making a difference

¹³You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, with what will it be salted? It is no longer useful at all, except to be cast out and trampled under by men. ¹⁴You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. ¹⁵And they do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that it may shine to all who are in the house. ¹⁶So then, let your light shine in the sight of men, so that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father, who is in heaven.

⁹And so, let us not be deficient in doing good. For in due time, we shall reap without fail. ¹⁰Therefore, while we have time, we should do good works toward everyone, and most of all toward those who are of the household of the faith.

¹⁴My 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? ¹⁵So if a brother or sister is naked and daily in need of food, ¹⁶and 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? ¹⁷Thus even faith, if it does not have works, is dead, in and of itself.

¹⁰For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works which God has prepared and in which we should walk.

¹⁶But do not be willing to forget good works and fellowship. For God is deserving of such sacrifices.

¹⁵And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.

¹⁰Just as each of you has received grace, minister in the same way to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

³⁰Then Jesus, taking this up, said: “A certain man descended from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he happened upon robbers, who now also plundered him. And inflicting him with wounds, they went away, leaving him behind, half-alive. ³¹And it happened that a certain priest was descending along the same way. And seeing him, he passed by. ³²And similarly a Levite, when he was near the place, also saw him, and he passed by. ³³But a certain Samaritan, being on a journey, came near him. And seeing him, he was moved by mercy. ³⁴And approaching him, he bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. And setting him on his pack animal, he brought him to an inn, and he took care of him. ³⁵And the next day, he took out two denarii, and he gave them to the proprietor, and he said: ‘Take care of him. And whatever extra you will have spent, I will repay to you at my return.’

⁸For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not of yourselves, for it is a gift of God. ⁹And this is not of works, so that no one may glory. ¹⁰For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works which God has prepared and in which we should walk.

²⁷Do not prevent him who is able from doing good. When you are able, do good yourself too.

¹²Let no one despise your youth, but be an example among the faithful in word, in behavior, in charity, in faith, in chastity.

¹⁵So may you be without blame, simple sons of God, without reproof, in the midst of a depraved and perverse nation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, ¹⁶holding to the Word of Life, until my glory in the day of Christ. For I have not run in vain, nor have I labored in vain.

⁸This is a faithful saying. And I want you to confirm these things, so that those who believe in God may take care to excel in good works. These things are good and useful to men.

³⁵For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; ³⁶naked, and you covered me; sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’ ³⁷Then the just will answer him, saying: ‘Lord, when have we seen you hungry, and fed you; thirsty, and given you drink? ³⁸And when have we seen you a stranger, and taken you in? Or naked, and covered you? ³⁹Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit to you?’ ⁴⁰And in response, the King shall say to them, ‘Amen I say to you, whenever you did this for one of these, the least of my brothers, you did it for me.’

¹⁷Instruct the wealthy of this age not to have a superior attitude, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who offers us everything in abundance to enjoy, ¹⁸and to do good, to become rich in good works, to donate readily, to share, ¹⁹to gather for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may obtain true life.

³³Sell what you possess, and give alms. Make for yourselves purses that will not wear out, a treasure that will not fall short, in heaven, where no thief approaches, and no moth corrupts. ³⁴For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

⁸I will reveal to you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires from you, and how to act with judgment, and to love mercy, and to walk carefully with your God.

³⁴Then the King shall say to those who will be on his right: ‘Come, you blessed of my Father. Possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; ³⁶naked, and you covered me; sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’ ³⁷Then the just will answer him, saying: ‘Lord, when have we seen you hungry, and fed you; thirsty, and given you drink? ³⁸And when have we seen you a stranger, and taken you in? Or naked, and covered you? ³⁹Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit to you?’