24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

  Faith and Works

Throughout the history of Christianity there has been a debate about the relationship between faith and works.

The Church in her wisdom has always tried to hold faith and works 

together.

We are not saved by our works or what we do.

We do not earn our way into heaven. 

Rather We are saved by faith.

Saved by our Faith in the death and resurrection of Christ.

And all those who believe in Him have Eternal Life. Jn. 3:15

But how do we know we have Faith?

Just because a person says, “Lord, Lord!”

Does that mean they have Faith?

Just because we come to Church

Does that mean we really have Faith?

Maybe we come to Church for other reasons. 

One cannot see or touch faith, 

but our works are the visible sign

Of what we believe. 

And that is why St. Paul can say that we are saved by faith. Eph. 2:8

and Jesus can say that God will repay each man according to his deeds.Mt. 16:27

As St. James says,

Show me your Faith without works,

And I will show you the Faith that underlies my Works. James 2:14-18

Faith welcomes strangers. 

Faith feeds the hungry and clothes the naked. 

Faith visits those who are sick and in prison. Mt. 25: 31-46

Actions speak louder than words,

And our Faith speaks loudest when we put it into practice. 

Christians have argued about the Faith for centuries. 

Maybe instead of arguing about what we believe,

Maybe the world would be a better place if we just put our Faith nto practice.

And then just maybe the world will believe what we say!