We must do good deeds, Jesus tells us, and do them for the glory of God. What sort of good deeds?
Those enumerated by the prophet Isaiah give us some idea of what we’re called upon to do: “Feed the hungry… shelter the homeless… clothe the naked.” But we must do these good deeds in such a way that it’s clear we’re doing them so that God receives the glory and not ourselves.
It takes an offering of time in prayer and worship, depending upon “the power of God” as St. Paul wrote, to grow spiritually enough to want to spend ourselves serving others and to want God to receive the praise. And it takes gifts of treasure and talent to provide the resources others need. Doing the work of God can take all we have to offer, but he will reward us with the spiritual light of his presence. But in his name we are salt and light, so we can make a difference in the world.
