**Awesome Communion Experience

        The Most Perfect Infinite One melds with an imperfect finite one. It was overwhelming and most gratifying at the same time!

**Serving Self vs. Serving God**

         If we just do whatever we feel like doing without considering whether it's in conformity with God's will or not, we essentially serve Satan, for it's self-serving—and we'll never experience true peace. On the other hand, even if we always follow God's will, disturbing thoughts can still pop up. But we now know that they're not from the Lord and dismiss them right off the bat.

***Church Needs to Step Up Preaching*

         Currently, all the mega churches that have been preaching prosperity gospel for decades have started to fall one by one. These million dollar enterprises are facing closures. People have finally realized that God has never promised that he'll make youn rich if you believe in him enough. On the contrary, true discipleship requires taking up the cross and denying yourself. As far as the Catholic Church in the United States is concerned, the preaching in general has been on target but rather weak and unbalanced. Weak because the focus on the Lord is not that strong, and unbalanced because important basic topics we need to hear but might make some parishioners feel uneasy are not mentioned. America is supposed to be a Christian nation, but affluence and materialism have made it secular. As a result, the Church in this country has also become less spiritual.

**The Lord "at Our Command"

        If we are in union with the Lord, anything we wish becomes ours.

**Ask and You Shall Receive**

         In today's First Reading from q Kings 3, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon answered, "I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong." The LORD was pleased with Solomon's request and gave him a heart so wise and understanding that after him there would come no one to equal him. Surely the LORD is open to us asking for gifts that can help us serve him better. Every bit we receive can make us bear more fruit.

**Warning to the Unprepared**

         Be prepared or unexpected things will happen and shock you!

**Jesus Appearing in Iran**

         Please pray for the people of Iran that they will be freed by Christ and have peace.

**Today's Herods*

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 6, we heard about the death of John the Baptist. King Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. This shows that he still had some conscience. Later, even when he knew it's wrong to get John beheaded, because of his oaths made to his daughter in the presence of all the guests, he still went ahead to get John killed. Many people today are like that too. They don't really understand Christ, yet they don't quite cut him off either. When it comes to commit a sin, they choose making themselves look good over not offending the Lord. These are all mixed-up folks.

**The Lord Does It All*

         Communion experience. I remained open to receive whatever messages and blessings the Lord wished to give me. Anything from him is good for the soul and exhilarating! We are now soulmates. 💕

**The Lord's Sorrow**

         Christ is inseparable from joy. Even when I shed tears of sorrow for his sake, it is intermingled with joy. When I weep for the world, the sorrow felt was pure. Then the Lord's joy comforts me.