Today we hear from the Letter from James and we are told that simply having faith is not enough. Not only must we accept the Word and believe, we must be “doers” of the Word:
Do not be deceived, my beloved.
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1: 16-27).
To be sure, having faith is vital, but as James tells us, believing is not enough. We must also live out our faith, or as James says “be doers of the word.” Doing the word means that we care for those who are weaker and less able to care for themselves. James’ theme also rings throughout the Old Testament—God is concerned about how we treat “the widows and orphans” because they were helpless and defenseless. In Exodus we read: “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan” (Ex. 22:22), and in Deuteronomy: “Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.” (Deut. 24:17). So James tells us today: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” If we think differently, we are deceiving ourselves.
Let us pray: Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially all graduates, all of those serving in the armed forces at home or abroad, all of the shut-ins and everyone who is ill.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Do not be deceived, my beloved.
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1: 16-27).
To be sure, having faith is vital, but as James tells us, believing is not enough. We must also live out our faith, or as James says “be doers of the word.” Doing the word means that we care for those who are weaker and less able to care for themselves. James’ theme also rings throughout the Old Testament—God is concerned about how we treat “the widows and orphans” because they were helpless and defenseless. In Exodus we read: “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan” (Ex. 22:22), and in Deuteronomy: “Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.” (Deut. 24:17). So James tells us today: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” If we think differently, we are deceiving ourselves.
Let us pray: Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially all graduates, all of those serving in the armed forces at home or abroad, all of the shut-ins and everyone who is ill.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
