First Thursday of Advent: Solid Foundations

What makes a house secure? If we were to examine the buildings around us we would probably first think about the walls. Do they carry the weight of the roof and floors? Do they withstand the elements? Next we might think about doors and windows, are they locked and watertight? What about the roof? Could a thief sneak his way in through loose tiles? There is a variety of criteria upon which to judge whether or not our house is secure.

When we examine our interior life, the state of our relationship with God, we might go through a similar process. Do I tend to the sick? Do I carry out my civic and domestic duties? Do I do good works of all kinds? As a person works through their life they are building a house, and if they are a kind, generous and all round virtuous person then their house, in itself, might be considered secure: its windows lock and its roof stays on in the storm.

However, a well-constructed house needs something more to be secure, it needs a solid foundation. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus lauds those who do good works, loving thy neighbour is the means of building a secure house but it is through the love of God that one places that house on solid ground.

As the Psalmist says: ‘Lest the Lord build the house, they labour in vein that build it’ (Psalm 127). Thus, as we go about doing good deeds let us never forget to ask God to strengthen in us the gift of faith because without that, no matter how well constructed our house, we cannot withstand the tempest of the world.

Readings of the day: Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7:21, 24-27