Two houses are built, one on rock and one on sand. Perhaps the house built on sand looked better than the one built on rock. After all, some gorgeous homes are built on sand by the seashore. In good weather, both houses surely appeared attractive to passersby. In bad weather, however, the beauty of the home is useless in helping the home weather the storm. Not even the quality of the basement, slab, footers, or studs determines whether the house is destroyed or stands firm. It's only what the home rests upon that determines collapse or safety (Mt 7:24-27).

When it comes to building your life, do not "lay a foundation other than the one that has been laid, namely Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 3:11). You may appear attractive and successful to others — until that "rainy season" hits you (Mt 7:25). When tough times come, your life "lies bare and exposed" to all (Heb 4:13). Jesus makes it clear that you will collapse if you have the wrong foundation.

Use this Advent to prepare to meet Jesus anew at Christmas. He comes as a Baby, but He also "is an eternal Rock" (Is 26:4; see also 1 Cor 10:4). Use every precious day of Advent to build your life on Jesus, the Rock of Ages. Put some or all of the following "into practice" (Mt 7:24) this Advent: make an Advent Confession, read the book of Isaiah, devote extra time to prayer, Mass, and eucharistic adoration. Spend extra time reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Make a novena to the Infant Jesus. Pray the rosary daily. Pray with your spouse and children daily.

Winter storms are coming. Only twenty-four rebuilding days remain until Jesus comes at Christmas. Build your life on Jesus.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 28, 2010

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.