We tend to pray for others not as ardently as we pray for ourselves, especially when the others are people we don't even personally know. Since Jesus wants us to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves, it dawned on me that we should pray for others just as hard and sincerely as we pray for ourselves.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Essential Questions to Ask
Before a couple gets married, it'd be good to know how the two answer certain questions to ensure that they are compatible and will be happy to live together. Here are three questions normally not asked, but could prove to be important. (1) Do you like camping? (Imagine that one enjoys camping outdoors and the other much prefer staying at a hotel when they travel together.) (2) Are you a saver or a dumper? (A saver doesn't like to throw away anything, while a dumper doesn't feel good unless everything not needed, not working, or that takes up too much space is disposed of.) (3) Do you like the contemporary or the traditional style? (When it comes to decorating the home, diametric preferences can easily start a war.)
I brought all this up because we are all going to meet God one day and it would be wise to prepare some questions in advance to make sure that we will be compatible with God and happy to live with him forever. For example, (1) Do I really believe in God? (2) Did I skip Sunday Mass for no good reason? (3) Do I receive the Holy Eucharist with great reverence?...you can think up the rest. We must be very thorough because we are not just marrying and living with someone for a short time, but are going to be considered to live with God for all eternity!
The Muddy World
Here are more thoughts on the unattractive world. It's actually a picture I have envisioned. The world is like a really muddy place. We are like pigs that wallow in the mud. We are dirty and filthy, yet we feel good. To enter the realm of Jesus is to get out of the dirty mud and get all cleaned up. Now we feel truly great and know that that's where we should remain.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
The Unattractive World
Since the world conscience is different from the Christian conscience, what seems harmless to the world may very well be offensive to God ~ the world is just not concerned about the human soul. I had lost interest in the attractions and entertainment of the world; in fact, they could be downright boring. I wondered why, then the answer came: Jesus was not in them.
A Matter of Knowing
Reading 2 at Mass from 1 John 3 mentions knowing Jesus. The Gospel read from John 10 is all about Jesus being the good shepherd. Verse 14-15: "I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep and they know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep." Jesus' love for us is declared here. To know Jesus is to know God and the whole truth!
Belonging to God
I attended a men's conference yesterday. Over 200 men were present and some of talks were excellent. Of course, the highlight for me was receiving the Lord at the noon Mass said by the local bishop. Right after I received Holy Communion, I heard Jesus say to me, "You are now mine." Joy filled my heart. Today on Good Shepherd Sunday, the same happy message continues.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Abortion Silences Life
During the liturgy of the Eucharist at Mass this morning, I heard a child's voice a few rows back behind me. It was a beautiful sound and I instantly thought of the countless children that had been aborted ~ their lives were snuffed out before they could make any sound. May God have mercy on this nation whose highest court legalized abortion.
Real Body & Real Blood
The Gospel reading at Mass are verses 52-59 from John 6. Read them with an open mind and you won't find the slightest hint that Jesus was talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood symbolically. We who receive Holy Communion and believe in the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist will live forever as promised by the Lord here.
God Speaks with Love
In today's Reading 1 at Mass from Acts 9, the story of Paul's conversion was told. After Paul had already inflicted great harm on the Christians, Jesus still called him lovingly and Paul was converted. The voice of the Lord is sweet, for he only speaks the truth, intent on leading us to eternal life. If you hear him speaking to your heart, welcome his voice and pay attention, for he is loving you.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Duality of God
Jesus is the king of kings, but he's also the lowest of all servants. He's the most high, yet he's instantly accessible to us. He's the judge of all, but his mercy is equally great. He punishes, but forgives easily. He's the most powerful and at the same time humble and meek. Love explains it all!
God More than Fair
At today's Mass, the Communion Song, 2 Corinthians 5.15, goes like this: "Christ died for all, that those who live may live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and is risen, alleluia." If Jesus did die for me, then of course, it's only fair that I should live for him. In fact, it's more than fair because I have the easy part, while he took the harder part.
Opposite Reaction
The more I read about horrible, sinful acts in the news and see impure, sinful shows on TV, the more I turn to God to ask for his mercy on all, for he is the Lord of salvation. God's power is always there ~ the sole reason why the world is so messed up is because we have ignored or misinterpreted God. Otherwise, Satan would absolutely have no power over us.
Let Only Truth Affect You
If people say false things about you, do not let them bother you. False things are false, so they do not exist. If someone wants you to panic by spreading the false rumor that the world will end tomorrow, wouldn't you feel rather stupid to let it affect you? So, let only truth affect you. In fact, let only Jesus affect you and you'll always have inner peace.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Perfect Humility
Jesus is sinless, yet he suffered so much while he was in this world. Is his suffering just or unjust? From the human point of view, it would seem most unjust to punish anyone who's not guilty. But from God's point of view in the overall scheme of things, anything that happens according to his holy will is just. And Jesus our Lord had the perfect humility to regard all his sufferings to be just.
The Glorious Mysteries
Before Mass began, I had some time to dwell upon the first three Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Here are some brief thoughts.
(1) Resurrection. The disciples didn't believe that Jesus was alive until they saw him in person. It must have been such a great joy to them, for after disappointment all their expectations were fulfilled again. Knowing that the Lord has risen, we too are filled with joy. In fact, everything associated with the Lord is a cause for our rejoicing. We can proclaim aloud that "Jesus is our joy!"
(2) Ascension. I am sure that when the disciples saw the Lord ascending into heaven, they felt sad because they were not going to see him for a while. At the same time, it should be obvious to them that there is a heaven where Jesus was ascending to. Overall, the joy wiped out any sadness. We should feel that way right now.
(3) Descent of the Holy Spirit. That was affirmation that God did not want to leave us alone ~ the Holy Spirit is our greatest consolation on earth. With him, we should be ready to rock and roll!
These glorious mysteries are truly joyful ones.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Catholics Under Attack
Glenn Beck visited recently the Vatican to observe and be part of the historic ordainment of new cardinals. You may not be one of his fans, but the message of this video report, Catholics Under Attack, by him has everything to do with all Christians, Jews, and other religious groups. Watch it:
Deriving Joy
When one is in union with God, the self exists in God only. All he wishes is to glorify God, who shields him. This is how he derives all his joy.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Two Beautiful Acts
When the Lord transforms a heart, it's such a beautiful act, because anything he touches becomes beautiful.
The lord knows exactly what he is doing, for he is full of wisdom. We are not to question, but to trust. Trusting in the most loving God becomes a most beautiful act.
When the Holy Spirit made me see these truths, I was moved to tears.
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