When one has faith, one opens their heart to allow the Spirit of God to come into it and change it. When that happens the good works follow.
What the pope is saying here is that people profess faith but their lives do not reflect that faith.
Matthew 15:8-9 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’
Faith is a verb.
Completely in agreement; so many use their ‘belief’ to kind of separate themselves from the bad things they do. Like a “good girl” who tarts around and does cruel acts.
And this is a oddity.
I haven't actually met any people who say they have faith, yet do not evince the Holy Spirit's love.
But I have encountered some--a few--here on our beloved FR.
If they think about it, they will recognize themselves.
They claim that they belong to the True Church and those who don't are going to hell.
I do not say this to create division. I say this to clarify this thread.
BTW, I am far from perfect. I am a sinner (however forgiven).
But we have brothers and sisters here who are lying to themselves.
They say they believe but they are not saved...they are not filled with the Holy Spirit.
When it comes to good works...ask yourself, "are you capable of good works without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? Are your good works yours...or are they His?
Faith is a verb.
Like, I faith God???