PRI Reflections on Scripture | Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel

Matthew 7:21-29

Jesus said to his disciples: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Reflection

Jesus is pointing out something very important about what we do. You can do actions that are according to what God wants, but your heart can be far, far from him. What he's saying is that the only way that we can do the work of God is by connecting with God, about God being within us, God being the source of what we do.

It's why he says to those that say, we're doing everything for you, everything in your name. And he looks at them and simply says, you don't know me. You haven't contacted me. You haven't asked for me to be the source of the work that you do. It creates a house built on sand.

Closing Prayer

Father, you are the source of all good that flows from us. And you simply give us the generous gift of your authority, your strength. All you ask is that we allow you to come and be a part of our life. Allowing you to be the source, the foundation of everything that we do. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross