Do You Really Know Jesus?

        At the Last Supper, when Philip asked Jesus to show them (the disciples) the Father, Jesus responded, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?  Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.  How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

        This makes me think that we could be a follower of Jesus for a long time, hear him preached every Sunday at church, read many books about him, participate in parish activities, and still do not know him or the Father.  To avoid this pitfall, seek total union with the Lord.

Small Pain, Big Gain

        Today's Communion verse, Matthew 19.29: "Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."
        This greatly helps me in giving up certain things in life.

St. John on Love

        I love St. John, the Apostle.  His writings are simple, clear, and to the point.  In today's Mass reading from 1 John 4, he makes it clear that

        (1) we have not seen God, but if we love one another, God remains in us,

        (2) God has given us his Holy Spirit so that we know that we remain in him and he in us,

        (3) God is love and this love is brought to perfection among us who remain in him,

        (4) love and fear are mutually exclusive.  One who fears is not yet perfect in love. 

        St. John here gives us much food for thought.  To those who are still afraid of the physical death, let me say that nothing can match the power of God's love.  Let this love fill you to leave no room for any fear.

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.