God and World Worlds Apart

        In today's Gospel reading from John 8 at morning Mass, Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him that the truth would set them free. They thought they were free because they had never been enslaved to anyone, but Jesus meant "free from becoming a slave of sin." In today's world, "free" also means having no financial burdens, no one giving you a hard time, and free to do whatever you wish and not worry about the consequence. To the world, to love is to desire or enjoy something that attracts, lures, or satisfies you sensually or intellectually, whereas to love for God is to lay down your life for your friends. Again, the world seeks external pleasures that satisfy mostly the senses, while God wants to give us internal joy that intoxicates the soul. 

How to Kill the Ego

        Simple ~ just starve it.

Standard of Love

        Jesus said, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15.13). All love is to be measured by this standard. Then the greatest lack of love has to be to abort one's own child for oneself.

Multiplication of the Lord

       Communion time thoughts. Jesus in his time multiplied loaves and fish to feed the multitude, satisfying their physical hunger. Now he multiplies himself in the Holy Eucharist to feed all of us who love him, satisfying our spiritual hunger.

We Are the Soil

        Today's Gospel acclamation at Mass: The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever. This makes us the soil. If we keep the word of God, the soil will be good and rich and we shall bear fruit and live. Otherwise, the soil will be poor and barren and we shall die.

Thread of Mercy

        I see God's mercy as a thread with each of us suspended by such a thread. Since God's mercy is infinite, this thread is so strong that it will want to hold us safe all our life. But sin weaken this thread. Therefore, if we keep sinning and do not repent, the thread will in time break and drop us into the abyss where we don't want to go.

Offering Up Suffering

        Offering up our suffering to God is seeking refuge and consolation in him. It's an excellent way of deepening our union with God and overcoming sorrow with joy.

All About God

        First thoughts this morning while shaving. God is the big star of the universe since he created all of it. He deserves all the recognition and credit. Who are we, such finite creatures, to get in his way? Besides, he loves us to death. Therefore, we should not only let him have his way, but also embrace him with joy and gratitude! 

Greatest Truth

        To know God is to know love, to be illuminated and fulfilled, and be set free. Without love, we remain in darkness. Our greatest truth is love.

Same Tragedy Today

        In today's Gospel reading from John 7 at Mass, the Pharisees did not believe that Jesus was the Christ simply because they were not open-minded and had already formed negative opinions about him. The nonbelievers today are the same. When they believe that they already know the truth as they see it, they shut the door on God.