***Special Christian Joys***

        I'd like to end blogging of this first month of 2026 on a happy note. A Christian enjoy many special joys. Here are a few major ones: (1) discovering that Christ can truly transform you into a new creature, (2) experiencing total spiritual freedom, (3) becoming fearless of death and everything else, and (4) knowing that the very best is yet to come. God bless you all!

***Greatest Possible Return***

         Communion experience: By giving all of myself to Christ, I gain all of him!

**Smart Thinking 2*

        Today's Communion Antiphon based upon Mt 24: 46-47—Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen, I say to you: He will put that servant in charge of all his property. So generally, we need to trust in the Lord to earn his trust, as the measure with which we measure will be measured out to us. While there's still time, the wise make sure that they'll be ready for anything.

**Smart Thinking*

         In heaven, we'll be completely abandoning ourselves to God. So why not start practicing it right now? Putting it off until your last moment on earth is taking a huge risk, for you don't know when and how you're going to die. Be fully prepared now so that your entry into heaven my go without a hitch. Being wise always pays off.

**Secret to Happiness**

        Today's Psalm 51 response: Create a clean heart in me, O Lord. Our heart is most dear to us. When it's clean, we feel new; when it's unclean, we lose our peace. So let the Lord take total care of your heart and you'll be happy always.

**Our Huge Flaw*

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus showed to his disciples that even wind and sea obey him by calming a storm at sea. We are really the only creatures on earth who can choose to disobey the Lord. Shame on us! If we did obey the Lord and do his will always, eternal happiness would be our just reward.

**What Gives?

        We readily believe in the many fake stories broadcast or posted online, yet we have trouble believing in the one greatest true story recored by the four Gospels. Could it be because the latter is really true?

**The Smart Christian**

         We are not smart when we just live everyday doing what we'd like to do for the day, not thinking much ahead. The smart one make each move as if he's playing chess. He thinks ahead, anticipating what might happen and planning his moves accordingly. The smart Christian simply secures his eternal life first—you can't think further ahead than that. In this case, what he anticipates is also something that will definitely come true.

**Humility Called For**

         We human beings think we are pretty smart. But let's realize that God is infinitely more intelligent than us. The Lord can create anything he wishes instantly, while we try hard and are only able to make something out of his created things for our benefit. To think that we are smart enough not to need the Lord God is sheer folly, tantamount to insulting him. 

**Caution Against Sinning**

        Today's Psalm 51 Response: Be merciful, O Lord. for we have sinned. When we sin, we hurt ourselves, and often others too. But ultimately, it comes down to hurting the Lord that matters the most, for he is the one who truly loves us and will have the final say in determining our final destination. I hope that being aware of this will give you second thoughts anytime you are tempted to commit a sin.

**To Be a Christian Extraordinaire**

        A Christian who remains static is at best a lukewarm one. To be a dynamic Christian, one must remain open to the Lord to learn to become more perfect unceasingly. Surrender yourself to him so that you may glorify him to the max. This is living the most fulfilling and rewarding life on earth.

***A Special Joy***

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus said to his disciples, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light." When you realize that the Lord can make you see the condition of your soul and make it clean and spotless, you feel a special joy that's heavenly!

**All Chrisians Are Prophets

         God has sent prophets to his people throughout the history of Judaism and Christianity. They basically serve as intermediaries between the Lord and us, relaying his guidance, warning us of danger and calling people to repentance. I see that we who follow Christ hold these same objectives, so basically we've all been called to be prophets except for predicting future events.

***Why We Reject God's Love Still**

         The God of Christ wants to save us from sin, for he truly loves us. Yet so many of us do not accept this greatest love. Here are the possible reasons I can think of: (1) They don't believe in God. (2) They don't feel the need to be saved. (3) God cannot save them. (4) They can save themselves. (5) They don't understand the whole thing. (6) They don't want to think about the whole thing. Well, I just can't think of any other "good" reason. My belief is that it's the same pride that made Adam and Eve fall at work here.

**Perfect Timely Request**

        Communion experience. After receiving the Lord, it's the perfect time to ask him to transform me completely to his liking!

**Happy Realization**

         The Lord God is all-knowing. Compared to him, we practically know nothing, but he did give each of us the ability to learn. It should be clear that our proper attitude is to listen to him and learn everything from him. This is the way for us to become as wise as the Lord.

**What Makes a Good Prayer**

        Any prayer that comes genuinely from your heart is beautiful to God. It doesn't need to be wordy or said perfectly. When you moan or just think to him, he already understands everything. The Lord always makes everything easy and delightful for us! 

**Requisite for Salvation**

        This is basic and the first thing we must realize before we can be saved. It is that we are sinners and we must repent our sins to God for him to take them away from us. For some, this happens at a watershed moment; while for others, the awakening crystallizes over a period of time. Either way, it sets you on your happy journey to heaven.

**Made to Enjoy the Lord*

         Communion experience. Receiving the Lord was receiving his most profound peace. And heavenly joy followed. This is how the Lord has made us.

**When Shall We Ever Wise Up?**

         In the Gospel reading from Mark 3, a crowd seated around Jesus told him, "Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." So all we need to do is the will of God and we immediately belong to his family! It's straight and simple. But we love to play hart-to-get and inevitably end up making everything complicated for ourselves.

**Giving the Lord His Due*

         Today's Psalm Response from Psalm 24 read "Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!" All the Lord wants from us is that we acknowledge that he is the Lord, the king of glory, who deserves our reverence and obedience. Is that asking too much? Don't  we wish that our children honor and listen to 7s as their fathers or mothers? 

***How to Be Free from Sin***

         If you're deeply mired in sin, only Christ can set you free, for his love is more powerful than any evil there is. So you must turn to him first, and this could be really difficult for you to initiate in your weak state. But once you get going, it gets easier. In fact, the more you abandon yourself to the Lord, the faster your progress becomes. Eventually, through receiving the Hoy Eucharist and prayers, you reach the point that the beauty and the sanctity of God you experience make all sins loathsome and repulsive to you. Now you are free from sin and spiritually stronger than ever, dwelling in the house of the Lord.

***Don't Be a Loser**

        Satan is one big loser, for it's a foregone conclusion that he'll be totally crushed in the end by the Lord God. So if you follow him now, you are already a dumb loser. no matter how powerful, famous, rich, or smart in the eyes of the world you are.

***Feeling Happy and Blessed**

        I feel so happy and blessed today when I realize that I am loved by a Lord who knows all about me and for whom nothing is impossible.

***Christians' Unique Focus****

         In today's Second Reading from 1 Corinthians 1, Paul wrote, "I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose." In other words, Christians are to be united as one in Christ, focusing solely on the Lord. Should following some saints, Church leaders, or any prominent speakers or authors shifts your attention away from Christ, then stop doing it! Christ the Lord is to be the only one to follow, to  obey, and to imitate, not anyone else! 

***Our Best News***

        Life is all about freeing ourselves from the clutch of sin. Not believing in the God of Christ, we'd most likely die in sin and remain dead forever. With faith in Jesus, we can completely overcome death and gain eternal life! This is truly good news!

**It's Up to Us**

         God is most personal. It's impossible to know what knowing him is really like—you must experience it yourself! We are all finite beings and only the infinite God can make us experience him fully—you just have to be open to him. 

***Communicating with God Is Crucial***

         You cannot know the Lord if you don't spend any time with him. It's essential that you pray to him and share your feelings and thoughts with him. Set some time aside for this if you are not used to doing that. Ideally, you should be aware of his his holy presence at all times. Again, I recommend seeking union with him through the Holy Eucharist to make that possible. The more you let go in him, the faster your progress. For the Christian, not trying to know the Lord at all is no better than being dead. 

****Being a Faithful Servant****

        Sometimes we feel helpless in fighting evil. That's not from the Lord. Everyone has a role to play. Sure, there are those who seem to bear much fruit, but fruit can be great and unseen. If you don't seem as talented as others, don't let that bother you. You serve the Lord with all your heart in secret. We can always pray and be fruitful, and total submission to the Lord really makes it powerful. What's internal matters more than what's external. True servants of the Lord never compare themselves to others; their focus entirely on serving the Lord in humility.

***A Wake-Up Call***

         Before we face God, we must face and deal with our sinfulness. Otherwise, it'll be a disaster when we face him! So wake up when you still have time. Deal with your sins before you face God. To ignore or try to hide them is being as foolish as you can be!

**Rejoice if You've Been Chosen**

         Today's Communion Antiphon, John 15:16—It was not you who chose me, says the Lord, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. It seems that we can make the Lord choose us—we only need to love him and be willing to bear fruit for him. Then I suppose I think this way because he has already chosen me in the first place. Anyway, if you know you've been chosen, rejoice!

**Humility's Double-Barreled Advantage*

         When you are humble, God exalts you and demons are afraid to attack you. 

***Pray-for-Life Time***

         Yesterday Washington, D.C., held the annual National March for Life. Today we have Walk for life West Coast held in San Francisco. A busload of parishioners from my church left right after morning Mass to join that walk. Even though Roe vs. Wade has been overturned and made abortion illegal, the liberal states continue to provide abortions and California is the worst offender. Abortion is one great evil, the very antithesis of God's love. Anyone who believes that abortion is OK serves the Evil One. Once you experience God's love, the horror of abortion becomes absolutely clear. One thing about doing God's will is that you always feel peace and joy afterwards. The pro-abortionists think that they have to right to abort any unborn child, yet they experience only pain, turmoil, depression, regret and/or sorrow afterwards—that tells you they have gone against the Lord!  If you type "abortion" in the Search box, you can pull up my past posts on this subject. Please pray for the end of abortion and the conversion of those who do not know God's love yet. God bless you.

**Ranking the Lord**

         In Matthew 22, Jesus gave us the greatest and the first commandment: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Who is No.1 in your life? If you rank the Lord above yourself, then you are A-OK. But if he's not even on your list, that would be terrible and you'll reap what you sow. Best yet, have only the Lord on your list and he'll exalt you beyond your highest expectations!

*****God's Mercy Is Infinite*****

         I love praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Praying it from the heart can truly change you into a forgiving person to others and yourself! Listen to this amazing story to learn about God's infinite merdy and thank him for that. 

***Confidence in the Lord***

        Communion time thought: If Christ can get me into heaven, he surely can and would make me holy and blameless.

***Beware of This***

        God is ever present and his presence is most holy. Wherever you are, you are in his holy presence! So sin no more.

**How to Hear God Speak to You**

         To hear the Lord's voice, you must be open and ready to do his will.

***To All Pick-and-Choose Catholics*

        Here's a video with a message that may help those Catholics who have difficulty in accepting all the teachings of the Church.

**Love Jesus . . .**

for there is nothing sweeter and more fulfilling than loving Love.

*****Living in Christ*****

        We have Christ and the world, the two opposites. If you live in world, you have no clue about what living in Christ is like. Bur if you are already living in Christ, you know all about what living in the world is like, for you came from the world. I am going to tell you a little bit about what living in Christ is like. If you are still a prisoner of the world, you can learn a lot.

        In union with Christ, the Holy Spirit sets your heart on fire and make you aware of his Holy Presence at all times. You develop a super sharp conscience such that all sins become loathsome and repulsive, and you don't ever want to sin again. Under God's mercy, you are totally set free from sin. Serving God and carrying any cross for his sake are both joys. What's amusing to the world is now utterly boring. Apparently, you are now living on a higher spiritual level. You easily forgive everyone, experiencing profound peace. Prayer is heart-to-heart communication with God who is now also your best friend and soulmate. You lose all fear of death and look forward to the day you return to him. 

***Joy of Receiving Christ**

        Communion experience. Fr. B raised the host held in his hand and said the words of Jessus at the Last Supper: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT: FOR THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. Our response was "My Lord and my God." As I said that, I was exuberant and so proud that Christ is all mine!

****Our Only Way****

         In John 24:6, Jesus said to Thomas, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This means to me that Jesus is our final judge in deciding whether we get to enter heaven or not. Today it also struck me that only through him can we be set free from sin and our soul find eternal rest. That makes him OUR ONLY WAY!

*****Right Approach to God*****

        I don't want to keep repeating the same message again, but I really felt it strongly this morning that I'd like to bring it up again, perhaps a little differently this time. Jesus Christ is like a most beautiful sun before us. He is almighty God, our creator and Savior, full of love and mercy. We really should run toward him and call out, "Take me, Lord. I am all yours!" If you stand afar and hope that you'll get to know him, you'll only waste your time. As I've said before, the best and proper way is go all out straight to the Lord, submitting yourself to him completely to seek union with him. You want him to become your most beloved Lord and soulmate. The would give him so much joy that your desire will be fulfilled quickly! God is not someone to be looked at and admired from a distance; you want to let him capture and possess you totally so that you become his forever! 

**Made for Each Other**

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 2, Jesus said to his disciples, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” This just reminded me that we were all made by the Lord God not for ourselves, not for anyone else but him alone. And his purpose was so that he might love us. Realizing this, we should live for him and love him with all our heart and our soul.

**Lamenting This Hard-Hearted Generation

        When Jesus called the Twelve to be his Apostles, they dropped everything and followed him. By contrast, with the Lord speaking to us through all the things we see and hear, our hearts are more hardened than ever. This generation may not be more evil than that of Jesus' time, but we surely have been more adversely affected by our more materialistic world. 

***Best Career Choice*

         I came across this YouTube video showing a large group of families from China now living as a community in France. Since I do not know French, I didn't understand everything. I believe they all immigrated to France as political refugees quite a while back. The whole community was interested in music and many of their children now are accomplished musicians. Of course, the parents really supported the kids and the kids were talented and worked hard. Their days ahead will probably be even more stressed. I can't help thinking that to become holy and accomplished to the Lord is so much easier. You simply surrender yourself to him and to let him lead you to reach your goal effortlessly! I am not even saying anything about the fantastic reward you'll be receiving in the end.

****Only Perfect Rule to Follow****

        From today's First Reading from 1 Samuel 15,  the prophet said to King Saul, "Obedience is better than sacrifice. Because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he, too, has rejected you as ruler." Obedience is truly best, for it covers sacrifice and everything else. It's the only rule we need to follow and union with God through the Holy Eucharist is the way to help us achieve that.

**To Be Holy for God is . . .

to be holy for yourself and all others too.

^^^Sinners' Huge Foolish Mistake***

         Sinners always try to hide their sins. But since the Lord God sees and knows everything, whenever you sin, you are really sinning right before his eyes! It's bad enough when the public finds out about you; but to sin for the Lord to see openly is being foolish to the extreme—it's asking straight for your own condemnation! 

***Better tham Heaven***

        Once you fall in love with Christ, you just want to go to him to be with him forever—you don't even think about heaven. 

**Order of Business Before Communion

        I first worship the Lord, then I adore him, and finally I yield myself to him totally.

*****Assured Way to Holiness*****

         One common error almost all Christians make is that they focus upon how they can become holy instead of how God can make them holy. It's being self-centered and not Christ-centered. This difference in approach could spell total success or total failure, for all power comes from the Lord. Surrendering ourselves to the Lord is necessary. This means that seeking union with the Lord through the Holy Eucharist is the way to get going.

**Don't Believe in Lies**

         The God of Jesus is the only truth, and Satan, the father of all lies. If you still have not totally trusted in God yet, then Satan has fooled you to some extent. You must now correct your course lest you lose your way forever. 

**The Least the Rich Could Do**

         Today is the Memorial of Saint Anthony. In the Gospel reading from Mathew 19 for the memorial, someone approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” So if you are rich, but are not possible for you to sell what you have and give to the poor, the least you could do is to become detached from all your possessions.

****Do You Know That . . .

 every time you do God's will, you are telling him that you love him?

****Listen, the Lord Speaks to Us!****

         The Lord is always trying to communicate with us. Every time we do something, he wishes us to follow his will, that is, to be holy, so that we may get back to him in heaven.

***Happy Moaning***

        There are times my thoughts turn to the Lord and I start to moan spontaneously. It usually happens when I am in bed trying to fall asleep, but still awake. I'm not unhappy at all. The Holy Spirit finally made me see that it's my yearning for the Lord that caused that. If that happens to you, now you know. 

***Truly Our Lord and Savior Forever*

        In today's reading from Mark 2, Jesus was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, "Child, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there thinking to themselves, "He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?" Jesus immediately knew in his mind what  they were thinking, so he said, "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"—he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. Here Jesus showed that he could make us whole both spiritually and physically. He is truly our Lord and Savior for now and all eternity.

***Securing Your Salvation***

        In Matthew 7:21, Jesus 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." How secure is your salvation? You must love God to be willing to do his will, so do everything with love. The more intense your love, the more secure your salvation.

****BIGGEST LOSER****

        Anyone in this life who has the chance to get to know Jesus Christ, but chooses to let him go and loses him forever

***Overwhelming Experience**

        Communion experience. When we are overwhelmed by something, we normally get very excited. The love of Christ was so overwhelming that it actually made me speechless. All I could do is to submit myself totally to him in silence. .

**Sensible Asking*

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 1, a leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean." The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. "If you wish . . ." is a good way for us to begin asking the Lord to do something for us. You are not forcing him, and he may very well say "I will do it" to you. Basically, you don't refrain from asking for a miracle, but you'll always follow his will.

**Sensible Thinking*

        So many things we we don't know or understand. If you believe that God is infinite and omnipotent, we have no choice but to believe and trust in hm totally. You can go on your own, but where will you end up?

***Transformation We All need***

         Allow Christ to displace our ugly ego with his Holy Spirit, and we'll be set free from ourselves and finally happy with our own existence.

**The Lord Can Do It**

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 1, people brought to Jesus at the house of Simon and Andrew all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Now, if Jesus can deliver us form demons, he can certainly take away our sins and make us holy if we let him.

**Proper Response to God Calling Us*

         In today's First Reading from 1 Samuel 3, Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD. The LORD came and called Samuel. He answered, "Here I am, LORD. Speak, for your servant is listening." This is how we should always respond to the LORD, being ready and willing. 

**Most Wonderful Day Coming**

         Today's Entrance Antiphon: Upon a lofty throne, I saw a man seated, whom a host of angels adore, singing in unison: Behold him, the name of whose empire is eternal. Christ is our God, our Lord, and our Savior. He is greater, more glorious, more magnificent, and more beautiful than we can ever imagine. When I see him in person, it'll be the most wonderful day of my existence up to that day!

***Jesus Is Real***

        You may enjoy watching this short. Jesus is real for sure! I think you can trust this story, for I had a similar experience. I was praying for someone, hoping to give him some advice he needed. The phone rag and it was him.

***Best Home Sweet Home Experienc***

         Communion experience. We all cherish that home sweet home sentiment. Receiving the Lord in the Eucharist made me experience the best possible home sweet home feeling on earth. 

**Happy Realization**

        Whatever the Lord wishes, it's a done deal. And I know that he wishes me eternal life, so how can I possibly not feel elated? 

***Reality of Our Existence***

        God is eternal, we know that. Think about it—it's quite mind-blowing. We never existed before God created us, but now we live on forever too! Our choice is to remain with the Lord or to stay away from him for all eternity. Think about it.

"Where's Our Mercy?"

        Know that the Lord God of Christ only loves us; he never wishes to condemn us. This is a great advantage to us. Not taking advantage of it is absolutely being foolish and heartless! If we expect God to be merciful, we'd better be "merciful" to him also.

**Colossal Disparity**

         Without Christ, we end up basically alone for all eternity. That's bad enough even if we don't suffer anything else. On the other hand, if we have Christ, he'll always be with us, with us enjoying peace and freedom forever. The disparity couldn't be greater! 

**Testing Your Obedience***

        Not only we need to obey God, we need to obey him unhesitatingly. That means we must become detached from the past and all things around us. This may be hard, but attaining union with him through the Hoy Eucharist can definitely take care of that. You see, once you discover the heavenly beauty of Christ, everything else loses its attraction.

*****Forming A Might Force*****

        Currently, the number of weekly pageviews of this blog ranging from 1000+ to over 10000 comes from these nine locations: Singapore, Brazil, Hong Kong, Argentina, United States, Mexico Bangladesh, Venezuela, and Russia. We do not know each other, but if we are all united in Christ, we can be one mighty force, doing great works for the Lord. I invite all my viewers to pray unceasingly with me for the good of this world. Pray for God's mercy on all souls, both living and deceased. Pray that all will be drawn to Christ and converted. Pray for peace in the world. Pray for end to abortion, human trafficking, and all immorality. Say the Lord's Prayer, the Holy Rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Both the Fatima Prayer, "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy," and the Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner," make for good continuous prayer. Of course, you are encouraged to say your own prayers straight from the heart. Always pray for God's blessings on your own family and loves ones. Last but not least, pray that God will make you holy without blemish, a delight for him to behold. There is nothing more rewarding than serving the Lord. Let's unite in his love for us and become mighty in spirit.

**God Grants Peace*

        Communion experience. After receiving the Lord and experiencing so much contentment and joy in him, you feel that nothing can ever disturb you anymore.

**Criteria for Judging Actions

         Whatever we do is judged by whether it glorifies God or not. An action is glorious if it effectively leads others to God and is not the slightest ego-oriented. 

**Almost Common Sense

         If you think that you don't need God, you become a lost soul. If you think that you can best God in some way, you are sure to lose. If you think you know more than God, you instantly become a fool. If you think you can hide or run away from God, you are doomed to failure. Then if you trust in, follow, and obey the Lord, you'll be lead straight into heaven.

**Have Faith and Be Patient**

         Some times we get impatient with the Lord, wondering why it takes so long for him to make the world change for the better for us. Of course, he has his schedule and knows what he's doing. Our life on earth is so brief that it's practically zero in God's time. Eternal life is what we should focus upon! So have faith, knowing that we'll triumph over all obstacles with the Lord in the blink of an eye.

*****A Special Joy*****

         This is the Penitential Prayer we say to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries at the beginning of Mass: I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. While I was saying this today, I saw the Lord looking at me with all my sins, but I felt no fear, only joy. For he had forgiven all my sins and I could achieve full union with him now—I was so moved and ecstatic, falling in love with him more than ever! Truly, "The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack." (Ps 23:1)

***Very Foolish Decision***

        There are many ex-Catholics who no longer attend Mass, but at the same time they haven't totally rejected Christ either. Some of them even plan on coming back when they are ready. How foolish can you get? This is basically telling the Lord to wait until you are ready to accept him, while you don't know how much time you still have left. Gamblers usually end up losing and what's at stake here is the loss of your very soul! The idiom He who hesitates is lost applies to the case.   

****A Wake-Up Call****

         Are you aware that we are living in a secular world so evil that we are in constant danger of losing our souls? What the entertainment industry puts out, all the commercials you see, and our insatiable desire for material goods all reflect that. At morning Mass today, a couple brought their little boy with them. Like all kids, he wandered away from his parents a bit and made some noise, but he looked totally innocent. Then I thought of all the evildoers in the world today, and there are plenty of them—they were all innocent like that beautiful little boy once! The battle between good and evil is real. We need to be on guard at all times, and clinging to Christ is the only way to go!

**All-Knowing God**

         From the First Reading, we heard read, based upon 1 Jn 5:15—God hears us in regard to whatever we ask. Basically, the Lord knows everything about us. If you're not aware of this, I feel sorry for you. If you are, you would feel either disconcerted or comforted, depending upon your relationship with the Lord. Personally, I rejoice that I have such an all-knowing God taking the best care of me.

**The Letting-Go Test**

        Communion time question: God personally comes to seek union with us—how much do we let go of ourselves? 5%? 10%? 50%? 99%? How about matching his giving 100%? Abandon yourself totally to him and you are free. You can say that "Lose to God and you always win."

***Christ Indispensable to Us***

         Today's Communion Antiphon, 1 Jn 4:9—By this the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his Only Begotten Son into the world, so that we might have life through him. Let us realize that we have inherited Original Sin and are dead in spirit, so we absolutely need Christ to restore us to life!

**Avoid Being a Fool**

        We all have a bucket list of things we want to do or accomplish in our lifetime. When I was in my teens, I already made up a list of all the things I wanted to learn and try, such as playing the piano, swimming, horse riding, mountain climbing, etc. Of course, I never reached my goal. Being more mature now, I realize that if loving and following Christ is not first on my list, I essentially remain a fool, a big one at that. So make sure you don't end up on the Lord's list of fools!

***Trump in Prophesy***

         This is a video I saw five years ago on the John-Henry Westen Channel. Later I couldn't find it anymore. Now it just resurfaced and I think you'll find it interesting. God has a way of doing things we can never expect.  

**Testing Your Readiness for Heaven**

         Which would you choose between wining a $100,000,000 lottery or having Jesus make you holy? Picking the better answer should be a no-brainer. Did you hesitate in answering the question? Were the consequences in each case instantly clear to you?

***Seeking Union with God Not Advocated?***

         People don't talk about seeking to attain union with God—I think it's because it requires you to surrender yourself to God and most people are not there yet. This is a big mistake. We can talk about learning how to swim even if we don't know how to swim yet. We can surely talk about becoming holy even if we are not perfectly holy yet. Perhaps people wrongly assume that union with God is for the saints only. If that's the case, it's due to muddy thinking and the lack of faith. The Lord wants us to be at our very best and we should let him make us so!

*****Monumental Great News*****

         We have first today's Entrance Antiphon, John 1:1—In the beginning and before all ages, the Word was God and he humbled himself to be born the Savior of the world. The Lord had revealed that to John—what a magnificent and monumental statement! Then we have today's Communion Antiphon, John 3:16—God so loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. This has to be our most beloved verse. If we must memorize one verse, this one should be it. God is giving us the "secret" to Eternal Happiness here! If you are not elated on hearing this, you need to be hit with a baseball bat on the head!

**Wise Living**

         If you only do your own thing aiming at pleasing yourself, then you are simply drifting along horizontally, living a mundane life. What will happen to you after this life is over? This is the BIG question! To be wise, do everything for the glory of God. Now you soar vertically, keeping your link to heaven firmly in place. What's going to come is no longer of any concern.

**Pleasure vs. Joy**

         Whatever you enjoy in the world is a pleasure and whatever you enjoy in God is a joy. The former is short-lived and can get tiresome quickly. It does not make you any holier and life remains empty. On the other hand, the latter is permanent and forever refreshing. It uplifts you spiritually and fills the void of your life.

***Secret to Loving God***

         To succeed in loving God, you must be wide open to letting him love you. Any resistance you put up will simply impede your  progress.

***PERFECT ONE for Us***

         When I hear the name of Jesus mentioned, these three words instantly come to my mind: Lord, Love, and Light—he's all three, the exactly one we need for salvation and life.

***Most Powerful Catholic Prayer***

        Watch this video and be awed by God's mercy and power.

**To Delight in the Lord**

         Please the Lord and you'll be pleased with yourself. Embrace his love fully to let it transform you into a new creature and he'd be delighted. And you in turn will experience his joy.

**No Unhappy Christians**

         We easily get unhappy about many things that happen to us, deeming ourselves to be less fortunate than some others. We forget that if we look at the entire population of the world, we are likely more fortunate than many other people. Think of the millions of unborn babies that are aborted every year. How about the thousands of young soldiers who now lose their lives daily in Ukraine and Russian? Then we have sex trafficking victims, civilians unjustly imprisoned by corrupt governments, terminal cancer patients . . . the list goes on and on. So think how fortunate you already are. As for those who proclaim to be Christians, they should realize that having Christ is more than sufficient for them. An unhappy Christian is an oxymoron.

***Our Foremost Christian Duty***

        It is to love the Lord by being holy ourselves and spreading the gospel with the goal of saving as many souls as possible.

***How Our Joy Progresses***

        First, we experience the joy having our soul purified and healed by the Lord. Then we progress to the joy of being in union with him spiritually. Finally, we arrive at the joy of being with the Lord in person for all eternity. 

***RICH BEYOND MEASURE***

        Today's Entrance Antiphon, Ps 16:5-6, Reads: O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. For me the measuring lines have fallen on pleasant sites; fair to me indeed is my inheritance. The Responsorial Psalm Response from Ps 2: I will give you all the nations for an inheritance. Last, the Communion Antiphon, Mt 19:29, reads: Everyone who has given up home, brothers, or sisters, father or mother, wife or children or property for my sake will receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life. All three quotes talk about inheritance. If we let the Lord of Christ be our Lord, we will inherit all that he has for us and everlasting life! Do you hear me?

***Denying Ourselves Our First Step***

        Today the Church celebrates The Epiphany of the Lord. I have just one message to share. This saying of Jesus to his disciples appears in all three Synoptic Gospels: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." We see that the first order of business is to deny ourselves, which clearly goes against our grain. Then I realized that the Lord is right; obviously, we can't follow him and ourselves at the same time. So denying ourselves is the beginning of setting ourselves free, and the motivation to follow Christ is the driving force that can help us succeed. It's basically letting the Lord rightly be our Lord. This morning after I got up from bed, I found that my Brown Scapular and Miraculous Medal were all tangled up. I had to take both off my neck to untangle them and it took me almost a full five minutes! Every unusual happening is a message from God. I believe that his message for me was that if I do not deny myself, life will always end up a tangled mess.

**Great Feeling**

         Communion experience. Seeing that the Lord has offered all of himself for me, I was greatly moved by his humility, making me want to be humble like him. That was a great feeling!

**One Great Sorrow**

         It's seeing so many of us not seeing Christ as our Savior, a true case of "They know not what they do."  How they need God's mercy!

**Heaven Bound Formula*

         Today is also the Optional Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus. Start doing everything in the name of Jesus according to God's will before the day of your judgment and you'll be heaven bound.

*****Bold Move We Can Make*****

         In today's Gospel's reading from John 1, John the Baptist testified to Jesus: "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God." I say, ask Jesus to baptize you with the Holy Spirit. If you really mean it and and are open, you will experience the greatest change in your life, like being hit by a tidal wave! Freedom, peace, and joy will inundate you. This is my personal testimony to you. If you feel you are not quite ready for that, pray for guidance from the Lord. We are or have been prodigal sons or daughters. There'll be no true rest until we return to our Father in heaven.

***Exalted by the Lord***

        From 1 John 3: 6, we heard read "No one who remains in him [Christ] sins." Choosing to remain in the Lord puts us in a special class. I am in no way saying that we are superior to others; I am only saying that Christ has made us superior in him. And we now become even more humble and grateful to him.

***One to Hold Onto***

        We must hold onto Christ at all times, not just when we need him. He is ever present, sustaining and longing to fellowship with us, his love for us forever burning. Ignoring him is throwing our destiny to the wind! Stick with the him and he'll keep us safe and happy forever.

****Wise Living****

        It's always wise to look at the overall picture of things and not just focus upon one immediate thing after another. Most people of this world are too busy to look beyond their life on earth. A bona fide Christian sees that there is life after death and and goes ahead to get that totally secured through Christ. Now they live in freedom, peace, and joy on earth. This is being a wise visionary, seeing the forest for the trees.

***Total Fulfillment***

        Communion experience. The Lord came down from heaven to be in union with you; you were now fulfilled to the brim! 

***Hope & Resolutions for the New year***

         It's New Year's Day, appropriately the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Each New Year gives us hope that everything will be better from now on for all. But for those of us who already belong to Christ, this hope is already a reality with eternal bliss awaiting! This is also the time many make their resolutions. Bless them for the intention, but this rarely works out without involving the Lord. The superior way is to surrender ourselves to him first, then he'll show us what we should do and help us succeed too.