"It Is the Lord!"

          The Gospel reading at Mass came from John 21:1-19. Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias. While fishing from their boat, the disciples did not at first recognize Jesus standing on the shore. Finally, after he told them where to cast to net and they caught a large number of fish, the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." 

        It is such a joy to recognize the presence of the one you love! Jesus is not physically with us today, but we can still realize his presence everywhere, in others, and especially in our own hearts. Such realizations should constantly fill us with joy.

Being "Foolish" for God

        Acts 5 continued to be read at Mass. The Sanhedrin ordered Peter and the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus and dismissed them, but they left rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. Did the apostles have a warped mind? No, they were elated because they already knew and belonged to God. Once we have the Lord, only what he thinks of us matters ~ this is how we were made.

On Entering God or Not

        With God, either you are in or you are out. When you are in, you enjoy peace, freedom, security, knowing that you are heaven-bound...all the good things I've mentioned numerous times on this blog. These are not things I've cooked up ~ they are actual knowledge. When God lays something in your heart, you just know that it's true. If you are still outside God, can you give one good reason if it's not fear of facing the truth? Outside God, there is nothing. Seek union to enter God to gain everything.

On Securing Life

        Suddenly, I see how vulnerable life is. I am still breathing, typing away this moment, but life can leave me at any time as it has happened to so many of my friends. We are powerless in securing our life in this world, but we can secure our life in the next. Happy are those who have already "arranged" with God for a dwelling place in heaven! Now, they can truly sit back and rejoice. 

On Following the Lord

        Yesterday I gave a presentation for the first time, before a small group at a mini-retreat. The subject was "Seeking Union With God Through the Holy Eucharist," what this blog is about. The urge to spread this message has become so strong that I must go beyond mere blogging. When the Lord wants us to do something specific, he does not want us to be concerned about how it might affect others ~ he wants us to follow him single-mindedly so that his wish may be realized. He alone is to be our focus, our vision, and our guide.

Prayer of All Prayers

        Ask the Lord truly be the lord of your life and he'll take care of you in every situation. This prayer takes care of all other prayers.

Passing the Test

        In today's Gospel reading from John 6 at Mass, when Jesus saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he asked Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" He said his to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do (multiplication of the loaves, coming up). The Lord tests us too. Let's always remain faithful and watch for a miracle to follow.

Words to Live On

        Today's Gospel acclamation at Mass, Matthew 4.4b: "One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." How much time do we waste on listening to words spoken by the media and by people we know ~ and on speaking our own words to others? The words of Jesus are all we need to hear. Read the Gospels and let his words of life speak to you. 

A Realist Is...

one who is completely honest with God, sees everything as they are, and does not run away or hide from anything coming to him, for the Lord is with him.

Jesus Perfect for Us

        Communion experience. Jesus is a true treasure because he is the one who can make us perfect!