Christianity is a Foundation to Build a Life On
Thursday, December 7, 2023
by Fr. David M. Knight
View readings for 1st Thursday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings
Lectionary no. 178 (Is 26: 1-6; Ps 118: 1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27; Mt 7: 21, 24-27) (and Feast of St Ambrose, Doctor of the Church)
Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. Matthew 7:24
In El Paso, Texas, a developer from out of state went against local advice and built houses in an arroyo. When the rains came, a solid wall of water washed them all away.
It isn’t enough to build well; you have to know what you are building on.
What Christianity gives us is a solid foundation to build our lives on.
In 55 years as a priest, I have dealt with many wrecked lives: addictions, unhappy marriages, feelings of aimlessness and failure. In almost every case, the sufferers had not built their lives on the solid foundation Christianity offers: the word—and yes, the laws—of God, the sacraments, daily reflective prayer, personal and communal interaction with Jesus as Friend, Teacher, and Lord.
For Christians, Jesus is the Way (if we follow); the Truth (if we listen); the Life (if we live out our relationship with him). He is a rock to build a life on.
“The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse.”
DAILY PRACTICE: Glance at the foundation your house is built on. Then write down the principles you are building your life on. Check them daily.
ADVENT PRAYER: Lord, I will trust you forever, for you are my Rock
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
