God's Sanctifying Power

        This morning's Communion experience. As I received the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, I felt his power to make me holy. 

Feeling Good About Jesus

        It's Christmas Eve and I see Jesus as my lifeline. I have caught this line and am saved for all eternity as long as I don't let go of it. Rather than having to hold onto him for life, I feel more as if he is holding me securely in his own hands. Knowing that God loves us is exactly the missing link for completing our lives. Normally, we feel good when we meet someone who happens to like us. I still remember the time when I was working in an organization, one colleague in the same department told me in private that he wished that I could be his department head, as the head at the time wasn't making everyone happy. I was flattered, but nevertheless, felt good. Then I met another person on a pilgrimage many years ago who loved to share his spiritual thoughts with me as if I was his confidant ~ I felt good too. Now, it's the Lord God himself letting me know how much he loves me ~ that has to be the best possible news that can make me feel good!

A Natural Consequence

        The more we ask for God's mercy upon us, the less we become judgmental of others.

Suffering to Be Welcomed

        Crosses are facts of life. Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). The crosses Jesus gives us as his disciples are always for our edification, never so heavy that we could not bear. There cannot be spiritual advancement if we are not willing to suffer. And if we are willing, suffering for Christ's sake becomes a great joy and strengthens our union with him. 

Getting More out of the Gospels

        I caught 3/4 of part 1 of "The Path of the Messiah" on EWTN. Raymond Arroyo and Jeff Cavins traveled the path Jesus took in the Holy Land. I could read all the things Jesus did in the Gospels, but seeing the real locations on a screen and hearing the Gospels read and explained, I received a knockout experience. The Holy Spirit generated so much deep joy in my soul that I felt physically drained at the end! So, the next time you read the Gospel, take your time and imagine vividly what really happened, and you'll get much more out of your reading.  

What Is "Doing Well"?

        I only hear people talk about someone doing well when that person has lived to a ripe old age, especially if his or her health is good, when the person has succeeded in graduating from college, when the person has landed a good job or made a lot of money in his business...it always has to do with that person's achievement in the world. I have never heard people talk about someone doing well when he or she has come to know the Lord well. Why? On the other hand, this may just work out fine because those who know the Lord well are most likely humble enough not to want to be known for anything in which their are doing well!                 

Mind as an Aid to Heart

        It's true that God looks mainly at the heart. Since we are human, often external distractions, our own emotions, feelings, and physical discomfort, etc. go against the heart's inclination. As Jesus said, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." This is where the mind should step in. Even if one is going through dark nights losing all feelings of God's presence, the mind can still take charge and help him carry on the task of loving God.    

Heavenly Relationship

        The Lord and any of his faithful followers do many things for each other. They love each other; they serve each other; they are friends to each other; they understand each other; they listen to each other; and they would willingly suffer for each other. This is a relationship prescribed in heaven.

Staying with Christ

        I no longer look back nor forward. I am totally content because I know that as long as I stay with Christ, the eternal one, I'll be eternal with him.

Two-Way Belonging

        I went to morning Mass this morning. It was a relatively cold and windy, rainy day. Inside the chapel, you could hear the the rain water loudly gushing out of the downspouts outside. This was the kind of day that definitely makes you want you to be indoors. Yet I felt most content because I have my most precious treasure, the Lord God. But this is not a one-way thing ~ since I have him, I belong entirely to him too.

Pleasing Jesus Alone

        St. Gemma was always intent on pleasing Jesus alone, so even when others offended her, like calling her a stupid girl, she remained calm and collected. When she suffered, she knew she was suffering along with Jesus. Here is a great example for us to follow. Of course, there will be times when we must take action, but there is a big difference between reacting calmly and reacting with strong negative emotion. We should please others only if it pleases Jesus. Otherwise, whatever they do to us is not worth paying attention to.  

Great Wonderment

        I was watching a Globe Trekker Special on volcanoes on TV and saw how vast our earth was. At the same time I realized that the creator of it all I knew most intimately. In fact, he resides within me. This is indeed a great wonderment!

The Missing Virtue

        Humility is the foundation of all sanctity. I continue to read about St. Gemma. She was a most humble servant of God. In one of her visions, Jesus showed her a vast plain studded with trees. In the center was a square from which a majestic tree rose above all the others. He said to her: "Those trees are the virtues, but the tallest and the most majestic tree is holy humility." This is what this world sorely needs. 

Living in the World of Jesus

        Reading about St. Gemma makes me realize that she lived totally in the world of Jesus. This is what it should be with anyone who follows the Lord. To live in his world is to be detached from our world. In his world we are aware of his holy presence at all times and pleasing him becomes our only concern. Living in the world of Jesus is really another way of describing being in union with Jesus.         

Following God with Trust

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 1, the angel Gabriel came to Mary to tell her that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son to be named Jesus. We do not have angels showing up to relay messages to us; but if we trust in God, we'll know that he is always leading us, even if we do not receive messages from him. In this sense, God is always speaking to us. It's very much like the situation of two people in love ~ no spoken words needed; looking at or being with each other is sufficient. 

God's Greatest Love

        Another quick re-realization. The one who died on the cross was not just an ordinary human ~ it was God himself! Shocking and incredible, but awe-inspiring and unimaginably magnanimous. Yes, I am a sinner and I need to be saved. The Lord has done the right thing for all of us, for which I'll be eternally grateful. Now I can rejoice!

Key to Freedom

        During Mass this morning, it became clear to me in a flash that submitting to Jesus is the key to freedom (end of misery)! That's just it because he is truly our Lord and Savior!

Free Will Power

        God gave us each free will so we have the power to make free choices. When St. Maximilian Kolbe was still a child, in a vision the Mother of God came to him holding two crowns, one white and the other red. She asked him if he's willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that he should persevere in purity and the red that he should become a martyr. The saint said that he would accept them both. As you might know, he died at Auschwitz in 1941. 

       Similarly, in the case of St. Gemma Galgani, her guardian angel appeared to her holding two crowns, one of roses and one of thorns, inviting her to choose one. She chose the one that obviously belonged to Jesus, the one of thorns. The manifestation of her suffering the pain of being crowned with thorns Jesus experienced followed afterwards.

        Thus every choice we make matters because it charts our journey toward eternity. Wield the power of our free will for the glory of God always and our future glory will be assured.