***To Forgive Is Divine***

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 18, Jesus told the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant to Peter, illustrating the importance of asking the Lord to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, which is part of the Lord's Prayer he gave us. It is clear, although not always easy to follow; but follow we must if we ever want to be assured of getting into heaven. 

***The One True God***

        There are many gods, but there can be only one true God. This is common sense. That he has to be the God of Jesus Christ—who personally revealed the whole truth to us—is practically common sense too. The fact that he turns out to be pure love seals the deal.

***How to See the LORD Clearly**

        In today's First Reading from Ezekiel 12, the LORD told the prophet, "They [the house of Israel] have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house." Today we have the same problem. Many people do not see the truth before their eyes. Even those who claim to know the LORD still see him through veiled eyes. To truly see the LORD clearly, we must totally submit ourselves to him first to allow him to reveal himself to us! 

***About Our Lord***

        The more we trust in our Lord, the more secure we feel! He is completely for us—only a fool would reject his love.

**The Secret to Be Great in Heaven**

         In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 18, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." We adults are so used to displaying our maturity and showing that we can take care of ourselves that we see humility as a weakness. But before the Lord, our status is nonexistent without his love. That he considers us to be his little children is already a great exaltation. We need to be like little children to trust and obey our Father completely.

**Jesus Entering His Glory**

        Today I prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. When I meditated on the last mystery, the Crucifixion, I saw that Christ entered his ultimate glory.

**Loving God at All Times**

        Here are the most common traditional Western marriage vows: "I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my wedded [wife/husband], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." This is how we should love and cherish God, except that the last part, "till death do us part," does not apply.

***How You Know the Truth***

        I now believe without a doubt that Christ Jesus is my Lord, my God, and my Savior. I do not believe this because others told me it was true, nor did I talk myself into it. The Lord himself revealed it to me. When the Lord shows you something directly, you just know it is true, and the peace that follows confirms it. In many near-death experiences, even atheists and non-Christians report knowing instantly that the figure who appeared to them was Jesus. When St. Paul fiercely persecuted the early followers of Christ, Jesus appeared and revealed himself, causing Paul to submit totally. A faithful Christian observes all things and recognizes, "It is the Lord!"

**A Growing-Old Grace**

        As people grow old, see that their time on earth is fast expiring, and finally realize the importance of believing in Christ and that everything else is insignificant—this is a tremendous breakthrough and a true grace from God! 

***Set for Eternity***

        This is what Jesus says to his disciples in today's Gospel reading from John 12—his words are loving, endearing, and most personal: "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me." To become productive, one must die first. We cannot become new if we do not shed the old. If we love the world, we are not free to go to God. All in all, follow Christ, and we are set free and ready for eternity!

***Freedom and Happiness Assured***

        Today's Gospel Acclamation, John 8:12, reads, "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life, says the Lord." To walk in the light of Christ is to be free from sin, and this makes a tremendous difference to your outlook and spirit—you are now a new creature, assured of eternal happiness!

**Most Cheerful Giver**

        Today is the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. In the first reading from 2 Corinthians 9, Paul writes, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This is pure common sense: "We reap what we sow." The most cheerful giver is one who gives all of himself to God, for God has already given all of himself to us!

***State of the Church***

         The Blessed Mother, Akita, Japan, prophesied that because of apostasy in the Church, we would have cardinals opposing cardinals and bishops against bishops. This is happening right now. The Church is already fractured, with the progressives splitting from the traditionalists. My feeling is that the Church must hold onto her original traditions and teachings, and never modify or try to "modernize" them one iota to "please" the world. Only the devil would do that. Also, since all the problems of the world are caused by people abandoning God, the Church should focus solely upon letting the Lord make all her members holy!

        I also lament the fact that today no one preaches like Jesus did anymore. The Lord always went straight to the truth, was consistent, and never tried to please his listeners. He spoke succinctly, using no big words and talking at a level people could understand.

       Finally, I believe in Jesus' promise to Peter that the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against his church, and what Mary has revealed to us—that her Immaculate Heart will triumph in the end. The day will come when the Lord God will set things right.

**True Faith Without Doubt**

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew14, Peter was in his boat on the sea and saw Jesus walking on the water toward him, and he wanted to do that too. Jesus said, "Come." Then he got out of the boat and began to walk toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" We see that faith with any doubt is no faith at all. This is what makes faith so precious and powerful.

**Where to Look for the LORD**

        In today's First Reading from 1 Kings 19, at Horeb, the mountain of God, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks—but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. So, when you look for the LORD, listen for his whispering voice in your heart. It is in your innermost self where you will find and encounter the LORD.

***That Key Step to Salvation***

        John 3:16 is probably the best-known verse to most of us. You even see it on billboards sometimes. Here it is: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." In other words, believe in Jesus as your Savior and follow him, and you are saved. Of course, not everyone who believes in him becomes holy and spotless afterwards, but as long as you repent and have the Lord take away your sins each time, you should be okay. Also, your circumstances may not permit you to become a Catholic and receive the Holy Eucharist, which also promises eternal life. In that case, the Lord will understand too. So know John 3:16 and take that first step.

**Sad State of the World**

        In this secular world, many people are doing the work of the evil one, whether knowingly or not. They live mainly for themselves and do not care about others. They are blind to the fact that their time on earth is short. They do not know—or care to know—that the living God loves them. This is a truly sad state!

**It All Comes Down to Faith**

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 17, after Jesus healed a boy with a demon, the disciples approached him in private and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." We already know that if we have faith, nothing will be impossible for us. The problem is how to put that into practice.  Again, it comes down to believing that the Lord will show us the way.