First Week of Advent
Year I
05th December 2024 (Thursday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
| First Reading | Isaiah 26:1-6 |
| Response | Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. |
| Gospel | Matthew 7:21, 24-27 |
First Reading
Isaiah 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a (R. 26a)
R/. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes. R/.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my saviour. R/.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light. R/.
Gospel Acclamation
Isaiah 55:6
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Seek the LORD while he may be found; call him while he is near.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel
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.”
Reflection
Main Point: True faith is not merely professed with words but lived through actions. A life grounded in God’s word becomes a firm foundation, able to withstand the storms of life.
The readings today emphasize the security and strength that come from trusting in God and living according to His will. Isaiah speaks of a strong city built by the Lord, whose walls are salvation and whose gates are open to the righteous and faithful. In the gospel, Jesus presents the parable of two builders, contrasting the outcomes of lives built on obedience versus superficiality.
The “strong city” described by Isaiah symbolizes a life anchored in God. It is a life that welcomes God’s righteousness and trusts in His unfailing protection. Such a life is secure because its foundation is not in human achievement but in the eternal promises of God.
Jesus takes this imagery further in His teaching. He warns against a faith that is all talk and no action. Merely saying, “Lord, Lord,” without doing the Father’s will is like building a house on sand—easily swept away by trials and challenges. In contrast, the wise builder listens to God’s word and acts on it, laying a foundation on rock.
The storms of life are inevitable—whether they come in the form of personal struggles, temptations, or worldly pressures. The question is not whether storms will come, but whether our foundation will hold. Jesus assures us that those who trust and obey His word will stand firm, no matter what comes their way.
This call to obedience is not just about avoiding disaster; it’s about building something enduring and meaningful. A life built on the rock of God’s word becomes a testimony of hope and resilience, inspiring others to seek the same stability.
Today’s readings challenge us to examine the foundations of our lives. Are we building on the shifting sands of worldly priorities, temporary pleasures, and superficial faith? Or are we constructing our lives on the enduring truths of God’s word, aligning our actions with His will?
Isaiah’s vision of a strong city reminds us that God Himself is our foundation. By placing our trust in Him and walking in righteousness, we become part of His unshakable kingdom. The gospel parable inspires us to deepen our faith, not just by listening to His word but by living it out with conviction and courage.
My Action: The storms will come, but a life built on the rock of God’s word will never collapse. Let us strive to live not just as hearers of the word but as doers, constructing our lives on the firm foundation of trust, obedience, and faith in the Lord.
