FAITH AND ACTION

⏰Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time II (21 February 2020)

📖Jam 2:14-24, 26; Ps 112:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6 (R.v.1b); Mark 8:34 – 9:1

🎤FAITH AND ACTION

My dear, the psalmist again reminds us today that those who take delight in the Lord’s commandments are indeed blessed. Listen to what the psalmist says about such a person, “Riches and wealth are in his house; his justice stands firm forever. A light rises in the darkness for [him]; he is generous, merciful and just” (Ps 112:3-4).

Can you see that it pays to be just and obedient to God? Indeed, it does! Yet, it is never easy. The task is an onerous one; it calls for total self emptying and denial of self pleasures. But Jesus tells us that there is no other way than that. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

Gradually, we are coming close to the Lenten season, a period of great mortification. So this call to the carrying of our cross to follow Christ is indeed a timely one. St. James helps us to understand that the consequence of that mortification and followership of Christ must be that we are rich in good works for faith without good works is dead (cf. Jam 2:26).

May God grant us the disposition to give ourselves and our talents totally in our journey of faith. May we have the strength to carry on till the very end and so be granted a place of honour among the saints after our life here on earth. Amen.

Have a blessed day ahead. Peace be with you.