Word to the Wise
Sunday, March 22, 2009 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
[2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21]For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (Gospel of John) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God' it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance,that we should live in them. (Ephesians)
One of the major theological disputes that characterized the age of the "Protestant Reformation" and really continues today in ecumenical circles has to do with "works righteousness." Catholic have been rightly accused at times of believing they can "earn" salvation by doing "good works." The reformers went to the other extreme and appeared to be saying that "once saved it doesn't matter what you do!" (Luther is said to have excluded the Letter of James because of its emphasis on works that demonstrate faith!) Both these extremes have been pretty much abandoned on official levels but they do have a way of showing up from time to time. Perhaps a classic example appears in the wealthy individual who builds magnificent churches using slave labor! The end does not justify the means, no matter how great his faith is! On the other hand, there is the example of the person who "loves through gritted teeth." The outer deed may be good in appearance but the inner disposition is truly lacking. Good works are meant to be, as St. Paul points out, expressions of good faith! And yes, "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son" so that we might follow the example of that Son in the way we live our lives. Jesus points out that "hearing the word of God and putting it into practice" is what makes a person a disciple. However, if good works are done just for the purpose of demonstrating faith and not out of love for God and neighbor, then they are imperfect to say the least. There has to be an "integrity" between the Christian on the inside and the Christian on the outside. We are called to the personal relationship in faith and love with God. We are also called to express that relationship in our conduct toward our neighbor. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a good one to review for this! In the Gospel of John, Jesus points out that eternal life begins with faith and our lives must then be lived in the "light" of that faith. AMEN
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