Catholic teaching is irrelevant; Christ’s teaching — the Gospel — is relevant. And, James says nothing of the sort — he teaches that works are the result of faith. If you profess faith, but have no fruit, no works, then that “faith” is not saving faith. Saving Faith produces fruit — works — that validates it. Works do NOTHING toward salvation.
Also, you might want to continue on through Romans to Chapter 3, particularly verses 20-31. Pay particular attention to verses 27-28. Romans 2 just sets the stage to prove that faith is what saves.
Hoss
Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only? (James 2:24)6 Who will render to every man according to his works. 7 To them indeed, who according to patience in good work, seek glory and honour and incorruption, eternal life: 8 But to them that are contentious, and who obey not the truth, but give credit to iniquity, wrath and indignation. (Romans 2)
continue on through Romans to Chapter 3, particularly verses 20-31. Pay particular attention to verses 27-28
20 Because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before him. For by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now without the law the justice of God is made manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. 22 Even the justice of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe in him: for there is no distinction: 23 For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God. 24 Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus, 25 Whom God hath proposed to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to the showing of his justice, for the remission of former sins, 26 Through the forbearance of God, for the showing of his justice in this time; that he himself may be just, and the justifier of him, who is of the faith of Jesus Christ. 27 Where is then thy boasting? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also. 30 For it is one God, that justifieth circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. (Romans 3)
nothing un-Catholic here: indeed, the works of the Hebrew law, or even any other law, are not salvific. What is salvific is works of charity (Matthew 25, as well as Romans 2, already quoted).