September 13, 2009: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Providence Associate Peggy Balensuela brings her dog to visit the older sisters in healthcare to brighten their day. Can you think of a way to brighten someone else's day?

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he or she has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him or her? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. Indeed someone might 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. (James 2:14-18)

In today’s selection from the Letter of James we read that faith without works is dead.
In other words, what we really believe is demonstrated in how we live. If we say one thing and do the opposite, we aren’t being honest. Words mean nothing if our actions don’t match our words. “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” “Actions speak louder than words.” St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach always, and if necessary use words.” His point was that our actions should “speak” for themselves!

Action:

The best way to express our faith in Jesus is to live as he has taught us. Think of something in your life that needs to be changed in order for you to be a better Christian. Work on changing a bad habit; ask Jesus to help you.