"Even the strongest faith is of no avail without works"

[Crown_of_Stars]

Jesus said this to Sister Faustina. What, exactly, does He mean by “works”? I always have thought it to mean charitable works, such as helping people, caring for children or the elderly or the poor. Does He more mean “works” as in things like that, or “works” as in praying, saying rosaries, chaplets, and trying to go deeper in your faith?
Also, I believe works without faith would be no good either.
I worry a little, because I don’t have an opportunity to be as helpful as St. Mother Teresa was. My “works” I consider to be little things I do or feel, quietly. My “works” I consider to be that I know I am always honest, and try to live the way He would want me to live, and I take my faith seriously. I feel it isn’t enough, that I need to do more to help the poor, but as I said, I really don’t have the means or opportunity. I tithe, of course, and give what I am biblically supposed to give. I just don’t know if living quietly, as I do, and honestly, and trying to deepen my faith is enough.

 

[po18guy]

Works that flow from charity - a love of all others made in the image and likeness of God. Each and every mention of judgment on judgment day mentions that we will be judged according to what we have done. Not a peep about faith. Faith without works is dead, as James wrote.

 

[Anne1964]

Have you read St. Therese of Lisieux’ Story of a Soul? She wrote about the “little way” of becoming a saint.

Smiling at a person you don’t like, letting someone else go in front of you in a line, praying for someone who annoys you with their habits, etc. All of these things are works that are pleasing to God.

 

[Rosebud77]

Jesus said this to Sister Faustina. What, exactly, does He mean by “works”? I always have thought it to mean charitable works, such as helping people, caring for children or the elderly or the poor. Does He more mean “works” as in things like that, or “works” as in praying, saying rosaries, chaplets, and trying to go deeper in your faith?
Also, I believe works without faith would be no good either.
I worry a little, because I don’t have an opportunity to be as helpful as St. Mother Teresa was. My “works” I consider to be little things I do or feel, quietly. My “works” I consider to be that I know I am always honest, and try to live the way He would want me to live, and I take my faith seriously. I feel it isn’t enough, that I need to do more to help the poor, but as I said, I really don’t have the means or opportunity. I tithe, of course, and give what I am biblically supposed to give. I just don’t know if living quietly, as I do, and honestly, and trying to deepen my faith is enough.

always ways you can support others quietly if you seek them. You are asking the right questions which is great.

 

[Reepicheep]

(Snipped) I just don’t know if living quietly, as I do, and honestly, and trying to deepen my faith is enough.

The Widow’s Mite: Luke 21: 1-4

He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury; and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins. And he said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.”

By the words of Christ Himself, if all you can do is tiny things, then tiny things count as much as the great things done by others.

 

[fhansen]

It’s a common concept in our faith.

“Faith without works is dead” (James chap 2).
“The only thing that counts is faith working through love” (Gal 5:6).
“Without love faith may indeed exist but avails nothing” St Augustine.

Love is sort of the goal in Christianity-and works flow naturally from it.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I would find it hard to believe someone had a great faith if it didn’t even move them to be kind to others.

 

[Rosebud77]

I would find it hard to believe someone had a great faith if it didn’t even move them to be kind to others.

amen to that but sadly it happens too often.

I think the OP knows this but is hard pressed to find the HOW!

While there is little I can do, as I am disabled, I can still knit and sell to support the work my family do overseas, But then i am blessed to have them and to know that every cent will be well and safely used,

In every town I think there are homeless? Maybe if you an knit etc? Simple gloves and scarves and hats? Hesitant re the various knittted vest schemes as the garments tend to get warehoused…

Or visiting old folk? Are there homes near you who have this idea?

Ask around quietly and see what there is?

Nothing ventured as they say… Bless you!

spreading the love of Jesus…

 

[MtnDwellar]

Ask God for help. My prayer is that if there is someone who I can help, bring him to me.

 

[MT1926]

Jesus said this to Sister Faustina. What, exactly, does He mean by “works”? I always have thought it to mean charitable works, such as helping people, caring for children or the elderly or the poor. Does He more mean “works” as in things like that, or “works” as in praying, saying rosaries, chaplets, and trying to go deeper in your faith?
Also, I believe works without faith would be no good either.
I worry a little, because I don’t have an opportunity to be as helpful as St. Mother Teresa was. My “works” I consider to be little things I do or feel, quietly. My “works” I consider to be that I know I am always honest, and try to live the way He would want me to live, and I take my faith seriously. I feel it isn’t enough, that I need to do more to help the poor, but as I said, I really don’t have the means or opportunity. I tithe, of course, and give what I am biblically supposed to give. I just don’t know if living quietly, as I do, and honestly, and trying to deepen my faith is enough.

Your topic brought one verse to my mind.

Luke 12:48
48 But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.

Personally, I always felt good works need to take you out of your comfort zone a little. If it is something you love to do or doesn’t really hinder on your day or always comes easy, I would say your good works need to be re-evaluated. Even more so if it doesn’t have you making a choice, in certain instances, between what you want and what others need. Then in my opinion Jesus has given you much and you aren’t giving back as much as he is demanding of you.

Like someone else quoted above.

Luke 21:4
4 for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.”

For example:
A billionaire can donate a million dollars without blinking an eye… And is giving less than… Someone less fortunate might need to decide what meal they are going to skip to donate a dollar.

In the same way someone who does not work and gives 10 hours a week to the church is giving far less than someone who works 60 to 80 hours a week and still gives 2 hours a week to the church.

We shouldn’t really judge others but I believe I should judge myself more harshly than others would. We are running a race and to reach the goal you need to train hard to achieve perfection.

1 Corinthians 9:24
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Anyone that is a runner knows you have to push yourself to win the race.

If I’m not pushing myself I am not living up to the gifts God has bestowed on me.

God Bless

 

[SJacob7]

Works that flow from charity - a love of all others made in the image and likeness of God. Each and every mention of judgment on judgment day mentions that we will be judged according to what we have done. Not a peep about faith. Faith without works is dead, as James wrote.

Are you saying that faith has no part in our salvation? That it is solely dependent on works? Just curious. Thanks!

 

[Rosebud77]

Your topic brought one verse to my mind.

Luke 12:48
48 But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.

Personally, I always felt good works need to take you out of your comfort zone a little. If it is something you love to do or doesn’t really hinder on your day or always comes easy, I would say your good works need to be re-evaluated. Even more so if it doesn’t have you making a choice, in certain instances, between what you want and what others need. Then in my opinion Jesus has given you much and you aren’t giving back as much as he is demanding of you.

Like someone else quoted above.

Luke 21:4
4 for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had.”

For example:
A billionaire can donate a million dollars without blinking an eye… And is giving less than… Someone less fortunate might need to decide what meal they are going to skip to donate a dollar.

In the same way someone who does not work and gives 10 hours a week to the church is giving far less than someone who works 60 to 80 hours a week and still gives 2 hours a week to the church.

We shouldn’t really judge others but I believe I should judge myself more harshly than others would. We are running a race and to reach the goal you need to train hard to achieve perfection.

1 Corinthians 9:24
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Anyone that is a runner knows you have to push yourself to win the race.

If I’m not pushing myself I am not living up to the gifts God has bestowed on me.

God Bless

I do not think God goes in for this kind of bean counting. or competitiveness. Give because you love simply, Not hinking re cost or amount, nb a million feeds a lot of people!

 

[fhansen]

Are you saying that faith has no part in our salvation? That it is solely dependent on works? Just curious. Thanks!

The Church teaches that faith is the beginning , the root and foundation, of our justification, not the essence of it. Faith, by itself IOW, does not make us just. If the virtue of faith does not lead to and include hope, and most importantly love, which then encompasses the others anyway, then we haven’t gotten to where God would have us.
**."…if I have a faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing" **1 Cor 13
"Now these three remain, faith, hope, and love, but the most important of these is love". 1 Cor 13.
**“At the evening of life we shall be judged on our love”. **St John of the Cross

 

[MT1926]

I do not think God goes in for this kind of bean counting. or competitiveness. Give because you love simply, Not hinking re cost or amount, nb a million feeds a lot of people!

I was trying to point out the ratio of what God has given you and what you did with it, not the amounts. I also don’t think God is actually up there counting beans. Not sure where you got the competitiveness in my response, I even said we shouldn’t judge others. However, I do think God judges our hearts. Everything we have comes from God and is God’s,our abilities are our gifts from God. What we do with them is up to us. God might not say I like this guy because he fed more people than that one, but he does keep track of what I did with his gifts. That is what I read in Luke 12:48.

If I have misinterpreted this verse feel free to give me the correct interpretation.

 

[Bookcat]

Pope Benedict XVI on the subjects of Faith and Works in St. Paul

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081119_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081126_en.html (scroll down)

Plus earlier one:

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061108_en.html

 

[fhansen]

Pope Benedict XVI on the subjects of Faith and Works in St. Paul

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081119_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081126_en.html (scroll down)

Plus earlier one:

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061108_en.html

Thank you! These were very informative.

 

[Reepicheep]

I do not think God goes in for this kind of bean counting. or competitiveness. Give because you love simply, Not hinking re cost or amount, nb a million feeds a lot of people!

Of course God does not indulge in ‘bean counting’. But the rich man doesn’t have an advantage over the poor one in this regard. God rewards us according to the love we show for others.

 

[peter26]

Works that flow from charity - a love of all others made in the image and likeness of God. Each and every mention of judgment on judgment day mentions that we will be judged according to what we have done. Not a peep about faith. Faith without works is dead, as James wrote.

As Saint Paul wrote "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Faith comes first and is the root of salvation.

 

[fhansen]

As Saint Paul wrote "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Faith comes first and is the root of salvation.

Yes, and that’s an important point. Faith is the root, not the end, or definition/equivalent, of justice for man. The root must blossom into the flower or it remains stunted, unproductive.