Humility is the foundation of all sanctity. I continue to read about St. Gemma. She was a most humble servant of God. In one of her visions, Jesus showed her a vast plain studded with trees. In the center was a square from which a majestic tree rose above all the others. He said to her: "Those trees are the virtues, but the tallest and the most majestic tree is holy humility." This is what this world sorely needs.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Living in the World of Jesus
Reading about St. Gemma makes me realize that she lived totally in the world of Jesus. This is what it should be with anyone who follows the Lord. To live in his world is to be detached from our world. In his world we are aware of his holy presence at all times and pleasing him becomes our only concern. Living in the world of Jesus is really another way of describing being in union with Jesus.
Following God with Trust
In today's Gospel reading from Luke 1, the angel Gabriel came to Mary to tell her that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son to be named Jesus. We do not have angels showing up to relay messages to us; but if we trust in God, we'll know that he is always leading us, even if we do not receive messages from him. In this sense, God is always speaking to us. It's very much like the situation of two people in love ~ no spoken words needed; looking at or being with each other is sufficient.
God's Greatest Love
Another quick re-realization. The one who died on the cross was not just an ordinary human ~ it was God himself! Shocking and incredible, but awe-inspiring and unimaginably magnanimous. Yes, I am a sinner and I need to be saved. The Lord has done the right thing for all of us, for which I'll be eternally grateful. Now I can rejoice!
Key to Freedom
During Mass this morning, it became clear to me in a flash that submitting to Jesus is the key to freedom (end of misery)! That's just it because he is truly our Lord and Savior!
Free Will Power
God gave us each free will so we have the power to make free choices. When St. Maximilian Kolbe was still a child, in a vision the Mother of God came to him holding two crowns, one white and the other red. She asked him if he's willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that he should persevere in purity and the red that he should become a martyr. The saint said that he would accept them both. As you might know, he died at Auschwitz in 1941.
Similarly, in the case of St. Gemma Galgani, her guardian angel appeared to her holding two crowns, one of roses and one of thorns, inviting her to choose one. She chose the one that obviously belonged to Jesus, the one of thorns. The manifestation of her suffering the pain of being crowned with thorns Jesus experienced followed afterwards.
Thus every choice we make matters because it charts our journey toward eternity. Wield the power of our free will for the glory of God always and our future glory will be assured.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Communion Desire
Today's Communion experience. After attending such a heavenly banquet, how could I not let it leave a permanent mark on my soul? How could I just leave right after Mass as if nothing extraordinary had happened? Right there and then, I wanted to be totally absorbed into the abyss of God's love and become nothing, yet desiring all of him.
Our Only Option
We must realize that God sees and knows so much more than we do. This means that we are more sinful than and not as holy as we think we are. We are only worthy to prostrate before him and beg for mercy, letting him do whatever he wishes with us. Total submission becomes the only option. This is heeding what Jesus had said: "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Our Simple Role Made Clear
True humility is to know our inabilities and limitations before the Lord. Basically, we are not capable of accomplishing anything without him. Any finite quantity compared to infinity has to be zero. God created and shapes all things. Our simple and clear role then is to obey, trust, and follow.
Made Simple and Easy by God
At church this morning before Mass began, I wanted to praise God the Father, but words failed to express my feelings. Frustration set in. I realized that as finite creatures, we are loaded with inabilities. Then the Father understood and helped me see that instead of trying so hard, all I need to do is to remain silent, passive, and enjoy his presence. God makes all things simple and easy for us.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Go Eternal
Do not dwell on anything that is passing or has passed. What is passing includes ourselves, and what has passed is the past. Dwell on the Lord God alone who never changes. Hold onto the Eternal and we shall be eternal too.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Reacting to Shocking News
Today's news headlines are shocking after the horrific school killings in Connecticut that happened three days ago: (1) "Deadly Oregon shooting at shopping center," (2) "Delhi woman gangraped in moving bus," (3) Six Hyundai workers kidnapped in Nigeria," (4) Pakistan blast: Market bomb kills 17," (5) North Iraq bomb attacks kill 25," (6) Bangladesh factory fire was sabotage ~ inquiry (111 workers were killed).
What are we to do? I believe that every single person living should repent our sins before God for failing to make our world a holier place and cry out for his mercy to save us. President Obama promising to use the power of his office to do all he can to prevent another massacre of the innocent and senators starting to discuss more strict gun control do not understand the cause of such violence at all. (On the same day the Connecticut school tragedy took place, it was reported that a man with a knife (not gun) wounded 22 children and an adult at a primary school in China.) We have turned the world into an evil place and only God can turn us and all things around.
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