Yes, Virginia, There is a God
The Real Reason: Why We do Good Works
I used to work with an individual who very openly and aggressively challenged my Catholic faith on a frequent basis. Often these ‘attacks’ would leave me feeling sad, frustrated or angry. But also quite often these verbal assaults would make me delve deeper into my own faith. I would study the ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘where’ and ‘why’ of the Catholic faith with earnest.
Not surprisingly one of these encounters led to the age-old debate on faith vs good works. My coworker believed that he was saved and therefore no quantity of good works were necessary to buy his way into heaven.
Granted, good works do not ‘buy’ our way into heaven. I can agree with that. But if we have faith how can we not help to do good works?
If we have faith then we know that God is a God of love. He loves us all equally, unconditionally–saint and sinner alike (hate the sin, love the sinner). Therefore, we as followers are asked to love as He loves. If we love like our Creator loves how can we help but do good works as a result of this pure love?
How can we help but visit the sick, send them a card, offer to take them to a medical appointment or bring them a meal? How can we help but care for our elderly by being patient with their frailties in both body and mind? How can we avoid visiting them, calling or writing more often than when it’s solely convenient for our personal schedule? If we love with our faith how can we resist fighting for the unborn, the disabled, the sick–knowing we are all created in the imagine and likeness of our loving God?
How can we help but put our FAITH INTO ACTION? If we go to Mass weekly that’s a great start. But does God want us to limit our faith to one hour a week? The answer is a simple and resounding ‘no’.
“Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16
If you are a true faith-filled person others should see it in your actions. If asked to describe you would anyone say you are generous with your time for others? selfless in your compassion towards the elderly, infirm, unborn, disabled, homebound? a pillar of humility?
No, we cannot buy our way to heaven but if we truly love God and neighbor we cannot idly sit by and not help the helpless….the aged, the hungry, the homeless. “And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Good works are just the result of putting our faith into action–putting LOVE into action.
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About the Author
I was born a cradle Catholic and was blessed to attend parochial elementary and high schools. My professional career started in the field of architecture. My only regret about that profession was that I never got the chance to design a Catholic church or chapel. Wanting to fulfill a desire to work closer with people, I eventually transitioned to the education field to work as a para-professional, primarily assisting with special education students. Working with those children proved to be extremely rewarding!
I enjoy time with family as well as attending Mass, gardening, photography, crafting and reading. I also enjoy learning more about our faith and promote causes for the Poor Souls in Purgatory and for the protection of the unborn, elderly and infirmed.
