The Testaments Old and New often describe our relationship with God as a strong building, wall, house, or city. Human beings for the past several thousand years cannot live without these structures to protect us from the vagaries of the "natural world."
In our time, as we realize we live in the anthropocene age when everything from the dirt beneath us to the air around us has been recreated by human activity, we discover that our infrastructures are not half as reliable as the one Jesus described in Matthew 7.
How many well-built buildings collapse because their builders did not take into account a seizmic fault line, underground mine, or encroaching sinkhole? Or because government inspectors buckled to public pressure? Beautiful homes are built in floodplains, and cities are built on collapsing aquifers. Unsuspecting citizens soon discover their insurers will not underwrite their rebuilding after another hurricane or forest fire. Nor will their government, always loathe to raise revenue, offer much assistance.
A society deeply committed to individualism has little interest in large, complex, expensive, long-term infrastructures, and even less in their maintenance. They'd rather put a charitable ambulance at the bottom of the cliff than a fence at the top of it -- until the ambulance budget is depleted.
Today's gospel reflects a continuous tradition from the ancient past to the present day. We should build rock-solid buildings including physical, intellectual, economic, social, and spiritual "buildings." Wisdom teaches us that we must make sacrifices, which sacrifices are necessary, and when to make them. (i.e. before problems become crises.)
Some will suppose this gospel addresses only their private spirituality; that is, their personal interest in Bible study and religious experiences which soothe and reassure. They miss the point. A house is not built by one carpenter. A city is not built in one lifetime. Those who hear the Word of God and keep it never live beyond community. Rather, they contribute to its repair, maintenance and building for many future generations -- and thank God for the opportunity.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.