
November 20, 2022
Gospel – December 6, 2019 – Matthew 7: 21, 24-27
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.
“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.”
I can’t help but think of a very popular televangelist. He was charismatic and able to bring people to tears. People would empty their personal coffers for him. He preached with such sincerity that people wanted him to be carrying the good news everywhere.
Maybe he started out building on rock but somewhere the rock disappeared. Suddenly it was $1,000 suits, Rolex watches, Lear Jets and wining and dining at the most expensive restaurants and – prostitutes.
Jimmy Swaggert seemed to be a wonderful servant until the shortcuts and love of worldly things became his foundation. Don’t seek the wide path – choose the narrow. Build on rock – not sand.
At least that’s what I heard Him say…