Daily Readings - Fri Feb 21 2020
James
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Mark
34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the dynamic relationship between faith and action. The Epistle of James challenges us to move beyond mere belief, emphasizing that true faith is demonstrated through our deeds. James illustrates this by contrasting a faith that is inactive with one that is alive, using the example of Abraham, whose actions confirmed his faith. This teaching underscores that faith without works is incomplete, much like a body without a spirit.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus expands on this theme by discussing the nature of discipleship. He calls His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross, illustrating that true commitment requires sacrifice. Jesus warns against valuing worldly gains over spiritual well-being, highlighting that our actions must reflect our priorities. This teaching aligns with James' message, as both emphasize that our faith must be evident in our actions and choices.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to examine how we live out our faith. It is not enough to profess belief; we must actively serve and love others, embodying Christ's teachings. The moral lesson here is clear: faith must be paired with works, and discipleship requires sacrifice. Let us strive to live out our faith with integrity, ensuring our actions reflect our commitment to follow Christ, even when it demands self-denial.