Let God Sanctify Us!

        At Sunday Mass this morning, I heard the priest say "Let God sanctify you" during one part of the Mass (can't remember exactly when) and it immediately struck me ~ how beautiful it is to let God do that to us, to make us holy, to purify and free us! Only God has that power and we can be the recipient of the benefits that power can bestow if we let God sanctify us. 

What We Should Do Today

        Submit ourselves to God more and more so that we fight less and less on our own. And rest in him more and more so that we struggle less and less on our own. (When we have totally surrendered to God and are able to relax completely in him, we shall have ceased fighting and struggling on our own.)            

Know Our Place Before God

        Early morning I got up and it was a beautiful day. The temperature hadn't heated up yet, the gentle breeze felt good, and I heard birds singing among the trees. I thought of the people who lived thousands of years ago ~ they must have experienced and enjoyed days like this. Then I realized that in those days, people must not live that long, for they didn't have the medical knowledge, technology, doctors and hospitals which we enjoy today. Wikipedia shows that even today, the current life expectancy at birth for people in some of the African nations is only in the range of 30-40 years and the current world average of life expectancy at birth is estimated to be around 67. 

        It's easy for us to get carried away when we believe that science and technology can solve all our problems and that we don't need God anymore. Then look, after thousands of years we've only managed to extend our life expectancy by a few decades ~ we still die at the end ~ is this big enough progress for us to claim that we can replace God who created the whole universe? Aren't we being extremely foolish to think that way? The truth is that we are nothing before God. Our proper role is to remain humble always before him and beg for his mercy before we ever think, speak, or do anything.    

Walking with Christ

        Since Christ is my closest, most intimate companion, who dwells within me, I feel his presence at all times. He enters my mind the moment I wake up in the morning and I enjoy thinking about him when I go to sleep. During the day, I cling to him because everything about me depends upon him. In return, the Lord guides me along a straight path, shielding me from all evil.

Die Once & Live Forever

        The martyrs die for Christ, but we can always die in Christ. In either case, the subjects die once and will live forever! 

How People Talk

        It's interesting that those who do not know God talk as if they know everything, while those who know God talk as if they do not know anything but God.

We Are like Computers

        I just had some viruses or malware removed from my computer. I was told by one technician that if I didn't do anything, the computer most likely would head toward a crash. The sounds very much like a sinner and what could happen to him. Sins are like viruses and a sinner is infected with them. For him, the loss of eternal life is that big crash.  

The Movie "For Greater Glory"

        I did go see the movie For Greater Glory yesterday with some friends. To be objective about it ~ let's say that I am not even a Catholic ~ I'd say that the film was well made, quite dramatic, and has some very moving moments. Above all, it tells the story objectively, showing violence committed by both sides, and did get the point across. Out of 5 stars, I would rate it 3.5 to 4 stars. Don't pay too much attention to the less favorable reviews that have appeared in a number big city newspapers ~ those critics tend to nitpick from the point of view of a film school instructor, but the many imperfections are not likely to bother the average audience. When our group watched it, we were kept awake for the entire 147 minutes and got quite emotionally exhausted. Overall, it tells a memorable story.    

God, Our Standard

        God is the only standard against which all of us are to be measured. On our own, any standards we set up will only be temporary, relative, and possibly unreliable or even misguided. If you believe that we should have only one standard, then we have no choice but to follow God. The world is in chaos and disorder because the Lord is not held up as its standard. Without God's example as revealed through Christ, we'll never know what the greatest love and true humility are.  

Goal of a Christian:

To draw all to the love of Christ.         

From Have-Nots to Haves

        I have been thinking about what Jesus said to his disciples in Mark 4.25 (also in Matthew): "To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." The first part is true. Anyone who has received much from the Lord will want more from him because what he has received is good. The Lord then generously gives him even more...it goes on continuously like that. The second part is the flip side of the first, but there is hope for the have-nots too, for the Lord also said that the last would be first and the first would be last. All the one who has not has to do is to start asking the Lord to become one who has.    

Sacrament Most Holy

        At Mass today again, as I received the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, I experience the greatest possible intimacy with Jesus ~ a "union" not possible with another human being nor by any other means. It is the perfect fusion between God and man on earth. No wonder the Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament Most Holy.

Media Bias Against Church

        The liberal media in this country are very much biased against the Catholic Church. It's nothing new that the good guys always get picked on. The media cover up the truths by not telling them, but Jesus assured us that even the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against his church (Matthew 16:18). Today is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Reading 1 from Romans 12, we heard read: "Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them." Indeed, what's going on will only strengthen the Church, for to suffer and fight for Christ's sake is both a joy and a blessing. Let's pray for the media just as hard as we pray for the Church.

       (If you have the film For Greater Glory currently showing in a nearby theater, go see it. It's the account of Mexico's fight for religious liberty against government persecution.)     

How Should I Pray?

        I suffered a shoulder injury (bothersome, but not painful). I've been praying for healing. But after several months, I still could feel it. So what should I do? 

        (1) I know that nothing is impossible with God. If I do stop praying, it has to be because I want to let God decide whether he wants to heal me or not.
        (2) In Scripture, Jesus also said that our persistence can weary the Lord to the point that he would just give in and let us have our way. In other words, he encouraged us to pray.  

          (3) I've decided to continue praying for recovery; but regardless of what happens, I am going to remain peaceful. Praying is talking to the Lord ~ always good for the soul. So it's going to be persistent praying without anxiety. 

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.