Friday 18 February 2022

Today is Friday the 18th of February, in the sixth week of Ordinary time.
The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing the canticle: O all you works of the Lord, O bless the Lord.

Today's reading is from the letter of James.
James 2:14-24,26
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. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith without works is barren? Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness', and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

Today's famous passage opens up an opportunity for self-reflection on our own faith.
What does your faith look like at the moment? How is it visible to the world?

Similarly, spend a moment or two reflecting on the works in your life... how might they be representative of your faith?

As you listen to the passage again, notice what stirs within you as you hear this presentation of 'faith' and 'works' and 'belief'.
As this time of prayer comes to a close, you might like to talk to god about your reflections today and ask for whatever you need to strengthen your faith, works and belief.


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.