Do as I say, not as I do | One-Minute Homily

As the saying goes, “Words are cheap.” Conan Rainwater, SJ, reflects on how the Letter of James reminds us that our actions are more important than our words. Based on the readings from the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Do what I say, not what I do.

Hi, I’m Conan Rainwater, and this is my One-Minute Reflection.

This popular phrase gets us off the hook. Talk is cheap unless it’s backed up by actions. In our reading from the Letter of James, we hear the opposite: “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” Rather than an either/or, it is a both/and: both our words and our actions should align to how Jesus acted and spoke. 

The Letter of James states, “Religion that is pure before God is this: to care for the defenseless and oppressed in their affliction.” Whom do I know needs to be cared for? Perhaps I should reach out to that friend who’s going through a hard time. I shouldn’t just say I’ll do something, I must follow through.

St. Ignatius of Loyola echoes the Letter of James when he says, “Love is shown more in deeds than in words.” How will we put our words of love to action?

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