Isaiah 26:1-6 / Matthew 7:21, 24-27
When a word appears more than three times in a passage, we would have guessed that it has a particular emphasis on that passage and that it is also pointing to a particular meaning.
And when the same word appears in two different passages, then all the more it calls for attention to the meaning that it wants to point to.
Today's two readings have a particular word in common - rock.
From that word, we will have ideas of it like sturdiness, solidity, immovability, etc.
The 1st reading proclaims that the Lord is the everlasting Rock and to trust the Lord for ever.
Given the qualities associated with a rock, it is not difficult to understand why the imagery of the rock is used to associate with God.
In the gospel, Jesus said that everyone who listens to His words will be like a sensible man who builds his house on rock.
Building a house is more than just a sensible thing to do; if the house is a symbol of protection and security, then it better be built on something solid.
Similarly, building our lives and our faith in God the everlasting Rock will certainly give us the protection and security that we long for.
Trusting in anything else would be like building sand castles.