Alexander Master, Christ healing a boy, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague, c.1430
Gospel: John 10:31-42
But if I do them [good works], even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father (NRSV, John 10:38).’
Let us pray.
Father, over the centuries there has been a long debate as to whether we can be saved by our good works. In the end, we realize that it not the works that save but it is faith, the acceptance in trust and confidence of the great gift of your divine life that you offer, through the Word ever-present to each and every human being at every moment, even from the womb.
The acceptance of your gift raises us up to share in everything that you are, the giving, receiving and sharing that is your inner life. Just as you give Life to the Word and Word receives that Life and you both share that Life in the Love that is the Holy Spirit, so we too, transformed by the gift that we have freely accepted, find ourselves inevitably but freely giving, receiving and sharing with one another. Good works proceed without fail from true faith as it is lived out.
As the truth about Jesus was clear in the signs he performed, may our faith be manifest to others by the good works that faith empowers us to do.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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