***Time to Walk Away from Satan!

       In Matthew 7, Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." This tells you that to sin is easy and to be holy is hard. Today, people easily follow any idea or cause that sounds good and do not question if they are doing the right or wrong thing. They don't think for themselves anymore. I used to be like that. Abortion sounded Ok. As for divorce, what's wrong if a couple can't get along and break up their marriage? After I got to know God, I came to see good and evil clearly. It was the love of God that opened my eyes and my heart. Now is the time to walk away from Satan and his lies forever and embrace God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul.

***Retiring Our Conscience

        God gave us all a conscience. Even if you do not know God, you do something bad and you know it. So how can knowing God make a difference? Without God, conscience is weak and gets overridden easily. As we sin more and more, our conscience gets smothered more and more. Once you know God and desire not to sin against him anymore, he clears up and sharpens your conscience to help you grow holier. The more you are drawn into God, the less attractive the world becomes. When you attain union with the Lord, you lose all your desire to sin and don't even need your conscience anymore, for the Lord is in and with you at all times. Now you just enjoy his presence.

***Don't Let Heaven Down!

        You may be aware that God will judge you one day, but you don't think much about it. If you are not sure that you'd pass his judgment, shouldn't you do some preparatory work now? None of us are perfect, but we should at the least make sure that we won't look really bad on that day. One thing that helps to know: God is actually on our side, his most ardent desire being that we get to heaven! If you fail to pass on that day, it would grieve him as much as you. And his judgment is fair, so be fair to yourself by preparing for his judgment to make that day of a day of great joy for both you and everyone else in heaven! The whole heaven and many on this earth are praying for you to show up there; don't let them down please!

***Truth Revealed to the Heart

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 16, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But 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 in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father." When the Lord God reveals something to you in your heart, you just know that it's true.

***Longing for God Invariably Fulfilled

        Two verses from today's reading 2 from 2 Timothy 4 spoke to me. Verse 8: "From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance." Do you long for the Lord? If you do, know that the Holy Spirit dwells within you. Such longing is a desire and a prayer the Lord will invariably fulfill. Seeing the Lord is the best reward we can possibly receive. If he will bestow other honors upon us, that'll be just the icing on the cake.

        Verse 18: "The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom." Amen. This confirms what I posted in my last blog: Follow Jesus and you'll have eternal life. 

**Jesus Our Savior

        Jesus is our Savior. This means he can save us from eternal damnation. Of course, he can deliver us from any situation if that's necessary for saving our soul, but sometimes we must lose our life on earth in order to preserve our soul. Repeating what Jesus had said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." That is, follow Jesus and you will have eternal life. In today's reading 1 from Acts 12, King Herod had Peter arrested and imprisoned. He was going to bring him to trial to please the Jews. But the angel of the Lord came and delivered him from imprisonment and lead him out to the city, for his time had not yet come.

**We Need Good Shepherds!

        Here's some good news to cheer about! Praised be to God!

***Challenged to the Core!***

         In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus said to his Apostles: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." We might react, "Who does he think he is?" Here, Jesus challenges us to the core! We are cornered! Dismiss him and you fail the test right off the bat. Accept what he says and you are set free because you are now attached to him alone! Wow, this is absolutely awful or awesome, depending upon your disposition. We are compelled to see him as a mad man or true God. Personally, I love a God who challenges me to follow him, not any god who leaves me alone. Jesus, you are truly my Lord and my God. May you be adored and praised forever!

***Formula for Eternal Life***

        Today's reading 2 comes from Romans 6. From Paul's counsel, you can easily form this motto: "Die to sin and live for Christ." It is to the point and easy to remember. In fact, it is the formula for eternal life!

***Doing Everything with Love (The Little Way)

      When Jesus saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and a poor widow putting in two small coins, he said to this disciples, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for others have all made their offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." (Luke 21.1-4) 

       God does not count the number of souls we have saved for him, but rather how lovingly we perform each task, large or small, for his glory. That's why St, Thérèse' "little way" appeals to so many of us. As long as we treat everyone and do everything with love, we become holy. We are now free because we no longer do everything for our own sake, but for God alone.

***God Wants to Free Us!

        Do you recall that when Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was before going to him? He knew that Lazarus would've already been in the tomb for four days when he arrived there. But he's going to raise him for the glory of God. As I was walking outside praying the Rosary this morning, the Lord made me see that when he sometimes delays answering our prayers, it's because he wants us to trust him to the point of not being concerned about whether he's going to answer them or not anymore. He wants us to abandon ourselves to him to become completely detached from anything except him, also for the glory of God. 

***"Never Look Back"

        This is not a new message, but I think it's worth repeating, for my own sake too. The message: "Never look back." No matter how the past has affected you, whether it has made you happy or unhappy, let it go. The past is gone! For the Christian, the very best is yet to come. We need to seize every present moment, for every moment gives us a chance to begin anew, letting Christ cleanse and refresh us. This is a great Christian privilege! Dwelling upon the past keeps one chained to himself, wasting precious time. Remember what Jesus said to a would-be follower 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." Keep marching ahead, one step at a time, and soon heaven will be in sight.

*No Christ, No Peace

        Jesus is the fountainhead of our peace. If we are connected to him, we experience his peace that surpasses all understanding. But the world does not even want to think about him! Mentioned many times in the scriptures: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." Today's generation still has not learned this. Man still go after its own interests relentlessly without peace. What we end up is a world in constant turmoil and unrest.

***Are You a Do-Noting Catholic?

        Fr. Mark Goring's timely message all Catholics need to hear today.

***Voice of Reason and Logic for Life

        You must hear this clear-thinking young man speaking with poise and logic for life. He puts all the pro-choice politicians to shame. 

*Unready for Christ Yet

      When you tell others about Christ, they often feel uneasy, thinking that you are imposing your beliefs on them. The truth is that you are concerned about their soul and want to share the gospel with them. On the other hand, you can pretty much tell them or advise them on anything else and they don't feel threatened. I think this is because we somehow sense that Christ as God knows everything about us and we as sinners are not ready to face him yet.

**My Wise Advice

        God often gives us the grace to repent and return to him just before we die. But since we can die unexpectedly or lose our mind early, we can't count on receiving that grace always. So, be ready now when your mind is still clear. If you make God wait too long, you could lose him forever.

***God, the Coolest Person

        He is, because he always speaks the truth and loves all of us whether we follow him or not. He gives us the freedom of choice, never browbeating us into submission in any way. He has infinite power, but remains humble and meek. He is always magnanimous and trustworthy. He was even willing to lay down his own life for us! He is worthy to be our Lord. 

***Sensible Talk from a Sensible Person

        I came across this video on Yahoo News. The speaker, radio host Jesse Lee Peterson makes a lot of sense. Christ made him see things right.

**Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring*

        Bach's chorale "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" from one of his cantatas has been arranged and transcribed for various instruments. The best-known transcription for piano was by British pianist Dame Myra Hess. It sounds easy, but is not easy to play. Here we have Simone Dinnerstein playing it beautifully. To me, the title is already beautiful.

**What You Never Want to Hear Jesus Say

        Just read the Gospel from Matthew 7 for today's Mass. What the Lord said supports my last post. He said to his disciples, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.'" These are the words you never ever want to hear the Lord say to you! Instead, you want to hear him say "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master's joy" (Matthew 25.23).

***A Serious Reminder!

         The God of Christ is our absolute moral reference point. We'll be measured by how well we follow his example. There is no escape from this, for he is our sole judge. It is the simple reality. Each of us is responsible for our own destiny. We can surrender to Christ wholeheartedly or reject him outright. The choice is ours. But remember, you reap what you sow.

**To Be Today's John the Baptist

        Today is the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. In Luke 1, John's father Zechariah prophesied: "You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way." Then I see clearly that all Christians are called today to go before the Lord to prepare his Second Coming! 

***Must Realization to Appreciate Life***

          From today's Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 139, a psalm of David: 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. 

       When you realize that God has wonderfully created you, you begin to appreciate both him and yourself and will want to save all souls. You are now pro-life and happy with yourself too. 

***Heaven or Hell

        Watch Fr. Mark Goring's video today. You are not likely to hear messages like this preached from any pulpit. Wake up and hear what we need to hear! May God increase his blessings on Fr. Mark a hundredfold!

***Feeling Deep Sorrow

        This morning around 2 a.m., I suddenly dreamt of my mother who passed away decades ago. I felt deep sorrow for her and started to sob and moan aloud. I won't go into details. Let me just say that she was a beautiful person, but was not treated kindly by other unloving family members. She suffered greatly both emotionally and physically her whole life. Before she died, she had surgery four times in a row. I was away and wasn't able to help her much except for telling her to believe in Christ. One consolation was that she started attending a Christian church before she left the world. Still asleep, I heard Lord's Sermon on the Mount, blessing all the good people, and I knew that he would have mercy on her soul. Experiencing such deep sorrow made me see why we have a merciful God. After I woke up, I felt sorrow again. But this time it's for all those in the world, many of whom are either rich, powerful, and famous or plain ignorant, now unknowingly serving Satan. After they leave this world, they are going to encounter the greatest shock of their existence. Then it'll be too late to realize that God is real and loved them.

**Today's Evil-Infiltrated World

        The fact that Satan has taken so much control of the world now is due much to the Church letting down its guard, especially over this last century or so. The only hope to start anew is to have the high hierarchy of the Church repent of all their sins. But that's not likely to happen, for many in the hierarchy are already enemies of the Church. I see only more confusion, chaos, and upheaval coming our way until the Lord intervenes. Pray that he will intervene.

**On Fighting Evil

        Jesus said in Matthew 25.40: "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did it for me." 1 John 4.20: If anyone says, "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar." The Lord identifies himself with us. Loving others is loving him, and you cannot love him if you hate others. Think about it, this is amazing! It tells us that we must fight evil with love. How to carry it out is our big challenge. We must seek help and guidance from the Lord all the more. Our faith is being tested. This I know, if we trust in him, he will always deliver us from evil.

             Meanwhile, Fr. Mark Goring's words today are most helpful to hear:

**Our End in These Dark Times

        In these dark times, it's so good to know that the Lord, our greatest joy and consolation, is with us. This is the time to perfect our submission to and increase our love for him. Make this our end in this world. Once we attain union with the Lord, let all good flow from it. 

***Pray for Yourself First

        We see what's going on around us, but often are not aware of ourselves. Our ego blinds us from seeing our own faults. Perhaps we turn to ourselves only after we've done something bad and felt guilty about it. Jesus asks us why we notice the splinter in our brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in our own eye. Holiness must begin with us, making praying for ourselves fundamentally our most important prayer. Of course, this is done not out of pride, but out of humility. What good is it if everyone else becomes perfect but not yourself?

***Dark Times in End Times*

        Every Catholic should watch this video to see what they are facing now. It's time to die for Christ or die forever.  

***Most Beautiful Existence

        There can be nothing more beautiful than we and God becoming one as Jesus and the Father are one. The Lord God is already perfect and holy, so we only need to submit ourselves to him to let him make us perfect and holy. This is getting ready for entering heaven.

**Letting God Back Us to the Fullest

        We may believe in God, but do we believe that he'll back us to the fullest in any crisis? It is this faith we need now more than ever. Again, the only way to have this kind of faith is let ourselves go in God, "forcing" him to support and strengthen us, for he loves us. With God, it always comes down to submitting ourselves to him. When we no longer rebel against him, the world will be at peace. This is the heart of the matter.

***Be Blessed to the Fullest

        In these tumultuous times, we need to turn and open up to God more than ever, for survival of all human souls are at stake! That we can have instant access to the Lord God anywhere and anytime is our most precious privilege. Praying with words is easy, but it's how sincere and urgent you feel and how deep from your heart you express yourself that matters. Think of yourself as a flower and God as your sun. You want to open up completely before him, letting him see everything in your heart and giving him free access to it. This is how you become one with God. This is how you get to love and enjoy God. Become his beloved children to be blessed by him to the fullest.

***Our Lady of Garabandal

        Today is the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I'd like to post the story of Garabandal. The video uses taped footage of the visionaries and the various miraculous events. I believe that Mary truly appeared to the four girls.
         To read about the warning, the miracle, and the chastisement, click here.

**More Signs End Times Are Near

       During this pandemic, some of the city governments run by leftists have allowed recent protestors to burn and loot others' properties, and in one city even take over the police station and many city blocks, yet they would not allow us to attend church services or would arrest someone who in their opinion has violated the guidelines issued for our protection. Many big tech companies such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter all censor conservative voices. Recently, Facebook took down a Trump ad for whatever reason, yet they allow a group to announce its Luciferian March for a One World Government worldwide this coming Sunday. You can learn about this by watching this video on YouTube. Another sign that we are near end times. Join with Christ to be victorious at the end.

***To know God Thoroughly

        To really know someone in the world, you need to meet, talk to, and find out all about the person. Sometimes you can live with your spouse for decades and still do not really know the one you married. With the God of Christ, it's different. Here you have one who already knows all about you. For you to know him, you only need to be open to let him reveal himself to you, and you'll know him better than anyone else. You can even attain union with him, not possible with anyone else. So be humble and little and open to Christ, then you will get to know God thoroughly.

*Becoming God's Channels

        In reading 2 from 1 John 4, the Apostle talks all about Christian love. I start thinking that even though we find God's love most beautiful and attractive, we also feel inferior because we know we'll never be able to love others as much as he loves us. Then I see that the Lord knows this and only wishes us to be open to him so that he might love others through us. In other words, let all love come from him and we be his channels. In fact, we should be channels for everything he wishes to accomplish through us. Then we are off the hook, you could say.

God, Kind to the Humble

        Today is the solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In reading 1 from Deuteronomy 7, Moses says to the people that God repays with destruction a person who hates him; he does not dally with such a one, but makes them personally pay for it. Strong words, but hating God is disbelieving in his great mercy. The response to Psalm 103 is its verse 17: The Lord's kindnesses is everlasting to those who fear him. So the condition to avoid God's condemnation is to fear him. In other words, humble yourself before the Lord and he'll be most kind to you.

**Starting Out Living Right

        On our own, we do whatever we want or feel like doing and inevitably end up deeply mired in the world. It is absolutely important that we get to know Christ first to let him become our guiding light. Get to know the Lord to the point of falling in love in him or attaining union with him, you will then develop a razor-sharp conscience and know exactly what you should or should not do and become free from the world and yourself. Jesus said in John 8.31, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This is exactly what happens. Knowing the Lord is like hitting that reset button—you get restored to the condition he wants you to be in. Then you are ready to overcome the world and march triumphantly toward eternity.

**Asking for What We Need

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 6, Jesus said to his disciples, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." This is comforting to know. In Mark 11.24, Jesus also said, "I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours." This is even more comforting to know. Basically, the Lord wants us to tell him what we need, trust in him, and remain in peace. 

**God Eagerly Wants to Adopt Us

        Romans 8.15BC, today's Alleluia: You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father! (No doubt sons meant daughters too.) If you can truly call out "Father!" from your very hearts, the Lord has already adopted you as sons or daughters. It just show how easy it is to let him draw you close to him. Cry "Abba! Father!" unceasingly and you'll attain union with him too.  

*Our Judgment Inevitable*

        Know that the Lord God, being a just God, must administer justice. Therefore, our judgment will surely come. Be ready for it.

*Worst-Case and Best-Case Scenarios

Scenario 1
We were born into the world carrying the original sin.
The world is full of attractions and distractions.
The Son of God had come and made his plan for our salvation crystal clear to us.
But we are fully occupied with seeking happiness in the world.
Soon as we are dying, we may realize that we need to repent our sins to God.
But for some, it's already too late.

Scenaro 2
We were born into the world carrying the original sin.
Th world in full of attractions and distractions.
The Son of God had come and made his plan for our salvation crystal clear to us.
We feel the emptiness of life and the burden of sin and decide to follow God's plan.
Soon life may be over, but we look forward to meeting the Lord with great joy.
Eternal life awaits.

**Making the Right Choices

        Many choices are mutually exclusive. You cannot serve both God and mammon. You follow either God or the world (Satan). You end up in either heaven or hell. Today's Gospel reading from Matthew 6 offers more such choices. We can perform righteous deeds, pray, or fast openly for all to see or in secret so that only God knows. That is, we choose to be either genuine or hypocritical. The Gospel also shows that you either receive your reward in the open or are repaid by God in secret. Life is all about making the right choices.

***Cool Faith, God No Longer Amazing!

        In today's reading 1 from 2 Kings 2, the Lord sent a flaming chariot with flaming horses to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Nothing is impossible for God and we should know that. After all, he created the whole universe and all of us. We should not be surprised by anything he can do, and that's the way we should live and believe in him. He has sent his only Son to die for us to save us. Cool, believe in that totally. He loves us and wants to take us to heaven in a way perhaps not as dramatic as or even more dramatic than the way he took Elijah. Cool, no surprise there either. So let the Lord do whatever he wishes and we just believe. If you are still surprised that God can do amazing things, then you don't know him well enough yet.

**Having Nothing to Regret Best

        In my younger days, I learned this piece of advice: Never do anything that will make you regret having done it afterwards. If "afterwards" also covers the time after you die, it makes even more sense. Then after death, regretting anything won't do you any good anymore. This advice is to be followed when you are still living. For Christians, if you do not follow the Lord at all times, you'll have much to regret later. Let the Lord make you holy and you can forget about this rule.

***Decision Time for All of Us***

        Watch this video to learn about the parallel wars that are raging both within and without the Church, instigated by the same evil spirit. With God we shall win. Without him, we will perish. Time to choose sides. 

***How to Be Perfect

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus said to his disciples, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father. So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." Jesus is revealing to us what the Father is like. He loves all sinners and wishes them to be saved. If we can be like him, then we are perfect.

**Our Fundamental Problem*

        Our most fundamental problem is that we sin against God. If we do not solve this problem, then we are doomed. Follow Christ and the problem is fundamentally solved. Think about it! 

**Pitying the Liars

        Last Saturday, I blogged about how the Lord wants us to be honest and genuine always under the post How to Behave Ourselves. To be fake is to be evil. Satan spreads lies by telling people to lie. I look at the world and see that politicians and fake news media lie conspicuously nonstop. They feel no shame whatsoever. I pity all liars, for they know not that they are losing their souls. Smart people do not lie. The smartest ones are those who put all their faith in God. The Lord is infinitely patient, but to push him without limit is just about the dumbest thing you can possibly do.     

***Perfecting Our Existence

       The God of Christ is precisely whom we need to perfect our existence. He can take away our sins. Then he can fill us with the Holy Spirit. Finally, we and God can become one. I use the auxiliary verb "can" because each stage requires our full cooperation. Of course, we can expedite the whole process by surrendering ourselves completely to God right from the beginning, but this doesn't happen to most of us chronic sinners. Once you attain union with the Lord, you know that your existence is perfected. Physically, you are still here on earth; but spiritually, you are now with God. When you dwell in the truth, all truths become known to you.

***Words of Eternal Life

        Today is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. In reading 1 from Deuteronomy 8, Moses reminded the people that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Bread sustains only our physical life. To have life for all eternity, we need to live by every word that comes from the Lord. What Jesus said in today's Gospel reading from John 6 is especially important: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me an I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." After hearing these words, if you take eternal life seriously, you'd never take receiving the Holy Eucharist lightly anymore.

***Christ Completely Alters Outlook

        If you do not know Christ or your faith is feeble in Christ, you have nothing much to look forward to. So you naturally try to hold onto yourself and what you can find in the world that gives you some comfort or happiness. Soon, life is almost over and you don't know what awaits you. To me your whole life is rather bleak. By contrast, one who has allowed Christ to make his faith strong knows that the Lord is caring for him, guarding him, and leading him to eternal life. He still enjoys the good things of life, but never become attached to them, knowing that he'll experience far greater joy after he leaves this world. He is free, for he knows where he is now and what his future will be like. This is living the fulfilled, confident life full of bright hope. 

***How to Dispose of the Evil One*

        Know that the Evil One is already doomed. One day he'll be stripped of all power. Meanwhile, the correct and effective way to disable him is to love and obey God. If we had done so all along, the world wouldn't be so godless as it's today. So love and obey Christ in all things and you effectively shut the Evil One out—you put him out of business, you could say. You now fully belong to the loving Father and nothing can possibly take you away from him. What a blessed and glorious state! Rejoicing in the God never stops.

**How to Behave Ourselves

        Today is the memorial of St. Anthony of Padua. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not swear at all. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No. Anything more is from the Evil One." To me, Jesus is telling us to always remain cool and be honest with him and with all others. In short, be genuine always. To be fake is to be evil. Today, to see much of what's coming from the Evil One, you only need to watch or listen to what most news media report daily. 

**Giving Our Heart to God

          I had wanted to blog about giving our heart to God, then I found that Fr. Mark Goring says the same thing in his video this morning. So I'll give my message first and you can hear his afterwards.

        If we can fill our heart with genuine love, we'll have peace in the world. To have such a loving heart, we need to give our heart to the Lord, for only he can fundamentally transform our heart. It is all simple and logical, but how many of us are willing to do it? One out of a million? One out of a thousand? one out of ten? I don't know. Nevertheless, we should start with ourselves and pray that everyone will follow suit.

***Another Eucharistic Miracle

**How Christians Are Measured*

    .    If we Christians do good works, attend Bible studies, read good books, etc., but are not drawn closer to Christ, then we have not accomplished anything. If our church preaches to us, plan activities for us, etc., and we are not drawn any closer to Christ, then our church has failed. As Christians, we are measured primarily by how well we know the Lord. Therefore, make attaining union with him your primary goal. Then all good things will flow from your oneness with God.

***Being Upbeat in God!

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus said to his disciples that "whoever is angry with his brother is liable to judgment" and "whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna." In other words, every sin of ours is subject to God's judgment. This is in line with his commandment that we be perfect. But let's not get discouraged because for every good deed we do, he's going to reward us too. Furthermore, if we repent of our sins, they are wiped away. Best of all, if we abandon ourselves completely in Christ, becoming perfect is within our reach!

***Eternal Survival at Stake!

        Yesterday I blogged about Our Lady of Kibeho. Not all the visionaries believed in God before they were called by God, yet they believed when they were called. The Lord has the power to convert us if we are open to him. There are many of us who do not quite believe in Christ yet. Perhaps they will wholeheartedly if he shows up to then. Then chances are this is not going to happen, for he usually only speaks to our hearts. Anyway, if you cannot totally disregard him or say that he never existed or resurrected or was God, then you have no choice but to believe in him right this moment. Putting it off is being extremely foolish. Can you delay the sunrise? You are not dealing with some trifle in life; you are dealing with your own eternal survival!        

**Spiritual IQ Test

        The world beckons us with promises of happiness and utopia relentlessly, while we only hear the gentle voice of the Lord in our hearts when we pay attention to him. The spiritual life is all about which voice you follow. I can picture that we all live precariously on the edge of a cliff. The world (Satan) always prompts us to jump off the cliff, promising that we'll fly and glide through the air and have the greatest thrill of our life. The Evil One never tells you where or how you will land. Don't even think about it, just enjoy the experience. The Lord God lets you know clearly that if you follow him, you'll have eternal life in heaven; but in the meantime you might have to suffer and face some hardships. So which voice do you choose to listen to? Either way, the outcome is justified. But remember that you are also being tested for how smart you are spiritually.  

***Messages from Heaven***

      Recently, Fr. Mark Goring recommended the book Our Lady of Kibeho for young people to read. I had previously read something about these apparitions that happened in the Kibeho area of Rwanda, but I never read this particular book. So I got a copy of the book. I just finished reading it and learned quite a bit. The book reinforced my belief that our Holy Mother loves all of us, always intercedes for us, and brings us closer to her Son when we ask for her help. It is interesting that the eight visionaries chosen had been six Catholic girls, one pagan boy, and one girl from a Muslim family. It shows that God cares for and wants to save all people. I am going to relate several key messages given through two visionaries to you. They are for everyone no matter who and where you are.

        

         (1) From Jesus through Segatashya, the pagan boy who became an eloquent preacher and later died from being shot by a death squad. 

       "You must repent and purify your hearts. On Judgment Day God will snow everyone their entire lives and people will know that they are the authors of their own fate. God will show them their lifetime of deeds, and that person will go where they deserve to go. The Lord sees every action and knows every thought. Repent now, for there isn't much time left. God is always waiting for you to say yes to Him and let Him into your hearts. He will never deny you mercy if you have a true conversion in your heart. Life on earth lasts only a moment, but life in heaven is eternal. So you must pray. No one will reach heaven by good deeds alone or by making compromises. The only way into heaven is through prayers from the heart."

        

          (2) From Our Lady through Valentine Nyiramukiza, a Catholic girl. 

        "Begin your prayers by offering all you conceal in your soul. God sees your every action and knows your every thought, but you must tell him yourself, confessing all of your transgressions of body, mind, and spirit to him. Hold back nothing. Then ask for forgiveness from the bottom of your heart. And he will forgive you.

       My children, you must also ask for forgiveness by asking God to forgive all those who have trespassed against you, all who have caused you suffering or given you insult or injury. Forgive them and ask God to bless them.        

         And never forget to pray for the strength to be humble. Your prayers have no meaning if they do not come from the depths of your heart, and you cannot open your heart to the Lord without humility."  

**Something Beautiful*

        There is something truly beautiful about abandoning all of yourself to God. It's one of these things you intuitively feel or sense. That's how God has made us. It's a rebellious creature becoming obedient and reuniting with its creator in perfect harmony. The whole heaven rejoices!       

**The Truly Wise

        The truly wise person is not someone who knows how to advance himself quickly, not someone who plans everything out so that he can live comfortably the rest of his life, not even someone who sets his mind on helping others to live a better life. The truly wise person is one who prepares for his own death so that he'll be ready to meet his creator at anytime. 

Joy in Christ Forever!

        As a Christian, after reading in today's Gospel from Matthew 5 the Beatitudes Jesus gave in his Sermon on the Mount, I am all joy again. Eternal joy is the mark of the Christian. Pity and pray for those who do not know or follow Christ. I shall list these solemn blessings below. Pay attention to what Jesus promised at the end.

          Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

         Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

         Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

     Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied,

         Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

         Blesses are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

         Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

         Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven,

         Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

         Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

*****Time Is Running Out!

        Evil has infiltrated all levels of our societies, including the Church. Christians cannot just sit still and not take any action. We are where we are precisely because Christians have been weak in faith and timid in spirit, having been deceived by Satan like the rest of the world. The Evil One is fight tooth and claw to ruin as many souls as possible in the limited time he has left. You can count on more persecutions and chastisements coming if we do not turn to the Lord wholeheartedly. Time is running out for all of us. 

***Most Wonderful Soulmate

        There are billions and billions of people in this world, but your chance of running into someone you can regard as your soulmate is very slim. People are just so different from each other. You can have close friends or spouses, but to be soulmates with each other is to be in harmony with each other always, in a sort of union. This makes me realize that only God can be our soulmate since we can attain union with him. What is amazing is that we are all different, yet the Lord can be soulmate to all of us. How come? That's because he is the only one who can fundamentally transform us. No other human being can do that to me or to anyone else, but the Lord can. So let him transform you so that he can become your soulmate. And you'll be truly, truly happy and fulfilled. 

**God's Challenge

        Today is Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. In the Gospel from John 3, we read "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." So when it comes to considering if you should believe in Jesus as the Son of God or not, it is a serious undertaking. You must remain objective and ponder deeply without preconceived notions nor prejudice in order to remain fair to both God and you. If you feel uneasy doing it, all the more you need to do it right. 

**Critically Important Advice

        As I was taking the early morning walk, the Lord made me see that for all of us who know him, we must never shut him out completely. It doesn't matter if we are basically good people or not; what matters is that we leave the door to our heart open even just a small crack. The Lord is our lifeline and he must have access to us in order to save us. If you find following him hard, you must never give up but keep hoping in him. Again, my advice is to go limp to let him give you all the strength you need. Nevertheless, leave your door open so that you may received power and grace from him. Keep it wide open and your salvation is assured.

***Warnings We Must Heed!

        I am posting Fr. Mark Goring's video again because his words we need to hear now.

***Smart Way to Live

        Jesus said in Matthew 7, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." It seems that the moment we are born into this world, we already start out with a disadvantage: life is going to be an uphill struggle. Just to keep away from entering that wide gate and traveling on that broad road would be a battle. But I do see a smart way to win. Instead of struggling to find the way on your own, just let go in God to let him pick you up and take you wherever he wants to. Your journey now becomes effortless. Is it too good to be true? No. With God, it's always "good to be true."

**God Exists!

        I woke up in the middle of last night and saw the bright moonlight shining through a window on the tiled floor. I realized that the light did not come from the moon—it was the sun casting its light on the moon and the moon in turn reflecting the light towards the earth. This happens every month when the moon is bright and has been going on for many million or even billion years. I knew instantly that God exists and he is amazing!

**Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

        I am no theologian or Biblical scholar. I am just a simple believer in Christ the Lord. I do believe that our Holy Mother Mary plays an important role in God's plan for our salvation. Obviously, she let Jesus be born through her. I believe that she is also the woman described in the book of Revelation fighting the dragon. There are numerous books out there written about her. Scott Hahn's Hail, Holy Queen is a latest one. She has been the messenger of God over the past centuries, appearing to us on earth. I see her as a mother taking our hand to lead us to do the will of God. She's always with us, guiding and praying for us—the mother we need! She wishes us to consecrate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart to help her vanquish evil. I urge you to consider making this solemn act of consecration if you haven't done so yet. I did it along with my diocese. It took a whole month to complete, but there are shorter prayers you can find online and use.

**Vision of Two Popes

        I have all four volumes of The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations from the visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. The Apostle John concluded his Gospel with this statement: "There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written." So I bought these volumes to learn about the life of Jesus in detail, but I never dived into it simply because the four Gospels already provide more than enough information for me to know the Lord in person. Anyway, I am posting Taylor Marshall's new video on the vision of two Popes by Ann Catherine Emmerich. The vision seemed to foretell what's happening in our Church today. The Church does not require the faithful to believe in any private revelations, even if they are true. So keep this in mind as you watch this certainly most interesting video. 

*****Warning We Must Heed*****

        I just finished watching the premiere of John-Henry Weston's summary of LifeSite's interview with Archbishop Vigano about Our Lady's warning of 'great apostasy' within the Church followed by risk of World War III. It's a message we must heed. Our Lady of Kibeho appeared in Rwanda to warn the people of the looming holocaust which could be averted if they opened their hearts to God. They didn't and the horrible genocide took place 13 years later. We are now in the same situation. We can avert World War III if we would embrace God's love now.

*God's Coming to Us

        Today's verse before the Gospel reading, John 14.23: Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. Jesus said this at the Last Supper. When the Lord comes to you, he will enter your heart and you will know it. If you do not feel that he has come to you yet, keep his word and keep your heart open. Remain so until he enters, and you'll know.

***How God Exalts Us

        Once you come to know Jesus intimately, he becomes more interesting and exciting than anything on earth. By comparison, everything the world is interested in becomes trivial and more often downright boring. Of course, there are things in the world you experience that are beautiful, but only because they make you aware of the beauty of God; they are the means, not the end. Bottom line, God can fundamentally change us. And this is how he exalts us.

Upbeat Living Called-for

        Before I watched Fr. Goring's video this morning, I was walking outside the house praying the Rosary and the Lord made me see that "he wants all of us to feel upbeat at all times." For he is forever our bright hope. Jesus tells us not to be afraid nor anxious, for the whole time, of course. Psalms 23.4: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. This is the way it should be. If you don't always feel upbeat, then put all your trust in the Lord to see what happens. He always delivers when you need him.

***Duty of Exposing Evil*

        Fr. Mark Goring's video today speaks a message we should all speak. Our primary aim is the same as God's: to save souls. It is for the love of God that we speak up against others. We can be accused of coming out too strong and turning people off. Should we apologize to Satan as well? How can you spread the truth if you are so concerned about others' feelings? Look at the Lord Jesus. Yes, truth hurts because it exposes falsity. The sad state of our Church has caused many to leave. If the high hierarchy of the Church ever expects them to return, the first thing it needs to do is to show enough humility to repent of its wrong doings before its flocks.

***Greatest Miracle!

        We love to see miracles. Sometimes we won't believe in God until we witness a miracle. Miracles are phenomena we cannot explain. Come to think of it, there are plenty of them around. For example, how we were formed in our mother's womb, how our eyes can see, how we enjoy listening to beautiful music, how we can forgive others from the heart, how trees grow against gravity, how the earth rotates around its own axis and revolves around the sun with such regularity . . . we can go on and on. That we don't think of them as miracles is because we are familiar with them. Now, in my book, the greatest miracle is not something you can see, but something you can experience. It is the originator of all miracles, the Lord God himself, entering your heart to to be one with you, transforming you to be like him!

***Most Fundamental Prayer

        Yesterday I blogged that returning to God is fundamentally the solution to all our problems. Today I see a prayer that can fundamentally change the world. We can specifically pray for many different things, but know that God wishes to save our souls foremost. If we pray for the salvation of all souls, then the Lord will "have to" make them holy and evil will vanish. So pray for all the souls, your own included, before anything else.

**Lamenting the World

        Sins are committed rampantly all across the globe. We read and hear about horrible things people do to others. Good vs. evil has never been so clear. The loving messages from God have consistently been "Turn to him and repent." He doesn't need to mentions any specific sins, for rebelling against him is the root cause of all our problems. Turning to him and stopping offending him is our only hope of being saved. But the world continues to ignore him. I believe that future chastisements or warnings will become increasingly severe if we do not improve. How I hope that the world would heed God's word before it's too late!

***Becoming Powerful in God!

       In reading 1 from 2 Timothy 1, Paul made it clear that God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control, and we are to bear our share of hardship for the Gospel with strength that comes from God. And Christ had destroyed death and brought life and immortality to life through the Gospel. So for us who follow Christ, death no longer exists; we are immortal! This calls for instant and forever rejoicing. That God can give us all the strength we need to live for him is unquestionable. If we submit ourselves to the Lord, he turns us into powerhouses!

**Let Peace Be Your Guide

        If you always follow God's will, you will have his peace in your heart. This is a peace so precious that if you can keep it, you'll have eternal life. There are so many material temptations out there that can easily rob us of this peace. We are tempted to buy the currently hot stocks, latest version cell phones, new fancy cars, fashionable clothing, etc. If acquiring any of these things will make you lose your peace, then don't do it! Never let anyone or most of all your own ego pressure you into giving in to any such temptation. Remain humble to stay on the straight path to eternal life and rejoice. It won't be long before you arrive at the end of your journey and you'll be glad that you've kept your inner peace.

*Realization and Reminder*

        Psalm 90 provides today's responsorial. Here's verse 10: Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong. And most of them are fruitless toil, for they pass quickly and we drift away. It makes me realize how easy it is to waste the little time we have on earth, time we could and should use to glorify God and store up treasures in heaven in preparation for our return to him. Remember that every moment we're alive is sustained by God, so every such moment we should serve him out of gratitude.

***Make God Real to You***

        I finally understood. The Lord God created us, loves us, and knows all about us. The only way for us finite beings to know him, understand him, and appreciate him is to let him draw us deep into him, for on our own we are powerless to enter him. When you abandon yourself entirely to him, you enter a universe in union with him and begin your eternal life. Today June 1 is Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. The Gospel reading for today's Mass came from John 19.25-34. From the cross, Jesus gave his own mother to John the Apostle to be his mother. Shortly afterwards in verse 30, Jesus said, "It is finished." Bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. As soon as I finished reading this verse, the Holy Spirit hit me with a joy so powerful I felt as if lightning had struck me! How comforting to know that I am his now.

*Growing Sensibly Spiritually

        Youngsters do what they feel like doing. I myself had done many things on a whim when I was young. As we grow older, we do things more looking our age. When we become old, we just have to give up many things we can no longer do. You just don't see oldsters learning how to skateboard, do you? In general, we do what's sensible for us to do. But as Christians, do we also grow sensibly? Age is not a factor here. A Christian should do things that befit his image as a Christian. A worldly Christian will simply appear to be hypocritical. To grow sensibly spiritually, the solution is to constantly submit yourself to God.

**Unwavering Focus upon Christ*

        Satan loves to sow confusion to create chaos in our world, specifically within the Church. All the more that we need to focus unwaveringly upon Christ the Lord and not allow anything, no matter what the source is or how interesting or miraculous it might seem, to make us question or doubt our faith in him. This faith is as precious to us as our soul is. Seek to attain union with the Lord to safeguard both your faith and soul.