***Most Special Calling

         Today is the Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle. In the Gospel from John 15, Jesus said to his disciples, "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." So if you are already a believer, know that he has chosen you! This is a most special calling we need to appreciate, treasure. and fulfill by bearing fruit that do not perish. 

**Cause for Rejoicing*

        Today's Communion experience. The Lord called me and entered me, I am completely in!

**How God Overwhelms Us

        As you get to know Christ the Lord, you receive freedom, peace, and joy, more or less in that order, although they often blur together. As the Lord removes your sins, you experience spiritual freedom. When you are free, peace naturally follows. Joy, though it's now just the icing on the cake, can be most overwhelming. So God frees your spirit, sets you heart at peace, and fill you with heavenly joy. Plenty enough for us prior to entering heaven.

***Two Greatest Callings from God

        (1) Repent our sins and follow Jesus. (2) Become holy and attain union with God through receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

**Division Among Us a Reality*

        Jesus said that he would cause division among us. So has this happened, as we have those who believe in and follow him and those who don't. This division is no small, temporary separation. In fact, if not mended, it would last for all eternity! The main thing is that you want to be on God's side. Attain union with him to insure that you'll never be separated from him.

***Jesus Most Personal

        You may know about Jesus or even believe or know him to a certain extent, but that is not good enough. You must worship him, live and die for him . . . that is, loving him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Why? Because he is your Lord, your creator, your most loving Savior who has died for you so that you may have eternal life. He is your most personal God.

*Suffering Prepares Us for Heaven

         We are sinners living in a sinful world, so sufferings are unavoidable. Christ came into this world and suffered greatly. So we need to accept all our sufferings too. Otherwise, we can become lifelong complainers. Be willing to suffer for Christ, and we'll be fit for heaven.

**Pride, Cause of All Trouble

        Russia invaded Ukraine just 11 weeks ago and has so far already caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people. It looks like Vladimir Putin is not going to win this war. He's in a really tough spot. He can keep on fighting, hoping to somehow win, so he won't look so bad to his own people, or swallow his pride, admit defeat, and withdraw from the invasion. Either way, I think his career is over. It all comes down to following your own pride or following God. To avoid ever getting into a bad spot like that, remain humble always, for pride leads to self-destruction. 

**The World Lost

        As I was praying the Our Father at Mass this morning, I came to the phrase "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." I felt great sorrow because the world today is so far from doing God's will! A chastisement for the world seems inevitable. Nevertheless, continued prayers from the faithful are always needed, for God's mercy is unfathomable.

**No Christ, No Peace

        At Mass this morning, I received great peace from the Lord. I remember that way back in the early days when I didn't know Christ yet, many nights I went to bed trying to forget what's troubling my heart. What a change it's been! Now, I won't be able to sleep in peace if I do not have Christ in my life.