****The Very Best to Come***

        Waiting for going to heaven is waiting for the day to return to our most loving Father, become finally perfect ourselves, and start living the eternal life in bliss! (By the way, this is what God has always wished for all of us!)

***Jesus Challenging Us***

         Today is the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles. Here are the first five verses of today's Gospel reading from John 14: Jesus said to Thomas, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.The Father who dwells in me is doing his works." Jesus really challenges us here, revealing to us that he and the Father are one. This can't be true unless he is God himself! His question to Philip "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me?" makes us who've been with him for some time wonder if we truly know him. I know we definitely do when we attain union with him and he becomes our Lord, God, and soulmate.

***Time to Choose Sides***

           The ongoing spiritual war Satan is waging against God is fierce and we need to choose sides. Any Christian who says "I trust in God" but does not take up arms in some way is only being lukewarm. If you love the Lord with all your heart, with all soul, and with all you strength, you cannot remain complacent at such a time like this. A bona fide Christian is basically a warrior at heart. 

**Imperfections Revealed

        Communion experience. The Lord is like a mirror that shows all my imperfections! I am very happy about this because it shows that he really cares about my spiritual wellbeing. 

*Whom to follow?*

        The Devil and the world lord it over us through deception and intimidation, while the holy Lord simply shows his love and the truth, letting us make up our own minds. I hope this difference will help you see clearly the one you should follow.

**A Great Honor**

        In today's reading 1 from Acts 5, the Sanhedrin had the Apostles flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. There is nothing wrong with their mental attitude, for I can totally understand rejoicing in suffering for the sake of Jesus. It's indeed a great honor to suffer dishonor for the Lord who loves us with the greatest love.

**Better Praying

        The Lord loves to hear prayers from our own hearts. There are some beautiful prayers out there we should definitely know, but there are also many prayers that are too wordy and hard to follow. I was handed a Prayer to St. Joseph the Worker this morning at church to be recited by all at the end of Mass. It consisted of just three sentences, one long one followed by two short ones, and the main long sentence exceeded one hundred words! To be honest, I really can't say what I specifically prayed for afterwards. I'd much prefer praying to St. Joseph using my own words. So pray to God in your own spontaneous way as often as you can and that would mean more to him and yourself.

***Only Trustworthy One***

        Sometimes we pray hard for something such as the conversion of someone we love and it seems that the Lord just doesn't respond. There's no doubt he hears all prayers said from our hearts, but he also tests our faith at times. We should see each time as an opportunity for us to trust in him even more! After all, the LORD is our only hope, for he is our creator, our loving Father, and our Savior. 

***Source of Joy*

        Seeking to do God'll is most satisfying, most rewarding, and a great joy—this is how God has made us! It gives your life meaning and purpose. Try it and you'll be overjoyed! 

*****Make This Monumental Move*****

        We struggle on our own our whole life. But if we give up and surrender ourselves to God completely instead, peace and freedom would immediately inundate us! This move is as monumental as the prodigal son making his return to his father. Experience this breakthrough on earth so that you'll be ready for returning to your heavenly Father when your time comes..