faith? works?

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?  Can faith save you?"  (James  2:14)

What is faith?  One definition is "complete trust in someone or something."  Another definition is belief in God - which for me is "complete trust in."  We've been talking, a lot, about what we believe this year.  We have also looked at a number of books aimed to strengthen our relationship (faith) with (in) God.

The readings, today, are asking us what we are doing with the faith, belief, we claim we have.  Proverbs is reminding us "the Lord is the maker" of all of us.  (Proverbs 22:2b)  James is pointing out how saying "go in peace" when people are in need of the basics isn't "good faith." (James 2:16)  The Gospel reading, in Mark, is pointing out Jesus healing so "ears were opened." (Mark 7:35)  Ears "open" listening for what God is asking us to do - love and take care of each other.

As "care"givers we are already giving "care" but are we really listening for what God is calling us to do?  Are we loving neighbor?  Do we really have faith - believe in Christ?  Do other people see we LIVE our faith?  Something to think about........