Gospel in Art: The house built on rock and the house built on the sand

The Wise and Foolish Builder by Danny Hahlbohm, 1999, Oil on canvas © Danny Hahlbohm

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 26 June 2025
Matthew 7:21-29

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord", will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

'Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.'

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Reflection on the painting

In today's Gospel reading Jesus delivers a sobering reminder: it is not enough to simply profess belief in God with our lips. True discipleship is measured not by words alone, but by the actions that flow from a heart aligned with God's will. As He concludes the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns that even those who cry "Lord, Lord" may be far from the Kingdom if their lives are not shaped by obedience, justice, compassion, and love. As St Ignatius of Loyola beautifully put it: "Love ought to show itself more in deeds than in words."

This call to action is powerfully illustrated in Danny Hahlbohm's painting, inspired by Jesus' parable of the two builders. A contemporary Christian artist and former member of the U.S. armed forces, Hahlbohm began painting devotional art upon returning from service abroad. In this piece, he depicts two houses: one made of bricks standing firm on solid rock; the other made of sand, about to collapse as the waves hit the beach. The imagery is clear, our lives must be built on the sure foundation of Christ, not on the shifting sands of superficial belief or self-interest.

Every day, we are faced with the same choice: to build on the rock of God's truth, through lives of mercy and faithfulness, or to risk collapse by placing our trust in anything less.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-7-21-29-2025/ (with audio)