Homily for Thursday, Week 1 of Advent

Homily for Thursday
Week 1 of Advent

Dec. 5, 2024
Matt 7: 21, 24-27
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Jesus preaches at the Sea of Galilee
(Gerbrand van den Eeckhout)

Jesus tells us today that the way to the kingdom of God is obedience to the Father’s will.  Then he speaks of founding our lives on his words.  He can say that because 1) he was fully obedient to the Father, and 2) therefore what he taught was consistent with God’s ways.

What we preach and the number of times we gather for prayer don’t matter.  What matters is our adherence to what Jesus teaches about how to love God and our neighbor.  What matters is that we direct our thoughts and intentions to pleasing God and not ourselves; that we practice a selfless consideration for our brothers, the house staff, our families, and whomever else our lives touch.