Forms of Persecution

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus tells about the coming persecution. He says, "They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives." We might not face persecutions as severe as those mentioned by Jesus above, but we do suffer and carry the various crosses of life in serving  him – these are forms of persecution because of his name too. May we persevere till the very end, for our reward will be great in heaven.  

We're All Perfectionists

        Some people want to get all things done perfectly and others are a lot sloppier in whatever they do. You can say that not everyone is a perfectionist. But I do see that God has made us all perfectionists in this way – we can never be completely happy until we can be happy forever.

Only God Knows It All

        As you know, God's ways are high above our ways and his thoughts high above ours. We live a very limited time and see only what's happening at the moment, whereas the Lord knows all of the past and the future, and things have been evolving according to his plan since our creation. When we see someone dies unexpectedly at a relatively young age, we see it as a tragedy. What if the soul of the deceased goes directly to heaven? And when we see someone who has lived to a ripe old age and is still going strong, we envy him and consider him lucky. What if later he dies and does not make heaven? Only God knows what is going on. We need to focus upon following the Lord alone and not dwell upon things we do not really know.

Heavenly Contentment

        Communion joy. When I received the Eucharist, I felt totally fulfilled and satisfied. Truly there is nothing I lack, for my most beloved had entered me to be one with me.

*Reminder

        If you cannot repent your sins to God, you are not humble enough. Just remember that a big ego cannot get through the narrow gate to heaven.

*Advice

        You may dislike a lot of people, but still love them, for you must never alienate the Lord your God.

Cooperation Between God and Us

        Both "Only God can change us" and "Only we can change ourselves" are correct. "Only we can change ourselves" means we are the only ones who can initiate the change by permitting God to enter us. From this point on, God is now the only one who can make and complete the change in us.

Mixed Feelings

        I get mixed feelings about Jesus' Second Coming. Of course, for the sheep Jesus will take with him, we shall naturally rejoice. Then what about the goats that's going to be left behind forever? You can't help feeling sad about them, but again, they were the ones who made the Lord sad for not loving him. So I believe that our joy would overwhelm any sadness we feel. After all, that's the time the Lord will wipe every tear from our eyes.

*Not Any Lord

        Communion experience. Jesus is absolutely my most intimate Lord.

Intention Matters Most

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into treasury and a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." Again, the intention behind our action is what counts. It boils down how much we truly love the Lord.