The message of God to the world comes not through natural phenomena like coronavirus but through the good news proclaimed by and embodied in a people who bear his name. “War, plague, and famine” are not severe words from God. They are groans of a broken creation into which God sends his word of faith,Continue reading “COVID-19 – Sharing Good News”
Category Archives: Good Works
Another Look: Luther on Good Works
Note from CM: I was going to save this post for October, when we will focus almost exclusively on the Reformation, this being its 500th anniversary. But right now, as I posted last week, I am reading Inhabiting the Cruciform God, by Michael J. Gorman, a book that reorients the whole idea of justification aroundContinue reading “Another Look: Luther on Good Works”
The Path Is Made by Walking
Traveller, your footprints Are the path and nothing more; Traveller, there is no path, The path is made by walking. By walking the path is made And when you look back You’ll see a road Never to be trodden again. • Antonio Machado “We don’t believe something by merely saying we believe it, or evenContinue reading “The Path Is Made by Walking”
#josiesimpact
One of the common disciplines in Lent is the practice of generosity through giving to others. Patricia and Mark have found a way to do that out of their deep sorrow, and I have been inspired by them. Though their little Josie lived only 18 days, their lives were forever changed by her presence. ThisContinue reading “#josiesimpact”
Another Look: Luther on Good Works
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love. • Galatians 5:2, NRSV For Christ at the last day will not ask how much you have prayed, fasted, pilgrimaged, done this or that for yourself, but how much good you have done to others,Continue reading “Another Look: Luther on Good Works”
Problems with Teaching about Good Works
I like to use the phrase “good works” to describe Christian living. Doing so reminds me of Ephesians 2:10, a favorite text of mine: “We are his workmanship,” says the apostle, “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” His workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus. This eliminates any possible understandingContinue reading “Problems with Teaching about Good Works”
Fr. Michel Quoist: “If each note said…”
If each note of music were to say: one note does not make a symphony, there would be no symphony. If each word were to say: one word does not make a book, there would be no book. If each brick were to say: one brick does not make a wall, there would be noContinue reading “Fr. Michel Quoist: “If each note said…””
Little Brave Unselfish Things
Love has awakened extraordinary energies in him that he himself didn’t think he was capable of. • Michel Quoist Keeping Hope • • • There is one thing people fail to understand who speak disparagingly of “good works” in favor of “faith alone”: any deed done in love cannot, by definition, be done for theContinue reading “Little Brave Unselfish Things”
Follow Me
I refuse to accept your resignation, says the Lord. • Michel Quoist Keeping Hope • • • This bit of divine response is found near the end of a poem by Fr. Quoist that speaks of how easy it would be to simply give up on being part of God’s mission. However, God loves usContinue reading “Follow Me”
Playing the Saint
The most arresting phrase in this quote by Fr. Michel Quoist is: “You play the saint….” When you receive a gift from a friend, you usually open the package immediately, admire your gift, indicate your approval and thank the giver. Your heavenly Father has given you many different gifts, but all too often you do not even dareContinue reading “Playing the Saint”
The Internet Monk Archives 