In resisting the devil during his temptation, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8.3: "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'" This is also today's Gospel acclamation. We are to hang on to every word Jesus says, then we'll not only live, but live forever with God.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
*Fear of Union With God
In today's first reading at Mass from Genesis 2, the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being. God is the great creator. He is love and also has the power to transform us. I've been spreading the message that the Lord wants to draw all to union with him through the Holy Eucharist ever since he made it clear to me more than 6 years ago. Looking at the pageviews number on my blog, I can't really claim that I have been very successful, but what's successful in God's eyes is different from how we see it. It does appear that many among Catholics are just not ready to respond to such a call yet. After all, facing up to God is never easy for anyone, and seeking union requires presenting yourself to him squarely. Nevertheless, this is what the Lord desires the most from us, for out of love he longs for the greatest possible intimacy with us! Therefore, any fear or hesitation you feel is unhealthy and should not be justified. In fact, in seeking union with him, you'll experience amazing progress in spiritual growth with increasing peace, freedom, and joy. His transforming power will displace any struggle on your part! It'll truly make living your Christian life exhilarating and exciting!
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Living the Christian Life
Living the Christian life must be heartfelt, not to be babbled about. Let Christ the Lord be at your center first. Seek union with him and all things that come forth from your heart will be right.
*On Loving Sinners
In today's Gospel reading from Luke 5, Jesus said in reply to the Pharisees and their scribes who complained about Jesus eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners, "Those who are healthy do no need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners." Hearing this from Jesus makes me see the beauty of loving the unlovely, those who normally turn us off. It teaches us never to judge to anyone. It saddens me to see that politicians lie about and condemn their opponents in any way they can. Even their so-called Christian supporters picture whomever they do not like already doomed to hell. God being love is such a simple truth, yet so difficult for so many to grasp! What gives?
Taking Care of the Soul
Since I made it clear in my last post that our soul is our most precious possession, we should take the best care of it by keeping it pure, as sin defiles and rots the soul. Happy is the one who lets the Lord take away his sins and make his soul whole and clean! Everyone should try this at least once, then you will never want to return to your old filthy state again. Anyone who neglects his soul is in my book being foolish to the extreme.
*Preparing for the Worst*
The wisest always prepare for the worst, and the worst that could possibly happen to us is losing our soul. Properties, material possessions, fame, health, friendship, etc., are nothing compared to the soul, for they all pass, while the soul lasts for eternity. If you know your are dying and repent to God in the last second, you may still be saved, but what about losing your life suddenly and unexpectedly, which happens often enough to many? The Lord wants us to settle our eternal destiny first and not worry about living the earthly life, and we should wise up to this most beneficial, loving piece of counsel.
Friday, March 3, 2017
*Responding to God Properly
God is to be worshipped, for he is holy. God is to be adored, for he is gorgeous. God is to be praised, for he is perfect. To worship, adore, and praise him, we need to submit ourselves to him without reservation with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our soul.
The Jesus Effect
Communion experience. Jesus is holy, perfect, and beautiful. In union with him, we progress in becoming holy, perfect, and beautiful.
Another If Only
If only we'd do everything to honor God and not ourselves, we'll have a lot more peace in our hearts and in the world.
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