By His Grace Most Rev. Prakash Mallavarapu, Archbishop of Visakhapatnam –
“Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17):
Convictions by which one lives are formed and shaped over a period of time from what one believes to be true, valuable, and necessary to have in one’s life. Deeper and stronger this faith, firmer is the will to live by it, withstanding all the challenges and difficulties that one encounters. Here, it is not about the tenets of faith that a Christian accepts but it is about what this faith prompts one to be and to do in the day to day life.
Our faith is in the living God who teaches and guides us to live in relation to Him and in relation to our fellow human beings, and in relation to the vast creation. Though the context of the words of Saint James was the controversy that prevailed in the early Church about the way to salvation: Is one saved through faith or through (good) works? Saint James’ answer was. “It is not either faith or works” but through faith that is manifested in good works one is saved.
In the immediate context of the death of Fr Stan Swamy the point highlighted is that his Faith in Jesus Christ and His liberating message embodied in His person and in His Good News prompted Swamy to make this option to live and work as a champion who speaks and acts in favor of the poor triabls and other oppressed sections in the society: Faith leading to action! So strong was his faith and so deep was his conviction, originated and sustained by faith, that he was, prepared for action. Truth should be spoken against all odds and the truth has to be lived in concrete life situations of people!
We. who are mourning the death of Fr Stan Swamy, should also be moved to action. For this, our convictions have to be formed, nurtured and nourished through our faith in the living God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Our faith should be the source of light and source of strength to live our life in a convincing way! Faith in God, we know, means a “response in obedience” to what God reveals. ‘Through the signs of the times’ also God reveals His will and we have to discern to see it and respond to it. That will be faith leading to works: Faith without works is (will be) dead!
Conclusion: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it”(Mt 13:44-46).