February 21, 2014

Reading

The Letter of Saint James   2: 14-24, 26

2:14	My brothers, what benefit is there if someone claims to have faith, but he does not have works? How would faith be able to save him?
2:15	So if a brother or sister is naked and daily in need of food,
2:16	and if anyone of you were to say to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and nourished,” and yet not give them the things that are necessary for the body, of what benefit is this?
2:17	Thus even faith, if it does not have works, is dead, in and of itself.
2:18	Now someone may say: “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works! But I will show you my faith by means of works.
2:19	You believe that there is one God. You do well. But the demons also believe, and they tremble greatly.
2:20	So then, are you willing to understand, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
2:21	Was not our father Abraham justified by means of works, by offering his son Isaac upon the altar?
2:22	Do you see that faith was cooperating with his works, and that by means of works faith was brought to fulfillment?
2:23	And so the Scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.” And so he was called the friend of God.
2:24	Do you see that a man is justified by means of works, and not by faith alone?
2:26	For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark  8: 34-39

8:34	And calling together the crowd with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone chooses to follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
8:35	For whoever will have chosen to save his life, will lose it. But whoever will have lost his life, for my sake and for the Gospel, shall save it.
8:36	For how does it benefit a man, if he gains the whole world, and yet causes harm to his soul?
8:37	Or, what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
8:38	For whoever has been ashamed of me and of my words, among this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man also will be ashamed of him, when he will arrive in the glory of his Father, with the holy Angels.”
8:39	And he said to them, “Amen I say to you, that there are some among those standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God arriving in power.”