How Union Attracts Us

        During a wedding ceremony, a couple promises to be true to each other in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love and honor each other all the days of their lives. I brought this up because once we are in union with Christ, whether we are in good times or in bad, in sickness or in health ~ it doesn't matter anymore! All external circumstances and conditions will no longer affect the union. Such is the attraction of God.

God Grooms Us

        When God wishes to use us in some way, he prepares us for that specific task. This may take some time, especially if we are not quite up to it yet. Therefore, patience is needed. Actually, we are not even sure what he really has in mind for us, but we sense that he is grooming us, building us up slowly, and we just trust along. Knowing that we are following his will whatever it might be is of great comfort. 

Happy to Awake

        I now get up in the morning around 5:30. I remember that years back for a time, I always slept late in the morning because I didn't feel like getting up to face the day ~ there wasn't much to look forward to. Today I am happy to get out of bed early, because in my waking hours I am aware of Christ's presence. I can contemplate him, talk to him, tell others about him...in general, enjoying our oneness.  

From Heart to Mind

       When the heart is at peace, the mind is uncluttered and any thought that comes to it will be orderly. But when the heart is in turmoil, the mind will be restless and the thoughts, disorderly. As Jesus said, it's what comes out of the heart that defiles a person; that's why the first thing God looks at is our heart. It makes all the sense to let God enter our hearts so that we may have peace. 

Jesus for One

        I attended morning Mass in the small chapel at the local seminary and found myself to be the only lay person there (besides one regular religious Brother). I felt that the Mass was said just for me, then I thought of Jesus who would have died just for me too. I just want to live in his love, the most beautiful place to be.  

Eternal Life at Stake

        In the Gospel reading at Mass continuing in Matthew 10, Jesus said to his Apostles, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna." Here Jesus made it clear that there is life after death and hell exists. I used to teach mathematics at a community college and many students were afraid of the subject because they thought that it's just too hard. I firmly believed that they didn't do well because they were too lazy to think hard, so I bet them that if they should think so hard as if their life was at stake, they would solve all the problems quickly. Now, if we live as if my eternal life is at stake, we would succeed too. In fact, there's no "as if" about it ~ our eternal life is definitely at stake!

Only One Important Goal

        Our one big goal in life should be to love God. From a practical speaking point of view, I could just say that the big goal is to make heaven. Then in life, there are numerous other small goals, out of necessity or not, for us to accomplish. Here, whether we succeed or fail doesn't matter that much ~ only reaching that big goal is absolutely important, for it matters for all eternity! So be wise ~ focus on the big goal and set the small ones to help you achieve it.  

Where God Comes In

        On the physical level, we can pretty much take care of our problems. If we are sick, we go see a doctor. On the intellectual level, there's plenty of knowledge out there for us to absorb and learn. It's on the spiritual level that only God can help us. Here's where he comes in to remove our spiritual deficiencies and bring us into wholeness. Once we are healed spiritually, the problems on the two lower level will become insignificant or disappear. That's why we need to seek God first and foremost.  

"Bickering" over Bickering

        I feel sorry for the those who love to bicker over small matters to the last penny. They just want to take all the advantages they can get. They miss the overall picture of what living is all about. Bickering is a total waste of time while you can aim high, hold lofty visions, and reach for the stars. If you decide to quit bickering, may I suggest that you go as far away from it as possible, that is, get to know God, who can definitely help you quit.

What Unbelievers Miss

        At least two things an unbeliever will never experience. They are the peace that surpasses all understanding which St. Paul mentioned and the sweet joy that intoxicates the soul which the Holy Spirit generates deep within you at various moments.