Bl. John of Fiesole, O.P.

Today we honour the memory of Blessed John of Fiesole, better known to the world as the celebrated renaissance artist Fra Angelico – the angelic friar – whose paintings continue to inspire feelings of religious devotion in those who see them.  Blessed John served in several leadership positions within the Order, and Pope Eugenius IV approached him about serving as Archbishop of Florence.  As a good religious Blessed John declined that offer, preferring a simpler life centred totally on God.  He died in 1455.  Beatified in 1983.

Even in the early Church, the debate about faith and works was a heated one.  But today Saint James is telling us that faith is not something just to be talked about; it’s to be lived.  As followers of Christ, we demonstrate the extent of our faith all day long, consciously or unconsciously, by the way we live.

Our works don’t earn us salvation.  And yet we make our love of God visible through the things we do.  Abraham demonstrated his faith when he trusted God and prepared to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice.  Saint Teresa of Calcutta demonstrated her faith when, even though she didn’t feel God’s presence, she continued to serve the poor, encourage her Sisters, and trust God’s providence.  Neither was saved because of his or her actions, but their actions did give us a glimpse into the faith that supported and inspired everything they did.

God gives us the gift of faith.  With that faith, we seek his presence in prayer and we are moved deeply when he touches our hearts.  Changed by what we have experienced, we find ourselves becoming more generous and selfless.  This self-giving in turn nourishes our love for God and our desire to be with him, so we return to him in prayer.  We form habits of holiness; we become more disposed toward God; and it becomes more natural for us to demonstrate our faith in our everyday situations.

If we have been given the gift of faith, then we have a duty to act on it.  We also have a duty to build up God’s kingdom; but we also need to cultivate and deepen our own spiritual lives.  Holiness isn’t about proving ourselves by our deeds; it’s about letting our faith show itself.  It’s about embracing all that God has done for us and wanting more.  It’s not talking about faith but showing it in the way we live.