The Same Holy Communion

        When I received Holy Communion today, I saw that in essence the words I heard were exactly what Jesus said at the Last Supper and what I received was exactly what the Apostles received at the Last Supper, the first Mass.  This was a great feeling, even though Jesus was not visually present. 

Love Adds Meaning

        In today's readings at Mass, Paul pointed out that observing the law counts for nothing, but only faith through love; and Christ said to the Pharisees that observing the prescribed washing before meal does not cleanse the inside.  This lead me to think that we perform many deeds by going through the motion just because it's the practice, custom, or tradition.  If we're given free choice, we probably wouldn't want to do any of them.  What's lacking is love.  So doing them all with love for God, then they will become meaningful.  

Jesus' Challenge

        From Matthew 10:  "Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.  But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."  These are strong words from Jesus.  We are faced with making a choice.  Of course, one can ignore him, but the question remains.  

        What I love about Jesus is that he challenges us and let us make up our own minds.  He knows what he's talking about.  Everything is clear cut.  To me, again, the mark of a true, loving God.    

Good Way to Keep Humble

        My last post deals with our nothingness before God.  The great saints regard themselves as being most wretched before God, so humility is definitely a sign of holiness.  The more we realize our sinful state and lowliness, the more we come to see how holy and exalted God is ~ a good way to keep us humble.  

God's Love Changes Everything

        The Lord let me realize the "distance" between him and us.  Today's Responsorial Psalm 113 tells us that the Lord is high above all nations and his glory, above the heavens.  We see that he is infinite, while we are finite.  He has created everything from nothing, while we merely work on or put together the things that have already existed.  God put us into this world and will take us away as he wishes ~ we have absolutely no control.  We are totally at his mercy.  Basically, God is everything and we are nothing.  If we are so proud of ourselves and think that we are somebody, that'd be sheer folly.  

        What is amazing is that God has shown his love for us and can make us into little gods to turn our nothingness into everything to him.  This is a "shocking" surprise and certainly cause for rejoicing.  

Let God Alone Turn You On

        There are some who wouldn't attend a certain church because they do not like the priest there.  Apparently, all those messages heard during Mass about forgiving others, loving the unlovely, turning the other cheek,... from Jesus have not taken any effect in them.  People often "shop" for a church to their liking.  What if you go to all the churches and find that there's always something displeasing to you ~ does that mean that you won't go to church anymore?  The main reason for going to Mass is to meet and receive the Lord.  Thank God we have priests to give us Holy Communion.  Without them, there would be no Church.  They need our support, love, and appreciation.  Let God alone turn you on so that no one else will turn you off.    

Heart-to-Heart Affair

        It is through the heart that we come to know God.  An unclean heart keeps one away from God, while a pure heart is the conduit that connects us to God.  It is the pure heart that moves the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the heart of God.  We have a heart-to-heart affair here, so start living heart-to-heart with the Lord.  

Motive Matters

        Doing one little thing for God exclusively is more meritorious than doing a million things for just yourself.

Enjoy God

        During prayer after Mass, I keenly felt that God is me all in all, I am utterly dependant upon him, and I owe everything to his mercy and love.  Without him, I'd be a shambles, lost, and dead. 

        He was the one who made me love him, so I am going to enjoy him.   

"Never Say No to God"

        Before Mass this morning, I heard myself saying "Never say no to God" in my mind.  In the Gospel reading later from Luke 11, Jesus says, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."  It's clear that staying neutral would not be a good choice.  This is in line with Jesus' dislike for lukewarmness.  "Never say no to God" should take care of that.

Carry Your Own Cross

        This morning as I was praying the fourth Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary, the Carrying of the Cross, I felt that the least we could do was to carry our own daily, little crosses, following the Lord with his big, heavy cross on his shoulder.  Know that every time we are not willing to carry a cross of our own, Jesus feels that extra weight on him.

Are You Your Own Obstacle?

        The way to eternal life is simple.  All you need to do is surrender yourself to God through Christ.  That's it!  The hard part is doing the part.  Guess what?  The only obstacle that stands in your way is yourself.  Basically, you face choosing either yourself or God.  It's simple all the way. 

The Holy Eucharist Again

        The Holy Eucharist is Jesus on earth and is to be worshiped, adored, reverenced, treasured, loved and appreciated.  It is the center of our faith.  Without it, there would be no real need to have priests and thus no Church.  Then why is receiving Holy Communion treated almost like an afterthought by so many?  Why isn't there more zeal and joy among the faithful (clergy included)?  Why are there so few on fire to serve the Lord?  Why do so many skip Mass?  Why  are most attendants at Mass elders (especially in some European countries)?  Why do so many Catholics ignore the teachings of the Church when they vote in elections?  Why are so many Catholics easily lured away by other denominations and sects?  These are all good questions.

        I personally believe that if the significance and the place of the Holy Eucharist is properly taught and understood by all, the above-mentioned problems will diminish or disappear.  To love the Holy Eucharist is to love Christ.    

Journey to Freedom

        Another realization that came to me was that people live for themselves in this world because they think that this is the only life to live.  If this were true, I don't blame them because I would do the same thing.  Once a person has come to know God and realize that there is definitely an eternal life after death, then he begins to live for God more and himself less.  It's all very logical.  The process could take time, but it's a journey to freedom. 

        

Look Within

        The Lord showed me today that even though external sources can give one much guidance and help, it's most profitable to searh within one's own heart first.  Look within your innermost self to see what you really desire, what really troubles you (if applicable), how you really feel.  Learn as much as you can about yourself, asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart for you to see.  Be completely honest with yourself, then you'll be honest with the Lord too.   

Praying Together with Jesus

        Once you have received the Lord, you know that he is in you.  Therefore, when you pray, you would ask for the same things Jesus would have asked.  Now you and Jesus pray together with one mind and one heart to the same Father.  What could be more beautiful?? 

Everything Is Grace

        I talked about this in an earlier post.  Yesterday I worked in the garden and had an accident.  I ended up with a bad cut on my head and bled a lot.  I was calm and remembered that "everything is grace" as St. Therese said.  So let's be aware that everything that happens to us, whether good or bad (from the human point of view), is an opportunity for us to be drawn close to God.  Now, let things happen.  The more, the "merrier."

Every Effort Counts

        Recently from the news we learned that Bill Gate and Warren Buffett gave billions for various good causes.  Sometimes we feel that we are too feeble or powerless to make any great contributions.  Let's not forget the story of the poor widow who gave two copper coins as her offering and Jesus valued that above the offering made by the rich out of their surplus.  Little acts can mean a lot to God if they are carried out with love and sacrifice.  And do not pass up any opportunity of doing things for the glory of God, no matter how little and simple they are.  Every effort counts before God.