Gospel Reading for June 26, 2025 – Matthew 7: 21-29
PASSPORT
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. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
“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.”
When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
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The dictionary describes the word “Lord” as someone having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler.
How can we call Jesus our Lord, if he has no power, authority or influence over us? How can we call him Lord if he does not rule over us?
When we call him Lord, do we really mean it, or is it just a title? There are those who say that as long as we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour, we shall be saved. This is very true if accepting means we accept all that he teaches and practice all he teaches, in our lives. For us Christians, to listen means TO ACT on what we have heard.
If we listen well to Jesus, and act upon what we hear, it is worth so much more than all the treasures here on earth that will always stay on earth. Living Jesus on earth is our PASSPORT to heaven.
Lord Jesus, may the Spirit always dwell in our hearts so we may be able to listen well to you and do what you ask us to do, for you are our Lord, after all!
