The price of Faith

It’s fun listening to my young nieces as they play a game in my parent’s yard. I have no idea what the game is, but it is clear that each one announces a new ‘rule’ that benefits her. If something happens that one of them does not like, she simply announces a new rule—and a ten-minute debate ensues over the fairness of the rule or how some nuance can be added to make the rule better. Sounds like Congress, no?

Jesus teaches everything the rich young man needs to know about practicing faith. Keep the commandments and then depend totally on the Lord. Material things are used to help others and advance the Gospel. Otherwise, they become the things that hold us back and they end up owning us, not us owning them.

The benefits of faith come at a great price. We need to trust that God will provide all we need. We make sacrifices, live the values of God’s Kingdom and become those who preach and practice the Beatitudes and the Works of Mercy. If we look for a basic rule of faith, the one thing that each of us must do to live the Kingdom and inherit everlasting life, it is pretty clear. Become more like Christ.

James Gaffney,
(C) 2009 Karides Lic. to Pilot Bulletins