Living out our faith

The Gospel reading at a Sept. 8 Mass has a very clear message: We must put God first in our lives. How do we know if we are doing this? Very simple. If we wear a suit and tie to work, we must wear a suit and tie to church. If we are OK with two hours at a ballgame, movie or concert, we also must be OK with two hours at Mass worshipping and thanking Jesus for all he did for us. If not, we love all these other things more than we love Jesus.

When we are dating, we must love Jesus more than sex. Helping the poor must be more important than a 401(k).

"Whoever says, ‘I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know we are in union with him; whoever claims to abide in him ought to live (just) as he lived." -- 1 John 2: 4-6. This kills the man-made "faith only" idea.

" ... no one makes a fool of God. A man will reap only what he sows. If he sows in the field of the flesh, he will reap a harvest of corruption; but if his seed-ground is the spirit, he will reap everlasting life." -- Galatians 6:7b-8

GERARD MACKE, Leopold, Mo.