How to Love

        Just one simple lesson: Let God love you first and always.

Two Contrasting Existences

        When we are born into this world, it's as if we are dropped into a jungle. The lost souls are the ones who have no idea why they are here. They see only the trees and not the forest of which the trees are a part. They are attracted by the beauties they find in the forest and don't think much about getting out of the forest because they don't know how.

        On the other hand, the ones who know Jesus well have all the answers to their existence. They see the entire picture, the whole forest and what's beyond. They are not lured by the local attractions after knowing where they are heading. That's why they live joyfully with peace in their hearts ~ they have been found by God.

Do You Deny Jesus?

        Peter denied knowing Jesus three times and the Lord asked him later "Do you love me?" three times. Anytime we are ashamed of letting others know that we follow Jesus, we are guilty of denying him too. In fact, committing any sin against God is to deny that Jesus is our Lord. If he asks you the same question he asked Peter, how are you going to answer him?  

Believing in God the Right Way

        If Jesus is truly the Son of God and our Savior, then we must believe in him wholeheartedly, asking no questions, making no more analyses of him, no more lofty discussions about him, and believing with our hearts instead of with our minds. In other words, we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). I believe in this way and everything turns out most beautifully. This is my simple testimony.  

A Joyful Sinner

        As I received the Lord this morning in the Holy Eucharist, I trembled because I was a most wretched sinner before him, and I felt an even greater need for his mercy. This urges me to surrender to him even more to seek a perfect union. Joy at last!

Body and Soul Distinct

        We must realize that the soul and the body are two distinct entities. While being united on earth, they often affect the other. For example, an unhappy soul can impair the health of the body and conversely, a body of ill health can dampen one's spirits and causes him to neglect the soul. To be aware that they are distinct from each other helps us to keep them healthy separately so that the condition of one may not impede the progress of the other. We do our best to take care of the temporary body while it lasts and we make sure that the imperishable soul progresses smoothly in its own journey.  

Rich in Jesus

        2 Corinthians 8.9, today's Gospel Acclamation at Mass: "Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich." I could have quoted this in my first post today. This is what makes the Lord so lovable ~ his complete lack of self-glory. He even became one of us. I am rich for having such a beautiful friend. Thank you again, Jesus.

Most Important to God and Us

        Do you know what is most important to both God and us? 

        Answer: !sluos ruo fo noitavlas ehT    

Why I Love God

        On my way to Mass this morning, I saw that I love my God for the unique combination of his mighty power and perfect humility. The mighty power makes me want to worship him and the total absence of pride makes me love him. I can never have any of his power, but I can imitate his humility ~ this makes it possible for me to achieve union with him. Thank you, Jesus. 

Elated by Love

        During Communion time, I realized that I was not just loved by God ~ I was loved by him with the greatest possible love! I was elated! 

The Holy Spirit Liberates Us

        The Holy Spirit draws and conquers through sheer love. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to experience the greatest liberation! If my walk through life had felt heavy once, you could say that the Holy Spirit has made me relatively weightless now. Pentecost time is the time to submit ourselves further to the Holy Spirit for even greater liberation.

The Holy Spirit Restores Us

        Today is glorious Pentecost Sunday. The same Holy Spirit whom the disciples received from Jesus when he breathed on them at Pentecost dwells in us who follow the Lord today. The Spirit renews us, but I see it also as a restoration. Man first fell from God's grace, then Jesus came to redeem us, clearing the way for our return to God. The Holy Spirit then makes us holy, restoring us to a status fit for us to enter heaven. 

No Minding Others

        I went to morning Mass and saw the cars of those who had already arrived in the parking lot. By now, I pretty much know the owners by their car. No soon had the images of some of the owners floated into my mind than minor facts associated with them surfaced too. For example, one person appeared overweight; another didn't seem to be too friendly, etc. Then I realized that basically, I mind these things, even if slightly, and the danger is that all these opinions and feelings can bring me closer to judging people. 

        At Mass, the Gospel confirmed my thoughts. The reading came from John 21. After Jesus signified to Peter the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God, Peter asked Jesus what would happen to John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. Jesus answered, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." Indeed, our job is to follow the Lord and let all our thoughts, words, and deeds flow from that. Certainly, minding the trivial facts about others should not be of our concern. When we see someone, we see only the Lord in that person ~ here is a great aid to preserving inner peace.

Love Most Powerful

        Today is the Memorial of St. Philip Neri. The Entrance verse at Mass, Romans 5.5, reads: "The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us, alleluia." I say amen to that and rejoice in it. Words can not express the joy of having the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and how good it feels to have the love of God pouring into our hearts! Of course, I am seeing things as an insider, who has already believed. All I can say is that if you are still on the outside or not quite in yet, you'll totally understand my feelings once you cross over. Everything the love of God touches turns joyful. 

Love's Demand

        Today's Gospel from John 21: Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him and Peter answered the Lord each time that he loved him. Upon hearing each answer, the Lord asked Peter to do something ~ the requests were "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep," and "Feed my sheep" in that order. It just makes me think that if we genuinely love Jesus, we must continuously do something for him to show that we love him. The proof of love is in the doing of the deed.  

Praying to God Within

        Before morning Mass started today, I prayed and felt that the Lord was sitting on a throne in my heart, so I prayed to him within. I loved it because I felt that we shared the same conscience and I did pray his will. 

Man's Secular Enjoyment

        Today's early morning wasn't so clear as yesterday, but the sky with clouds in various hues still looked beautiful ~ indeed, God has given us much natural beauty for enjoyment. Now, man has concocted its own potion for enjoyment. Unfortunately, much of it does not inspire; the creations are here only to provide material comfort and fun or entertainment on the secular level. I can't help feeling sorry that any baby born into this world will have to fight an uphill spiritual battle all the way.  

Death Made Perfectly Clear

        There is an award-winning documentary examining death and how anxiety about dying drives human behavior out there. I am so happy that Jesus has shown us that there is eternal life, that death is no longer an unknown, and that death has no power over us who follow Jesus. If I have any anxiety about dying, it's my anxiety to meet the Lord.