All pleasures derived from the world or the flesh are enslaving and over time become nauseating, but all joys received from God or the Spirit are liberating and forever refreshing.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Recognizing Our Foolishness
Today is the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch. In the Gospel reading from Luke 12, Jesus told the crowd the parable of the rich fool. In the story, the rich man decided to tear down his barns and build larger ones to store all his bountiful harvest and other goods. Then he planned, after having so many good things stored up for many years, to rest, eat, drink, and be merry, not knowing that his life would be demanded of him that very night. The lesson was that the one who stores up treasure for himself is not rich in what matters to God. Anyway, I instantly recognized that we all were that rich fool at one time or another.
Jesus in Our Way
John spoke about Jesus in John 1.3: All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. And Paul in Colossians 1.16: For in him were created all things in heaven and earth, the visible and the invisible; all things were created through him and for him. Jesus himself said in John 14.6: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And since we also know he will be our judge on the final day, it would be utter foolish for us to think that we can sneak by him unnoticed in anyway. Jesus, the way, is always in our way so long as our eternal destiny is not settled yet.
God Most Personal
Since God knows everything about his creations, it does not matter if you are the only human existing or one among billions of fellow humans, God knows you most personally and cares about you. You are one of his most beloved creatures.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Jesus Is Joy
Communion experience. The joy of waiting in line to receive the Holy Eucharist is not unlike the joy of waiting in line to enter heaven, for receiving the body and blood of Jesus is letting joy enter to fill you.
Call to Persist in Prayer
After hearing the parable of the persistent widow read from Luke 18 at morning Mass, I was encouraged to ask the Lord to keep this nation from sliding into worsening immorality, corruption, hypocrisy, suppression of religious freedom, and disrespect for the sanctify of human life for the sake of those who are faithful, righteous, and laboring hard for his glory. I ask you to join me in this prayer if you feel so prompted by the Holy Spirit.
Way to Salvation
I see living in Jesus, with Jesus, and for Jesus as the only certain way to salvation.
*Whom You Live For
The severity of sin is proportional to how much you live for yourself. To hope to be saved, you must at least live for God more than for yourself.
Act of Will
Jesus said to Thomas, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." We can also be sure that Jesus will bless those who do not feel like praying and still pray or do not feel like helping someone they don't like and still help. It's the act of will that matters.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Two Union Effects
In union with God, you no longer need God to lead you on, since you are already with him, resting in him. And you do not derive strength from yourself, but through your intimate trust in God.
A Warning to Heed
Today is the Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus, Doctor of the Church. In the Gospel reading from Luke 12, Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God." What Jesus had said here should be alarming to both believers and nonbelievers, but is fair and square, for he spoke as God.
Two Fundamental Questions
Are you truly aware that God loves you? If so, do you respond appropriately to him?
World in Darkness
As I woke up from sleep this morning, I saw Jesus alone as the light of the world, brightening my day, for the world was enveloped in darkness. The world will brighten up instantly if every one of its inhabitants starts to repent and beg for mercy from the Lord.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Putting Selves Aside
We ourselves are always the greatest obstacles between us and God. Therefore, great things do not happen to us interiorly until after we hand ourselves and all other things over to God. Hereby is revealed the secret of joy and freedom.
Great Moment of Life
Communion experience. It was God and I alone together in union ~ the most private and intimate moment of life.
Giving-Back Time
During the liturgy of the Eucharist at Mass today, I saw that Jesus had given himself to unite with us by instituting the Holy Eucharist. Of course, he was going to complete his giving by dying on the cross for us later. If we do believe that we are created in the image of God, it is time now to give ourselves completely back to him.
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