Accepting Inconveniences

        This morning I was getting ready to go minister to a group. First thing that happened was that a small pouch I needed to use accidentally fell into the toilet bowl. Then I forgot to bring any paper tissues or a handkerchief with me ~ what if I would need to blow my nose in this allergy season? Also, this was the first time for me to use my renewed ID, but the office person who issued it neglected to punch a hole in the card for me to attach a clip to it. Later, I realized that I forgot to bring the list of phone numbers I needed too; but fortunately, I could still recall those numbers. I did my best except that I hurried a little bit and things that can cause inconveniences still happened. The Lord made it clear to me that I should not let any such thing bother me. I got back just fine as if all those things had never happened. If things end well, then nothing really bad has happened. Never dwell on the past.     

What's the Point of Sinning?

         When one applies for a job, his past academic and work records will be examined. When one applies for entrance into heaven, the record of every thought, every word he ever uttered, and every action he ever took will be scrutinized. I mention this because I recall what a friend said a long time ago. We went to the same university and I visited him when he's working in New York. In those days neither of us was a Christian. Naturally, single guys talked about girls. He told me that a lot of guys were picking up girls to have sex with and he could do the same, then he added, "What's the point?"  I still remember that question because after you get some pleasure or fun from doing it, afterwards where does that get you to? It's true with every sin you get something out of committing it, but you end up falling further away from God. If you ever think of making heaven, you're heading the wrong way.

The Day Will Be Here

        Over a month ago, I arranged for a get-together at my home for the group involved in the ministry of visiting the homebound. First a week went by, then another, and another. Finally, the day is here. And I realize that the day we appear before the Lord to be judged will be here too, more certain than that the sun will rise tomorrow ~ it's only a matter of time. The wise would prepare for that day beforehand.   

Resting in Jesus

        Today's thoughts after receiving the Holy Eucharist: I am one with Jesus again. I can now rest perfectly in him.

Thinking About Heaven

        If I believe in God only because I want to go to heaven, I could feel somewhat guilty because it seems that I am being selfish, whereas the right reason should be because I love God. This brought to my mind that in my immature youthful days, I always felt a little uneasy when I went to my bank to withdraw my own money. Of course, I can take out my own money at any time as I wish! We shouldn't feel guilty about wanting to go to heaven either ~ it's where God wants us to go! We are not forgetting God because if he is not there, I don't think we would want to go there. Anyway, it is called heaven because it's where God is. So, I am going to dream about heaven, my destination; but I still yearn for my God, not heaven.

How Souls Look

        Those who attend Mass daily are usually souls with strong faith and devotion. This morning as I watched them returning to their seats after receiving the Holy Eucharist, I saw them reflecting the beauty of Christ. Then I thought of all the unbelievers in the world ~ how did they look to me? And I realized that by not turning to God, they were only hurting themselves and I felt great pity for them.

Power of the Holy Spirit

        The Holy Spirit has unlimited power. Since Jesus' kingdom does not belong to this world, the Holy Spirit exercises his power only in God's kingdom. This means that he can do great things in our spiritual lives.

To Dwell in the House of the Lord

        Psalm 27 is the Responsorial Psalm for Mass today. Verses 1 & 4 are so beautiful that I'll just quote them here without comment.

       "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? One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple."

Beautiful Praying

        After Mass was over, the interior lights in the church got turned off, creating two rather dim areas in the back. I was sitting in one praying and someone sitting in a bright spot didn't realize that anyone else was in the church. She started praying aloud in Spanish, which I didn't understand; but obviously, she's talking to the Lord straight from her heart, with nothing held back. Her pleading tone was so sincere and fervent that made me see how beautiful praying can sound to both God and us when it's done with total trust in God. Later on, we talked a little bit, in English, and she told me that she's telling the Lord that she wanted to do his will from now on. So we have beautiful intention, beautiful praying, and beautiful listening.                                                                                               

Being Holy, a Good Feeling

        When the body is healthy, we feel good. Likewise, when the soul is healthy in a pure and clean state, we feel uplifted and carefree. St. Augustine said that "God has made us so that our hearts are restless until they rest in him." It follows that I could say that "God has made us so that we feel good when we are holy." This is our reward for remaining close to God.

Awesome God

        The Entrance Song at this morning's Mass taken from Psalm 68 reads: "O God, when you went forth before your people, marching with them and living among them, the earth trembled, heavens poured down rain, alleluia."

        Reading these verses made me realize how awesome God is. Here's a Lord who is infinite in every way, with whom nothing is impossible, and who loves us with the greatest possible love. He is so awesome that if it weren't for his love, I would be prostrating before him with tremors. Then his love draws us to him, removing all fears. In a way, this love has made him even more awesome!

The Right Serving Attitude

        In John F. Kennedy's inaugural address half a century ago, he made this notable saying: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." I brought this up because I am thinking that in performing spiritual tasks, I must not ask how it can benefit me spiritually, but ask how I can glorify God.

The Real No.1 Enemy

        Spiritually, who is our greatest enemy? Is it Satan? Certainly he is our enemy; but the no.1 enemy is actually our own ego, for the ego attracts Satan and Satan manipulates it to keep you away from God! If you have perfect humility, then Satan literally wouldn't have a handle on you anymore. Vanquish enemy no.1 and you will have vanquished all other enemies as well. 

God Loves Everyone

        Back to John 3.16, with which today's Gospel reading at morning Mass started. "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life." Next time I see anyone, I must treat that person as one for whom Jesus died. Reality may be hard to accept, but dodging it would make it harder for me to face the Lord later. 

How to Free the Heart

        In principle, to achieve freedom of the heart, you only need to live every moment for Jesus and not for yourself ~ this actually takes the burden off your heart! In practice, go to the Lord to ask him to fill all of you so that there will be no room left for anything to prevent you from living for him.  

Preserving Inner Peace

        Late yesterday I had no idea as to what I was to post on this blog today; in fact, I didn't know anything today might bring. I was not concerned about it, so I remained at peace. I recalled Jesus' words from Matthew 6: "Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself." The Lord is right. One reason people are restless is because they occupy their minds with wasteful and useless thoughts constantly, while the way to inner peace is to dwell in Jesus, the source of all peace. 

My Lord, My God, & My Friend

        I rejoiced during Mass today. What happened? Well, we all have friends or people we know. Some people are proud of the fact that they know someone who's famous. At Communion time, I became aware that among my friends, one is actually God! And I even know his name and a lot more! And he is absolutely the best friend among all my friends! So I couldn't help rejoicing at this fact.  

More Reason for Seeking Union

        Reading 1 at Mass from Acts 4 tells us that the early community of believers was of one heart and mind. How sad that we cannot say the same thing about the Church today. Not only the laity is not of one heart and mind, the clergy has fallen into the same trap. Since division only pleases Satan, all the more we need to seek union with God so that we can become of one heart and mind.