Minding Others' Business

        From today's 1st reading from Ezekiel 33, the Lord said to the prophet, "If I tell the wicked, 'O wicked one, you shall surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death." It seems that we should mind our business only when it comes to judging others, but not when it comes to warning others with the intention of saving them. In either case, the motivation must be love. It goes back to the second greatest commandment given by Jesus: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," something we easily forget or ignore.

*Sensible Choice

        God has created us with a soul that will last forever. And we are merely passing through a world that is transitory. Let's be sensible and attach ourselves to the eternal God and not to the passing world on our journey. 

*Go Direct to God Again

        I see people suffering, experiencing pains and sorrows. Is telling them "Trust in God" an easy way of offering help? This advice like "God bless you" does sound perfunctory. Besides, most people in suffering are too numb and weak to turn to God fully, plus that the advice could be perceived as being too simplistic for dealing with their complex problems. The reality is that God can truly help when you put your faith in him. The advice is right-on. How Can God help if you are not completely open to him? The Gospels show that God did not perform miracles where there was no faith. If God is all-knowing, powerful, and loving, then you need to put this advice into practice. Of course, time heals, but without faith it could take a long, long time.

**God Indispensable

        We exist only because God exists. We are holy only because God is holy. We are loving only because God is loving. We have hope only because God is our hope. We are willing to die for God only because he has died for us. We can have eternal life only because he loves us. This is certain: it would be better for us not to exist than to exist without him.

**Direct Approach to God Best

        You can listen to a lot of sermons, read a lot of good books on spirituality, attend spiritual conferences, go on pilgrimages and retreats, watch DVDs, participate in prayer groups, etc., but if you want to be able to fill the void of your life completely, satisfy your spiritual hunger for God totally, to be inspired to the maximum, challenged to serve God with all your heart, the best way is to read the Gospels, take Holy Communion most seriously, and go directly to the Lord – that's going straight to the top, the head, the source of all power, your Father, your creator – to tell and share with him everything and keep your heart wide open for him to heal you, speak to you, and teach you. 

***Critically Important Question!

        When we apply for a job, we fill our resume with everything we've done that we can think of to impress our potential employer. God needs workers too. Now is just like back then when Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few." When you face the Lord on that day of appointment with him, he is going to ask you "What have you done for me?" – will you have a good list prepared to impress him?

*Getting Inside God

        I just heard on TV the orchestra version of the timeless aria "Sheep May Safely Graze" from Bach's Cantata No. 208. Beautiful music and things can draw us to God, but if you want to get inside him, there is only one way: seek union with him. Surrendering yourself to him will start you on this most satisfying, exciting journey.

Love Overwhelming

        Communion experience. The love of God was so compelling that my only appropriate response was to offer him my heart. Giving for God is always a joy; giving to God directly is extra joyful.

What to Do With God

        God is not to be tested, questioned, or even thought about much; he is more to be trusted, leaned upon, and enjoyed.

It All Starts in This Life

          Another picture I envision. We all live on the edge of a precipice. We know that we could fall off the precipice into the abyss below at anytime. It it happens, it's going to be oneway for ever. But many are sleeping, so they don't think about it. Then there are those who are not at all concerned, for they have always been awake and have tied themselves to Christ securely with his cord for now and ever.