Faith Without Works Dies

God honors the poor first. We see it time and again in the stories about Jesus - the stories about with whom he eats, with whom he associates, and who he heals. It is easy to say we follow him even as we know these stories and that God honors the poor first. But sometimes it is difficult for us to put the words we say in action. Often, our words and works of faith don’t align because we engage in favoritism, greed, and status-seeking. These struggles grow out of our desire to be safe and know security; it is fear that drives them. But when our words and works align with one another, then we are finding a faith that works. It works because as we recognize and support the humanity of others, we discover our own humanity. Faith without works is indeed dead, but faith with works thrives.