Building on rock and stone

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

A reflection on the daily readings, for Thursday of the First Week of Advent, by Father Perry.

+ Another great biblical theme of Advent, the Bible in general, and of God in particular is the theme of protection.

And there are many words that communicate this: “safeguard,” and “strong city” with “walls and ramparts,” with “gates” that let in and let out.

What is the result?

“Peace,” as we keep ourselves safe and secure on this “eternal rock.”

The responsorial psalm certainly reassures us as we take “refuge” and find this special connection within the “house of the Lord” that surely is open to us.

There is just no question of the safety assured us by our God!

+ But Jesus takes us further as he acknowledges how we can build a safe and secure “house” (inner home, faith life, pathway to holiness and wholeness) if we do so in communion with our God.

If we listen. If we watch and see. If we open hearts and minds and seek the Lord in all things and in every way we will be building our “house” on rock and not on sand.

When winds and rain and troubles and strife and estupideses and all kinds of other nonsense stuff comes our way — and it will! — then we will stand firm.

We will have peace. We will keep on truckin’.

+ Note: We are not doing this to please God. God is inviting us to do this to please us.

Communion with God in all things and in every way is the way to peace and happiness of the profound kind.

Deep within. Like the song quoted in yesterday’s reflection: “There is a longing.”

We simply must get in touch with that and those longings where God is, where we will find God — where God blesses, graces and shows us the way!

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.