We have been hearing from the letter of James this week in our first readings. Faith and works are the subject of today’s reading from the letter of James. We might not see the connection between faith and works as a controversial topic amongst Christians, but indeed it has been. Faith is more than an intellectual assent, it is more than just placing our trust and hope in God. James says that faith includes action and doing. Even though we do not have works come out of faith to justify our faith or to prove our salvation, our good works are to flow out of our faith like fruit growing from a tree that is tended properly, that is nourished and developed. A person who lovingly trusts God, who is obedient to God, who has faith in God, will overflow with good works in his life. God does not just want superficial sacrificial offerings; he also wants our obedience and our trust.
When a penitent comes to the sacrament of reconciliation, the priest confessor is to give him a penance to do. Often, I assign a good work coming out of his faith. Sometimes, I ask a child to do a chore around the house that he doesn’t normally do if the sin involved the relationship with a parent or other member of the family. Sometimes I ask the person to do a random act of kindness for a friend or family member or even a stranger to make amends for what he did. Our good works are to flow out of faith, but also they reinforce, compliment, and develop our faith. Indeed, you could say that faith and works naturally go together.
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