By Vimal Kumar A, CSC –
Readings: Jas 2: 14-24, 26; Mk 8: 34 – 9: 1
The readings of today explicitly invite me to meditate on the theme, ‘Radical Discipleship’. The result of any action is its fruits and the fruit of any action is the reward. St. James in his epistle urges me that the faith becomes concrete and relevant when it is practiced through my daily actions.
The reward for my faith is my salvation in pursuit of my daily action. So my faith has a vital role in following Christ as a radical disciple. Perhaps, following Christ demands from me the practical virtues of my faith. The result of my faith emphasizes me to detach the world and cling on to Jesus in following his footsteps. The cross which I get to carry is not as heavy as the cross Master himself carried for me and for the entire world. On bearing my Cross of adversities, strife, desperation, loneliness, dejection, hindrance, sorrows, pains, gloom and obstacles, I need to place my complete faith in Jesus and that faith will lead me towards the path of salvation and holiness.
The saying ‘Faith without actions has no root and action without faith has no fruit’ invites us to introspect our thoughts and actions in striving to become a radical disciple of Jesus. It’s a call to look into own self and ask: Is my faith integrated into my daily actions? How Do I witness to my Christian faith in fulfilling my responsibility and duties? Is my faith limited to prayer and rituals alone and forgo the aspect of charity and almsgiving in my life? Without cross there is no glory; without suffering there is no salvation; without charity there is no faith; and without self-denial there is no generosity.