Today, St. James calls the people "ignoramus" is they do not recognize that faith without works is useless. He uses the example of Abraham sacrificing his son, Isaac, on the altar. To trust in the Lord in all our actions is critical to being a Catholic and a Christian. But to only have works without faith, is equally as bad. We can do lots of acts of kindness, but if they are for the wrong reasons, then they lack a genuine spirit.
Jesus by his own sacrifice on the Cross, showed the importance of giving completely of self to the rest of humanity. How willing are we to sacrifice for the greater good? Are we willing to show the world what is of greater importance?
The Church has asked us to stand up for the integrity of marriage, respect for the gifts of life (from conception to natural death), to recognize the evils of contraception, sterilization and abortion, to defend our religious freedoms. Are we willing to follow after Jesus? To take up our cross and follow Him?
For "Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)