It is not all those who say to me,' Lord, Lord', who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven

Gen. 16:1-12.15-16, Mt. 7:21-29. After years of childless marriage, Sarai turned in desperation to the local custom of getting another woman as surrogate, to bear her a child. Today's first reading presents us with how the maidservant Hagar conceives, scorns her mistress for being childless and how Sarai blamed this on Abram. Instead of waiting patiently for God’s plan to come to fruition, Sarai chose to take a shortcut. The action of Sarai, in taking a shortcut is an example of lack of faith and trust in God, it can be akin to building a house on the foundation of sand. That could be our lot if we choose to trust our human judgments in how we choose to live our lives and not putting our trust and faith in God. To put our trust and faith in God is like building a house on a firm foundation of rock as Jesus tells us in today's Gospel.

While man may fail and be unfaithful, God cannot deny His love and faithfulness. This does not mean that our lives will be free of difficulties and challenges if we choose to trust in God. Rather, if we remain faithful, in the end, if we look back through what we have gone through, we will indeed realise how much God had blessed us. He is our firm foundation upon which our faith strengthens and keeps us steady amidst dangers and challenges of the world. As Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount, He affirms that admission into the Kingdom of Heaven depends on fidelity to God. Eloquent speech can never be a substitute for good deeds: "It is not those who say to me, 'Lord, Lord,' who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven." To Prophesy in the Name of the Lord can only be of great value, only if we "willing do the will of God."

May the Lord help us to be guided and governed by the Holy Spirit so that we can continue to do the will of God! Amen!! Good morning and have a great day!!!