What good is it, my brothers and sisters,
if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
On the first day of school this year, all the teachers and staff wore a St. Francis shirt with 3 words on the back: Pray, Work, Play! I think this is a great way to live life. These three ways of living bring us to the Lord, bring self-worth to ourselves and help renew us and lighten us up in our daily lives.
If you haven’t picked up and read our Mother Teresa Christmas giveaway book “Do Something Beautiful for God” lately, I invite you to get back to it. She speaks beautifully on this topic of work on September 15 when she says, “You can pray while you work. Work doesn’t stop prayer and prayer doesn’t stop work. It requires only that small raising of the mind to Him: I love you God, I trust you, I believe you, I need you now. Small things like that. These are wonderful ways to pray and wonderful prayers.”
This beautiful quote reminds me of the days when I would mow my grandparents’ field in the summer. I would sit on the mower and think and pray while I worked. Or when I paint, it frees me to think and ponder about life. Perhaps I should start mowing and painting again, ha! What kind of work do you like to do that invites you into a life of prayer?
But when we hear the words of St. James on work, he is speaking about faith-filled work: charity! St. Vincent de Paul says that “Charity is the cement which binds Communities to God and persons to one another.” Charity calls us to be open to God’s will in our lives and open to the needs of others and put our faith into action. Ask God to lead you to love someone particular today!
Speaking of cement, there are still many bricks at our school entrance walkway that can have your name on it! Call the office and not only memorialize a loved one but support our children! Thanks!
May God’s peace and joy be with you,
Fr. Jeremy
Ps. Keep an eye out for all the fun activities being offered this Fall. Peace!
