The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the action for others that expresses our justification before God and our trust in the Way of humility and service.
Faith and Works
The reading from the Book of James teaches that Faith without works is dead.
* [2:14–26] The theme of these verses is the relationship of faith and works (deeds). It has been argued that the teaching here contradicts that of Paul (see especially Rom 4:5–6). The problem can only be understood if the different viewpoints of the two authors are seen. Paul argues against those who claim to participate in God’s salvation because of their good deeds as well as because they have committed themselves to trust in God through Jesus Christ (Paul’s concept of faith). Paul certainly understands, however, the implications of true faith for a life of love and generosity (see Gal 5:6, 13–15). The author of James is well aware that proper conduct can only come about with an authentic commitment to God in faith (Jas 2:18, 26). Many think he was seeking to correct a misunderstanding of Paul’s view.1
Psalm 112 proclaims the blessings of the righteous.
* [Psalm 112] An acrostic poem detailing the blessings received by those who remain close to God by obedience to the commandments. Among their blessings are children (Ps 112:2), wealth that enables them to be magnanimous (Ps 112:3, 5, 9), and virtue by which they encourage others (Ps 112:4). The just person is an affront to the wicked, whose hopes remain unfulfilled (Ps 112:10). The logic resembles Ps 1; 111.2
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus teaches the conditions of discipleship.
* [8:34–35] This utterance of Jesus challenges all believers to authentic discipleship and total commitment to himself through self-renunciation and acceptance of the cross of suffering, even to the sacrifice of life itself. Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it…will save it: an expression of the ambivalence of life and its contrasting destiny. Life seen as mere self-centered earthly existence and lived in denial of Christ ends in destruction, but when lived in loyalty to Christ, despite earthly death, it arrives at fullness of life.3
Steve Scholer considers the differences of opinion the Apostles might have had about the key to eternal salvation: faith versus good works.
Or maybe volunteer, on a consistent basis, at a shelter or soup kitchen. And while you are at it, take a friend with you so they can see the power of serving others and how you gain more by giving of yourself. In today’s world of endless communication, maybe we need to share our stories how Christ has made a difference in our lives. Who knows, maybe our words will resonate with someone who isn’t sure if they want to take the time and effort to become a Christian. Let’s not let the naysayers be the ones who dominate social media, but rather, let it be filled with stories about the power of love for one another. But the inverse of the passage from James is equally true, and we cannot be saved by our good deeds alone. We need to remember to strengthen our faith through daily prayer and meditation. Talk to God and feel his presence with us every minute of our day and thank God for his countless blessings. Maybe it can be as simple as to carve out a few more minutes of each day to read more than the readings and reflection for the day. Take the time to read the Bible and let its message resonate in all that you think, do and say.4
Don Schwager quotes “Would you follow Christ?,” by Caesarius of Arles, 470-542 A.D.
"When the Lord tells us in the Gospel that anyone who wants to be his follower must renounce himself, the injunction seems harsh; we think he is imposing a burden on us (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). But an order is no burden when it is given by one who helps in carrying it out. To what place are we to follow Christ if not where he has already gone? We know that he has risen and ascended into heaven; there, then, we must follow him. There is no cause for despair - by ourselves we can do nothing, but we have Christ's promise… "One who claims to abide in Christ ought to walk as he walked. Would you follow Christ? Then be humble as he was humble. Do not scorn his lowliness if you want to reach his exaltation. Human sin made the road rough. Christ's resurrection leveled it. By passing over it himself, he transformed the narrowest of tracks into a royal highway. Two feet are needed to run along this highway; they are humility and charity. Everyone wants to get to the top - well, the first step to take is humility. Why take strides that are too big for you - do you want to fall instead of going up? Begin with the first step, humility, and you will already be climbing." (excerpt from SERMONS 159, 1.4-6)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on James 2:14-24, 26 comments that as we know from experience, putting our faith into action can sometimes feel as if we are riding that bike up a steep mountain! It’s so much simpler to say we believe and leave it at that. But that can make our faith into a private affair, something only between us and God. It isn’t necessarily something that others can see making a difference in our lives or in the lives of the people we encounter each day.
God offers us chances to “ride the bike” of our faith every day and throughout our lives. As we learn to “hop on”—by taking advantage of opportunities to exercise our faith more and more—we find that it grows even stronger. Not only that, but we even learn to enjoy the ride! “Holy Spirit, help me to ride through life with faith!”6
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the expression of trust shared by James and our justification or peace with God in Paul’s letters. Abraham and Isaac are cited as examples of faith and works. Friar Jude reminds us of the “white martyrs” who die to themselves everyday.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares the work of Franciscan theologian Ilia Delio, who speaks of the love of God which is at the heart of the eternal and ineffable desire to pray.
God delights in creation and loves each of us with a personal love. Prayer, therefore, is God’s desire to breathe in me, to be the spirit of my life, to draw me into the fullness of life. When I pray—when I breathe with God—I become part of the intimacy of God’s life. The Franciscan theologian, Saint Bonaventure [c. 1217–1274], wrote in his Soliloquy, “[God] is the One who is closer to you than you are to yourself.” [2] Prayer is recognizing the intimate in-dwelling of God in our lives, the One who remains faithful in love even when the world around us may fall apart.7
Prayer opens us to the prompting of the Spirit to express in the daily interactions we have with others our humility and trust in God.
References
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