***Jesus Our Essential Link***

        On the 27th of last month, I posted that I suffered a physical setback which prevented me from going to Mass. I accidentally fell and compressed my spine. The pain I feel around my waist has made it difficult to bend forward, or to sit or stand for too long. The only way to somewhat relieve the pain is to lie flat in bed, avoiding any stress on the spine. I realize that the waist links the upper and lower bodies. Even if those two parts are healthy, you are essentially disabled if that link is weak. Then, the Lord made me see that he is the link between our present and next lives. With him, both our lives are safe; without hm, they fall apart.

***GOD'S TRANSFORMATIVE LOVE***

        Today's Entrance Antiphon, based upon Romans 5:5, states: The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us, alleluia. I have zero doubt that once you experience the pure love of God—for even a nanosecond—you will feel wonderfully transformed and never be the same person again. Of course, you must be open to the Lord and truly desire this grace, and this is where most people falter.

***Comforting Love**

        In today's Gospel reading from John 17, we learn that the Father loved all those who believed in his Son just as he loved him. We are not on the same level as Christ, but we can be sure the Father loves us with that same love. This is deeply comforting to us.

**That Secure Feeling**

        I feel so good when I read these two verses from today's Psalm 16: "Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices; my body, too, abides in confidence. Because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption." When your soul is secure in the Lord, your entire existence feels it.

**Give Thanks**

        Here's a popular Christian worship song, beautifully sung by Janella Salvador.

***How We Bear Our Cross*

        Living in an imperfect world, we all have our own cross to bear, and our willingness to carry it is what truly matters. If you follow Christ, you recognize that everything the Lord allows in your life is a blessing, and you accept it joyfully. If you do not follow him, you will likely lose your peace and complain. Since we cannot make the cross go away, it is only by accepting it—just as the Lord Jesus did His—that we may one day be raised too.

***Letting Jesus Complete Our Joy*

        In today's Gospel Reading from John 17, lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: "Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the Evil One." Here are my thoughts on the verses I have colored. First, Jesus wants to share his joy with us. Normally, knowing how much he has suffered for us, it's easy to feel his sorrow, but we can receive great joy from him too! So, let the Lord complete our joy. Next, even though the world hates us for not belonging to it, Jesus asks the Father to keep us from evil instead of removing us from the world. The world still needs the righteous to spread the good news. 

**Self-Centered Generation**

        In today's first reading from Acts 20, Paul, before leaving the Church of Ephesus, spoke to the presbyters, asking them to keep in mind the words of the Lord himself, who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Today, we often practice the opposite: it's mostly "me-first'"or "I want that, too." Besides, many charities turn out to be scams. The amount of fraud committed against the government or other organizations nationwide that has been discovered so far is truly staggering! It is sad that giving has become a lot more difficult for those who want to give.

**To Know Jesus the Person**

        Studying about Jesus won't get you any closer to him. To truly know the Lord, you must go straight to him with a completely open heart and tell him you are ready to receive him fully.

***Effective Praying***

        All prayers must come straight from the heart, said with urgency and total abandonment, for you are talking to your vLord and your God.