Preparing for the Lord's Coming

        Today's Gospel reading at Mass came from Matthew 24. Jesus told his disciples to stay awake and be prepared for the hour at which he will come. We hear that we should live as if it is the last day of our life ~ it makes equal sense. Jesus may not show up in our lifetime, but it doesn't matter ~ the wise would get ready anyway. Then I realize that Jesus is already present spiritually with me at all times and this awareness is sufficient to keep me on my toes. I shall talk or pray to him whether I am doing anything or not, getting him involved in all things at all times ~ an excellent way to prepare for his coming.

Freedom and Joy Again

        After receiving Holy Communion, I experienced great freedom. This is the freedom that comes naturally from leaving all up to God as opposed to getting stressed out for having to take care of all things on your own. I also felt so happy and grateful that God knows my heart ~ since he sees exactly what is in it, he is free to purify and do whatever is needed to keep it pleasing to him. What a grace! 

What We Should Want to Do

        Today is the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist. As we learn from Matthew 6, today's Gospel reading: King Herod married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip; Herodias, harboring a grudge against John the Baptist because of his disapproval of the marriage, wanted to kill him; when the king was delighted with the dance of his daughter, promised to grant her whatever she asked of him, she went to ask the mother and Herodias asked for the head of John the Baptist. 

        King Herod, his wife Herodias, and the daughter ~ all three did exactly what they wanted to do, with no concern for others. They are great examples for us because they show exactly what we should not be like. For us, there is only one thing we should want to do, God's will.

Spiritual Battle, Another View

        You must agree that we are all engaged in spiritual warfare, with both God and Satan fighting for our souls. But there is another view, with Satan just playing a side role. Our main battle is really one to be fought against ourselves. If we overcome ourselves, our rebellion against God ceases and our personal battle is over. Now we are with God. If not, then Satan wins.

Promises You Can Count On

        In John 6, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." And a little later, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." Since the first promise has already proven to be true as I no longer hunger nor thirst, you can confidently count on the fulfillment of the second promise that we will live forever if we receive the Holy Eucharist, when we pass from this world.

Be Bold and Humble

        Boldness and humility make an ideal coupling for any disciple of Christ. Be bold means never being afraid to speak out or act for the glory of God. Be humble means always forgetting about your own ego (if there's still any left) and concentrating on serving God alone.

To Deeper Union

        I had a tooth that had cracked, so it was pulled out. It looked like it did not heal right and had started bleeding. At Mass this morning (memorial of St. Augustine), my mouth was full of blood when I received the Holy Eucharist. The mingling made me feel in a way that I was drawn even deeper into union with Christ. Also, it taught me to unite all my sufferings with his.

Receiving God's Mercy

        As I received the Lord in the Holy Eucharist this morning, I felt that it was a most merciful act for him to enter the sinful me. It was merciful of him to look more at my intentions and less at the actual state of my soul. 

Recipe for Freedom

        Hold onto God alone and let all else go.

Let the Transformation Begin!

        God has made each one of us into a unique creature. We all have different personalities, traits, talents, etc. And God leads us to him along different paths too, but he has one individual plan for each of us ~ he wants to mold each one of us into the perfect person as he has envisioned. So give the Lord the green light and let it begin. Don't expect to experience the same thing as any saint has experienced, but the end result will be just as satisfactory to God (and you'll be extremely satisfied too).