St. James’ letter in the New Testament is a reminder of how practical our faith is to be. In today’s first reading, he exhorts, “Act on this word. If all you do is listen to it, you are deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). Another translation speaks of Christians as “doers of the Word.”
There are certainly many calls to “do the Word” each day, in big and little ways. I think, among many others, of our Sisters in food service. Sister Virginia Marie Myers and Sister Arlene Marie Hoffman play a key role in food preparation here at our Provincial Center. Sister Janet Marie Smith uses her knowledge of food service as a Dietary Manager with the Lucas County Senior Nutrition Program. These Sisters take seriously the Word, “When I was hungry, you gave me to eat.” It is not only putting food on the table but the care and attention they give that make their service part of living God’s Word.
Mary modeled a similar living of the Word at Cana. Not only did she experience concern for the wedding couple in their shortage of wine, but she did what she could to alleviate their embarrassment. Whether I put food on the table for our family, help in a soup kitchen to serve those who are hungry, or work to change systems that redistribute the world’s food, I am “doing the Word.” How will I put my faith into action today?
