In today's gospel St. John describes Jesus as a shepherd to his flock. I believe a Good Shepherd does not feed his flock prayers or parables alone. He takes care of them totally and unconditionally. James 2:14 to 16, on the other hand, denounces faith not accompanied by action. James asks what profits a believer who sees a hungry and naked man and does not give him food and clothing. Would prayers help such a man in dire need? The teachings of the so-called Liberation Theology is that you cannot save the soul of a man dying of starvation if you do not save his body first as the body is the temple of the spirit.
So I ask what is the use of prayer if a priest cannot even go out of his convent and offer bread to a beggar? What use is catechism if a sick man is in extreme physical pain and the preacher cannot offer a few coins to buy medicines? Should we limit our religiosity to prayer meetings? Should we look the other way while we are preaching if others are in utmost need? Is it Christ's plan for consecrated men to live in palaces while others live in shanties and sidewalks?
I am not denouncing wealthy living among our religious leaders because they also serve selflessly and offer their lives to the Church. But the people constitute the church. And if the servants live in air-conditioned, comfortable houses, how is it those they serve live in filth, foul smell, and decay? How can our pastoral leaders explain this to Christ when he comes to audit their lifestyle? Why is it many nuns operate first-class hospitals that refuse to admit indigents? Why are top religious institutions exclusive to the rich and famous?
What is the use of the religious groups who show their prayerful lives but cheat their workers of wages? How could men in mission explain why many of them molest young boys and girls while they preach purity and chastity? To be fair, most of the priests I know are men of integrity. But it is always the wayward that invites attention. I have read a book denouncing all the delinquencies of religious men. They are all human beings and sinners too. The point of this piece is: Servant leaders anointed to shepherd the Lord's flock should not be self-righteous. They should also humble themselves, accept their imperfections, and go out and feel the pain of the people. The altar is not the church. The people are the church. The people are the flock.
Faith without action is dead. But action without faith is totally meaningless as well.