Homily for Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time

We have been reading the Sermon on the Mount at Mass for weeks, and today we read the final section. In this great Sermon, Jesus outlines three essential activities for his followers: speaking, listening, and doing. When we gather for public prayer, we speak, calling on Jesus as Lord. In public worship and private prayer, we listen to the Word of God and let it pour into our hearts. Speaking and listening are prominent in the life of a disciple. However, Jesus emphasizes that their value is diminished unless they lead to good actions.

It's not enough to just call on the Lord. We must also do the will of God. Merely listening to Jesus' words isn't enough; we must act on them. Our actions should align with our words and what we hear. When our prayer and listening to God's Word result in good deeds, mirroring Jesus' life, our lives become firm and solid, like a house built on rock. Today's Gospel assures us that if our words to God and God's words to us influence our attitudes and behavior, we can better withstand life's storms.