Saint Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial)

Faith without works is dead. 

It’s too bad.   Ever since the time of the Reformation, believers have had a hard time reading this verse of Scripture without feeling they have to defend their interpretation of it.   Are we really justified by faith alone?   Or does faith need to manifest itself in actions?

James wasn’t embroiled in such theological difficulties when he wrote this letter.   He was simply responding like a good pastor.   He saw members of his church failing to live out what they claimed to believe.   They assumed that since they had faith, they didn’t need to push themselves to help the people around them.   So James wrote this letter to shake up his readers.   Did you notice he even calls them “you ignoramus” (2:20)?   Clearly, he wanted to grab their attention and get them to notice how badly they had been treating each other.

You might have heard the saying “Love is a verb.”   Love is expressed in action, not just in feeling.   James is pointing out that faith is a “verb” too.   Faith has to be expressed in action.   Believing in Jesus changes our thoughts, yes, but it also changes what we do.   It changes how we spend our money and our time.   It changes the way we speak and the way we listen.

Jesus makes a similar point in today’s Gospel (James 2:14-24, 26).   If we want to follow him, we need to follow his example—in our actions.   That’s what he means when he tells us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses.

So let James wake you up today.   Take a moment to reflect on the ways your actions show the vitality of your faith and the ways they do not.   Start the day by telling the Lord that you want to live out what you profess.   Then at the end of the day, ask, How did my actions show my faith?   Give thanks for any successes, and if you feel you fell short, ask the Lord how you can do better tomorrow.

Lent starts next week.   It’s the perfect opportunity to think about practical ways you can make some changes in your weekly routines.   What could you do to exercise your faith, to help it grow by acting it out?

“Jesus, teach me how to live out more fully the truths that I believe about you.”

Psalm 112:1-6
Mark 8:34–9:1