Musing
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So, my first post shall be a musing on the homily at mass today.
The Gospel was from Mark, and the 2nd reading was from James, and I'm going to focus on that.
One thing that people used to get confused with about the Catholic Church was because they thought Catholics believed the salvation needed faith AND good works, which is wrong. I think Christians, universally, admit that belief in Jesus--- and acceptance of his gift of forgiveness--- will give us salvation.
Once we've all gotten past this issue, we seemed to have moved on. But, the issue of works can't just disappear. Just because we agree it isn't such a big stipulant, does this mean that we don't do good works anymore. Are they no longer required?
Let's look at James 2:17-18--
"2:17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 18 But some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. "
Essentially, what he is saying here, is that it is not enough to just SAY you have faith. In fact, shouting your faith outloud in most ways is a form of pride. If one boasts about one's faith or deeds, the praise we receive on earth is our reward. But, when done in secret, God sees and will reward us in Heaven. But, I digress. The point I believe James is making is to let your faith show itself THROUGH your good works. "15 if a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? "
If we are true Christians, the issue of good works shouldn't even arise. If we love Jesus, we should do as he does, help others. WANT to help others.
Therefore, let's volunteer more, give MORE at church, even if it causes a hardship. And let's WELCOME the hardship. Jesus said: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34). We are always concerned with the riches of this world. Throughout the Bible, Jesus rebukes the rich, gives grand promises to the poor. For those of us fortunate with resources, let us share them, to be like Jesus!
I can't pretend to have any authority on this subject, but this is my interpretation. Jesus expects us to LOVE one another. Yes, even those who hurt us. We HELP them. As Jesus would.
The Gospel was from Mark, and the 2nd reading was from James, and I'm going to focus on that.
One thing that people used to get confused with about the Catholic Church was because they thought Catholics believed the salvation needed faith AND good works, which is wrong. I think Christians, universally, admit that belief in Jesus--- and acceptance of his gift of forgiveness--- will give us salvation.
Once we've all gotten past this issue, we seemed to have moved on. But, the issue of works can't just disappear. Just because we agree it isn't such a big stipulant, does this mean that we don't do good works anymore. Are they no longer required?
Let's look at James 2:17-18--
"2:17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 18 But some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. "
Essentially, what he is saying here, is that it is not enough to just SAY you have faith. In fact, shouting your faith outloud in most ways is a form of pride. If one boasts about one's faith or deeds, the praise we receive on earth is our reward. But, when done in secret, God sees and will reward us in Heaven. But, I digress. The point I believe James is making is to let your faith show itself THROUGH your good works. "15 if a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? "
If we are true Christians, the issue of good works shouldn't even arise. If we love Jesus, we should do as he does, help others. WANT to help others.
Therefore, let's volunteer more, give MORE at church, even if it causes a hardship. And let's WELCOME the hardship. Jesus said: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34). We are always concerned with the riches of this world. Throughout the Bible, Jesus rebukes the rich, gives grand promises to the poor. For those of us fortunate with resources, let us share them, to be like Jesus!
I can't pretend to have any authority on this subject, but this is my interpretation. Jesus expects us to LOVE one another. Yes, even those who hurt us. We HELP them. As Jesus would.
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