God Can Do It!

        First of all, nothing is impossible with God; and if God is love, he must be reasonable always.  I think we can all agree to that, unless you are an atheist. 

        It's clear that Jesus wants us to be holy, humble, the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and as loving as he is ~ this has to be totally possible or he would not have asked (demanded) of us.  If you say "I cannot do it," you are right; but God can do it!  With this all settled in your mind, steam full speed ahead with your spiritual growth.

I Shall Live Forever!

        The Communion verse at today's Mass is John 6.51: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."  What's stated is crystal clear (unless you don't listen or just try to figure out what you think it should mean).  I know I am going to live forever, not because I am extra holy or arrogant in any way, but because I trust in what Jesus had said plainly.  I believe that the bread he had given us in the Holy Eucharist is his flesh and I do eat this bread at Mass every time.  Therefore, I shall live forever as he had promised.   

We Have a Shepherd!

        Today's Gospel is from Mark on the feeding of the five thousand.  At the beginning, when Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.  We who know the Lord are so fortuante because we have a shepherd, a most trustworthy one at that.  He is absolutely reliable, our greatest teacher, and most powerful advocate.  He is everything that's good for us.  Yes, our guide, our rock, and our savior.  His sheep know his voice ~ a great gift from the Father.  We know why we are here and where we are going, for the Lord has come, swept away all confusion, and made the way to him straight for us.  Alleluia!

God's Love

        At today's Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. John talks about love in his first Epistle.  I don't mean to rehash the subject one more time, but you just can't get around the fact that God is love and love is the solution to all of our problems.  Jesus demonstrated this love by laying down his own life for us.  Let's go to the extreme case to show that love is the way we should live.  If every single person in the world is willing to die for others, imagine what a beautiful, peaceful world we would have!  It is the way commanded and demonstrated by God and the way to gaining true freedom and eternal life.  There is not another better way, period.   

        

                   

Jesus Completes Me

        What I felt during prayer today after Mass was that "I am not complete until I have Jesus."  Without him, I would be lost, incomplete for sure.  Jesus was the missing piece in my life.  Now he completes me and I am full and fulfilled. 

Imitate Jesus Alone

        We talk about role models a lot.  If a sports hero gets caught doing something shameful, he is dropped by sponsors of his commercials.  Parents want their children to look up to someone famous, wealthy. or talented.  So many in the higher classes are followed and "worshipped" by so many in the populace.  This is sad as no one is worth following except Christ alone.  Following any mortal can easily lead one astray.  Only Jesus can lead you to eternal happiness.  Imitating him may be a lot harder, but it's only proper and necessary.

Giving Ourselves to God

        This post modifies the last one somewhat.  One-way giving is true in the sense that we can never match what God can give us.  Yet, we can give God ourselves ~ this is really all we have and the best we can do.  He made us in the first place out of love, so we are most precious to him.  All the more we should take care of our own body and soul. It follows that there is nothing better than giving ourselves, the most precious to both him and us. 

God's One-Way Giving

        The thought came to me after Communion at Vigil Mass (Epiphany of the Lord). 

        God really does not expect us to give him anything.  First of all, we really have nothing to give as all (including ourselves) came from him in the first place.  We are poor and he has all the riches.  All he wants is that we open our hearts to him and he is going to pour his love into them and pile graces on us ~ it's pretty much one-way giving after we give him permission.  Such good fortune for us!   

Achieving Union with God

        Surrendering to God is difficult, but once you get started, it becomes easier and easier.  That's because when you open up to God, the Holy Spirit is able to start working on you.  (It's back to "Say OK to God and he'll take care of the rest.")  As time goes on, you sense more of God's beauty, taste more of his sweetness, and you open up even more.  Eventually, you will want all of God, desiring full union with him.  (The Holy Eucharist, God's greatest gift of himself and the treasure of the Church, is absolutely necessary to achieve full union.) 

        Basically, don't struggle on your own; just be open and passive. Remember that God is love and he is mighty. 

Ultimate Surprises

        Did you ever wonder why God wanted to take the human form?  The human life is miserable relative to what it's like in heaven, yet Jesus became one of us.  This is the ultimate surprise!  Why?  Here's the second ultimate surprise: He did it because he loves us.