Let God Sanctify Us!

        At Sunday Mass this morning, I heard the priest say "Let God sanctify you" during one part of the Mass (can't remember exactly when) and it immediately struck me ~ how beautiful it is to let God do that to us, to make us holy, to purify and free us! Only God has that power and we can be the recipient of the benefits that power can bestow if we let God sanctify us. 

What We Should Do Today

        Submit ourselves to God more and more so that we fight less and less on our own. And rest in him more and more so that we struggle less and less on our own. (When we have totally surrendered to God and are able to relax completely in him, we shall have ceased fighting and struggling on our own.)            

Know Our Place Before God

        Early morning I got up and it was a beautiful day. The temperature hadn't heated up yet, the gentle breeze felt good, and I heard birds singing among the trees. I thought of the people who lived thousands of years ago ~ they must have experienced and enjoyed days like this. Then I realized that in those days, people must not live that long, for they didn't have the medical knowledge, technology, doctors and hospitals which we enjoy today. Wikipedia shows that even today, the current life expectancy at birth for people in some of the African nations is only in the range of 30-40 years and the current world average of life expectancy at birth is estimated to be around 67. 

        It's easy for us to get carried away when we believe that science and technology can solve all our problems and that we don't need God anymore. Then look, after thousands of years we've only managed to extend our life expectancy by a few decades ~ we still die at the end ~ is this big enough progress for us to claim that we can replace God who created the whole universe? Aren't we being extremely foolish to think that way? The truth is that we are nothing before God. Our proper role is to remain humble always before him and beg for his mercy before we ever think, speak, or do anything.    

Walking with Christ

        Since Christ is my closest, most intimate companion, who dwells within me, I feel his presence at all times. He enters my mind the moment I wake up in the morning and I enjoy thinking about him when I go to sleep. During the day, I cling to him because everything about me depends upon him. In return, the Lord guides me along a straight path, shielding me from all evil.

Die Once & Live Forever

        The martyrs die for Christ, but we can always die in Christ. In either case, the subjects die once and will live forever! 

How People Talk

        It's interesting that those who do not know God talk as if they know everything, while those who know God talk as if they do not know anything but God.

We Are like Computers

        I just had some viruses or malware removed from my computer. I was told by one technician that if I didn't do anything, the computer most likely would head toward a crash. The sounds very much like a sinner and what could happen to him. Sins are like viruses and a sinner is infected with them. For him, the loss of eternal life is that big crash.  

The Movie "For Greater Glory"

        I did go see the movie For Greater Glory yesterday with some friends. To be objective about it ~ let's say that I am not even a Catholic ~ I'd say that the film was well made, quite dramatic, and has some very moving moments. Above all, it tells the story objectively, showing violence committed by both sides, and did get the point across. Out of 5 stars, I would rate it 3.5 to 4 stars. Don't pay too much attention to the less favorable reviews that have appeared in a number big city newspapers ~ those critics tend to nitpick from the point of view of a film school instructor, but the many imperfections are not likely to bother the average audience. When our group watched it, we were kept awake for the entire 147 minutes and got quite emotionally exhausted. Overall, it tells a memorable story.    

God, Our Standard

        God is the only standard against which all of us are to be measured. On our own, any standards we set up will only be temporary, relative, and possibly unreliable or even misguided. If you believe that we should have only one standard, then we have no choice but to follow God. The world is in chaos and disorder because the Lord is not held up as its standard. Without God's example as revealed through Christ, we'll never know what the greatest love and true humility are.  

Goal of a Christian:

To draw all to the love of Christ.