Listen to today’s reading from the Prophet Isaiah: “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place….'” Isaiah 28:16-17 The Prophet was warning the leaders of Israel in these ancient times that their shrewdness in politics and deal making will fail. Because shrewdness is not wisdom. But the Lord is going to provide a “chief cornerstone;” the beginning of a sure foundation that will overthrow the shrewdness of men and their petty “victories” over others. As we enter into the second half of Great Lent, we are invited to build our lives on a foundation much stronger than the untested constructs of modernity or the shallow, and ancient, errors of the past. We are invited to build on a sure foundation. This foundation is not some philosophy or some “ideas” or even cultural habits, but on a Person. The power of building our lives on Him rests in the humility and honesty of the Lord and His powerful obedience to the will of the Father. His life as our foundation means we are invited, encouraged, and actively called today, in this moment, to put away the intrigues and maneuverings of the short-sighted wisdom of “Me first.” We are invited today to an honest humility that frees us to be honest about ourselves before God and men without the fear of shame or rejection by God. He already knows us better than we know ourselves. But He also knows that as long as we hide from ourselves, we will never be free. St. Anthony said “Who does not know himself cannot know God.” And that makes perfect sense because you and I were created in God’s image to be made into His likeness. So, today, use the prayer of St. Ephrem to ask the Lord to reveal your true self to you so that you can offer your true self to God for healing and transformation. Pray “O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yes, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.” Ignore the sins of others. Build your life on the Sure Foundation and you will never be shaken no matter what the storm!Listen to today’s reading from the Prophet Isaiah: “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place….'” Isaiah 28:16-17 The Prophet was warning the leaders of Israel in these ancient times that their shrewdness in politics and deal making will fail. Because shrewdness is not wisdom. But the Lord is going to provide a “chief cornerstone;” the beginning of a sure foundation that will overthrow the shrewdness of men and their petty “victories” over others. As we enter into the second half of Great Lent, we are invited to build our lives on a foundation much stronger than the untested constructs of modernity or the shallow, and ancient, errors of the past. We are invited to build on a sure foundation. This foundation is not some philosophy or some “ideas” or even cultural habits, but on a Person. The power of building our lives on Him rests in the humility and honesty of the Lord and His powerful obedience to the will of the Father. His life as our foundation means we are invited, encouraged, and actively called today, in this moment, to put away the intrigues and maneuverings of the short-sighted wisdom of “Me first.” We are invited today to an honest humility that frees us to be honest about ourselves before God and men without the fear of shame or rejection by God. He already knows us better than we know ourselves. But He also knows that as long as we hide from ourselves, we will never be free. St. Anthony said “Who does not know himself cannot know God.” And that makes perfect sense because you and I were created in God’s image to be made into His likeness. So, today, use the prayer of St. Ephrem to ask the Lord to reveal your true self to you so that you can offer your true self to God for healing and transformation. Pray “O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yes, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.” Ignore the sins of others. Build your life on the Sure Foundation and you will never be shaken no matter what the storm!
