I was doing some reading on the Papal States, the Schism, and various diplomacy and history of the Catholic Church. It's all very interesting, there's many lessons in there, and strangely enough, I see a lot less knowledge and enthusiasm among the people I know of this era of history, despite how rich it is in interesting lessons.
Anyways. In the course of meandering through Catholic history and institutions, I came across this section from James 2:14-18 and thought it was worth sharing:
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Vivid imagery. If you say to someone destitute "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but don't feed or clothe them, what was the point of that? Thus faith without works is dead.
"I will show you my faith by my works" is good one too. Useful stuff. It strikes me that the various religious traditions that are in kind of an unpopular lull right now are probably rich in interesting historical, diplomatic, and probably even philosophical and practical lessons. Religion is just generally unfashionable in the West right now, but I don't think it's much of a stretch to think there's lots of excellent ideas and lessons in the various traditions.