The scriptures suggest that a balanced relationship between faith and its expression in good works might not be such a bad thing.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. James 2:14-18

The Church Mouse is not sure that Dennis (water is a symbol of death) Sudla agrees.

No doubt guided by the same theology that inspired Gerry Prindiville on more than one occasion to say about the needy:

All they need to know is that Jesus loves them

Sudla loudly proclaimed in his homily that faith without works is dead, but good works without faith - i.e. working for social justice and the poor - are doubly dead.

Various members of the community walked out of the church in disgust, while others interjected, objecting to this blatant attack against Ted Kennedy's legacy and the community's values. On the other hand, the Neocats in the congregation were appalled at the intense display of antipathy towards THE PRIEST, to whom unconditional respect and obedience is due.

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Later during the Mass, Sudla graciously allowed extra time when his attention was drawn to the fact that the faithful had a few more prayers than he was initially prepared to tolerate.

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(PS: according to the hyperdictionary: Antipathy - [n] the object of a feeling of intense aversion; something to be avoided; "cats were his greatest antipathy"