The Christian Example

        At the Last Supper, Jesus asked us to take Holy Communion in memory of him. Besides this, we should do every other thing in his name. This is the Christian example.

Overruling God

        We so often do what we want to do, even when it goes against our conscience. This happens most likely when the action we plan to take does not seem to hurt anyone, at least not right away or directly. We feel the guilt, but we sweep it aside and go ahead anyway. Splurging on something expensive but not really needed or beneficial to us spiritually is one example. I consider this a case of overruling God, strictly speaking, a sin. If the number of times we overrule God exceeds the number of times we listen to him, then we'd better make amendment, for God is to be welcomed, not ignored. 

The Way to Know God

          First Reading at today's Mass was from Isaiah. I started thinking about how amazing it was that the Old Testament prophets and the psalmists consistently believed in one God and spoke and prayed to him with such intimacy ~ God must have communicated with them. Then Jesus showed up and fulfilled all their prophecies, so Jesus must have been sent by God. 

        I am just applying my common sense, not trying to prove that the one God exists. First of all, admitting that I am a creature by God, I am already acknowledging his existence. Besides, I know that a lesser being is in no position to prove anything about a greater being. Just wanting to seek such proofs is being arrogant and would render faith meaningless. God is to be believed in and trusted! Any other way will not gain me entrance.

On Following Jesus

        First thoughts at mass. As long as I follow Jesus through the teachings of the one and only Church built on Peter by Christ and not pay any attention to any other teachings given by another human being who heads his own church or denomination or sect, I am safe in following the Lord as the Apostles were.      

Only God Is Forever

        My wife is temporarily away for a few days, so my life feels somewhat different. I know that one day either I'll be gone first or she'll be the one, then life will be different again. This teaches me to never hold onto anything in this world. The best, proper, and healthiest thing for us to do is to hold onto God alone so that we'll have him with us forever. This is basically the gospel Christ brought to us.

God Delivers Through Union

        Just got back from the retreat. In small groups sharing, I learned that many had personal imperfections they wanted to overcome in order to love Jesus more. That was admirable, but they found it hard to succeed in practice. Since the goal of this blog is to lead all to union with Christ through the Holy Eucharist, here's my chance to give it another plug. The most effective way to overcome sins, imperfections, and hang-ups is to go straight to the Lord to seek union with him first through receiving him in the Holy Eucharist. Once he's united with you, he will transform you effortlessly and you needn't struggle hard on your own anymore. Ask and he delivers.  

Christ Alone Satisfies

        I am attending an end-of-the-month retreat at a local retreat center. I wasn't getting much out the presentations until Mass this morning at which I was overwhelmed by receiving the Lord in the Eucharist. It's as if nothing can satisfy me anymore except the Lord himself. I expect a lot more to come from him!

A Mutual Feeling

        If you feel at home with God, then he will feel likewise dwelling in your heart. 

We Need the Holy Spirit

        The Holy Spirit is double-edged. He is a gentle breeze, soothing and refreshing your spirit; but he is also a passionate flame, burning away all your impurities and kindling in your heart the fire of his love.

How to Show Love

        If you love God, don't try to remember specifically what you should or should not do; instead, let your love for him be your sole guide. You should feel perfectly natural in wanting to reflect God's love in all your actions. 

God's Just Mercy

         God's mercy is so great that he wants to save us in any way he can. He checks us thoroughly to see if there is any redeeming good in us, no matter how small. He wants to make absolutely sure that if anyone gets condemned in the end, it'll be entirely due to that person's own fault.

The Ultimate Relationship

        I am impressed by the most personal relationship between God and us. Psalm 18 is the Responsorial Psalm for today's Mass. In it the Lord was addressed by the psalmist as his rock of refuge, his fortress, his deliverer, his shield, the horn of his salvation, and his stronghold. Then Christ came to us and further strengthened this relationship, as the Entrance Song, 1 Peter 2.24, states: "He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds we have been healed." Each of us is now the Father's favorite child. In receiving the body and blood of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, we attain union with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Our God is not far away! On the contrary, he died for us and is now in us who believe. It's impossible to get more intimate than that. 

Joy in the Holy Eucharist

        Going to morning Mass to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist felt like attending a banquet held in heaven. If this feast does not make you happy, then nothing in the world will.

The Imperishable Soul

        In today's Gospel reading from John 8, Jesus said to the Jews, "Whoever keeps my word will never see death." Obviously, Jesus was not referring to the death of the physical body ~ he was talking about what happens to the eternal soul. Since the soul is imperishable, it's what we should pay attention to.       

Heaven Is Different

       You hear the advice "make the most of your life or the situation you're in or what you've got." This makes sense because we live in a world in which everything passes and you want to use every opportunity to your greatest advantage while you're around. Then it struck me that in heaven, this advice is no longer relevant, for there you'll have the best to the full and have it for all eternity to boot. 

See What God Can Do with You

        Since nothing is impossible with God, whether you are shy or outgoing, awkward or adroit, physically weak or strong, clumsy in speech or eloquent, unlearned or well educated...these things do not matter. In fact, it's often the poor, the weak, and the wretched that the Lord delights in choosing to be his servants, hands, or instruments to do the work for his glory. Many great saints are such examples. Therefore, always try to see yourself as what God can do with you. If you like it, then he will fulfill your desire.      

God's Mercy One-Sided

        As I received the Holy Eucharist, I just felt my unworthiness and that God is being too good to me. His mercy is all one-sided!

The Divine Beauty

        Prior to receiving Holy Communion at Mass today, I sensed the blinding, dazzling beauty of the Lord. Such beauty compels one to seek union with him.