God Most Delightful!

        Communion delight. I experienced God as my absolute delight, ending this month on a high note!

*First Duty to God

        Get to know him as much as possible so that we may be one with him. Then we can serve him according to his will effectively. 

**Master and Servant Are One!

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 20, Jesus said to the Twelve disciples, "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." We are so blessed to have our Master serving us! The amazing God of Christ is both our Lord and our Servant – rejoice! 

*Holiness Most Attractive

        Communion experience. I am a sinner and no other sinner can possibly save me. In receiving the Lord, I have the Most Holy One entering me to save me. God loves me, but it is his holiness that draws a sinner like me to him.

**Power of Our Free Will*

        God gave us the free will to test our faith. The faithful choose wisely and gain eternal life. The faithless choose foolishly and lose life altogether.

*Soul Over Body and Mind*

        Christ came to save our souls. Therefore, do not worry about losing your body or your mind; but by all means safeguard your soul!

**Union With God, His Desire

        God is more than just being within our reach; he ardently wishes that we enter to dwell in his house! God is more than merely being accessible; he yearns to take up residence in our hearts! This makes intimate union with him possible when we yield to him. This is the endearing God of Christ!

Are You in Trouble?

        If you you do not want God in your life and wish to manage everything by yourself, then you are running away from him or believe falsely that you know more than God. Either way, you are in trouble. My advice to you is that you seriously search your heart to understand the cause and ponder upon the consequences of your decision. This is being honest with yourself. It is a good idea to face yourself first before you face God.

Beyond Our Comprehension

        Communion experience. Our omnipotent and omniscient God is way beyond our comprehension. For example, how much he loves us is more than we can possibly fathom with our finite mind. In receiving the Lord today in the Holy Eucharist, obviously he entered me physically, but by faith I knew that spiritual union also took place, even though it was beyond my comprehension. 

A Reason to Rejoice

        We can repent to God of our sins at practically any time as long as we are alive.  

At Peace in God

        Communion experience. I have settled accounts with my Lord, so everything else doesn't matter anymore.

**Yes, Love Your Enemies*

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus spoke of love of enemies. He said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father." If you find it hard to love your enemies, let me put aside for a moment that it was Jesus' command and ask you what you would gain from not forgiving your enemies. I can't think of anything good. In fact, I see that hate begets hate and not forgiving our enemies will only be destructive to ourselves. If you can't come up with anything either, then you must accept the Lord's counsel. Know that God is not our enemy, but loving our enemies is loving God! 

Fair Treatment in the End

        Sin not only stains our soul, it also clouds our judgment, causing confusion. People are made to think that God is not always fair to us. We forget that there is life after death. You could say that life is unfair if we die and no longer exist, as some have a lot more of everything than others while on earth. Then again, if we all become nothing sooner or later, what's point of talking about being fair or unfair in our brief existence? Because the soul lives on forever, we can be sure that after God judges us, we'll see that everyone will have received fair treatment.  

Don't Be Lukewarm!

        Revelation 3.16: Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. God does not like us to be lukewarm. A lukewarm Christian is one who takes God only half-seriously. Picture him hanging off the edge of a cliff – he risks falling all the way down. Achieve union with God will put you on solid ground, for now you are with(in) him wherever he is.

*Breaking Down Barriers

        The amazing love of our Lord God is such that it can absolutely unite any two people anywhere in the world in him that they become adopted children of the same Father. Music also has the power of breaking down barriers among us so that we might live in peace on earth. Christopher O'Riley, an American classical pianist, has featured brilliant young musicians on his weekly hosted program From the Top on National Public Program for many years. Here he has six talented young immigrant musicians who came from various countries playing his composition This Land/Our Land together. It is beautiful when people can get along with each other happily. The most beautiful world, of course, would be one in which all people of the world are in union with God as one.

 

Our Foremost Mission Is . . .

to save souls through God's love, for this was the mission of Christ when he came to us, still is today, and will be until his Second Coming.       

Turning Away From Sins

        From today's first reading, Ezekiel 18.21-28: When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live. It is clear that stating out, no matter how virtuous or wicked we are, turning away from all our sins is what matters. And the superior way of vanquishing all sins is to seek refuge in the Lord, for where sanctity prevails, evil cannot not exist.

*Our Dumbest Mistake Is . . .

trying to run away or hide from God, much like trying to forget that we shall die one day. We look extra foolish for running away from One who actually loves us and wishes to save us from death. The wise recognize that there is absolutely no escape from an all-knowing God.       

*God Our Perfect Example

        Jesus said that no one has greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends, and he did just that to show how much he loves us. He teaches us to be meek and humble, and he was the most meek and humble man himself. He wants us to always forgive others, and he asked the Father to forgive even those who crucified him from the cross. Follow the perfect example of our Lord and we'll be perfect.

Eternal Life Settled

        Communion experience. I was aware that I was consuming Christ, the son of the Living God, who is God. This not only made my day, it settled my eternal destiny!

God Forever Personal

        When I was sick in the hospital, the doctors did all they could do for me, and my family members just waited – it was God who was truly there with me. In reality, God is the only one who can be with us at all times. After I die, unless I rebel again him, I'll have him again with me always. Therefore, hold onto the Lord who will always be there for you and is all you need to have.

Clearing Our Way to God

        Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." It is the "denying yourself" that trips us up. If we can get past that first part, the rest of the way becomes smooth sailing. Again, we are our own greatest obstacle in journeying toward God. Surrender our free will to God is our only way out.

Direct Revelation From the Father

        Today's is Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 16, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father." If you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of living God likewise, then the heavenly Father has revealed this to you also – you've been chosen!

Happy, Happier, Happiest

        Happy is the one who knows what the Lord's mission for him is. Happier is the one who puts his trust in the Lord and strives to fulfill his mission. Happiest still is he who attains union with God to let the Lord do all things through him to accomplish his mission. 

**How to Vanquish Our Enemies

        Today's entrance antiphon contains part of Psalms 25.2: Let not our enemies exult over us, David prayed. As long as evil exists, we will have enemies. In fact, our worst enemies are ourselves. Thus, the way to vanquish our enemies is to submit ourselves totally to the Lord God first, then all our other enemies will no longer be able to defeat us, for we are now on God's side.

Feasting the Soul

        Communion experience. Receiving Christ in the Holy Eucharist can be likened to attending a heavenly banquet for the soul.

***Mankind's Greatest Challenge Is . . .

is not to land on Mars, solve the energy problem of or wipe out poverty in the world, or anything like that. Rather, it is to submit ourselves to God, our creator and loving Father. This tests our obedience or rebelliousness, and the result will determine our eternal destination. 

*Maximizing Help From God

        As sinners, to sin is easy – much like water running downhill on its own. But to become holy, we would need God's help – as simple as that. And it is in union with God that you receive maximum help, as you and God are now one.

**Getting Into Heaven Is Easier!

        Here is a fun video to watch. There are many such videos showing dominoes falling on YouTube. I have chosen this shorter one here and think you'll enjoy watching it. It is quite spectacular in its own way. It shows me that humans are clever, ingenious, and fun loving. I know that designs and detailed plans all had to be worked out in advance, but I am most impressed by those who must have spent hours or days to do the testing and then set up the tiles precisely where they should be. Afterwards, the show was over in just minutes. For me, getting into heaven is easier – I trust in the Lord and he does all the rest for me. Besides, the "show" never ends. 

***Process of Union With God

        Seeking union with God is a gradual process. We were born with the self-preservation instinct and are wary of anyone who should take control of us. Of course, the Lord God is not anyone, but we do sense that he'd be more powerful than any other being. Therefore, surrendering yourself to him is not an attractive thought. Normally, in seeking his help, we start to yield to him somewhat and discover that he could indeed change us internally. This experience which always excites and amazes us can continue until we begin to realize that God is not out to control us, but to free us! The key is not to stop now, but to push on actively instead. Then in time you are able to abandon yourself totally to the Lord God and experience peace and freedom in joy. You have now been completely lifted out of your self-imposed misery! 

*God Plans for Forever

        God exists forever and our soul will too. The Lord God does not want to solve our problems temporarily and leave us alone – he who loves us wants to save us for all eternity, since he is eternal himself. Understanding this should help us appreciate what he has already done for us.

Most Perfect Friend

        Communion experience. In life, we have the opportunity to befriend a wide range of people from those we find almost impossible to get along with to those we instantly click with. Christ is special. Once you get to know him well, you will find that he is the perfect friend you can have the deepest meaningful relationship with, for he is trustworthy and understanding, let alone the fact he is also your God and Savior.  

Becoming Heaven Bound

       Lent is the time to give up what we shouldn't be attached to. If you can give up anything, good or bad, for the sake of Christ, you are on your way to heaven.

Our Hope Is Here!

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 5, Levi, a tax collector gave a banquet for Jesus in his house, a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained about Jesus' eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus said to them, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners." We are all sinners, so Jesus has come to call you and me. That means that our hope is here! Let us prepare a banquet in our heart to welcome Jesus, our Savior.

Know When to Turn to Christ

        If you are not with Christ yet, but at the same time you cannot tell him that he is a total fake and dismiss him from your mind altogether, the Lord is still calling and waiting for you. It's time to turn to him to start your new life with him that will lead you to eternal happiness.

Best Free-Will Offering!

        Communion experience. As I joined the queue to receive the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, I readied myself to offer him both my heart and my soul to him. 

Ultimate Relationship With God

        Union with God is the most intimate relationship you can possibly have with the Lord, for in union you and he become one, and you get to know him most intimately. 

Power of God's Holiness

        Know that the Lord is holy and let his awesome holiness dispel all the impurities from you.

Living for Christ Is All About . . .

letting the Lord condition your heart, pointing to seeking union with him.

Living With Joy

        This is today's Gospel reading from Matthew 9: The disciples of John approached Jesus said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." My thoughts are that now we have the Lord with us always, we should rejoice at all times. For those in union with the Lord, he even dwells within them happily. Indeed, Christian life is permeated with Christ our pure joy.

How to Hear the Lord

        To hear the Lord speaking to you, make sure that your heart is unruffled, content in him, and desirous of hearing his voice, for a disturbed heart with even minute intruding sinful thoughts can block your hearing.

***It's the Lord Speaking

        Today's Gospel reading consists of just three verses from Luke 9: Jesus said to his disciples: "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised." Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?" 

        The Lord here spoke definitively as God. He knew exactly what he was going to happen to him, laid down the precise conditions of discipleship for us to save ourselves, and asked the most poignant question that should make us realize that there is life after death. Listen to him.

Amazing Lord

        Communion experience. Christ died for all, so he belongs to all . He died for me too, so he is also mine alone. He is the only being we can all belong to, possess, love, and easily share with others and rejoice together in. A most amazing Lord.

Ash Wednesday Joy

        As I walked up the aisle to receive ashes to be placed on my head, I was deeply moved, realizing that I was made by the Lord, belong to him, and am on my way returning to him. 

To Be Rewarded Openly or in Secret

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 6, Jesus teaches about almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. He let it be known that if we perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them, we have received our reward. But if we do them all in secret, the Father who sees them in secret will repay us. It shows again that any reward a hypocrite receives is short-lived and that our ego is our great enemy.

Lenten Giving

        This is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The Lord invites you to give all of yourself to him, for he loves you so much that he wants all of you to himself. During this season we are supposed to fast, be penitent, and give up things to which we are attached in preparation for Easter, so why not give all of yourself to him? 

*Seeking a Sign

        Today's short Gospel reading from Mark 8: The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seek from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation." Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore. Today's unbelievers also wish to see a sign before they would believe, so they say. I say that if they do not already believe that Jesus had healed the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf, the lepers, cast demons out of the possessed, raised the dead, and performed so many other miracles, including the biggest one of them all, his own Resurrection, then they are not going to believe in him even if he shows up today to do another miracle. Remember that when the great 1917 miracle of the sun took place in Fatima before tens of thousands of people, critics still tried to explain it away, saying that it must be mass hallucination or something. Once the heart has hardened, it becomes a tough nut to crack. The next time you see the Lord doing a sign in person will be at his Second Coming, then it'll be too late for us to believe in him, even if we want to.

Reflecting on My Blog

        This blog began in 2009, but it's not until late 2010 that it started to take off, and the Lord made it clear to me that through his messages, he wishes to draw all to union with him via receiving the Holy Eucharist. This has continued on for over seven and a half years. It is clear that not everyone is receptive to this message. In fact, it creates a disconnect in many cases, for union with God is too far from what they would consider. I have personally met people who told me that they did know what I was talking about and others who, seemingly content in their faith, expressed no interest in furthering their spiritual growth. On the other hand, from the small number of comments I'd received, these messages did impact these readers. The number of pageviews and followers are also indications of how popular the blog is. But to go viral is never the objective, for we are called to fight spiritual battles, to tread on rough roads if need be. As always, we merely do what we are assigned to do by the Lord and trust that he will take care of the rest. 

**Mutual Waiting

        Death waits for us, but it does not wait for us to be ready, so we must be ready now and wait for its coming. For those who belong to Christ, it would be the Lord waiting for them and them waiting to meet him in person.

Appreciating God

        I am happy today because I realize that we all sin and our God knows that. Should he be absent, we would spin out of control and evil would rule the world. I am also happy that the Lord is all holy, setting the example for us to follow. Otherwise, we would have no guide to show us the way. He is everything we need, our indispensable salvation!

*God My Janitor

        Today I feel that the Lord not only cleanses, but also unclutters my heart. He casts out all the litter and rubbish and puts the rest in order. An uncluttered heart is a heart that enjoys peace.

**What Love Is

        Communion experience. Love is being one with God.

Our First Duty Is . . .

to submit ourselves completely to God, especially if you consider yourself to be a Christian, or we will not have peace in the world nor in our heart. There is no following the Lord, if you do not follow him completely and unconditionally.      

**God to Be Trusted

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 8, Jesus was moved with great pity for the great crowd that had been with him for three days and had nothing to eat. He was concerned that if he sends them away hungry to their homes, they would collapse on the way. So he took the seven loaves of bread and a few fish which his disciples had, said the blessing, multiplied them and ordered his disciples to distribute them to the crowd. I also recall that after Jesus heard that Lazarus whom he loved was ill, he still remained for two days in the place where he was before setting out for the village of Lazarus. When he arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. And the Lord raised him from the dead so that all might see the glory of God and believe.  

         God always knows what to do and does test us constantly, while we always wish for instant results. Complete trust in the Lord is necessary. If God cannot be completed trusted, he couldn't have been God in the first place. If we were all sinless, we would be living in a perfect, predictably ordered world. Sinning throws things out of kilter so that the Lord has to deal with the chaos we have created as he sees fit without changing the goal of his overall plan. Because of this, we get confused about why things should happen this way or that way. Therefore, be holy, trust with patience, and do not question to the very end.  

*Only God Can Change Us

        We have little power to change ourselves fundamentally, that is, to change our heart. We can be determined and resolve to change, then we slip once and are back to where we were. Say there is someone who gets stressed out all the time and you advise him not to let anything bother him, even suggesting that he abandon himself in God. It's good advice, but if the person does listen, nothing will happen. I advocate seeking union with God, precisely because this is the way to let God into your heart to let him change your heart inside out. This is how you become a new work of God.

**Stunning Intimacy**

        Communion experience. In Matthew 9, the woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the tassel on his cloak, saying to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured." And she was cured. Surely, receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist is a thousand times more intimate than touching his cloak. Overwhelmed, I was speechless and could only exclaim in my heart "My Lord and my God!"

*Mind Takeover?

        The mind always follows the heart. But there are times when you are strongly tempted to do something that you know is sinful, and you feel as if the mind has taken control of the heart – the truth is that you've started out with a weak heart, for a strong heart could or would have prevented all these thoughts from occurring. Therefore, let the Holy Spirit keep your heart pure and strong, and leave your mind alone. 

Facing Death

        When you are young, death is a rather remote thought and that is understandable. But what about when you are already old? The common thinking is that since you do not have much time left, you'd better do all the enjoyable things, such as traveling, while you can. There is a point here, but it's still avoiding facing death squarely. Perhaps you already have faith in God and do not worry about death anymore – that's fine. But if you do not know what's going to happen to you after death and try not to think about it, that is not good. The best course of action is to always serve God first before serving yourself, no matter what age you are at, and soon you will have the most enjoyable time of your existence. 

*Whole Story of Humanity***

        God pleadingly wants us to go his way and we stubbornly want to go our way. In others words, we choose to rebel rather than obey. Let those of us who have chosen to follow the Lord do their best to help him make the ending less bitter and as sweet as possible!

Thoughts On Judging

        As we are all sinners, no one is "qualified" to judge others. It is ironic that a holy person should shy away from judging anyone, while a grave sinner readily judges everyone. Shall not we say that not judging others is a sign of holiness? Jesus tells me not to judge, period. For we have only one judge, the Lord God.

Be Ready for Appearing Before God

        In watching the news a little bit this morning, I saw some of the high-and-mighty politicians speaking for their own agenda, perhaps sincerely or perhaps for political gain. When they appear one day before the Lord, they will realize then that they are completely at his mercy. The best policy for us is to remain humble and be prepared for our day of appearance before the Lord.

*Moving God's Will

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 7, a Greek woman begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. Jesus tested her by saying to her, "Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She replied and said to him, "Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children's scraps." Then he said to her, "For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter." When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone. We see and learn here that when the Lords wills something, it is done, and that faith can move God's will!

**God All-Knowing

        You can conjure up many gods, but there can be only one true God and he is God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord God knows everything about us, his handiwork. If you do not know him, but mean to pray to him, he knows it. If you're misguided and have a false image of him but still mean to seek him, he knows that too. In other words, as long as you believe that there is only one true God and wish to know him, he will reveal himself to you. The Lord knows us before we were born. He sees what's in our hearts and understands us more than we can ourselves. It's such a blessing that we have an all-knowing God, which means that we are well looked after by him. 

Be Ruthless to Sin

        Realizing that you have sinned is good, but to not sin again is so much better. In fact, that should be your goal. Therefore, be absolutely ruthless to sin and become a saint. 

How to Live for God Effectively

        Get out of the way of the Lord, which means that ego must be absent, completely. 

God Our Liberator

        We on our own are easily shackled by all the material things of the world – a simple fact. The God of Christ is the only one who can shatter all our shackles and liberate us into eternal freedom – a simple truth. Submit yourself to God to make it happen – a simple act of will.

Cleaning the Heart 1st

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 7, Jesus said to the crowd, "Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile." Jesus used such examples as evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and folly. These all come from the unclean heart. The first order of business of loving God is to let him purify your heart and keep it clean. Then you'll be ready to love your neighbors as God loves us, for he is all pure and holy.

God's Will Satisfies

        Matthew 5.6, one of the Beatitudes: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall have their fill. This tells me that if whatever you want is what God wants, then you shall have it. Therefore, follow God's will and you will be satisfied. 

Why Not Talk to God More?

        Most people love to talk. The moment Mass is over, you hear the buzz of conversations. Since the Lord God is supposed to be the most intimate one of all to us, it seems logical that we should talk to him more that to anyone else. Of course, with God, we can easily talk to him in thoughts, for he knows all our mind as well as our heart. 

Being Chosen

        Communion experience. It was God who had chosen and called me – I felt fully fulfilled.

Focusing on Christ Alone

        Christ has come to us in person 2,000 years ago. He, being God and love, is the perfect and most beautiful being there is. Therefore, worship him, adore him, praise him, love him, and listen to and learn from him directly, while following the teachings of the Holy Church. Disregard instantly anyone who claims that he or she has received new revelations about the Lord, for they are all false prophets.  

Best Kind of Help Is . . .

getting others to know Christ so that he might directly help them and save their souls as well.      

***It Will Be Forever!

        Today is Memorial of Saint Miki and Companions, Martyrs. The entrance antiphon: The souls of the saints are rejoicing in heaven, the saints who followed the footsteps of Christ, and since for love of him they shed their blood, they now exult with Christ for ever. Heaven is a place where you exult in joy. By contrast, hell is an abode where you wail in sorrow. What make the joy in heaven so great and the sorrow in hell so horrible is that they both continue on forever!

**No Cheering at the Second Coming

        I just saw in the news that the Philadelphia Eagles, this year's Super Bowl champ, got back home with the trophy held high, and the excited adoring fans that had waited at the airport cheered and applauded enthusiastically. I wonder what it will be like when Jesus arrives at his next coming. I believe that there will be only wailing and no cheering. Those who are saved will be overjoyed, but at the same time they will feel great sorrow for those who will be separated from them and the Lord forever. This has been quietly going on ever since the human race fell from grace.

***Living the Full Catholic Life*

        Ask Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. The Holy Spirit is the fire that can set your heart ablaze with the love of God. Be completely open to the Holy Spirit and he will reveal to you with absolute certainty that God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit loves you and yearns to be one with you. And you'll never be the same person again! Those who say that God is hard to find do not know what they are talking about! The Lord is all yours if you let yourself be all his.

*More Than Recognizing Jesus*

        Today is Memorial of St. Agatha. From the Gospel reading from Mark 6, we heard that Jesus and his disciples crossed the sea to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. And as they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Recognition of Jesus drew the people to him. Do we also recognize the Lord? Of course, we do not see him today, but we certainly can get to know him most intimately. In fact, knowing him dwelling in us far exceeds recognizing him, for he is now one with us.

*Our Choice

        First of all, we are completely at God's mercy, for nothing can pass without his knowledge nor happen without his permission. And we can choose to rebel against or to obey him. You needn't rack your brain to figure out what we should do.

Minding Our Own Business

        Our business is to let God make us holy, and this is what we need to focus upon exclusively. We need not be concerned about loving others, as that will become part of us as we grow holier. You could say that we need to love ourselves first, but not more than others. The foremost aim is to become like Christ ourselves.    

The All-Encompassing God

        There are many religions, but there is only one God, the God of Christ. This is the God who has created and knows everything about us and upon whom we depend completely for existence! And it'd be impossible for us to hide or escape from him ever. Therefore, we might as well submit ourselves willingly to him. Especially, after he has revealed through his Son how much he loves us, there is absolutely no excuse for us to ignore him anymore.

*More on Either You or God*

        A beloved good friend just passed away and the church is getting ready to hold her funeral tomorrow. This got me thinking that we all live a relatively short life, so does how things go in our life really matter that much? We can want things go our way or God's way. To get to the point, we can choose to serve either ourselves or God. What's so beautiful about serving God is we get liberated from it! If you choose to serve yourself always, I don't have to tell you that you won't die happy, let alone how you would feel in your afterlife.  

*Either You or God

        Submitting yourself to God is the key to peace and freedom. You cannot serve yourself and God at the same time! Very clear.

**How Well You Know Your Savior

        In the Gospel reading from Luke 2, When Joseph and Mary brought in the child Jesus to the temple for his presentation, Simeon, a devout and righteous man in the Holy Spirit, took the child into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant die in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation." This brings up the question if we are ready to die in peace. We do not see our Savior, but certainly we can get to know him well. This is the test: If you are not ready to leave this life yet, you certainly do not know him well yet.

Rejoicing in the Lord!

        Today is Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The Response came from Psalm 24: Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord. Anytime we recognize that it is the Lord, our heart should leap with joy. For it the Lord who loves us, who has redeemed us from sin, who wants to us to return to him in heaven, who is sustaining our life at this moment, who yearns to be one with us, who wishes to free us by forgiving my sins to make us clean, who can give us peace and joy, and so on and on. Let us recognize our amazing Lord and rejoice in him with great thanksgiving.

*In Each Other

      It is most helpful to be aware that Jesus dwells in your heart, serving as your personal guide. But it is equally helpful to be aware that you dwell in him, serving as your protector. Nevertheless, to be in each other is to be one in union, with benefits galore. 

R.I.P. Now

       Communion experience. R.I.P. is the abbreviation for "rest in peace," usually found on gravestones or in obituaries. But why wait until you are dead to rest in peace? Why not start resting in the Lord now? After receiving Holy Communion, I experienced profound peace when I rested in Christ.

Freedom awaits Us!

        This morning at Mass after the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, we all said the memorial acclamation: "Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free." I realized that God had already set us free! The door for leaving our prison is wide open. So do we want to remain where we are or step right out into freedom?

More on Union With God

        A sinner seeking union with God is analogous to a patient with a tumor seeking surgery. A sinner who prays hard and resolves not to sin again on his own is analogous to the tumor patient who eats right and rests enough, hoping that the tumor will go away. The sinner who seeks union with God to resolve his problem with sin is analogous to the tumor patient who goes to the surgeon to get his tumor removed. For the sinner it is a case of how much he chooses to depend upon himself or God.  

Asking for Authority

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 6, the mission of the Twelve began. Jesus sent them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. It struck me that we could ask the Lord to give us authority while serving him. With authority we can more effectively spread the good news and witness for him with great courage and confidence.

**Eureka Moment*

        Deciding to follow Jesus is only the beginning of a new exciting journey. It is in seeking union with him that the most exciting part of the journey begins. That is because you find out that the Lord can actually transform you step by step into a new creature, taking away your desire to sin and your struggle to become holy. You finally stop rebelling against him to let him do all the work to form you. It's a eureka moment, although it could take a while to get there, depending upon how readily you submit yourself to him. (Seeking union with God is the same as opening yourself up to God, putting all your trust in God, or abandoning yourself in God.)