Built on the Rock

Jesus also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye.

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.” Luke 6:39-49 

I have experienced a good deal of hurricane and storms in my life. I have watched quickly built homes crumble in the storms and their pieces float by in the swirling waters. I learned early that not all of life is all gentle summer breezes, but that much of life can be unpredictable winds and storms that blow in very quickly.  Building on a firm foundation, requires time to build the foundation, the hard labor of moving rocks and pouring cement in order to secure one's relationships and one's family.

Jesus challenges his listeners to exam how they live their lives. He speaks of how easy it is for us to judge others, and not to look at our own folly. He reminds his listeners that loving and following God are not easy roads, and require patient building, and consistent compassion. We humans are too easily persuaded by fashion and what others are doing. We love building sand castles since they are quick and easy. But loving and life that last is built with time and commitment, humility and patience. 

Today I ask God to help me live a sturdy life of faith and constancy. May we not spend our time judging others, but rather give our selves to the hard work of building a firm foundation of love and commitment.