**Know that You Are Called**

        In today's First Reading from Galatians 1, Paul wrote, "You heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it... But when he [God], who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles..." Paul knew without a doubt that God had called him. As Christians, we too should know that God has called us, even if our specific calling feels less specialized. Every Christian is called to love and obey God, to be holy, and to bear fruit.

**The Truly Happy and Wise**

        I had a dream last night. In it, I saw a young man who was suave, pleasing to everyone, and seemingly able to handle all situations with composure. In real life, I have known people like that, and they are generally admired by all. Since coming to know Christ, I have matured; I realize that people who are smooth and look confident outwardly may not be happy on the inside. Truly happy and wise people are those who believe in and follow Christ humbly, knowing that they are heaven-bound while the world passes away. They experience freedom, peace, and pure joy.

**Seeing Can Be Deceiving**

        From today's Psalm 111, this verse caught my attention: "Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights." Be aware that there are many works that are exquisite and delightful, but they are not intended by God, for they distance you from rather than draw you to him.

**Pleasing God, Not People**

        In today's First Reading from Galatians 1, Paul asks, "Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ." Therefore, whenever we preach Christ to others, we should aim to please the Lord only, never people.

**Our Common Failure**

        Jesus wants us to be humble by serving others, putting others first  and following his example of gentleness and selflessness. Therefore, in whatever we do, we must always glorify God and never ourselves. Unfortunately, most of us do the exact opposite. If people do not see Christ in us, then we have failed as Christians. 

**Most Satisfying Experience**

        Communion Experience: After I receive the Lord's Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist, I am ready to leave the world and go straight to him, for there is no experience in this life sweeter, more fulfilling, or more exhilarating.

**Declining Collective Conscience**

        The collective conscience of society around the world is probably not too good. I can speak only for America, which is my country. I see that Satan has pretty much infiltrated the whole nation. The average conscience has been compromised. Moral standards have been lowered, with people no longer questioning many immoral practices. Even the Church has succumbed to modern influence. Who could have predicted that Communism would start rising in this country? This is fulfilling some of the prophecies I've read. We are in some sort of end times. To the spiritually faithful, it's a time to be more ready than ever for whatever may come.

**Our True and Greatest Joy**

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 10, the seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said, "Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." It is right that the greatest joy should be knowing that you are heaven-bound. If you find all your joys in things of the world, you are not free and are totally missing the mark! 

**Important Reminder**

        From today's Entrance Antiphon from Daniel 3, I'd like to quote this verse: "For we have sinned against you and not obeyed your commandments." We must realize this as well so that we may repent of our sins. Until then, the door to heaven will remain closed to us. I just want everyone to be aware of this.

***Pity the Abortionists

        Here are two verses from yesterday's Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 139: "Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works." Truly, each of us is wonderfully made by God. That makes all abortionists great evildoers, not realizing that they are also destroying themselves, who are also wonderfully made. May the Lord have mercy on them!

***Progressive Levels of Knowing Christ***

        When we are first intellectually convinced that Christ is Lord and Savior, we begin believing in him at the mind level. As we get to know him deeper and fall in love with him, we reach the heart level. Finally, we attain union with him through the Holy Eucharist, becoming totally one with him at the soul level.

*****Impending Critical Choice*****

        These are the facts: We are sinners, our souls need saving, and God sent his Son into the world so that we might be saved through him. This last fact is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become free and happy for all eternity—it is truly the greatest offer we will ever receive! By the same token, rejecting it will be the greatest tragedy of our entire existence! Think about it, and don't let pride get in the way, since that comes from Satan. Open your heart so that you may see the truth and live.

***God's Commandments: Non-Negotiable*

        The Ten Commandments and the greatest commandment—"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind," given by Jesus—all came from God. Make sure you understand and follow them, for everyone will be measured by them. Of course, if you follow Christ faithfully, it'll all be taken care of.

***To Be Childlike Again*

        In today's Communion Antiphon, Matthew 18:3, Jesus tells us, "Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." We traditionally begin our schooling as young children. Because we have so much to learn when it comes to the Kingdom of Heaven, it is only fitting that we become childlike again.

**Peace of a Faithful Christian**

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 10, Jesus appoints seventy-two disciples whom he sends ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intends to visit. He says to them, "Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you." A faithful Christian is a peaceful person. St. Thérèse (the Child Jesus) expressed her inner peace by using the metaphor of a deep body of water; she explained that while surface disturbances may occur, her core remains entirely undisturbed. In essence, Jesus is saying that if anyone rejects the peace you want to share, you will still retain it.

*****Most Urgent Action the World Needs to Take*****

       Today is the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church. It was her inspiring autobiography, The Story of a Soul, that drove me (and possibly millions of others worldwide) to Christ. She is my favorite saint and my first spiritual director. 

          Today's Gospel Acclamation, based on Mark 1:15, reads, "The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel." "Repent" is what the world needs to do most urgently right now! We absolutely need to possess this humility if we ever wish to get into heaven. Otherwise, we might as well forget about God and do whatever we want in this life, for that's as much as we'll get!

***How to Beat Sin***

        Every sin begins as a temptation and can overcome us if we let it get out of hand. The wrong approach is to face it squarely to fight it, whereas the smart way is to turn away from it at the very outset and run to the Lord. Always nip it in the bud before it gains a foothold within you. The most fundamental and effective way to prevent temptation from emerging is to attain union with God through the Holy Eucharist.

**Letting the Past Go**

        Yesterday, I quoted what Jesus said in Luke 9:62, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." Looking to what was left behind includes dwelling on the past, especially those memories that are unholy or compromised. We must cut them off without mercy if we want to experience union with God unhindered.