Honesty Is Best

        Today's Gospel reading comes from Matthew 28. To cover up the fact that Jesus had risen, the chief priests gave a large sum of money to the soldiers guarding the tomb to spread the rumor that the disciples came and stole the body while they were asleep. This was to satisfy the governor in case he hears about the news and to keep themselves out of trouble. And the false story was circulated among the Jews. So there were a cover-up, bribery, deceitfulness, self-preservation above all else, and the misleading of others ~ hypocrisy all around. By contrast, when Jesus saw Nathanael (Bartholomew), the soon-to-be Apostle, coming toward him, he said, "Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him." How blessed it is to be as honest and straightforward as Nathanael was to the Lord!

Prayer for Loving God

        To answer my own question posed in the preceding post, I propose that at the start of performing anything, we pray humbly to the Father: "All for you; all in your hands."

Easter Joy

        When Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, God made the definitive statement that we have hope in him and that hope is Christ. So, Lord, filled with Easter joy how can we love you even more?

God Calling Us by Name

        It's Holy Saturday. I had some time and watched The Redeemer, a film I prerecorded on EWTN earlier. It's an old production filmed in Spain. Throughout the film, you only see the back of Jesus. I didn't care for the voice of Jesus used ~ it was too husky and sounded Hollywoodish. Nevertheless, the film does have some poignant moments. I was moved watching Peter's face right after he denied Christ for the third time and the cock crowed. I shed the most tears when Jesus cried out aloud on the cross "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" just before he breathed his last. Then Thomas didn't believe that Jesus had risen and the Lord showed up and called Thomas to him to check out his wounds. That's when I knew that the Lord calls us too ~ how good it is to hear him calling us by name!   

Sweet Sorrow

        I attended the Good Friday service, the Passion of the Lord, at my church. This was a solemn service for the fact that Jesus underwent so much agony, suffering, and unimaginable pain for our sake. Yet, the sorrow he experienced and that we feel for him are both tinged with sweetness, for in his sorrow Jesus accomplished his work of salvation and in ours, we receive faith and hope. For the Christians, joy is ever present, on or beneath the surface.

The Love of Christ

        I attended the Holy Thursday evening Mass at which the washing of the feet was performed after the homily to represent the service and charity of Christ. I strongly felt the love of the Lord for us. It's indescribably sweet and powerful. This love emanating from his Most Sacred Heart can melt our heart, effecting a union of the two hearts. Taste this love, absorb it, and be intoxicated by it. The love of Christ is what makes life beautiful.

Responding to God's Love

        God loves us. Let's look at this from his point of view. We needed to be saved, so he sacrificed his only Son to redeem us. This was a tremendous price to pay, showing that he had loved us with the greatest possible love. He created us and knew each one of us intimately. All he wanted was to bring us back to his bosom; not for a single instant did he ever think of letting us go. So, how would you advise someone to respond to this much love? I think the answer is clear just by logic or reason alone. Then advise yourself the same.        

Me First?

        We hear said "Faith is a gift from God." Does this imply that God gives this gift only to selected ones? I think the word "gift" simply means that this faith is ours if we are open and receptive to it. The fact is that so many people do not possess faith or have only a weak faith. I believe that it's because they, out of pride, put themselves ahead of God, and will probably remain so until their dying moment. Jesus said it so clearly: "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." "Me first" has no place before God. Perhaps the saying of Jesus "The last will be first, and the first will be last" applies here too.

Salvation for All!

        I believe that we all have a part of us that makes us want to do good. It's impressive that when a natural disaster strikes, many volunteers show up to help, even at the risk of losing their own lives. Today I thought of the disaster of hell fires. The thought of eternal separation from God is so horrifying that anyone with a little heart should want every single soul to be saved. Therefore, no more enemies, no more judging of others, and no one we cannot forgive. Let God's love reign in all hearts. All this is in accordance with his will, as Mary requested us to add this prayer to the Rosary: "Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen."   

The Extreme God

        God is extreme in many ways because he is infinite. His love for us is extreme, sacrificing even his own Son to redeem us. Then the Resurrection is extreme too, a complete reversal from death to Ascension into heaven. And we who have been called will be yanked from this burdensome world to dwell with him, not for a limited period of time, but for all eternity in heaven. I love my extreme God!

Afraid of Jesus?

        How can one not love Jesus the Savior, unless he is afraid of him? Anyone who is afraid of him is basically afraid of himself, afraid of examining himself. Only one who is in darkness wants to hide or run away from Jesus, the most loving Lord. The more afraid one is, the greater the urgency for him to reconcile with God. Know that God's peace displaces all fear.

Power of the Holy Eucharist

        As I went up to receive the Eucharist at Mass this morning, I noticed the perfectly round shape of the Host held before me. It signified to me that this Holy Sacrament can make us perfect spiritually.

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.