Our gospel today invites us to reflect on the critical difference between a superficial faith marked by mere words, rituals, and gestures; and an authentic faith marked by love for the Lord, obedience to him, and a faith demonstrated through actions. Our Church is full of examples of individuals who gave us concrete examples of what it means to live an integrated faith that cares about the profession of faith but cares about the concrete living out of the faith. Think of Mother Teresa, think of Dorothy Day, think of Damien of Molokai, think of Mother Cabrini! These provide a blueprint for discipleship and what it means to concretely live out faith.
The Lord tells us that “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” It is the one who hears my words and “does them.” Performance of religious actions are not enough! An authentic faith requires a deep connection with the Lord that stems from love; that sends us out in service to others out of the love we have for the Lord.
Years back as a seminary formator, I always asked those in formation – “What fuels you? Why are you doing what you are doing?” The spirit behind what we do or the foundation underneath what we do matters. If it is not a love for Christ, you are merely a “social worker” and not a “pastoral agent” – and there is a difference! Pastoral agents are driven by a love for Christ and an obedience to him! We too who are baptized and called to discipleship are driven by a particular set of “Kingdom values.”
In the Gospel today, in addressing the danger of empty words or empty professions, the Lord illustrates his point with the parable of building on sand and building on a rock. Each of the two builders built a house, but the crucial difference was in the nature of the foundations! The Wise Builder is one who heard Christ, loved him, and acted on His words. The Unwise Builder is one who heard Christ, knew him in word, but never really had a relationship with Him, nor did he act on the words of Christ. Due to a lack of a rock-solid foundation or deep roots, when crises of life came, the Unwise Builder lost his house. The image of building a house is one we can apply to a marriage, a ministry, a friendship, a personal life, a career – the foundation matters, and it will determine how long it will stand over time!
Today as we go about our day – let us ask ourselves: Which part of the Lord’s word do I find difficult to put into practice? In our Mass may we ask the Lord for His help not only to hear and to profess faith in Him, but also to put it into practice!