Faith or Works: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2017

“More to do”

Faith or Works: 6^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Monday 13 February 2017

Readings: Psalm 119:1-8

James 2: 14-26 (alt. 1 Corinthians 2: 6-10)

Matthew 5: 21-26 (17-37)

Two sermons from different sides of the world: from Upper New York East Side (Queens); down-town Canberra, Australia

Canberra chose reading from Epistle of James; NY from the Gospel of Matthew.

But first from the Psalm 119: 1-8.

They are happy whose life is blameless,
who follow God’s law!
They are happy those who do his will,
seeking him with all their hearts.



You have laid down your precepts
to be obeyed with care.
May my footsteps be firm
to obey your statutes.



Bless your servant and I shall live
and obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may consider
the wonders of your law.



Teach me the demands of your statutes
and I will keep them to the end.
Train me to observe your law,
to keep it within my heart.

James 2: 14-26

James was concerned to show that believers should balance the ground of their confession between ‘works’ and ‘faith’, avoiding reliance on one aspect over the other, as if two ways of salvation could exist side by side and choosing optional. But the balancing is fraught, for works (deeds of virtue) without faith lack the necessity of ultimate purpose (other than to do good); however, faith without works is a “dead faith”, according to James. The mean is elusive, because when doing good is a matter of habit only (having the value of embedded virtue) there is likely lack of personal suffering - “schooled by trial” - whereas they who have themselves suffered and seen others suffer, are in no hurry to choose. They do what they have to do.

Matthew 5: 21-26

In Matthew (5:21-26) Jesus’ emphasis is on ‘truth’ in the heart. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Thou shalt not kill . . . . but I tell you . . . . and again,you have heard . . . anyone who says ‘you fool’, will be in danger of hell fire’.” Obey the holy law, that’s good, but don’t imagine that’s all there is to it, he seems to say. Being obligatory, obedience is just the beginning. More importantly, demeanor of spirit and a genuine intention of heart counts for more than lip-service. Jesus gives us an appreciation of the intrinsic worth of obedience to the law (following the Psalmist) and doing good, but stresses the far more valuable part the spirit has in obeying; not the pretense of observing God’s law (as if that were possible), but its genuine habitation in the character of the person.
Perhaps Jesus’ radicalism is beyond ordinary mortals unless necessity finds room for compromise; but purity of heart is never a bridge too far. There is always more work to do, aided by God’s generous gift of himself.

1 Corinthians 2: 6-16

(The Apostle has the last word): “Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’. But God has revealed it to him by his spirit.”