"And The House Came Tumbling Down"

Photo courtesy: flickr.com

At lunchtime today one of the Sisters told us that a retreat house that was built in Africa came tumbling down! Let me explain...

Sister's nephew is a Jesuit priest missioned in Africa. He has been supervising building projects in Africa for a community of nuns. Lately, they just completed their convent, thanks to Father's dedication and tireless effort working with the men, drawing up plans, supervising daily operations and having the final say about the project. It seemed that they started another project of building a Retreat house for the public. Without stating all the details, Sister said her nephew did not have much say about this project. He had been telling them about the wrong materials they were using, etc. But nobody listened. So after years of work they finally saw the house take shape, only to watch it collapse before their eyes! And guess what Father said? "I told you so!"

This incident surely brought home the Gospel message of building your house in good foundations. Jesus said: "Everyone therefore who hears my words and acts upon them, shall be likened to a wise man who built his house on a rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not fall, because it was founded on a rock! And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act upon them, shall be likened to a foolish man who built his house on sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and was utterly ruined" (Matthew 7:24-27)

If we can't be wise enough in building houses made of bricks and stones, how much more should we pay attention to our spiritual buildings? We may just hear the same words of regret from our Lord: "I told you so!"