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The Wise and Foolish Builder,
painting by Danny Hahlbohm (born 1949),
Painted in 1999,
Oil on canvas
© Danny Hahlbohm |
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?” Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!
‘Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’
Jesus had now finished what he wanted to say, and his teaching made a deep impression on the people because he taught them with authority, and not like their own scribes. |
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| Reflection on the Painting
In our gospel reading today Jesus tells us that it is not enough to simply proclaim our faith and say we believe in God. Being Christian means that our faith is inextricably linked with action, justice, generosity and love. Today’s reading comes towards the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, so Jesus reminds us that what counts is what is in our hearts and how we behave, and not just simply the words we speak. St. Ignatius wrote: "Love ought to manifest itself more by deeds than by words”.
Just as buildings need solid foundations to stay standing, so does our faith. The foundations have to be a love deeply rooted in Our Lord, and that love is driven by action and generosity, not just words. Our painting today is by contemporary Christian artist Danny Hahlbohm. Danny was born in the USA and worked in the armed forces. Upon his return from his placements abroad for the US army, he started painting Christian artworks. Just like the print of the two gates (the wide gate and the narrow gate) a couple of days ago, today we see two different houses depicted which again come from two very different life choices: one built on God, and one not built on God…
by Patrick van der Vorst |  | |
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