Read Romans 12:9-21
One cannot be truly happy with a faith that does not become active in works of love, for love is the witness, the evidence that Christ is alive in a person’s life.
Faith is not the confidence that certain propositions about God are correct or sufficient. Even ostensibly good acts of charity cannot measure the breadth and depth of one’s faith. What many call works of love can only be truly recognized as that when they stem from the urging of Christ. Good things which we do to advance ourselves, to be polit, and to do our duty, even to be helpful, can often be done from the desire to look good in other’s eyes rather than to be right with God. They are part of the hidden pattern in our lives that seeks reward for doing what is right, and believes that if we do what is right, we will be rewarded.
Only those who truly realize their own poverty and spiritual weakness are capable of genuinely giving love. It has always been that way with the saints. One theologian put it this way, “The saints are those who make it a little bit easier to believe in God.” Instead of asking, “What’s in it for me?”—and knowing that they could give God nothing, they discovered a freedom to give genuinely to others.
Today I will thank God for His special gifts to me—gifts that open my heart to receive His love…gifts like the Eucharist and attendance at Mass, gifts which help to free me to love others.
Larry Neeb
Originally published June 21, 1985
