What Faith Brings About Righteousness?

 

Righteousness is not the result of works.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 28th Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, October 20th, 2023
Texts: Romans 4:1-8; Psalm 32:1-2,5,11; Luke 12:1-7 

We learn, today, that not every faith brings about righteousness. What faith brings about righteousness? It is faith in God who justifies. In the words of St. Paul: “And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.” Faith in any other god does not justify.

What does that tell us about God? He is a God who does not condemn.
Why does God not condemn? It is in His nature not to do so, which other gods do not have. This means it is only in God’s hand that we are safe. There is no better god than God who justifies the ungodly.  

What does it mean for us that God that God justify us through faith? It means righteousness is a free gift from God. Righteousness is not the result of works. St. Paul puts it thus: “For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due.” Such kind gesture humbles us before God, for it is an unmerited favour. In the words of St. Paul: “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” 

We were sinners, he made us saints

We do not make ourselves, God makes us what we are. We were sinners, he made us saints. St. Paul emphasises that what we are comes from God as a blessing. He says, “So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works”. It is a blessing because it is unmerited.  

Having been righteous we are to beware of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Hypocrisy is self-deception, for the truth is out there for people to see. Hence, Jesus says, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” With our hypocrisy we only deceive ourselves, no longer the people. Secret is no longer secret; hide and seek is now self-delusion. 

Prayer 

God our Father, we thank You for making us righteous; give us the grace not to fall into hypocrisy. May we always walk the path of righteousness. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke