The Effortless Way

        In today's second reading from Ephesians 4 at Mass, Paul spells out some new rules for the new life, "All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ." These rules would be most difficult to follow if you try to do it by your own effort. Again, the secret of success is to let God accomplish all things for you in you. Surrender and Trust is the effortless way.

Praising the Known God

        I got back home last night. On the way, I drove by what seemed to be a barn with the large words "Praise God" painted on its end wall. I don't believe this would mean much to anyone who doesn't personally know God. But since I already know Jesus, I already know God, and I praise him for allowing me to see that signage.  

Another Liberating Feeling

        What we would feel when we are able to override all self-serving desires to please God.

That Clean Feeling

        The other day when my heart was pure, I got that unbeatable, free, clean feeling, knowing that God was with me and in me. This verified the Beatitude of Jesus "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God." Indeed, this is how he had made us, 

Joy of Feeling Free

        Today I realize that I don't have any desire to want to be like anyone else except Jesus. I recall that way back, I used to want to conform to what my peers were doing, or wished that I was in someone else's shoes or like that person. No more. I don't even think about winning any lottery unless all winnings can go help a good cause. In other words, Christ has set me free, and I rejoice in that.

It's Either You or God

        God is to be embraced, enjoyed, and loved. If you still do not believe in Jesus yet, you must ask yourself why. As you know, Jesus has to be either truly God or a totally false person. If you cannot prove that he is false, then you have no choice but to accept him as Lord and God. If you cannot do it yet, then it has to be because you still want to be your own little god.

God Our Must-Have

        I attended Vigil Mass today at Holy Rosary Cathedral in this city I am staying at. These are my thoughts today. God is infinite and holy. No matter how holy I become, I am still a wretched sinner before him, as I am finite. This is precisely why all the more I need the Lord.

Complete Integration

       A Catholic must completely let Jesus into his life ~ just believing in him is not enough. Only by being completely open to him as the Lord will he see that accepting all the teachings of the Church is inseparable from believing in Christ.  

Common Courtesy

        Before talking to or petitioning the Lord, always repent and ask him to forgive you any sin you are aware of first. This is to show that you respect him as your Lord and appreciate his great love for you.  

Only Eternity Counts

        It was Jesus who said, "The last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20.16.) How can this be fair? Though life truly seems unfair, eternal life and eternal condemnation will set everything straight in the end. The short span of our earthly life is nothing (zero) when compared to timeless eternity. In heaven, all sufferings we endured on earth will have been forgotten. In hell, all pleasures we enjoyed on earth will have meant nothing. Be wise and live for eternity, never for our earthly life.