Epiphany 9 | Ordinary Time 9, Cycle A
The importance of having a firm foundation of faith is emphasized in each of these texts selected for use on the rare occasions in which the Lenten and Easter Seasons are very late during the year of our Series A texts.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28
In words that are reiterated from Deuteronomy 6:6-9, we see in 11:18-21 the famous directions to implant the words and commandments of the Lord God in your heart, to bind them upon your hand, on your forehead, on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, and to teach them diligently to all of your children. You are reminded in verses 26-28 that if you obey the commandments of the Lord you will receive a rich blessing, and if you do not obey the commandments a horrible curse. These words that are so precious to Jews make perfectly good sense for us as Christians as well.
Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24
The psalmist asks the Lord God to be a rock and a fortress for the psalmist. Because the Lord has rescued the psalmist from the adversaries of the psalmist, the psalmist will bless the Lord always and forever.
Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31)
According to Paul, although everyone has sinned and is far short of the original glory provided by God, by the grace of God everyone may be declared righteous as a gift from God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. It is Jesus the Christ whom God has placed before all people as the one who, through faith in him, they may receive mercy in the shedding of his blood.
Matthew 7:21-29
Everyone who hears the words of Jesus the Christ and lives in accordance with them will be, it is said, like the wise person who has built that person’s house on a solid foundation where it will withstand the strongest winds and the most raging floods.
