James 2:14-24, 26 / Mark 8:34 - 9:1
Every now and then we are faced with this dilemma of having to reject someone who has come to borrow money.
Especially after hearing a sad moving story, we are not sure if we can be hard-hearted enough to turn the person away.
Yet from experience we know that more often than not, we won't see our money again, but that does not mean we won't see that person again.
So the question remains - To lend or not to lend?
Yet as we listen to the 1st reading, St. James gives us very practical as well as firm spiritual direction with regard to this matter.
He said that if we see someone in need of clothes and has not enough food to live on, then our faith must spur us on to give them those bare necessities of life.
Our faith must be seen in our good works and our good works must be for the good of others and not to spoil them by giving in to their "demands".
As Jesus said in the gospel, if we are to be His disciples, we are to renounce ourselves and we must also help others to renounce themselves and to turn to Jesus for help.
As St. Peter said in Acts 3:6 "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
Jesus is what we should have, because Jesus is what we can only give to others.