JAMES 2:14-24, 26

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, 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. Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. Thus the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

MARK 8:34–9:1

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." He also said to them, "Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power."

Today’s Gospel is a hard, realistic look at discipleship. Jesus tells us that following him is not a matter of glamour or prestige, but will of ten cause discomfort or pain. Just as the martyrs laid down their very lives, we are also called to give God what is most precious to us. In denying ourselves for His sake, we may have to change certain habits, risk losing the affection of people dear to us, or give up the comfort of familiar mind-sets.

As we grow in our journey with God, we may find Him asking us for more and more. We should not let this frighten or discourage us, for He is only teaching us to trust and love Him more than the things He gives us. In our everyday lives, He gives us many opportunities to deny our self-centeredness that is used to being in control. Although our God may sometimes seem demanding, we can never match His generosity. Any thing we give up to be with Him is nothing compared to what He has in store for us, for only in Him will we find the life we truly desire.

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Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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