Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Father Joey Sepe SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Saturday 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus asks a penetrating question: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I command?” (Luke 6:46). As followers of Christ, we are called not only to be hearers of His Word but also doers of it.
How easily it happens that people admire Jesus’ teaching, agree with His principles, and yet do nothing about them. It is not enough to know what Jesus taught. It is not enough even to agree with Him. Every word He speaks is given so that we may put it into practice, make it part of our lives, and build upon it the very foundation of our existence. As St. James reminds us: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).
Jesus knows that somewhere between the head, the heart, and the hands, good intentions often get lost. We readily acknowledge that His teachings are noble and beautiful:
- “If anyone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other also” (Luke 6:29).
- “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
- “You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).
- “Do not judge, and you will not be judged” (Luke 6:37).
- “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).
The difficulty lies not in admiring these teachings but in living them. We often applaud them in theory while resisting them in practice.
That is why Jesus ends His sermon with a warning. He compares the person who hears His words and acts upon them to a wise man who built his house upon rock. When floods came, the house stood firm because its foundation was secure (Luke 6:47-48). But the one who hears His words and fails to act is like a man who built his house on sand. It may appear impressive for a time, but when the storm arrives, it collapses because it lacks a solid foundation (Luke 6:49; cf. Matthew 7:24-27).
Christian life is not built on good intentions alone. It is built on obedience, perseverance, and concrete action. The Gospel calls us not merely to admire Christ but to follow Him.
A famous saying captures this challenge well:
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.”
Faith cannot remain theoretical. It must become visible in our choices, our relationships, our forgiveness, our generosity, and our service.
May we therefore not be content simply to call Jesus “Lord.” Rather, may we allow His Word to shape our thoughts, guide our decisions, and transform our lives. For in the end, the question is not whether we heard His Word, but whether we lived it.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me the grace not only to hear Your Word but to put it into practice. Help me to build my life upon the solid rock of Your teachings, so that when trials come, I may remain faithful. Teach me to love, forgive, serve, and act according to Your will. Amen.
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