Faith in Fact Is Faith in Act

Leading his congregation in prayer, a minister in a country church in the Ozarks uttered a petition that must have given the angels food for thought. "Dear Lord, if you can't make us hold much, at least make us overflow."

Either a small or large container can overflow. Most of us, when faith-challenged, find that our "faith container" doesn't seem to hold much - not enough to move mountains, anyway. But no matter how small our faith may be, still it can "overflow" in good works. In fact, our love-motivated good works increase our faith, and also show its authenticity, as James asserts (see James 2:14-26).

Faith without works, he says, is dead (2:17); the tree of faith without the fruit of good works is a dead tree. Though it may give assent to doctrinal truths, it will not pass muster on the day of judgment if it doesn't bear the first fruit of the Spirit - love (Gal 5:22), a love expressed in works of charity.

How does faith "overflow" in works of love? By faith we truly believe in our heart that is Jesus we serve in even the least of his bretheren (see Matthew 15:40). And this faith overflows at three levels. First by providing material needs for others, like food and clothing; second, by nonmaterial help, such as instruction or encouragement; and third, by noursihing them with grace, e.g. by prayer or good example. This is the triple overflow of faith.

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net