Belong to the Reign

THE WORD IN ADVENT 

First Thursday in Advent - December 04, 2025

Isaiah 26: 1-6; Matthew 7: 21, 24-27

The Rock is the imagery that connects the first reading and the Gospel today, inviting us to reflect on the Reign in two respects - as the strong city built and awaiting us to enter; and as the  source of meaning and purpose of our life in its essence. 

Let us begin with that question: who can enter the Reign of God? Reign of God is the figured as the city of God - that imagery can recall to our mind the classic literature of St. Augustine where he contrasts the two cities, and invites us to belong to that city that belongs to God. It is a call for a choice - the same as what Ezekiel gives us today or Jesus in the Gospel. Reign of God is a choice we make, not a place we build. 

Secondly there is the rock, the ground, the source of sustenance, the solid foundation on which I am invited to build my life. The process is tough, challenging and discouraging - because we can see so many short-cuts and success stories right in front of our eyes! But pretty well do we know that those are just mirages, appearing so attractive and pleasing to the perception, hiding a direct portal to perdition behind them. 

The Reign is the life built on the Eternal Rock, that is our Lord. It is a life style, a culture, a shared experience built on the values and priorities of the Gospel - that of love, peace and communion. It is there that the Reign is built, as the City of God... on a rock solid ground of turth, justice and integrity. Choosing it we would step into a life of challenges and hardships, however we are called to choose, to choose to belong to the Reign!