God to Be Trusted

        Today's Responsorial Psalm response reads: "His mercy endures forever."  The Gospel reading is from Matthew 19, in which Jesus made it clear that when a man is joined to his wife, the two become one flesh and that what God has joined together, man must not separate.  So marriage is forever too.  We also know that God's promises to us will never be withdrawn and his love for us is everlasting.  Such a God is to be trusted.   

Beautiful Novena

        The prayers of this Novena to the Holy Spirit are so beautiful that I want to say them even without any specific request to make.  Please go to: http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/novenas/p00012.htm

God Most Enjoyable

        God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is to be enjoyed.  A lifetime of pleasures, entertainment, and amusements of the world can not compare with one second of joy with the Holy Trinity.   

Unselfish Praying

        When we pray, we should ask for things that will glorify God only.  If we pray for good health, the reason must be such that we may serve him better.  If we pray for our enemies, it must be for their salvation for the glory of God ~ whether they will cease to be our enemies or not should not be of our concern.  Unselfish prayers that emanate purely out of love for God will go straight to the divine heart.

Rendering Our Account Now

        When we see God, we'll have to render an account of what we did in this life ~ our present deeds have eternal consequences!  The smart way is to start rendering an account as we perform each deed now, then we'll have nothing to worry about later.

The Sublime Holy Spirit

        Recently, I asked the Holy Spirit to take over my life.  While praying the Novena to the Holy Spirit for one of my intentions, I was totally bowled over by the beauty and warmth of the Holy Spirit.  If Jesus is like a brother to us, then the Holy Spirit is like a best friend, comforting, guiding, and keeping us company.  Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit ~ he dwells deep within our heart, but will engulf and permeate us to the extent we'll let him.  He is simultaneously gentle dove and fiery fire.  What a great blessing to have the Holy Spirit purify, transform, and shape us!

Earthly Pleasures vs. Spiritual Joys

        Earthly pleasures are, well, earthbound ~ the more you enjoy them, the more you feel weighed down.  On the other hand, spiritual joys come from above ~ the more you receive them, the more you are uplifted and freed from the world.

Joy of Union

        After morning Mass, I prayed for a friend, a mother who had just delivered a premature baby.  Both needed prayer.  I knew that the Lord loves them and wanted me to pray for them, so the prayer went "comfortably" well.  It's like a perfect match: God wanted me to pray and I prayed as he wanted.  It is a great feeling when the Lord and you are on the exact same wave length, you might say.  Again, this points to total union as the ultimate joy.  

How to Treat Our Enemies

        The last post was about the provocative (desecrating) art exhibit in the Philippines.  The artist's name is Mideo Cruz.  The exhibit enraged so many people that it finally closed down.  Emotionally, I did feel like punching him in the face too; but in morning prayer before Mass, the Lord made it very clear to me that I was to feel pity on all enemies and to pray for them.  This means that we must treat all others with his mercy.  

God's Love & Mercy

        Right now, an art exhibit in the Philippines is provoking great outrage because the exhibition desecrated the sacred, all in the name of cultivating artistic expression.  Out of reverence for the Lord, I don't even want to describe one exhibit that includes a crucifix.  Another one shows a statue of Jesus with the ears of Mickey Mouse.  Of course, the Lord could instantly wipe out both the artist and his works if he so wishes, but he doesn't.  When he was on earth, he remained meek and humble, always turning the other cheek, finally offering himself to be crucified on the cross.   This art exhibit is just one example of the billions of sins committed against the Lord every day throughout the whole world.  His love and mercy are so great that he endures them all.  It's totally accurate to say that people condemn themselves, while God wants to save them.  Such a great, loving God deserves all our love and adoration.