True heart to true works

Matthew 7:22-29 

           Many will recall that I have a pet expression of Saint Vincents',  'preach the Good news always, if necessary, use words'. It is my way of attaching importance to our actions, sometimes more than our words.

          Yet in this passage there are people who are rebuffed by the Lord  even though they have apparently done good works. What is your intent? Anyone can say Lord, Lord and act as if they believe. What is in your heart? What is your motivation?

           There is a whole host of people and even religious whose lives are apparently filled with good actions who will be rebuffed. One need only look to the Roman Catholic Church where enormous amounts of good works are done in the name of Christ. But what of the evil perpetrated in the name of God? What of the control, lack of love, marginalization and capricious judgements of whole groups of people? This may warrant a  I never knew you from The Lord.  None of us is perfect, heaven knows I am the furthest from it. We all make mistakes but the overall thrust of what we do and how we act, what is in our heart and our complete conversion of heart is what is really called for. I believe this will be our salvation. Words are cheap. Actions become their own earthly reward in applause and recognition. Again what is in our heart? What is our motivation?  Perhaps this is why we are admonished to not let the right hand know what our left hand is doing. God knows all,  that is what matters. 

           I have high hopes for this Pope Francis and his idea to revive, revitalize and modernize his church.  Francis' heart seems pure, decent and filled with good and humble intent. But actions speak louder than words and purity of heart and intent will mark the actions that follow his present meetings.

            Pray for ourselves and pray for God's church, we are one. No matter who and where we are, we are one in his creation. Let us act like it with  purity and sincerity of heart.

On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”

‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’

Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority