The 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2021
Today is Sunday the 12 September, beginning the 24th week of Ordinary time.
The Kyiv Chamber Choir, sing the Creed: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” As I start this prayer today, can I join in with this strong, almost exuberant expression of faith? Can I begin by declaring my faith in my God, my creator, my heavenly Father?
Today’s reading is from the letter of James.
James 2:14-18
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.
Our reading today, James presents a challenge regarding our faith.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?
How do you feel as you hear this question?
Where in your life does your faith flow outwards into works?
James writes of practical works, of giving where a brother or sister lacks clothing or food, and perhaps we have responded to his question with a mental list of our good works, which are all worthy. But maybe today the Lord wants to show you something different, a need that you haven’t noticed before.
As you listen to the reading again, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your heart.
Take a moment with the Lord, to picture all those around you, near your home, your everyday journeys, your workplace, those you encounter in the world of social media.
How can you be open to sharing and showing you faith in new ways today?
Ask God to open your heart and guide you in this area…
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.