The Lord is our Eternal Rock

Today’s readings make a thought-provoking contrast. In today's first reading, Isaiah promises that God will re-establish the city of Jerusalem as the city of peace and justice; while in today's Gospel, we are the one that should build our house solidly, setting it on rock. God will bring about a great reversal of fortunes where the well-to-do individuals will be knocked off and the lowly will take positions of honour. The prophetic text emphasises faith while the Gospel stresses action: “Our Lord is an eternal rock.” The Lord will surround all who have faith in Him like He did to the holy city with “walls and ramparts.” For the Lord is that city, the rock which sustains us and the Holy One, enshrined within us. The Reign of God will bring justice to those who have acted justly or who have been treated unjustly by others.

The Lord is behind and before us, around about us and within us, supporting us from beneath, glorifying us from above. Jesus remarks that it is only those who seek to do the will of God and act upon His words who will be part of the safe and strong Reign of God. Jesus uses the analogy of a structure built on solid rock which can withstand the onrush of powerful waters. Today, we are challenged to learn from St Francis Xavier who was able to withstand the onrush of powerful waters when he worked for the improvement in naval technology that allowed the Christian missionaries to travel to all those places they had not been able to go to before. St Francis Xavier went on a long journey to India where he established the foundation of the Jesuit mission in several places and became the lead for many more Jesuit missionaries as well as other missionaries from other religious orders in the centuries to come.

May the Lord help us to live out our call, to be pro-active members of the Reign of God so that we may experience true love, joy, peace and justice of God! Amen!! Be safe and have a pleasant day!!!