Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection December 05, 2024
First Week of Advent
05th December 2024 (Thursday)
Psalter: Week 1
Readings of the Day
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.
Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a (R. 26a)
R/. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
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.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Thursday – First Week of Advent
Guidelines: Heaven is our eternal house and city. Only those who build on God their houses of earthly life can enter that heavenly dwelling
1. In today’s word of God, we have two metaphors, two key actions, and two sets of contrasts. The two images are the kingdom or the city and the other is a house. The two actions are “entering” and “building.” The two contrasting sets are the foundation of rock and the foundation of sand, and wisdom and foolishness.
2. Heaven is that kingdom or city. It is our destiny and we are to enter it. But who can enter it? Only the righteous that keep the faith; only they whose mind is stayed on God; only they who trust in God; only they who do the will of the Father.
3. Therefore, it is not enough to say “Lord, Lord.” But it is more important to do God’s will. It is not enough to recite bundles of prayers or make loud acclamations or shout excited slogans. Rather all these should complement doing God’s will, and not substitute it.
4. Our life is like a house. And two kinds of foundations are available before us. One is the foundation of rock, and the other is, that of sand. God, trust in him, and doing his will is the first kind of rock.
5. World, trust in it, and following the wrong ways of the world are the second type of foundation. Both houses face the same happenings and difficulties, namely rain, floods, and winds. But their fate is different: the house on the rock stands firm and unfallen; the house on the sand collapses.
6. However, all these factors are interconnected. Those who wisely build their house on a rocky foundation will enter the kingdom. But those who foolishly build their house on a sandy foundation will be denied entry.
Practice: Be wise. Trust in God. Build your life on the rock of faith. Do not be content with mere words but be a doer of God’s will. Then you will surely enter God’s kingdom
