Good morning and welcome to today's Advent moment episode on Thursday December 4th.  Thanks to Mary Tyrrell for sharing this short reflection on today's Gospel, Matthew chapter 7 verses 21, 24 to 27.  This is a strange gospel excerpt which sounds like a warning for all house builders or even a warning about the effects of climate change. But, in fact, it reminds us what true discipleship is. Do you remember seeing posters printed with challenging words? One I remember read it, ”How would you prove you were a Christian”. An interesting thought and there were lots of answers - go to mass on a Sunday or daily, daily prayer, fasting , pilgrimages, charity work and many more. I am not suggesting that any of those things  are unimportant but more is needed .What is the more , the answer is in this passage. “It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven”. We must do the will of God which means carrying on the mission of Jesus by making the kingdom a  compassionate presence of God real for others. That is the firm foundation by which our faith is strengthened then God will welcome us into eternal life.  Lets finish with a prayer adapted from the prayer of St Teresa of Calcutta  Loving God  help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of you Shine through me and be so in me that every person I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen.  #advent #podcast #reflection #religion #spirituality #faith #christmas