but does not act on them
When we listen to the words of Jesus and act on them we become a "nation of firm purpose" which the LORD keeps in peace. We notice that America isn't really such a nation these days. But we may hope to be once more. James exhorts us, "Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. (cf. Jam. 1:22-23). John reminds us, "If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth" (cf. 1 Joh. 1:6). He goes on to tell us that the "way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments." When we cry "Lord, Lord," are we sure that we know him? If we just listen but don't act he will say, "I never knew you" and the house of our soul will collapse and be completely ruined.
His words are living and active. They are sharper than any two-edged sword (cf. Heb. 4:12). It isn't just a matter of reading rules and commands which can be divided into a nicely ordered list. This is because "the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life" (cf. 2 Cor. 3:6). The words of Jesus aren't valuable as an abstraction. Words of law can only condemn us. The words of Jesus are valuable because they put us directly in touch with Jesus in the power of his Spirit. We need to hear the message "with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God" (cf. 1 Cor 2:4-5).
It is precisely because this is the word of Jesus that building our lives on it is possible. Because it is no mere human word (1 The. 2:13) it can provide the only firm foundation on which we can whether the storms of human deceit (cf. Eph. 4:14). His words are a rock because he himself is rock solid, "For the LORD is an eternal Rock."
To act on his word is to allow it to unleash its power in us. When we act on his word it is his word itself that makes us just. This is seen most profoundly in the sacrament of confession. We appear before him in obedience. He speaks the word of absolution over us and we are made just. His word itself makes us pure. But it is only through the obedience of showing up that this happens. It is only by attentiveness to his word that it can set us free. It is only by being present to his word that it can have its way in us.
We prefer to listen and run off before we can be changed. We accumulate listening but avoid any hint of doing. But his invitation does not change. We are invited to draw ever closer. We are invited to chose the best part and to listen at his feet (cf. Luk. 10:42). We are called to be like Mary who believed that God's word to her would be fulfilled (cf. Luk. 1:45).
This is how the gates of justice open before us. This is how we enter more fully into God's presence wherein we find the fulfillment of every longing and desire.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
They open because we pray:
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
They open because he is our salvation:
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
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