First Reading - Genesis 16:1-12,15-16
Gospel - Matthew 7:21-29
In the first reading, we hear about Hagar and the birth of Ishmael. The story is born out of impatience and human intervention. Sarai, seeing no child coming from God’s promise, urges Abram to have a child with her servant Hagar. The consequences are immediate—conflict, jealousy, and suffering. Yet in the midst of this human brokenness, God does not abandon. He sees Hagar in her distress, speaks to her with compassion, and blesses her child. This reading reveals two key things: first, how easy it is to take matters into our own hands when God's timing doesn't match ours; and second, how God's mercy reaches even into our failures and messes. God sees, and God responds.
In the Gospel, Jesus offers a strong and sobering teaching. He makes a distinction between those who merely speak religious words—"Lord, Lord"—and those who do the will of the Father. Jesus insists that not everyone who claims to follow Him will enter the Kingdom, but only those who live out His words. He then uses the image of two builders—one wise, one foolish. The wise builder builds on rock, meaning he not only hears Jesus’ words but puts them into practice. The foolish one builds on sand—he may hear, but he does not live accordingly. When storms come, only the house on the rock stands.
Dear friends, this is a powerful call to integrity. Words and outward appearances are not enough. Faith must be lived, not just spoken. Discipleship is not about how religious we appear, but about how obedient and faithful we are in our daily choices. Are we forgiving? Are we honest? Are we just? Do we act with love and mercy?
These two readings together teach us that our actions have consequences. When we act outside God's will—as with Abram and Sarai—confusion and conflict follow. But even then, God's mercy reaches out to us. However, Jesus is clear: if we do not build our lives on obedience to His word, we build on sand—and in time, that foundation will crumble.
So today, let us examine: What is the foundation of our life? Is it Christ and His teaching, or is it convenience, pride, or self-will? Let us not be content with merely calling on the Lord. Let us strive to live according to His will, so that when the storms of life come, we may stand firm—because our lives are built on the solid rock of God's word.
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