Act On His Words

Today’s optional reading for Memorial of Saint Anselm, bishop and doctor of the Church:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.'

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:21-29)

Why does Jesus call his disciples evildoers?  The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (1990) explains: “No one will emerge triumphant from the last judgment on the basis of right words or spectacular deeds of spiritual power alone.  Only a life of love and justice will avail…Matthew’s view challenges Christian complacency and arrogant assurance of salvation.”  Jesus’ reaction to this attitude is quite revealing and pointed: “I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.” Ouch!

Adding more punch to Jesus’ response we read: “…everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.”  In other words, hearing the Word is inadequate.  We must act on Jesus’ words, and when we do so, we stand on rock, not as fools on sand.

Simply stated: we must love and promote justice. 

Deacon David Pierce