It started with Elvis when he sang a little less conversation. The Bee Gees lamented that it’s only words. Toby Keith told us we need a little less talk and a lot more action.
All of us have experienced that person in our lives who is all talk and no action. Perhaps we may even challenge them to put their money where their mouth is. And we also know those people in our lives we can count on. For some, words may not even be necessary as they let their actions do all the talking.
As people of faith, are we all talk and no action or do we put our money where our mouth is?
Jesus could not be clearer in today’s Gospel. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of Heaven. We could say today that not all who profess to love Jesus and loudly proclaim Him will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Why? In this Gospel and in the totality of Jesus’ teachings He insists on a consistency between what a disciple hears and how a disciple lives. Look closely at the words Jesus chooses: I never knew you; I never knew you. And these are the words he directs at those who claim to prophesy in His name, to drive out demons in His name and to do mighty deeds in His name. Mere words and no action! Mere words and no relationship! Jesus is challenging His disciples; and that means you and me, to know him. Jesus invites us to a deep and intimate relationship with Him. Just don’t know Him from our head, from our intellect. Don’t believe in Jesus from a “just the facts ma’am” mentality. Believe in Jesus from the relationship we have with Him; from our heart and soul.
Jesus demands of us our all; both in word and deed. From our belief In Him and our willingness to declare Him Lord, do our everyday actions give consistent witness to these words? Are we always a disciple? In this intimate relationship we are not immune from suffering or disappointment. Will our words and actions show the blessings of our relationship with Him during these difficulties? Totally depending on Him Jesus shows us and teaches us how to align our words and our actions with His as he prepares us for eternal life.
To really drive home His teaching, Jesus introduces the story of the house built on rock and the house built on sand. Both houses are subject to storms. Jesus tells us that the one built on rock is built by a wise man. And why is he wise? Jesus says it clearly: he listens to these words of mine and acts on them. He acts on them. There are only two requirements then to have a deep intimate relationship with Christ: listen to Him in faith and act accordingly with our lives.
Let’s return to those houses for a minute. The storms indeed do come. You and I are not immune from the storms. The rain falls, the wind blows. The house built on rock survives. The house on sand is completely ruined. This is a teaching from Jesus that is called eschatological. Now there is one big word. Eschatological refers to end times. All too often, we want to avoid the discussion of end times. But Jesus cares enough for us to remind us that this life indeed one day will end and eternal life awaits all who will listen to His words and act on them. And his teachings, his preparing us for the end times, is real rock and not mere sand.
I believe it is more than coincidence that we read this Gospel this year as we prepare to begin our annual Lenten observance. We all can pause and reflect in the week ahead on both this life and the life He promises. In our prayer time, as we reflect in the days ahead, can we ask Jesus to show us if our words and actions indeed proclaim our intimate relationship with Him.
We will be presented some awesome opportunities to exhibit a little less talk and a lot more action this week. Make every effort to attend Mass on Ash Wednesday. As you receive the blessed ashes, reflect on their meaning. Wear them throughout the day as an outward sign of an inward reality that there is an intimate relationship with Jesus. Attend Stations of the Cross this Friday. Prayerfully travel the road to Calvary with Jesus in this awesome devotion. Lent is an appropriate time to return to Reconciliation, whether we last visited the confessional last week, or last year or longer. As we prepare for that sincere confession, prepare an examination of conscience as we answer the question: do my words and actions align with those of Jesus and prepare us for eternal life?
A little less conversation, only words, a little less talk and more action! You bet. And our house will be built on rock, not sand!
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