The Gospel reading today from Matthew 7 about the wise man who built his house on rock always makes me smile. My former pastor loved to use it at weddings. He confessed one day to the congregation during a homily that if he hated what the couple had chosen he would simply substitute that reading. I know that this was a true story because he did it for my friend’s daughter’s wedding.

If we look at Sarai and Haggar in the First Reading we see that at this point in time, they were not weathering the storms of life well. The wind blew and beat them down, but Haggar has an angel of the Lord that seeks her out to remind her she is not alone. When we are tempted to pitch our tent on the shifting sand, can we trust long enough to wait and build on solid rock?

St. Ignatius says to never make a decision when you are in desolation but rather wait until you are back in consolation. Haggar in her pain flees without discernment. God has other plans for her and does a divine intervention. Most of us are not so blessed to have an angel tell us what exactly we should do when we are running from the Rock. The message that Haggar receives is not an easy one but it is detailed. She returns home with courage and follows the will of God.

What would the message from an angel of the Lord look like for you at this juncture? Would you say that you are building your life on shifting sands or solid rock?

Peace,

Suzanne