HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT YEAR C
(ISAIAH 26:1-6, PSALM 117:1,8-9,19-21,25-27, MATTHEW 7:21,24-27)
It is very obvious that listening, obedience, and doing play a very important role in our spiritual life and in our relationship with one another and with God. These activities help us to practice authentic spirituality.
Witnessing to the good news of Jesus and the reward for witnessing, which is entering into the kingdom of heaven, comes with two important activities. These activities are listening and acting on what have been listened to.
Everyone of us wishes to enter Heaven, even if it means to pay our way through because heaven is a beautiful place to be and that is supposed to be our destination after our passing away from this life . Let us now consider and picture in our minds, a scenario of us being rejected by Jesus not to partake in the heavenly banquet or not to enter the kingdom of heaven, because we have not done the will of God by listening and acting on them?
Jesus told us in the gospel that not everyone who call on His name will enter Heaven but those who listen to the words of God and act on then. He said, “It is not those who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and act on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had! (Matthew 7:21,24-27).
Everyone who intend to be an authentic Christian must practice what the word of God says and not just to listen to it. To listen is important but to practice what have been listened to is more important.
Let us reflect today and pray that we may practice those virtues that the word of God has taught us which are all built in love of God and love of our neighbours. If we practice doing the will of God, them Jesus will not deny us of enjoying the heavenly banquet at the last day. Peace be with you.
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