Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 27, 2024
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.
Reflection
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus’ words cut straight to the heart of what it means to be a true follower: it’s not about paying lip service but about living out his teachings with genuine commitment. This message resonates with me, as I recently found myself falling short of this standard on a professional level.
When I volunteered to read proposals for a national conference, I had every intention of fulfilling my role. However, as my schedule became increasingly hectic, I missed the deadline. Several months later, I discovered I was still listed in the conference program. My surprise and guilt were palpable—a vivid reminder of how easy it is to be associated with work we have done “in name only.”
Intentions don’t mean much if they’re not backed up by actions. And that’s the point I believe Jesus is driving home. He’s calling out the difference between people who merely say they follow him and those who live out his teachings, even when difficult or inconvenient. As a Christian, how often do I fail to live out the radical love, compassion, and selflessness that Jesus modeled? It’s easy to talk the talk, but walking the walk requires a depth of commitment that goes beyond being a Christian in name only.
In Isaiah 49:16, God declares, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” This striking image of permanence contrasts with the fleeting nature of half-hearted commitments. When we allow Jesus’ teachings to shape us, they become etched into our very being—not just as a label to claim when it’s convenient but as a fundamental part of who we are.
May we each be challenged to move beyond faith in name only and let Christ’s words guide our steps.
Prayer
Lord, you tell us to build a house on rock and not on sand. We need a strong foundation for our lives, or we will surely be blown away by the first gust of wind. In our hearts we know that we cannot survive without you, but still we are fearful. If we allow you to get too close what will we have to give up, what will we have to change? Give us courage, Lord. Amen.