Daily Catholic Lectio
Thursday, 7 December 2023
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Isaiah 26:1-6. Matthew 7:21, 24-27
God who protects!
The readings of yesterday portrayed how the Messiah would satisfy the basic human need of hunger. Today’s readings present God as someone who protects. Protection is yet another human need.
The first reading is taken from ‘the hymn of the redeemed’, from Prophet Isaiah. The prophet announces the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem with well-built walls and foundations. The redeemed ones or the restored ones will return to the city through the gates. Entry through the gate signifies protection, ownership, and freedom. God himself opens the doors for them.
When the enemies entered the city, they broke open the city gates. They don’t belong to the city. But those who belong to the city enter through the gates. The enemies brought forth tears, blood, and death. The Lord brings them protection and peace. The restored ones have faith in the Lord. Their faith is repaid by God. God dethrones their enemies.
Here, it is God who builds the city and makes it owned by the people. He gives them peace, and he destroys their enemies.
The gospel reading is taken from the last part of the Sermon on the Mount. Like any wisdom reading, the Sermon on the Mount ends with a choice or two-way choice: house founded on the rock vs. house founded on the sand. The disciple has to choose one and leave the other. Besides, Jesus wishes that his disciples be doers of the will of the Father in heaven.
It is easy to build on the sand; it requires less work. Many will choose to do what is easy. But the house will yield to winds and floods.
It is difficult to build on the rock; it requires work. A few will choose to do what is difficult. But the house will stand any wind or flood.
Having mere words but no action is like building on the sand. Being obedient to the will of the Father is like building on the rock.
Moreover, the sand house is the symbol of instability, while the rock house symbolises and ensures protection. The Messiah builds the house on the rock.
In the light of the Messianic reading, we could say that Christ is the builder of the house. In the first reading, the Lord builds a city for the redeemed or the restored; in the second reading, Christ builds the house on the rock for the people. Jesus does not build on the sand, but through his obedience to the Father, he builds it on the rock (‘on Peter’).
What is the takeaway for us?
God’s presence gives us protection. If our houses of life must be built on rock, our words must transform into actions.
Saint Ambrose, a Doctor of the Church, whom we celebrate today, may intercede for us to integrate our faith with good works.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church, reflecting on justification and grace, proposes that ‘faith and works go hand in hand, and it is through God’s grace we are able to have faith in him’ (cf. nn. 1917–2016).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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