"Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

Friday, February 24, 2023

**Power of Love and Mercy

        Communion experience. Jesus was so overwhelming that I had no choice but to accept everything he had wanted to give me.

*Sin Offends God

        When we sin against others, we really sin against God who is most holy and the one who truly loves us and will judge us. Sin truly matters to him. Of course, it matters to us too, but sadly, we are not always aware of that. Nevertheless, we sin only against God and only he can take away our sins. If you are smart, you would want to submit yourself to him now. 

***Making Following God Easy

        During Lent now, we are reminded to deny ourselves and follow the LORD. This is living to please God alone and not others nor ourselves. Amazingly, this is how we get to experience joy and freedom. It also proves that we are our own stumbling blocks to following God.

**Enjoy God Foremost

        Living in the world, we can enjoy the LORD as well as all the good things in life. I've found that with things of the world, I feel best if I don't overload myself with them. For example, if I overeat something that tastes good, I just don't feel that good anymore. And if I watch TV a little too long, even though what I watch is something good and interesting, it just doesn't make me feel any better. So it's best not to let things of the world tie us down to any extent. We should know when enough is enough. With the Lord God, it's just the opposite. We can let him "overload" us as much as he wishes and we'll feel all the more uplifted and upbeat.

**The LORD with Us

         I walked into the chapel for Mass this morning and all lights were out; only the candles on the altar stands were burning. I wasn't sure what happened. My thoughts were as long as I know the LORD, it doesn't matter whether I am in darkness or not, for he is my light. Whether I see him or not, he's already in my heart. (All the lights did come back on later.)

Thursday, February 23, 2023

***Too Close for Comfort

        We may love to know the Lord, yet we don't want him to get too close to us. With another human being, that may be being prudent and OK, but God is totally trustworthy. So keeping him at a distance is being rude, shows that you don't trust in him all the way, and cuts you off from attaining full union with him. I am sure that if you were in his place, you would be deeply hurt. With God, we should go all out with all our heart, if we ever wish to "capture" all of him.

**Getting to know the Lord

        I've beeb looking for a monitor to replace my old one that has stopped working. And there are tons of information on choosing the right monitor online. The more you learn about it, the more questions you have. I really don't enjoy going down a rabbit hole like that. Then I thought of the Lord. Even though he is infinite, you can get to know himself thoroughly, for the path that leads to him is straight and clearly marked. You'll find him as he is and the journey is a delight.

***A Special Joy Is . . .*

being aware of the constant presence of the LORD.

*****Thanks Be to God***

        Communion experience. It's the Lord God coming down from heaven to give me this heavenly bread, which is himself, to consume. Receiving it once is blessing enough, yet I have received it innumerable times and am receiving it now daily. I am dumbfounded that he should love and favor me this much. There's no way I can thank him enough. The best and least I can do is to always do his will. And I know that he'd be pleased. Bless my Lord now and forever! 

**Be Awake, Not Just Aware

        Also in today's Gospel reading from Luke 9, Jesus asked, "What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?" We all know the right answer to that question, yet so many of us still remain deeply attached to the world. I suppose we can be aware of a truth but still not awake to it. A tug of war is going on between God and the world over our souls. It behooves us to choose sides wisely and early.