Benjamin Franklin used an old quote "To err is human, to repent divine, to persist devilish." To repent is indeed divine, a beautiful act by the heart. It's beautiful because it cleanses your heart immediately, restoring your relationship with God. Really, what else could you ask for? What's sad is that people in sin do not see that it's the single, most important act they need to perform if they are to be saved. Let all know that repentance can change one into a resplendent soul before God.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Jesus Alone Is Sufficient
Communion experience. My life is complete, fulfilled. I feel totally secure in him. It's impossible to ever feel lonely when you have him living fully in you!
Why Jesus?
At Mass, Father M before distributing Holy Communion raised the host and cup and said to all: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. I realized then that Jesus is the only one who can take away my sins, not Moses, not Mohammed, not Buddha, not Confucius, or anyone else, because he is God. This is reason enough for me to believe and follow him.
As a Grain of Wheat
Today is the Feast of St. Lawrence. The Gospel reading at Mass came from John 12. Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." We may not see our fruit in our lifetime. For example, the autobiography of St. Therese, The Story of a Soul, which has converted untold number of souls was not published until after her death. Our role is to die in Christ, serve the Lord, and let God produce whatever fruit he wishes.
Friday, August 9, 2013
No Complaining
The Gospel reading at Mass today came from Matthew 16. Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." To me, Jesus is saying that whoever wishes to follow him must do so without ever complaining. A complaining Christian has to be an oxymoron. As we follow the Lord faithfully, he will teach us to let nothing bother us. With no more complaints, we have inner peace.
The Scientific Attitude
Many scientists are atheists. They only believe in what they can see and figure out. Of course, what they cannot see or understand does not in any way prove that things do not exist ~ it only shows the limitation of science. No one has seen an electron, x-rays, light itself, or heard ultrasound; only their effects on other matters are known. Yet the effects God has on many of us are positive, life-changing, or even miraculous. To me, miracles scientists cannot explain only shows the existence of God. Scientists can never prove or disprove the existence of God using their methods. Believing that God exists will make all their searches and investigations so much more meaningful and rewarding. To think that science can explain or replace God is utter folly.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
What Not to Live by Alone
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and afterwards was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread. Jesus (quoting from Deuteronomy) said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4.1-4). As I was watching TV this morning, it came to me that one does not live by watching TV alone. Then I saw that one does not live by anything other than what comes forth from the mouth of the Lord alone. This reminder can definitely help me live a balanced life.
Monumental Question
The Gospel reading at Mass comes from Matthew 16. Jesus started out asking his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" After they replied, he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" The answer can only be Peter's "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" or the denial of it. We are not obligated to answer any questions except for this one, for it is monumental, won't go away, and our eternal destiny hinges upon the answer we give.
Hardened Hearts
Today is the Memorial of St. Dominic. At Mass, the response to Responsorial Psalm 95 reads: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Hardened hearts are precisely the world's problem. Everyone has so much to say; who's willing to listen to anyone? Unless we want to get our hardened hearts cracked by God and beg for his mercy, we are doomed.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Becoming Spiritually Free
Our physical body is always a burden to us ~ it seeks comfort and lets us know instantly when it experiences discomfort. But this burden we must live with in this life. Our spirit, the nonphysical part of us, can also be a burden to our conscience, resulting in mental discomfort. The good news is that we can be rid of our spiritual burdens. Since God is spirit, we can let the Holy Spirit fill us entirely, displacing our own spirit so that the self no longer exists. Union with God is the same thing ~ we have only God dwelling in us. We are now spiritually free. In other words, we are free when we no longer exist in ourselves. (Note: When we leave this world, we become physically free too.)
Invitation from God
Communion time reflection. Receiving the Holy Eucharist is no ordinary obligation or act. This Most Holy Sacrament is an invitation for us to become one with God. To want to receive it, we must be willing to answer yes to this invitation.
On Seeking Sympathy
Before Mass started this morning, the Lord made me see that seeking sympathy or pity for yourself is still an ego thing. This is wanting yourself to be noticed, wanting others to feel sorry for you. It is not unlike wanting others to notice that you pray hard or fast. Of course, it's all right to share about yourself with others if your motivation is pure.
Today's Gospel reading came from Matthew 15. A Canaanite woman came to Jesus, crying out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." After testing her, Jesus found her faith great and said to her in reply, "O women, great is your faith! Let it be done as you wish." Obviously, seeking sympathy or pity from the Lord is perfectly fine because the motivation is pure and he is the only one who can truly help us.
Jesus Still Leading Us
The early Apostles had Jesus in person to follow; they could follow him wherever he went and do whatever he told them to do. Today Jesus is not visibly with us, but we do have the Holy Eucharist he had instituted for our sake. By receiving him in this sacrament with the same zeal and devotion the Apostles had for him, we will also know how to follow him and what his will is.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Calling for Union
Communion experience. Receiving the Holy Eucharist is receiving God's calling for union with him. Once you recognize this, you will want to seek this union.
Peter Is Trustworthy
Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Reading 2 came from 2 Peter 1. Peter stated that he was an eyewitness of the majestic glory of Jesus. While he was with him on the holy mountain, he heard the voice from heaven declaring, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." I too believe in the glory of Christ. Who am I to distrust the first Apostle of the Lord?
Asking and Answering the Lord
Praying for the conversion of a loved one can be a big burden on the heart. When I asked the Lord about it this morning while I was driving to church for Mass, he simply asked me if I loved him the most? I answered him and knew that he had answered my question.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)