Gifted with grace

Some are born with great genes. They don’t get fat or overweight and can eat whatever they want. Me, on the other hand, I am on to the second half of a century and need to get to the gym several times a week, and that’s just to maintain my weight and fitness. In my aged state I eat low-cholesterol margarine, wholemeal bread, lean meat and low-fat milk. The truth is, it’s terribly unexciting. But if I want to live a long and healthy life, I have to take control of my own life and do what has to be done. And yes. I cheat sometimes.

Yet I know there are some who need do little to maintain their health and fitness. They are the fortunate ones.

There has always been a tension between what we are gifted with and what we have to work at. And that tension is no less evident in the gift of salvation (Ephesians 2) by the grace of God, and the need to express our faith through good works (James 2:24). Scholars have long since reconciled the two by a deeper exploration of James’ text, nevertheless the play between the two highlights the struggles we live with each day.

It is easy to be critical of those who present themselves at Sunday Mass as being ‘holy Joe’s’ inasmuch as we can be dismissive of those constant ‘do-gooders’ who visit, cook, transport, raise funds, extend our awareness, save whales and forests. If we are mindless and unreflective as church-goers or social activists you would have to question both the motivation and purpose.

As James concludes – faith without good works is empty; and equally that good works without faith do not necessarily lead to salvation in Christ.

If we want long and faith-filled lives we must find a balance between the two. Doubtlessly there are times in our lives when we will lean more heavily towards one rather than the other, but the call to self-examination and self-renewal is constant. We cannot continue on mindlessly. If nothing else this Lent, give yourself time to review and reconcile the tensions in your life whether it be in your diet, your exercise, your TV viewing, your family quality time, your prayer time, your relationships, attending church or your charity work. Then act. And no cheating.