leaders of His time. The Pharisees, scribes, priests, and other religious leaders of His time where learned men, experts of the Law and Torah. However, one thing is missing, it seems they do not know the core of the Law which is Love, and Love is God. Like them, Jesus warns us that it is also possible to know Him, that is, we can say, “Jesus is Lord” and at the same time, do not “know” Him. We all can testify that Jesus is the Messiah and yet not do the will of the Father, hence, we commit sin. Classic example is a daily Church goer or an active Christian or a daily Bible reader, yet agrees to corrupt practices, agrees to capital punishment and abortion, judges/condemns others, agrees to torture and other inhuman acts, extra marital affairs, etc. We commit sin because there is no solid foundation on Love of God and Love of neighbor, that is, there is no concrete knowledge of God and His love. If we are founded and set solidly on God and His Love, we will have the grace to say no to sin, to be firm in times of trials and difficulties, and have a grace-filled life. We can do this through daily meditation of the Scriptures, Eucharist, prayer, above all, constant practice of Love like charity. On the other hand, if we are not founded and set solidly on God and His Love, we easily fall prey to sin, dissipation, despair, and “darkness.” What is your life's foundation?

Image courtesy: BlackLButterfly