Incompatible Twosome

        Ego and inner peace cannot coexist within us. 

**Beyond Expectations

       Today's response to Psalm 85 came from Isaiah 35: Our God will come to save us. The Jewish people had been waiting for the promised coming of the Messiah. They mostly likely were expecting to see the appearance of someone like a great king who would deliver them from all their enemies on earth. If Christ had come like that, probably everyone would have cheered and the Crucifixion would not have taken place. The fact is that he came as our Savior beyond all expectations – to deliver us from all enemies, including death, for all eternity! And we, being born after his coming, have the advantage of being able to understand what his mission was all about. All in all, rejoicing is in order!

**Safeguarding the Soul

        Whatever you do, ask yourself if it's going to benefit or damage your own soul and anyone else's too. After all, this is our Lord's No. 1 concern. 

***Ready for the Day of Judgment?

        We will be judged by God after we die or when Jesus comes next, whichever comes first. When the judgment will take place is not important. What is important is whether we are ready to be judged right now, since either can happen at any time.

*Ours for the Taking!

        Think of God as water and that we are spigots that control the flow of that water into us. How much water we are willing to receive is entirely up to us. This water is living water, powerful enough to give us life everlastingly. On earth, it quenches our thirst, cleanses us, heals our soul, shields us from evil, and keeps us strong to face all trials and tribulations. God's power is all ours for the taking! 

Making Straight God's Paths

        I went to Vigil Mass today. The Gospel reading came from Mark 1. Mark started the Gospel by quoting Isaiah: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." And John the Baptist did come as the messenger and Christ followed. Of course, the whole point of the Lord's coming is to enter our hearts, so how are we to prepare his way and make straight his paths? It turns out that we are the only obstacles in his way. Therefore, if you wish to receive him, you must be passive and out of his way for him to enter smoothly without encountering any resistance. 

Concern About Satan

        Those not in God need to be concerned about Satan the most, yet they are not concerned at all. A sad situation. On the other hand, those safely in God need not be concerned about Satan and are not concerned. A most happy situation.

Intimate Moments With God

        Communion experience. After receiving the Lord, I felt I was close to him more than ever. In those few moments, peace reigned over both my mind and my heart. I knew that once I get to heaven and belong to God completely, peace will reign over me forever.

*When to Enjoy God

        He is best enjoyed when you have a pure heart and a clear conscience.

Forgetting About Ourselves

        To live for God alone, one must forget about himself. This is possible only if you let God draw you to him first, for as you are drawn closer to him, you become more aware of his presence and less of your own. Nevertheless, at the beginning when you wish God to draw you, you need to make the conscious effort to get yourself out of his way.