When a man and a woman are joined by God to become one and even though they might not get along all the time, they want to preserve this union at all costs, there is definitely something beautiful about it. By contrast, breakups such as divorce, the dissolution of a friendship, leaving the Church, abortion...all have something ugly about it. Remaining in union of God then has to be the most beautiful relationship of all.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
God Inspires
If a father is a good example that makes his son look up to him, the son usually wants to grow up to be like the father. This was the feeling I had at Mass this morning ~ the inspiring example of the Lord made me want to be just like him.
Be like Children Again
At this morning's Mass, from Matthew 19 we heard Jesus say that "the kingdom of heaven belongs to the children." Earlier Jesus had already said that "unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." I believe that when we were children, we had all experienced the warmth, comfort, and security when we were held by or just leaned against someone such as our mother or anyone who took good care of us ~ it's a great feeling to know that you are in the close company of someone who loves you. Now that we are adults, let's be like little children again ~ only now we seek comfort and protection in the heavenly Father. This way we enter the kingdom of heaven, enjoying the warmth, comfort, and security in God.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Union with God Is for All
If you think that union with God is not for you because only saints can achieve such union, then you are mistaken. You seek and achieve union with God first, then you become a saint ~ not the other way around ~ a saint is already in union with God.
God as Teacher
After receiving Holy Communion at Mass this morning, I felt so fortunate and grateful that the Lord made me see all my faults for my good. He is a most loving teacher.
On Following God
We are supposed to be God's instruments, speaking for him and doing deeds for him; but sometimes we forget and start doing our will as his ~ this is where we can lose our inner balance. I must remember that I am to follow God, not charging ahead of him. Whoever said "patience is a sign of holiness" is correct.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
God Loves a Contrite Heart
As I knelt and prayed in church this morning, I realized that this would be a terrible position for a hypocrite to be in ~ imagine approaching God when you are insincere, dishonest, unforgiving, resentful.... Then I saw that a contrite heart was all that's required to change everything.
Forgiving Others Through God's Mercy
This morning's Gospel reading at Mass was take from Matthew 18. Jesus wants us to forgive all our brothers and sisters from the heart if we want the heavenly Father to forgive us. This seems totally fair, but in practice, it can be very difficult for us as we all know. Ideally, to resolve the problem it would be best for us is to meet or contact the other party involved and show our desire for reconciliation, but this may not be possible for various reasons. The least we could do is to forgive from the heart so that when such an opportunity arises, we'll be ready. Of course, praying for the ones we have trouble forgiving is the very first move we should make.
I am thinking that it's through God's love that we are able to love others, then why can't we immerse ourselves in his ocean of mercy and "borrow" some of that mercy and use it to forgives others? Basically, we "make" God do everything through us.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Dealing with the Devil
The most effective way to deal with the Devil is not to challenge him. Give God your full attention and the Devil, zero; then he won't even be able to approach you. Ignore the Devil and he is as good as gone.
Being Daredevil for God
Once you have put all your trust in God, you become daredevil in the sense that you no longer worry about anything ~ all you care about is whatever has to do with God. In a way, God's business is now your business.
Clarifying Mary
On this Feast day of the Blessed Mother, I would like to make some of our Catholic beliefs about her clear, especially to our Protestant brothers and sisters.
(1) I don't think I need to say this, but there are still many who do not know the truth yet. The truth is that we do not worship Mary, as she declared herself in her song to God (see my last post) that she was simply a lowly servant of God.
(2) We love her as we love all the saints and angels. We love her precisely because we love God. She never causes us to love Jesus less; in fact, she inspires us to love him even more! Many Catholics and converts have found Jesus through Mary. This humble mother Jesus gave us from the cross never wants to draw attention to herself, remaining hidden in her Son always. She is a great model for us to follow and imitate. She is such a beautiful saint that even if she's not related to the Lord, you would want to know her. She is magnificent! (Read about the woman clothed with the sun in Revelation 11, today's first reading at Mass.)
Humble Love
Today's is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Gospel reading from Luke 1 contains the Magnificat, the beautiful hymn of Mary (verses 46-55). In praising God, Mary regarded herself as his lowly servant. Our love for God should also spring from humility. Love that's not humble is not pure. Look at Jesus ~ he remained meek and humble throughout his life on earth, showing his greatest love for us. If God can be so humble, it would be unthinkable for us not to be.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Dying for Gain
Today is the Memorial of St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr, who died in the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz. After receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist at morning Mass, I felt that Jesus is totally worth dying for ~ through this death, I gain the whole God!
Union with God, a Brief Review
The goal of this blog is to draw all to union with God through the Holy Eucharist. This seems to be the right time to give a little summary of what it's all about, especially for new readers of the blog.
In principle, we should seek union with God, as Jesus calls us to be perfect. When we are in union with him, we become Christlike and will want to do his will at all times. This then fulfills the command of Jesus that we must love God as much as we can.
In practice, we also gain great benefits. Without union but with the good intention to become holy, we struggle with sin pretty much on our own and can find making progress hard and slow. Of course, God wants to help, but we are in our own way and in his, for we have not yet totally surrendered to God to give him a free hand. Once we go past the point of self-surrender, God then can draw us to full union with him and our struggle with sin will be no more. And freedom and peace of the heart will be awaiting us.
The Holy Eucharist plays the role of the facilitator. When we receive this Most Holy Sacrament, we become in union with the Lord physically. In this most intimate moment we ask him to draw us to complete union with him and he will not refuse us.
On Serving God
Serving God is answering God's call. It means that God has chosen you out of love. It is both an honor and a privilege. Serving God gives life meaning, goal, and hope on earth and at the same time generates joy in heaven. It is the path to God, our home. Those who give lifelong service to God will live forever.
Monday, August 13, 2012
To Be Free in God!
After receiving Communion this morning, I went limp at all levels ~ the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. It's a total letting go in God. In God We become free.
Jesus Forever New
Every time we learn something new from Jesus, there is something more for us to discover and learn ~ his wisdom and riches are inexhaustible. In this sense, he is forever new, hence forever refreshing.
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