EDGE: May 10

Getting Involved:  Faith & Works

OBJECTIVE:

To learn about our call to action and ways that we can get involved in helping others.

OVERVIEW:

Faith and works are an important part of our Catholic life.  Some faiths argue that we are saved by our faith alone.  The truth is, we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2: 8).  However, Jesus said, “Not every one who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).  In the words of Christ, we hear how important our works are.  Having faith is not only about saying prayers and acknowledging God with our lips, but also with our hands and feet.  Jesus also makes this clear in Matthew 23: 31 – 46.  The measure by which Jesus judged the righteous is not by faith alone – rather, we will be judged on how we cared for others (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving water to the thirsty, give shelter to the homeless, visiting those in prison, visiting the ill and burying the dead).

Due to the amazing love of Jesus, we cannot simply say, “I love you!” and then not act.  Love compels us into action.  This love that we feel calls us to take care of those who need our help.  If we have a relationship with Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet to those in need.  St. Theresa of Avila prayed, “Christ has no hands but yours…”

When we get involved with those in need, we help to build the Kingdom of God here on earth.  Fulfilling our duty to care for the poor and vulnerable helps the love of God to spread.  St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gopsel at all times; when necessary use words.”  Doing good works also helps to deepen our faith.  We come to rely more upon God and His providence and recognize the need for Him to uphold and sustain us.  Doing good works can also help to prevent us from falling in to sin.  When we help others, we take the focus from ourselves and our needs and desires.

It can be difficult to get a middle school youth interested in helping others.  Middle schoolers are primarily focused on themselves and their own needs.  When approaching “works of mercy,” many are disinterested because their hearts have not yet been shaped to help others.  Charity is a virtue that takes time to develop.  The Catechism affirms this:  “by charity, we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God.  Charity, the form of all the virtues, ‘binds everything together in perfect harmony’ (Colossians 3: 14)” (1844).

As Catholics, we are not trying to work or earn our way in to heaven.  We are simply answering the call of Christ to serve others.  The more we participate in the sacramental life of the Church, the better we can understand the grace that sends us out to serve those in need.

Summary Challenge (Points to Remember):

1. There are many ways that middle schoolers can be involved in the community.
2. Remember it is not someone else’s responsibility to take care of the poor and vulnerable – it is our responsibility – your responsibility.
3. It might be hard to get started serving others, but start by serving in little ways those around you – in your family, your school, etc.
4. We are the hands and feet of Christ.  When we help to serve others, we share God’s love with them and help to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.  St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”

James 2: 14 – 17

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?  So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.