Live for Heaven

        Most people as they grow up begin to set goals for their lives.  The general goal is usually to make a lot of money as quickly as possible.  More specific goals might be to become lawyers, doctors, or engineers.  There are also poorer families whose only wish is to earn enough money to put their children through college so that they will have a better life.  But there is a lot more to live for than just this life.  To be truly farsighted and plan for eternal security, we should make heaven our primary goal.  That is, we should live for heaven.  This is what God wants us to do as he always wants the very best for us.         

Paul's Conversion Gives Evidence

        The 1st Reading at Mass from Acts 9 begins an account of Paul's dramatic conversion. Here was a powerful person who threatened and imprisoned the  Christians. I am sure that no one at the time could possibly have expected him to change sides, but by the grace and power of God, he did become a disciple after Christ called him. To me, this is strong, positive evidence that Christ is real and Christ is God. Again, nothing is impossible with God. 

Eucharist, the Most Holy Sacrament

        Again in today's Gospel reading at Mass, John 6.52-59, Jesus spoke clearly: "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."  He emphasized this several times more in this passage.  Try adding the word "symbolically" after "Man" and Blood" and reread the whole sentence.  You'll see that the word "symbolically" is totally out of place. 

        Jesus fulfilled his promise by instituting the Holy Eucharist later at the Last Supper. 

In Harmony with God's Will

        Picture the will of God as a river flowing with sparkling, clean, refreshing water.  To do his will, you just get in and let the water keep you afloat and the flow carry you downstream without your having to expend much effort on your own.  When you are in harmony with the will of God, it will carry you, making the task easy.

Holy Eucharist Is Real Flesh

        Today's Gospel reading was from John 8.  Jesus declared to the crowds: "I am the bread of life.  Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.  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.”  It cannot be clearer that the Holy Eucharist Jesus instituted is the real body and blood of himself. 

        Just before receiving him at Mass this morning, I asked the Lord to crush (the old) me so that I might be entirely at his disposal.

Easy to Follow God

        Picture the will of God as a flowing river of sparkling, clean, refreshing water.  If you are in harmony with God's will, it's like getting in the river and flowing right along with the water.  God keeps you afloat and the water carries you forward without having to expend much of your own effort.  Following the Lord is easy if you let him lead you.  

How to Enjoy God

        Trust in God 100%.  Let his love take over so that you love everyone as yourself.  Focus upon him alone and keep out all non-essential, distracting thoughts.  Then nothing will bother you anymore ~ you can just "sit back" and enjoy the peace and freedom from God.

Living the Present Moment

        I talked about living the moment before.  By living the moment, I mean being content and doing your best to serve God.  If you don't live the moment, then it's lost and gone forever.  If you dwell upon your past, you are not living the moment.  If you are not content now and hope that the future will be better, you are not living the moment.  The present moment is the only moment you have.  To dwell upon the past and/or future is to not live at all. 

Pollution of the Soul

      Pollution of the environment is real and of big concern to the world today.  I mention pollution because as I look around, I see, hear, and read things that mostly pollute the soul.  If you don't watch out, they can easily sink you.  Therefore, a firm foundation grounded in the Lord and his word is imperative for safeguarding the soul.  

Peter Spoke the Truth

        If you have read through the Gospels, you've probably found out that the Apostle Peter was an honest, straightforward guy, never devious or deceptive in any way.  He did deny the Lord three times after his arrest, but that's because he got confused and afraid.  After the Resurrection, he was a changed man.  Hearing his bold proclamation as an eye witness in Acts 2:14, 22-23 during yesterday's Sunday Mass reading confirmed once again my belief that Jesus is the true God.