Faith Needs Trust

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 8, the centurion asked Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant.  When the Lord was ready to go, the centurion declared that he's not worthy to receive him and only asked him to say the word and the servant would be healed.  The Lord was impressed by his faith and the request was granted.  

        My thoughts are that if we have faith, we shouldn't ever wonder or worry if the Lord is going to answer our prayer or not.  To persist and ask again is fine, but to lose peace afterwards, no.  Faith without trust is empty.

Nothing Is Mine Except the Lord

        I came into this world with nothing that's mine and shall leave it the same way I came.  Except that while here on earth, the Lord our God called and I responded.  Now, he is mine forever!  Soon I shall be going to him, the Father who awaits us all in paradise.  Will you be one to disappoint him?  I pray not.

To Each His Own

        The morning news reports that a small 2 x 3, 130-year-old photo of Billy the Kid will be auctioned off today and is expected to fetch at least a million dollars because many will want to own it.  The good news for me is that I don't need to spend a cent to possess the priceless almighty God who loves me.

How Best to Follow Christ

        (1) Follow at a steady pace, never rushing ahead nor lagging behind.

        (2) Do not turn your head to be distracted nor look back as you follow.
        (3) Do not look ahead, wondering what might happen ~ leave all up to God.

        (4) Follow faithfully with patience.

Features Unique to Christianity

        Christ made it clear that he is in the Father and the Father is in him; that is, he and the Father are one.  As disciples of Christ, he is also in us.  He fills us with himself each time we receive him in the Holy Eucharist, reaffirming our oneness.  We submit ourselves to the Lord and simply vanish in him.  These are absolutely unique features you do not find in any other belief systems. 

Only One Person to Please

        Watched a clip of Pavarotti in Hyde Park on TV.  The singer was trying to please thousands in the park.  He was good, but I doubt that he would get 100% approval.  It got me thinking that I was luckier because I only needed to please one person, the Lord.  And one nod from him is worth more than a million out there applauding me. 

Ungodly Emotions Lead to Sin

        Emotions rise when people are angry, scared, worried, jealous, envious, impatient, possessive, greedy, unforgiving, hateful...  One can be totally eaten up by such emotions that are out of control, both physically and spiritually ~ ungodly emotions just lead to sin. 

        On the contrary, anyone who's in union with God basically feels just peace.  When you have joy or sorrow, you know that the Lord is feeling it at the same time.  In sorrow, the Lord consoles you and your sorrow turns sweet.        

Be with God or Be Nothing

        During Communion time yesterday, I became acutely aware that I could not possibly survive without the Lord.  It's either being with him or becoming nothing.

Doing Work Through God

        God does work through us as we are his instruments.  In turn we do his work through him in the sense that we can do nothing on our own and need to rely upon his strength, guidance, and protection to accomplish the task.  In union with God, we never work alone. 

The Sad State of Man

        Over centuries man has made this world more comfortable and convenient, more entertaining and pleasurable.  Man has become materialistic and flesh-oriented, to the point that he no longer seeks God.  I see the newborns or very young children ~ they are all so pure and innocent.  Then I look at the adults, impure and sinful ~ how did they get that way?  

        Yesterday's Gospel reading gives an answer.  Jesus said to his disciples: "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."

        What must we do then?