Being Challenged

        Today's Communion antiphon, Matthew 10.39: Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it in eternity. After you hear this said from Jesus, you must either follow or walk away from him ~ no other possible choice.

Believe and You'll Know

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus tells us that the coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed ~ no one can say, "Look, here it is," or, "There it is." I do not see the Lord, but I know that he dwells in me. Faith is required, then it is substantiated by God and the unknown becomes known. It's faith leading to knowledge.

All-Encompassing Approach

        Communion insight. Union with God takes care of loving God which takes care of how we ought to live.

God to Be Loved

        The fact that Jesus is most lovable made me see that God is most of all to be loved.

Testing Our Love

        It's easy to love God who is holy and much harder to love people who are imperfect, especially those who have done us wrong. But Jesus gave us the second greatest commandment: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Conclusion: We don't love God enough yet, if we do not love all our neighbors. That we are to see the Lord in everyone takes on a new meaning. 

Most Beautiful Way of Living

        Today's entrance antiphon at Mass, 1 Samuel 2.35: I shall raise up a faithful priest who will act in accord with my heart and my mind, says the Lord. It struck me that there's no more beautiful way of living than doing what God has in his heart and his mind.

Reminder

        If you know that God has chosen and called you, do not forget to thank him for it.

Be Set Ablaze

        Luke 12.49: I have come to light a fire on the earth, and how I wish the blaze were already ignited! The Holy Spirit is capable of setting our hearts ablaze. For the sake of our Lord and Savior, let it be done to you without delay! This fire will cleanse your soul, free you from sin, and lift your spirits to new heights.

Importance of God

        These are the two most important things for us to realize about God. (1) He is love. (2) He is exactly what our soul needs.

*Everything or Nothing

        Jesus has said in the Gospels more than once, "To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." This is so true. For example, the deeper you enter union with the Lord, the more you feel his presence and experience his love. Putting it dramatically, One either gains eternal life or loses even his own soul.