On Receiving the Holy Eucharist

        St. Paul made it clear that whatever we do, without love, means nothing.  And the Lord said that not everyone who calls to him, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of God.  Likewise, one can go to Mass, participate in church activities... but has no personal relationship with Christ, then he is only nominally Christian, one who has not built his house on rock. 

        Yesterday was the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  Anyone who does receive the Holy Eucharist must realize that in receiving it, the Lord becomes even closer than one's own flesh and Blood.  Here is the opportunity to establish this intimate relationship.  Receiving the Lord in vain is worse than not receiving him at all.              

Peace to Exclude Anxiety

        This morning I had the zeal to do God's work and felt some anxiety coming on, then the Lord made me see that he has his own timetable and wants me to always wait in peace and not be anxious about anything, including doing good works.

How Am I Doing?

        I thought this would be a good question to ask the Lord anytime you are doing his will.

It's the Lord!

        There is excitement and joy when you recognize that it's the Lord.  I am thinking about the time when the disciples recognized that the "ghost" walking upon water toward them was really the Lord.  Later they realized that the one standing on the shore directing them to cast their net to catch fish was the resurrected Lord.  And then the eyes of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus were opened at the breaking of the bread. 

        I also feel that any time you recognize that a thought, a word, a desire, an urge, or a voice is coming from or prompted by the Holy Spirit, get excited and be joyful that it is the Lord within you.     

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.