Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not speak in your name? Did we not
cast out devils and perform many miracles in your name?’ Then I will tell them openly,
‘I have never known you; away from me, you evil people!’ “Therefore, anyone who hears
these words of mine, and acts according to them, is like a wise man, who built his house
on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that
house. But it did not collapse, because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these
words of mine, and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed,
and what a terrible collapse that was!” When Jesus had finished this discourse, the crowds
were struck by the way he taught, because he taught with authority, unlike their
teachers of the law.

Reflect

“Doing the Father's will.” Today’s Gospel challenges the believers to do the will of the
heavenly Father. Jesus’ true disciples are neither the ones who would only invoke
his name nor the ones who would perform miracles. The true followers of Jesus are
those who exhibit deeper relationship with the heavenly Father. This kind of intimacy
relationship with the Father will enable the disciples to submit their will with docility to
the heavenly Father. Further, this relationship with the Father will also enable the
disciples to actively do the Father’s will. We may reflect further on the challenge to do
the Father’s will. To do the will of God is not merely doing a trade or entering into a
transaction or contract. To do the Father’s will is to relate. Today’s Gospel passage
ends with Jesus cautioning his disciples that he will acknowledge the evildoers.
Here, the Greek word used for “doers” is ergazomenoi, which is the substantive of
the verb ergazomai, with the meaning that is related to investment or trading. As
Jesus’ disciples, our identity is characterized not by the functions we perform but
by the relationship we have with God.

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