“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” As I read thru this week’s readings this verse from the second reading jumped out at me. As we heard Peg Orzel speak to us last week about our parish ministries, this verse really drove the point home that we all need to be involved. Not just because our parish needs us, not just because there are needs in our community, region, country, and world, but because it is the only true way to allow our faith to show. After this initial verse in the reading James goes on to give examples that drive home the point that faith without works is dead. Yes, we should pray that our brothers and sisters who are lacking basic necessities will get what they need. But if we can provide them with what they need, why not physically give them what they need so our works can prove our faith. Give your time, talent, and treasure to our community. Volunteer to help at the food pantry, bring in some donations to help those less fortunate to eat. Volunteer to work with the hospitality committee and help our parish in times of grief as well as celebration. Don’t just pray that we meet our Hope Appeal goal, make a sacrifice and do something to help us meet it. There are so many things that we all can do to help. Every person in this parish, in fact, every person in existence, 100% of humanity, is gifted to do SOMETHING. God has placed in us a talent that we are called to share in order to help those around us. I know we are all busy, that our schedules are full, and our budgets are tight, but that is also why it is called a sacrifice. In order to do anything, you are sacrificing something else. If you spend time or money doing A, you aren’t spending that same time or money doing B. We all have the same, limited 24 hours in a day and we all have limited budgets, what we do within those limitations is up to us. I urge you to pray and ask God where He can use you, then listen and act. Do what God is calling you to do. Sacrifice some time or treasure, or both. We are all at different places in our lives, but I would be willing to bet that we can all do a little more to show our faith by our works. Help us make a difference in our community and beyond. God Bless.

Pax Christi,

John Mihalko