The Letter of James has some of the strongest language in scripture about the necessity of living your faith.

Gospel terms often suggest more than they say. This is true of the repeated phrase “on the way” or “along the way.” We believers know Jesus is himself the Way. He’s the path we’re on and the direction we’re led, if we so choose.

Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?”

I hate math. I’ve never been good at it. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, my father is a math whiz and loved every minute of helping me with my math homework. I wanted to rush through it; he wanted to deliberate every problem and make sure I really understood it.

My sisters and brothers, the walk of faith can be a difficult one. Let us ask forgiveness for the times we have stumbled or lost heart.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. The Letter of James challenges its audience to “demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works,” with the emphasis on from.

If you suffer, thank God!—it is a sure sign that you are alive. —Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)