Doing God's Will

        Jesus went through the horrible sufferings and death no human would want to undergo. He did it because it is the will of the Father. It shows that we must let the will of God override all other considerations. This makes discerning God's will all the more important.

**In Proper Perspective

        Putting things in perspective. If you know that you are going to heaven to remain there forever, whatever pains, sufferings, sorrows, agonies, miseries ... you go through and experience in this short life on earth becomes practically nothing. On the other hand, if you know that your going to be separated from God for all eternity after you die, all the riches, wealth, prestige, power, fame ... you enjoy now becomes absolutely nothing.

Fulfilled Promise

        Today's Communion antiphon based upon Jesus' words from John14 and 16: I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you again, and your heart will rejoice. To those who know the Lord well or are in union with him, they know that he has not only come, but is dwelling in their very heart. 

Role of the Christian

        Today's entrance antiphon based upon the words of Jesus to his disciples in Acts 1: You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you, and you will be my witnesses, even to the ends of the earth. I see that the role of the Christian is to let the Holy Spirit empower him to become the best possible effective witness of Christ.

*God's Understanding Matters

        We who believe and trust in God are not to seek human understanding on earth, but to know and follow God's will coming from heaven. Without faith in God, human beings simply learn from and influence each other, and can never rise above themselves. In seeking to do the will of God, we enjoy private communication and spiritual communion with him. All God desires is that we follow his will in peace and he'll understand us perfectly.

Jesus' Descension

        Communion thought. Even after Jesus' Ascension, he still descends to us to sustain, nurture, console, guide, and uplift us through the Holy Eucharist.

**Urgent Notice

        Either Jesus will come in our lifetime or we'll see him right after we die. So the time is definitely short. This makes knowing him now all the more urgent.

*Reason for Wanting to Going to Heaven*

        The primary reason you want to go to heaven should be that you love God. To love him is to want to follow him and be where he is. To love him is also to want to please him, as his ardent wish is to give you eternal life. 

As Sure as Ascension

        Today's entrance antiphon, Acts 1.11: Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw him go. This was said by two men dressed in white garments who suddenly appeared beside the disciples who were looking intently at the sky after seeing Jesus being lifted up and taken from their sight by a cloud. This account of the Ascension as witnessed by many is undeniable. It's also inevitable that he who has ascended will return again.

Pleasing God Most Pleasing

        Today is Ascension of the Lord. Before Mass began at church, I felt good that I was where God wants me to be – there is nothing that makes one happier than knowing that he lives to please God. I saw that this is how God has made us.