Hiding Humbly in Christ

        It is clear that we live in a crazy, troubled world that's mostly secular, materialistic, and self-serving, with violence, misery, suffering everywhere around the globe.  I dare say that sin is the biggest cause of this deplorable condition.  Christians of weak faith sin much like nonbelievers.  So what are true followers of Christ to do?  To help fight the spiritual battle, God wants us to "hide humbly in Christ."  This is because anyone who has pride becomes an easy target for the Evil One.  By hiding in Christ, he gains even more humility.  In this state, he is secure and the Evil One is powerless to touch him.   

On Establishing Relationships

           I've seen too many cases of people who establish relationships with others, either out of loneliness or other needs, and end up unhappy.  I believe that a good relationship with God must be established first, then we'll have a foundation upon which to base all other relationships.  With God, there cannot be unhappy endings (and I am not even thinking of eternal life).  

God's Love, Our Best Gift

        It is sweet, gentle, not self-seeking but life-transforming, permanent, and ever present ~ a gift deserving our total trust and full embrace.

Easter Offers Hope

        Yesterday morning I started feeling sick ~ it was like all the energy had been drained out of my body and I felt so tired.  A mild fever developed later too.  I had no choice but to go to bed.  In this state, I became sharply aware of the fact that the physical life is totally at the mercy of our physical health.  When the body goes, this life ends.  But as long as my soul is secure in the Lord, this undeniable fact should not cause any major concern.  Besides, I think some suffering during this Holy Week is appropriate and edifying, considering how much Christ underwent for us.  I feel much better today.  Easter offers new hope to all. 

How to Respond to God?

        Today's Communion verse, Matthew 20.28: "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."  I am thinking that if someone donates an organ for me to live, I would be most grateful.  And if another actually saves my life from danger, we probably will be bonded for life.  Here we have God giving his own life to rescue us, what is our response?

Christ Dispels Gloom

        As I drove to Mass this morning, I could see that it's a gloomy day with grey clouds covering the entire sky.  Then I thought of my heart in which Christ dwells ~ there just won't be any gloom.  With his light shining, the heart won't ever get tarnished either. 

Holy Spirit, the Housecleaner

        The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Where the Holy Spirit dwells, the Father and the Son are there too.  To make sure that the Lord will reside comfortably within us, it is good to let the Holy Spirit be in charge of directing us in our thoughts, words, and deeds so as to keep the temple clean. 

Abandonment Leads to Union

        This is what I saw during prayer before Mass.  If we abandon ourselves to God, then we do not need to struggle on our own anymore.  We leave all to God.  We are in his hands and he will take care of everything.  We trust and do only what he calls us to do.  Thus we trust the Father as Jesus did and we become like him ~ union is then attained.

Reason for Union

        The reason for seeking union is not to gain peace, joy, and freedom, although these may be granted by God along the way; the reason is to serve and love the Lord to perfection as we should.       

Knowing Jesus

        Today during Mass, I felt that I really knew Jesus better than anybody else I ever knew in this life, even though I had never seen him.  Of course, he already knows everything about me.  When I see him face to face, my yearning will cease as our union reaches perfection. 

Only One Correct Love

        There is really only one "correct" love, God's love.  Not knowing God, the human love is self-centered and can become possessive and jealous.  Strictly speaking, this is not even love.  On the other hand, the love of God is liberating ~ it frees you because you are now motivated by the Holy Spirit to love for the sheer joy of loving God, not expecting any reward.

Are You Fearless?

        If one has a clean conscience and pure heart and loves the Lord, there is really nothing for him to fear.  He is ready for the Lord to come at any time.  Psalm 27,  today's Responsorial Psalm at Mass, starts out: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?  The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?"

        Now, consider those in the world who are powerful, famous, wealthy, and influential.  They appear to be fearless, but will they not cringe when they face the Lord?  This is the true test.

        If you want to be truly fearless, get the Lord on your side first. 

Shocking Good News

        More thoughts on Palm Sunday.  Jesus has come and brought us the good news.  I say "shocking" because it's too good to be true and too good for those who believe.  God loves us and through Jesus, we learn what our Father is like.  Jesus has revealed the whole truth to us for our salvation.  There is just no more news as good as the gospel.

The Love of God

        This is Palm Sunday, the day the Lord rode triumphantly into Jerusalem atop an ass, only to be crucified on a cross.  I would like to extol the love of God.        

        (1) The love of God is the most beautiful thing in this world.

        (2) The love of God is the only thing that can transform us into beautiful sons and daughters of God, our heavenly Father. 

        (3) The love of God is the only thing that can give us true peace of the mind and freedom of the heart.

        (4) Only the love of God makes it possible for us to have eternal life.

        The real good news is that you don't need to go search for this love; it is always there and is yours when you open your heart to Jesus. 

True Liberation

        Watched a documentary on a once world-famous painter.  Here's an extremely talented, young artist, totally immersed in the world, creating amazing works, and became great in the eyes of the world.    He continued to seek more respect and success in the art world.  In the end unhappiness drove him to taking drugs and he died young and lonely.  I am lead to think that how infinitely better it would be to immerse oneself in God, be content to remain unknown, and do works to please the Lord alone.  This is true liberation. 

Jesus Is the Truth

        In today's Gospel reading from John 10, some Jews were ready to stone Jesus.  Since Jesus is the light of the world, those in darkness did not like him, hated him, and even killed him at the end.  It is no different today.  They now hide and run away from him, ignore him, mock him, or even attack outright his Church and followers.  He brings division and discomfort to many in this sinful world,  precisely because he is the truth, and truth matters.   

Wish Fulfilled by God

        I have posted before about the immense universe we live in and how amazing it is that God loves us on this earth not even the size of a dust particle in its surroundings.  I had no say when I came into this world.  All this and more made me feel small and helpless on my own ~ I just needed my creator, my God.  Then Jesus came and made everything clear.  My wish was fulfilled.  I am grateful and have now the peace that the Lord has intended for me as his child. 

Only the Heart Matters

        God looks at the heart only ~ I have mentioned this at various times in the past.  Today it got my attention again.  My throat felt slightly sore last night and as I was to receive the Lord in Holy Communion at morning Mass, I knew that I must have a lot of bacteria on me and physically, I wasn't too clean either.  I realized that the only thing that matters to the Lord is whether my heart is clean or not.  If it is and is filled with the love of Christ, then it's ready for him.  The spiritual life is really about purifying the heart so that we may approach God with freedom.  When a soul with a pure heart embraces the Most Holy God, it is pure joy!