WALK THE WALK

Isaiah 26:1-6; PS 118 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord; Matt 7:24-27

You have to walk the walk.  These were the words that were often used in youth group discussions to get the kids to become more viable witnesses of their faith in their life.

The Walk the Walk  was just the second part of the equation.  The first part was Do you Talk the Talk or Do you walk the walk.

Again is was a thing used to get the youth motivated.

I always hated it.  It sounded to cliche.  It was too contrived.

Though I was the priest assisting the youth minister I made appoint never to repeat the phrase.  Which brings me to the gospel.

Jesus in the gospel points out a distinction that is often missed on us.

Here is a snippet:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord', will enter the kingdom of heaven,  but only he one who does the will of my Father in heaven."

My first reaction was that sounds a lot like walk the walk don't just talk the talk.  I was bit bummed until I read the next line.

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock…"

What was that all about I asked myself.  IT seems Jesus has a twist for us.

The true distinction isn't between talking and doing but rather between hearing and doing.

You can talk all day but if yo never heard, truly heard what Jesus said than the action always falter.

Saying and doing is a nice gimmick.  Hearing and doing is essential for the kingdom t break through into our lives.

Listening is important.  Listening, truly letting the word penetrate our hearts is where the seed of the gospel germinates.

They say there is often a chasm between what one says and another hears.  Maybe this is why JEsus insists on us listening first then doing second.

Do you hear the word?  Only then can we know where to walk and what to do!