“A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.” This passage from Isaiah reflects the history of Jewish people. The northern kingdom of Israel had been destroyed by the Assyrians in 721BC and the invaders then besieged Jerusalem. Isaiah urged the people to stay strong, that God would protect his city. And the siege was lifted, the city saved. Several decades later, in 587BC, a new invader, this time from Babylon, besieged Jerusalem. This time another prophet, Jeremiah, was warning them not to keep saying “the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord” as some kind of magic talisman to protect them. Their protection would be righteous living, keeping the commandments, practicing justice, a converted heart. The people did not heed his message and the city fell. Jesus says something similar in the parable of the house build on rock. Just saying, “Lord, Lord,” just relying on being a Catholic, imagining that being baptized suffices is not a firm foundation. It is a gospel life of compassion, forgiveness, generosity, love that provides the way to peace and security.
