Gospel: John 14: 7-14
"Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do."
What makes someone a believer in Jesus? Is it the profession of a certain creed? Is it membership in a particular club? Is it attendance at a particular liturgical form? Is it a perfect score on a catechism quiz? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding negative. Today's Gospel portion gives us the only criterion for being a believer in Jesus: it is in performing the works that he performed while he was on earth.
What are these works? It is the work of healing others of their infirmities in body, mind, and spirit. It is in liberating people from all the demons that torment them. It is in nourishing people at table with material and spiritual food. These works of Jesus that we are to do are to be done for everyone without exclusion or discrimination - just as Jesus did. All who seek healing, liberation, and nourishment are to be cared for by us. That is the sole mark of belief in Jesus.
Today is a day for us to reflect on how we might go about doing these works of Jesus in our own life. There may be people in our own families who have these needs. There are many places we could volunteer in order to care for those with such needs. There are communities where we might give our entire lives to such service for others. How is God calling us to do the work of Jesus - to profess our faith in Jesus - in our lives?
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