So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. – James 2:17

I recently got to know Joe Dean Sola a little better. He’s the founder of He Cares, a foundation that gives street children a fresh start and new opportunities in life. They aim to rescue at least one child from the streets every day. They’ve rehabilitated and evangelized hundreds of kids over the past decade.

       But before Joe Dean actually put up the foundation, his ministry already existed. Joe Dean would literally give shivering kids the shirt off his back and would lie down with them in the street on a chilly night to keep them warm. He would give the last few coins in his pocket to feed a hungry street child.

       Every time Joe Dean speaks about his passion for the poor, I’m moved to tears. To no fail. (I’m actually in tears right now as I write this!) His love for the lowly is so evident and infectious. But more than his actual words that move me, I believe it’s the fact that his words are alive.

       Christian author John Maxwell once said, “I don’t practice  what I preach. I only preach what I practice.” Well, that would be a really good way to describe Joe Dean. He doesn’t see himself as a good speaker, but in my opinion, he doesn’t actually have to be one. His actions do the talking. And people hear him loud and clear. George Tolentino Gabriel (george.svp@gmail.com)

Reflection: Do your words and deeds match?

Lord, may people see You in my actions, not just in my words.

St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Faith is all about action. Justice is all about putting right the wrongs we discover in our lives and in the world around us. True righteousness is not about seeing ourselves with a monopoly of the understanding of good and right, but about living the truth as we know it, and seeking to influence those around us with our commitment to it. Judgmentalism will never serve the Kingdom of God. It will simply turn people off to our message.

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 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? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 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. 19 You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. 20 Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was comp leted by the works. 23 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. 24 See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 26 For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

1 Blessed the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. 2 His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. (R) 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. 4 Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. (R) 5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; 6 he shall never be moved; the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance. (R)

Jesus is getting down to business now. He is making it clear that to be His disciple is not going to be easy. It will mean embracing many difficult and trying decisions. It will mean taking up our cross and following Him. The disciples could not fully understand what this meant as they had no idea that Jesus was going to die, and on a cross at that. However, I am sure they would be able to understand that what Jesus was saying to them constituted a warning that to follow Him would involve trial and suffering of one kind or another.

I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

34 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. 35 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. 36 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 What could one give in exchange for his life? 38 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.” 9: 1 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.”

think: True righteousness is not about seeing ourselves with a monopoly of the understanding of good and right, but about living the truth as we know it.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Thessalonians 1-5

Not too many Catholics know this African saint who lived in the late 19^th century until the early 20th century and whose memorial we celebrated last February 8. People call her St. Josephine Bakhita, but the reality is that she never had a name — maybe just a number to facilitate the public auctions in which the highest bidder would be her new master. She was a slave in Africa who grew up knowing nothing about herself, except that she was a slave. So early in life, without yet knowing Jesus, she already denied herself and took up her cross. Serving one master after another, she felt empty and incomplete. She humbly surrendered to her fate as a slave.

       Not knowing how to pray, she just wished all her life that her next master would be less mean, do her less harm, add less scars to her already scarred body. Later on, in another public auction, an Italian couple bought her and took her with them to Italy. While she served their household, she discovered that even a slave can be treated humanely. They were close to treating her as their own daughter. She started going to church with them. She received catechesis from the Canossian Sisters and learned about Jesus.

       She could not believe her faith discovery — that after all the pains she endured from different masters, there is actually a great Master named Jesus who offered His life for her! All she knew was that a master would flog her after every mistake. After all, that’s the life of a slave. And then she found the greatest treasure in Jesus, who took the form of a slave. Many people cannot relate to St. Bakhita because we are not slaves. But the Lord constantly invites us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him. Because we are not slaves, we tend to escape every possible hardship that may confront us, even if it means serving and following the Lord. We want to lord it over others. We want to conquer and remain victors in its worldliest sense. In the process, we ruin our lives and part ways with God.

       Like Bakhita, may we find our own treasure and stronghold in Jesus. Only He can complete our lives. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, OFS

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you fathomed everything that Christ endured for you?

Lord Jesus, my Master, You have died for me — may I live for You.