Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the twelfth week in ordinary time, June 25th, 2026

Delivered by Evelyn from the Parish of Saint Laurensius in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. 2 Kings 24: 8-17; Rs psalm 79: 1-2.3-5.8.9; Matthew 7: 21-29.STONE HOUSE VERSUS SAND HOUSE The theme for our meditation today is: Stone HouseVersus Sand House. When Jesus spoke about a house or building that was notstrong enough against rain, floods and hurricanes that would destroy it, He wasin line with the thought of the writer of Proverbs who said: "Whenhurricanes hit, sinners are destroyed, but the righteous will lastforever" (Prov 10.25). There were two mothers who were sharing stories abouttheir children who are currently studying in the city. Each lives in adifferent city. Parents and their respective families in the village reallyhope that their children are diligent in their spiritual life even though theymust also study with all their efforts. While still at home and before going tocollege, they were so committed in personal prayers, family prayer together,Sunday Masses and other Catholic youth activities. When they are already far from home, the story hasbecome different. One of those two students has a happy story. The atmospherein the boarding house where he lives, bonding with friends and environment incampus lead him to grow better in the spiritual aspect. His personal prayerhabit becomes stronger and he involves also in youth activities in the local parishChurch. He attends Mass every Sunday, even he goes also for the daily Masses.This student is a spiritual stone house, as described by Jesus in today'sGospel. The story about the other student is very different.His environment in the city has transformed him into a young person who is outof his family's expectation. He becomes a hard-tempered person and he alsoinvolved in crimes. Several times he was targeted by the security forces but healways escaped. His spiritual life is in danger. He recognizes himself as abeliever who has faith in Jesus Christ, but his real life was very much inconflict with his faith. This young man is an example of a sand house buildingthat is also illustrated by today's Gospel. Faith that grows as a stone house is a life lived bybelievers with two important characteristics, namely listening to the words ofGod and practicing them. Instead those who listen but do not put them intopractice, belong to the life of faith as a house made of sand. In our lives,there are often these two types of people live together in one family,community, environment, and the Church. Here the real test takes place. Each istrying to win. If the stone house of faith becomes stronger, thepower and glory of God will rule our entire lives. But if the sand house isstronger, then disasters will soon hit our lives, such as the bitter experienceof the Israelites who were defeated and put in to exiled in Babylon. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, bless us with the growth of ourhealthy and mature faith that we may contribute in the growth of the Kingdom inthis world. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...