In the Gospel, Jesus summons the scribes, who say that Jesus must be possessed by the devil because he can drive out demons. He uses a parable, telling the scribes that a house divided against itself cannot stand. I see the house as myself. The divisions come when I fail to do what I should do or when I don’t let God in or when I turn away from God. I am like a house divided, weak at the foundation, rickety in the structure. The strength and support God provides when I open myself to Him can build up my foundation and make me ready to face the storms of life.

It seems apt that on a day that is the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Gospel includes the parable that a house divided against itself cannot stand. I went to the Catholic Encyclopedia to read more about Thomas, one of the doctors of the church and the patron of universities. He was seen as one of the greatest theologians of the church, a scholar who brought order and clarity to sacred doctrine and summarized Christian philosophy with his Summa theologica. He was renowned for his teaching, and his scientific approach to writing that produced works that were clear, concise and accurate. His work helped build a strong foundation for centuries to come.

Sometimes I try and make everything too complicated, building a house of cards that I know cannot stand. I need God’s help to bring simplicity and clarity in my life to build my own strong foundation so that I am not a house divided against itself.