A house must be built on solid foundations if it is to last. The same principle applies to man, otherwise he too will sink back into the soft ground and become swallowed up by the world

Only to the extent that men desire peace and brotherhood can the world be made better. No peace even though temporarily obtained, will be permanent, whether to individuals or nations, unless it is built upon the solid foundation of eternal principles.  - David O. McKay: (1873 – 1970: was an American religious leader and educator)

Gospel Text: (LK 6:43-49)

Jesus said to his disciples:

“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,

nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.

For every tree is known by its own fruit.

For people do not pick figs from thornbushes,

nor do they gather grapes from brambles.

A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,

but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;

for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?

I will show you what someone is like who comes to me,

listens to my words, and acts on them.

That one is like a man building a house,

who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock;

when the flood came, the river burst against that house

but could not shake it because it had been well built.

But the one who listens and does not act

is like a person who built a house on the ground

without a foundation.

When the river burst against it,

it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed.”

"By their fruits, you shall know them."  The gospel speaks of building our lives on the foundation of solidity and real strength, rooted firmly on the Word of God.  The Gospel message is unequivocal – to live a life rooted in firmness and truth, we have to live a life that does not waver when trials come because it is based on God's word.  

But the Gospel reading also speaks of something else – the freedom of choice to build on a firm foundation of faith that is grounded and rooted in God's love and mercy.  In our lives, God has given us the freedom to build and plant trees that show who we are and how much we value our faith.  At the same time, he also allows us to live our lives however we want by giving us his unending gift of free will.  True freedom, however, is rooted in our realization that without the love of God, we will constantly put into question our values, our truth and what makes us truly human.  The correct use of our freedom will bring joy, happiness and peace.  This is the foundation that God calls us to build our lives on.