In his epistle, St. James wrote: “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.” He then goes on to explain what he means by asking, “If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 1:22-23, 2:1-17

We do not earn our way to heaven by good works, but true faith impels us to be Christ’s consoling and helping presence to those in need as he is to us in our need. St. Paul reinforces the idea when he tells us that it is the “love of Christ that urges us on.” 2 Cor. 6:14

These scripture passages were in mind Tuesday morning as I was present at the launch of a new and exciting outreach program by Catholic Charities of Dallas. More than 250 men were present at the inaugural Archangels breakfast. They have volunteered their hands and their hearts to be Christ to those in need of help and compassion.

What a wonderful addition to the already great work of our Catholic Charities in Dallas. For these men, and many others to come, have indeed heard the message of Jesus and will become doers of the word.