God's Will vs. Our Will

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 1 at morning Mass, Jesus, moved with pity, touched a leper and made him clean. Then he said to him, "See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed." The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.

       The lesson here is that we can be so much like the healed leper, getting carried away by something exciting happening to us and forget all about obeying God's will ~ we must listen to God first and obey without thinking about anything else. To do God's will, we must ignore our own will.

Nations in Mortal Sin

        The Church teaches that if we are in a state of mortal (serious) sin, then we risk losing our souls. This makes perfect sense. I dare say that practically all of the nations in the world are in the state of mortal sin ~ look at the suicide bombings, killing of innocent civilians, genocides, assassination of political enemies, legalization of abortion, and many others. The nations are definitely risking losing their souls. Only repentance and returning to God can save them. Since only believers pray to God, they bear the responsibility of praying for the world. Therefore, pray hard to the Lord for his mercy.

God Only Knows How to Love

        You can love God or fear God. We should fear him because he is our ultimate judge, but I choose to concentrate on loving him as St. Therese of Lisieux did. Both logic and common sense tell me that if I do this, then I really don't need to be concerned about anything else, including being judged by him. It also simplifies things, perfectly suiting someone simpleminded like me. If you truly love God, you don't care what he's going to do with you ~ what else can Love do besides loving you? The Lord wipes out all my worries ~ how can you not love him?

Following the Sure Way

        I am half way through reading Fr. Groeschel's A Still, Small Voice, A Practical Guide on Reported Revelations. I found out that even saints had misinterpreted or recorded wrongly the revelations they had received, to the point of contradicting the teachings of the Church in one case. Therefore, I am not going to pay much attention to any private apparitions, visions, etc., especially those the Church has not officially approved yet. I already know the sure way, that is, to focus upon Jesus alone who has revealed to us all we need to know and to follow the public teachings of his Church.

My Joy Completed

        Communion experience. Jesus is the Perfect One. He is exactly the one I need to complete my joy.

The Greatest Honor Is...

to be God's lowliest servant.

Power of God's Love

        If you love God, open yourself wide to let his love completely fill your heart to overflowing. This sweet love will heal and delight your soul such that besides the Lord, every problem in your life will seem insignificant to the point of being forgettable. This is one reward you can reap in this life.      

"Love" Defined

        I start to think about the love of God for us. This love is so pure and selfless that in theory, it's not possible for us to love to that degree. Therefore, it is unique with God and strictly speaking, "love" should mean the love of God or God and nothing else.

Hope Ever Present

         To anyone who is aware that he is in a sinful state he should not be in:

        Know that we live in a pretty much secular, hedonistic society populated mostly by other like sinners. Without proper guidance, the rampant, materialistic and immoral influences around us start to shape us the moment we are born. Now imagine that you enter a world of saints filled with love for God, chances are you'll grow up to be a holy person too. But despite the condition of the society or the world, the hope is ever present. Jesus can take away our sins and make us holy if we let him. Just repent and believe that he is your Savior and you are on your way. This is how accessible and amazing our God is ~ always loving us!

Leave the Judging to God

        At church before Mass began this morning, I came to see that it's so easy for us to form opinions of others whether we know them well or not. The danger here is that what we have perceived or observed may not be the truth, especially after the story has been transmitted through others. God is the only one who knows what's in the heart of a person. His command for us not to judge anyone is most wise because we can turn out to be wrong. Let's leave the judging to God and see all others as his loved ones who may turn out to be good. 

Anchored in God

        I have asked the Lord to change me, shape me, mold me ~ and I do not feel any difference until a test comes along. What would normally get me excited, alarmed, or distressed now finds me remaining cool and calm, and I know that he has worked on me. Basically, when I am anchored in God, nothing can upset my equilibrium anymore.

The God Factor in Life

          Without God, you try to manage your own life and you get bogged down by earthly affairs, never feeling free or at peace.

      With God, you place all your trust in him and are extricated from all worldly concerns, knowing now fully what you are doing and where you are heading. Freedom and peace are no longer strangers in your life.        

Power of God's Love

        Communion experience. It was the love of Christ that I felt ~ so powerful, so beautiful, keeping all life going, and giving eternal life to those who respond to his call.

God Does Not Forget

        Do you know that for every sorrow you suffer for the Lord, he will console you a hundredfold or more? And for every thing you do for his glory, he will reward you a hundredfold or more?

God Calling Us

         In today's Gospel from Mark 1 at Mass, we heard that Jesus, passing by the Sea of Galilee, saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fisherman. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." They left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat.

       Although we cannot hear the physical voice of the Lord today; nevertheless, you can be sure that he still calls us through other means. It's the same voice that speaks directly to the heart. Anytime the Lord calls us, he is calling us to live with him for all eternity! Our only right response is to follow him without reservation. 

Best Feeling There Is

        You know that (1) you and God are best friends and you have no sins to worry about, or (2) you are deeply in love with God who loves you, or (3) you're in union with God. [By the same token, the worst possible feeling is knowing that you are in a sinful state and you are afraid to face God ~ this is being extremely unrealistic.]        

To Be with God Always

        When I see or hear something beautiful, I think of God because he is beautiful. When I see or hear something sad, I think of God because he suffered for me. When I feel happy, I think of God because he is the source of all my joy. When I feel sorrowful, I turn to God because he will console me. When I am not occupied with anything, I feel his very presence within me.  

Start Being Ageless

        When people ask a friend of mine how old he is, he always answered, "I am ageless." He is not kidding ~ he is serious and speaks the truth as he loves Jesus. The Lord promised that whoever believed in him would never die. This is saying that if I remain with him, then I'll be with him forever since he lives forever.