On Escaping from God

        This morning the word "escape" came into my mind after I got up.  I saw that so many of us in this world try to escape from God by ignoring his presence or pretending that he's not there.  At Mass today, the Memorial of St. Agnes, the Entrance we read was "Here is a wise and faithful virgin who went with lighted lamp to meet her Lord."  This is just the opposite of escaping from God.  The antonym of "wise" is, of course, "foolish."  Those who live as if God does not exist are indeed fools.     

On Martyrdom

      Today St. Fabian and St. Sebastian share the same Memorial (optional) day; both suffered martyrdom.  We may not suffer physical death because of our faith, but we can be martyrs too in many other ways.  St. Therese of Lisieux is a perfect example.  Her "little way" calls for doing everything faithfully for the glory of God.  To put your own will to death is then a form of martyrdom, not less valued by God.  Anyway, the important thing is to do God's will and not be concerned about what form martyrdom takes.  

"Touch and Be Healed"

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 3, those from the crowd who had diseases pressed upon Jesus to touch him, since he had cured many.  "Touch (with faith) and be healed" is what I hear.  Receiving the Blessed Sacrament is more than just touching him, so don't pass up this golden opportunity to ask the Lord to heal whatever needs to be healed in you.   

Avoid Being Self-Centered

        The other day I had a chance to share some of my spiritual thoughts with a group of people and it went over fine.  Then I thought of more thoughts and shared them too.  You see, that was the moment I took my eyes off the Lord and became self-centered.  The result was that overall it looked like I was wandering from one topic to another.  To be blunt about it, I messed up.  

        The lesson is that as long as we stay with the Lord, we should do fine; but if we decide to do our own thing, self-centeredness takes over.  It's that simple.  I might add that the difference is between glorifying God and serving ourselves.  Learn to distinguish the two from each other.

Move On with God

        This is what the Holy Spirit taught me today during prayer after Mass.

        Never look back.  Never let the past snare you, hang on to you, or slow you down.  Never ever start thinking "I should have..."  The past is gone, so move on.  Start every moment with a clean slate.  Know that the Lord God is ever with you and around you.  In fact, he dwells within you (the Holy Trinity all present).  And God is our Bright Hope, shining and leading us on, so focus upon him alone and follow. 

        Do not follow your own whims or desires, even though it may appear harmless.  Seek God's approval first always.  Also, God does not send gloom into our hearts, only peace and joy; so, open your heart to only what comes from the Lord. 

        Note: The above was not made up to make you feel good; it was heartfelt and  truthful sharing.     

Jesus Is Our Test

        Jesus has come, revealed himself, demonstrated his love, and has done his part. He never showed himself off nor threatened us; he merely presented himself as the truth.  Whether we accept or reject him is all up to us.  We can never accuse him of coercing us in any way.  Therefore, he is a completely fair test for us.  We alone are responsible for our choice.             

The Proud Will Not See God

        The Gospel reading today is from Mark 3.  The Pharisees were so intent on finding a way to accuse Jesus and their hearts so hardened that even after witnessing the instant healing of a man's withered hand, they went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians to put him to death.  They had already made up their mind and closed their eyes.  We still have plenty of people like that today.  It only shows that the proud will never find God.     

Christians' Blessings

        In today's reading from Mark 2, Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.  It's a great consolation to know that we are made for God.  As Christians, we also know why we are here and where we are going.  What great blessings!  

Another "Revelation"

        A disclaimer first.  When I use the word "revelation," it does not mean that I hear or receive something directly from God ~ I simply realize something clearly in my mind, although I do believe that it's the Holy Spirit continuing teaching me.  This can happen to anyone receptive to the Spirit. 

        As I was trying to fall asleep last night, this was what I suddenly realized.  We should believe in God, trust in him, be open to him, etc. ~ I already knew all that. Then if I become one with him, I no longer have to be concerned about these requirements anymore because they will be automatically met!!!  Therefore, aiming for union with God is the way to go. 
        As I have mentioned before, the greatest (and indispensable) help in this process is the Holy Eucharist.  Jesus instituted this Sacrament not just to remind us of him, but to give us the means to achieve true union with him.  It is the bread from heaven, the Lord himself.  Anyone who receives it lightly is a fool and anyone who does not believe in it blasphemes.  Being the source of all grace, it is the way to total union with God.

Love the Lord with Passion

        I saw the TV program Growing Bolder on PBS yesterday.  It showed how a number of older people worked hard with a passion to pursue a business, project, or something less consequential and succeeded, despite their advancing age.  These are pretty inspiring stories.  But for those of us who love Christ, it would be wiser to love and serve the Lord with more passion as we age.  Our success will then be assured in the next life.   

Jesus Makes Me Whole

        Earlier this month (Jan. 3), I felt that Jesus completes my life.  Today I feel that he makes me whole ~ it is really saying the same thing in a different way.  I feel that I was fractured and had many missing pieces in life and he came and restored me to a state of grace, making me whole before God.       

Giving Your Heart to God

        The heart is the key to entering the Lord's heart.  If we can give our heart totally to God, then becoming detached to our own family and all things of the world and giving our possesions away when we are called to do will no longer be any problem.  The heart is the most precious thing to us.  If God can have it, then surely he can have everything else.  

        Once God has your heart, he'll put whatever pleases him in it and you'll be transormed into a beautiful, new creature before him.  

The Teacher-Disciple Relationship

        What I sensed today after receiving Holy Communion was the beauty and sweetness of the teacher-disciple relationship between the Lord and us.  Receiving him sealed that relationship.

Will Over Emotion

        True loving requires applying the will to override emotion.  An illustration of will vs. emotion.  Suppose you get the news that you have just won a million dollars and you jump up and down and start to scream with excitement, then this is raw emotion will no will involved.  But if you realize that the money belongs to God and you are going to put it to good use for God's glory and thus remain calm and collected, then you have overridden emotion with will.  In loving others, it's also not so much oohing and aahing at what you see, but showing your pity and compassion by doing what's required of you.    

        A note of caution.  Since you are now detached from people (and things of the world), you could seem to be cold or somewhat inhumane to others.  And if you show your love for your enemies, you may even be thought of as being stupid or weird. This should not deter you, for you aim is to please God and not others.

        (All the above I wrote for myself too, as there are many others I see around who are more loving than I am.)

Living Secretly in Christ

        This means staying hidden in Christ.  You no longer seek self-glory nor promote yourself in any way.  Self-importance is out.  Don't even let the right hand know what your left hand is doing.  You hide behind the Lord, following him every step of the way.  The objective is to let others see only Christ and not you.  And you'll be rewarded with his peace and joy.

Getting to Know Jesus

        In the midst of watching a good movie on EWTN, I came to realize the following.

        "To really get to know Jesus, you must get inside him, possess him, and become one with him.  Then you will know that he is absolutely the truth and your fulfillment for all eternity.  Standing on the sideline and watching will not get you anywhere.  Capturing such a priceless treasure surely deserves giving all of yourself to him." 

The Need for God

        It's so easy to live our life as we please without thinking about God.  If you don't believe in him, that's one thing; but if you deliberately ignore him, that's quite another and far worse.  Of course, no one can possibly run away from God ~ sooner or later, we shall have to face him.  Perhaps many of us do finally turn our thoughts to him during the last moments of our like.  If that's the case, then death is a blessing.

        If you look around, the need for God is right now.  When natural disasters strike around the world, you need him.  When wars flare up among nations, you need him. When tradedy befalls someone (could be you), you need him.  In fact, anytime you are bothered by  anything that makes you unhappy, you need him.  The list is endless.  I am not even talkinig about the other half, the good things he can give you.  We need God more than anything else.                  

Humility, a Must-Have

        On my way home from Mass, Jesus' saying "The last will be first and the first will be last" surfaced in my mind.  This reminded me to never look down on anyone, no matter how sinful, repugnant, or obnoxious the person may be.  Again, humility is a must-have for following Christ.