Be Fit to Receive the Lord

        To me this morning's Gospel reading from Luke 5 was all about "fitting."  When Jesus (the bridegroom) was still with his disciples, it's fitting for them to eat and drink.  New wine must be poured into fresh wineskins, not old ones.  Likewise, to receive the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, we must be sufficiently clean and pure on the inside.   

Huge Message About Jesus

        Today's first reading at Mass was taken from Colossians.  Some excerpts: "All things were created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.  For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the Blood of his cross through him."  The Holy Spirit must have revealed all this to Paul. 

        We can either accept or reject Paul's claim, but must not ignore it.  If we accept it, then we must follow up by preparing ourselves for it.

Most Joyful Calling

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 5, Jesus instructed Peter to lower the fishing nets after Peter and his partners had worked hard all night and caught nothing.  Peter obeyed and they caught enough fish to fully fill two boats.  So astonished, Peter fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."  Peter was awed by the superiority of Jesus.  What he said deeply moves me.  If we also have such a realization, then know that God is calling you  to him.  The proper thing to say now would be "Come to me, Lord, for I am a sinful man who needs you."

        By the way, after the big catch, Jesus said to Peter, "Do not be afraid; from now on, you will be catching men."  Then Peter and his partners brought the boats to the shore, left everything (I suppose that included the fish too) and followed Jesus.  What a beautiful lesson and story! 

        The most joyful thing you can ever hear is the Lord calling you.  It's not just hearing his sweet voice; it's knowing that this is Love letting you know that he loves you!    

God Alone Serves Justice

        I saw or read in the news how people get great satisfaction and feel that justice is served when criminals  are caught and sentenced to death.  Does this have anything to do with getting even or seeking revenge?  What if the criminal executed, like the thief crucified next to Jesus, goes to heaven and you own present spiritual state in this world really isn't in any great shape ~ how do you feel now?  What I want to say is that Jesus made it clear to us that we are not to judge others and that God will judge us as we judge them.  True justice is served by God alone in the end.  Our work in this life is to forgive. 

God Is Infinite

        With a finite mind, I just could not see how there can be infinity.  Is the universe infinite in its size?  We've been told that the earth is around 4.5 billion years old and how the big bang started even before then, but when was the real beginning?  Maybe there is no beginning nor end because time has always been around. 

        Now, once you believe that God is infinite in every way, you no longer question infinity.  To question infinity is to question God.  To have a finite God is no better than having no God at all.  What's even more amazing is that our God is our Father and his love and mercy for us are also infinite.  Otherwise, all of us, who are sinners, would be doomed.  The Father wants to save us in the best way possible.  To reject infinity is to reject yourself.   

Missing Boy Jesus Explained

        From Luke, we learned that Joseph and Mary discovered that the boy Jesus was missing after journeying a whole day on their return from the feast of Passover held in Jerusalem.  I always wondered how that could have happened until I read the revelations to Mary of Agreda as recorded in The Mystical City of God.  In those days, the separation of men and women among the pilgrims during their return homeward was customary and the children were taken in charge either by the men or the women.  So it happened that both Mary and Joseph separately supposed that Jesus was with the other parent.  There are more details given in the book.  At any rate, I believe that there's always an explanation for what may seem inconsistent or unlikely to happen outwardly in the Gospels.  I remember one person rejected Christianity because he didn't see how Jesus could call himself both Son of God and Son of Man at the same time.  I believe that all things were clear to the Gospel writers, so there's no reason for them to give extra explanations.  

We Are "Gifted"

        Thought received today after Mass: Everything is a gift from God and the greatest gift of them all is Christ himself.

Best Way to Live

        The best way to live is to die in Christ and then live for him.       

All Authority and Power is God's

         In today's Gospel reading from Luke 4, people were astonished at the teaching of Jesus because he spoke with authority.  They were also amazed that with power and authority Jesus commanded unclean spirits.  In the Gospels, we read how the scribes and Pharisees repeatedly tested Jesus, trying to trip him; never once did they succeed.  The all-knowing Lord had all the answers.  He even read people's minds and hearts.  All proofs that he is God.  Yes, he was put to death, but that's what he had willed.  We do go against his will, but that's because he had given us the free will and we misuse it.  All authority and power is his.  Banish all thoughts that we can rebel and come out on top.  Total obedience is the way to go. 

God Our Perfect Answer

        "Do not reply upon anything that's limited, unstable, and transient."  This statement should be sensible to all.  So we should put our trust in something that's infinite, constant, and eternal.  What do you know ~ God turns out to be the only answer!  And Jesus came into the world and made God intimate and personal to us ~ how much better can it get?

Let Nothing Disturb Your Peace

        A friend calls up to tell you that he can no longer come to see you for whatever reason and you start to think that perhaps he really doesn't want to see you.  The human mind is always conjuring up disruptive thoughts.  The Holy Spirit wants us to dismiss outright all thoughts that disturb our inner peace.  In the case above, even if your friend tells you that he truly doesn't like you, don't dwell upon it but go right back to the Lord.  Since God's love for you is ever present, only how you love him back matters.  Let everything else go that disturbs your peace.

Playing Seek or Hide

        Those who are not afraid to seek God will gain even the courage to become holy after they find him.  On the other hand, whose who are afraid to face God will hide in fear that worsens as they approach the end of their life.  (But the Lord, being infinitely merciful, always leaves the door open, should you change your mind and decide to turn around while there's still time.)  

Being Fearless in God's Presence

        Today is the Memorial of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist.  John was fearless in telling Herod that it's unlawful for him to have his brother's wife, and Herod actually feared him.  We can be fearless too in God's presence.  As Paul says in Romans 8: "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  We can be fearless in speaking the truth, in taking up our crosses ~ in fact, under all circumstances.  Being fearless brings freedom of the heart, while those who do evil remain in turmoil.

One Form of Self-Denial

        In today's Gospel reading at Mass from Matthew 16, Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."  For some, talking less and listening more to others will be a form of self-denial.  To follow the Lord requires listening for his voice first, and this would be difficult, if not impossible, if we do not know how to be silent.

Two Deaths Better than One

        At morning Mass, I was so happy that I didn't mind dying right then to be with Jesus.  Then I realized that my time was not up yet and if I desired a happier ending, I should make sure that my inner self dies first before my natural death takes place, the former death being extremely important and the latter, relatively immaterial.  Two deaths are definitely preferable over one.       

God Found

        Today's Communion verses from Matthew 13 read: "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one rare pearl he sells everything he has and buys it."  Jesus is that rare pearl.  How blessed are those who have searched and found it!  

God Ignored

        Jesus, our Lord and God, came into our world and he was crucified.  Today the world hasn't changed much.  He is here to save us and we blaspheme him.  He waits for our return to God and we totally ignore his presence.  He can give us all we need to have peace and we shut him out of our hearts.  He wants us to have eternal life with him and we couldn't care less.  Is this the way to treat Everlasting Love?  Do we even have a heart?  Nothing can be worse than to forget where we came from.  Nothing can be more foolish than forging ahead with blinds over our eyes.  The proud shall not see God ~ how true!  I feel sorry for us, not the Lord.

A Person Is not an Object

        Pope John Paul II wrote Theology of the Body, which I haven't read yet.  Father at morning Mass brought it up.  He said that if we understand that theology, we would view each person as a Person and never as an Object.  All persons are to be loved and respected and never to be used like objects for our own gain or advantage.  It's clear to me that if everyone practices this theology, there will be peace in the whole world ~ no more wars, no more abortion on demand, and no more atrocious news in the news.  Let's take the first step by practicing this theology ourselves.