REFLECTION FOR TODAY,
September 12, 2020
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
“I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to 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 the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built.” Luke 6:47-48
What does your foundation look like? Is it solid rock? Or is it sand? This Gospel passage reveals the importance of a solid foundation for life. Listening to the voice of Jesus Christ is the foundation for a life full of good fruit.
There is an invitation to trust God to lead us to the good we desire at the deepest level of our being. Only by listening to the voice of Jesus calling us to eternal good can we build our lives on the rock that will support us through the storms of the world. Jesus tells his disciples to judge what is good by its fruit. To bear good fruit, one must listen to Christ and follow, and so build a life on the rock of salvation.
A foundation is not often thought about or worried about unless it gives way. This is important to reflect upon. When a foundation is solid it often goes unnoticed and there is little concern during storms at any time.
The same is true of our spiritual foundation. The spiritual foundation we are called to have is one of deep faith grounded in prayer. Our foundation is our daily communication with Christ. In that prayer Jesus Himself becomes the foundation for our life. And when He is the foundation of our life, nothing can harm us and nothing can keep us from fulfilling our mission in life.
Contrast this with a weak foundation. A weak foundation is one that relies upon oneself as the source of stability and strength in times of hardship. But the truth is that none of us are strong enough to be our own foundation. Those who attempt this approach are fools who learn the hard way that they cannot endure any storm life throws at them.
Reflect, today, upon how well the foundation of your life has been built. When it’s strong, you can give your attention to many other aspects of your life. When it’s weak, you will continually be doing damage control as you seek to keep your life from falling apart. Recommit yourself to a life of deep prayer so that Christ Jesus will be the solid rock foundation of your life.
Lord, You are my rock and my strength. You alone support me through all things in life. Help me to rely upon You even more, so that I may daily accomplish all that You call me to do. Jesus, I trust in You.