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 Thursday of 12^th Week in Ordinary Time Year II: reflection

Theme: Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven.

Readings: 1Kgs 24:8-17; Mt 7:21-29

The first reading of today told us how the king of Babylon invaded the city of God – Jerusalem, conquered it and destroyed God’s temple.

To many Jews, the destruction of the temple of the Most High God and the successful invasion of God’s city by a pagan king constituted a scandal of faith. For many of us too, such acts cast a doubt on the all-powerful claim of the God of Israel. But then, this reading subtly told us that such defeat and destruction were possible because the people of God, led by their king Jehoiachin, decided to live their lives according to their own designs rather than the commandments of God. Perhaps, they felt that answering the name ‘Israel’ was enough to give them God’s protection, despite the warnings of the prophets that the only Israelite who will gain God’s protection is the one who does the will of God.

In today’s gospel, Jesus sounded this warning louder by informing us that shouting His name every time and everywhere, performing countless miracles with His name, casting out countless of demons in His name, seeing visions and prophesying with His name and performing countless other mighty deeds with His name without living according to his teachings will never give anyone admittance into heaven on the last day.

And, like the collapse of Jerusalem in the first reading, Jesus stated in today’s gospel reading that any Christian who fails to live according to His teaching will face a tremendous collapse, for his life is just like a house set up on a foundation of sand and cannot survive even the minutest of attacks.    

Dear friends, it is not enough answering ‘Christians’ or ‘men/women of God,’ performing miracles with Christ’s name, seeing visions, wearing medals and scapulars, wearing aprons and clerical outfits, carrying big bibles, shouting amen and Holy Ghost fire everywhere, fasting every day, and subjecting ourselves to rigorous prayer exercises every day, because if our lifestyles run contrary to God’s commandment and Christ’s teachings, we will be cast out on the last day.

May God direct your paths and actions this Thursday. Amen.

Fr Isaac Chima