What's Your House Built On?

By Fr. Mike Boutin - June 15, 2009

Matthew 7:24-29 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Check out this You Tube clip for an interesting take on this Gospel passage

Reflection: I used to like to play in the sand at the beach when I was little....the world was my oyster then. I could build anything my little imagination could conjure up: Arthurian castles, space ships, a new home for my family, a cathedral of Chartre-esque proportions: until of course, the tide came in and washed it all away...that's the problem with houses built on sand...they're temporary, and a tiny storm is enough to send them crashing into the sea forever....

But a house built on rock: now that's a different story. The house whose foundation is rock is safe and strong, even in the worst of the sea's rage...and the lives of those within that house are safe and sound, even as the storms swirl around them.

I buried my uncle Paul this week. He died suddenly at the age of 66 while on a trip to visit his children. His life was built on rock: an honest and proud work ethic from his parents, a real love and faithfulness to his family and friends, and especially a rock solid faith in the love and mercy of God, and the saving work of Jesus Christ. His life was one of service: to his wife, his family and friends, his local community, his parish, and His God.

He knew plenty of storms in his life: marriage and family isn't always easy....owning a business in a difficult economy is a challenge....and health challenges, including cancer, can feel to us like the foundations of our life are giving way underneath us...

But if our foundation is in Christ: who is Rock of Ages and our Sure Foundation, then we will never be destroyed....

When we spend our lives in love, and generosity, and charity, and forgiveness...our lives will have meaning and purpose, and God will be praised....

When we find time to nourish our relationship with God in Christ through the Spirit, and meet Him often in the Eucharist and in our prayer, then our life is grounded....

And one day, the Eternal Home prepared for each of us since the beginning of time, will be ours, when every tear will be wiped away....

Now pray...