Yet we are left with the example of the thief on the cross. The ONLY good work he did was to believe Jesus.
That is all that is required. And even this belief comes from God the Father, not our own understanding.
Many will get into heaven by the skin of their teeth. No one would disagree that it is better to do “good works” but it not essential for salvation.
God is God, we will never fully understand his ways..........
You misunderstand the Catholic position on good works. It is not that we have to rack up brownie points to get into heaven. Rather, good works are a sign of the submission of the will, as well as the intellect, to the will of God. Thus if someone has a life of grave sin, yet before he dies he has contrition, confesses his sins, and has firm purpose of amendment to sin no more then his sins are forgiven him. This the good thief demonstrated on the cross.
When Catholics say that faith alone is not enough we mean that belief in the saving work of Jesus is not enough if it is not accompanied by a submission of the will that loves God, is sorry for one's sins, and desires to sin no more. It does not mean that we need to earn points by our deeds to enter into heaven.