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

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

***Looking at the Big Picture

        Many things big and little happen to us in life, robbing us of peace. When that happens and if you are already a Christian, I want you to look at the big picture. You already have the Lord, and that should be more than sufficient for you. This world is no longer your permanent home; you are just passing through. If the going gets a little rough, so what? In fact, letting go of all things in this life is what smoothes you way to your next life in heaven. 

***Let Nothing Shock You*

        God we must take most seriously, for he is forever present and the one whom we depend upon for life. The greatness of his glory, holiness, love, and mercy are beyond our comprehension. Know that heaven is more joyful than we can possibly imagine. By the same token, hell is definitely a lot more horrible than we can visualize. Never think that all your little sins are OK. When the illumination of conscience happens, you'll be rudely shocked. To enter heaven is hard if you don't have faith in Christ the Savior, but it becomes super easy if you accept and believe in him. Take the God of Christ seriously and you'll always be amazed and surprised, never shocked.  

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

***We Are God's Children!

        Near the end of the Mass this morning, the Lord made me see that we are all his children. Now, children are kids. As kids, we need to love our Father, get to know him, and ask him to teach us everything. We are not just some creatures that somehow showed up on earth and are left alone. We came from God and are meant to return to him.

**Wake-Up Questions*

         It is unavoidable that we'll face God when we leave this world, and it's a given that we shall leave this world in a relatively short time. Then why are so many of us live as if we are never going to die and God doesn't even exist? Why are we burying our heads in the sand?

**God's Great Mercy and Love

        Communion experience. I see all my imperfections and feel totally unworthy to receive the Lord, only deserving his pity; yet he doesn't mind, always giving me the chance to become more perfect.    

**Do We Betray the Lord?

        In today's Gospel reading from John 13, Jesus announced Judas's betrayal. This prompts me to ask myself if I have betrayed my Lord. I might not intentionally betray him, but anytime I am not 100% faithful, I see that as a betrayal. Our perfect Lord deserves our perfect trustworthiness, and this is only possible if we become like the Lord in every way. This points to seeking union with him as our only way.

***The Hard, Harder, and Hardest***

        To repent our sins may be hard, but it's even harder to be humble. We repent our sins mainly for our own sake. To be humble is more for God's sake. That's why surrendering totally to God is the hardest, for it calls for the humbling of all of one's self. Anyhow, the farther you go, the greater your reward will be. 

**Made in the God's Own Image**

        Again on this Tuesday, I pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. When many of us realize that God the Father loves us so much that he willingly sacrificed his only Son for our sake, we are filled with gratitude and even moved to tears. To me, this clearly shows that we were made in the image of God!

Monday, April 3, 2023