Christ Essential

       On driving back from morning Mass, I noticed that the foliage of some of the trees had already changed to the colors of fall. Shortly next, winter will be here. Time marches on and we along with everything else are passing. The important question is "passing to where?" Do we pass into nothingness or arrive at some eternal destination? For those who know Christ, everything is made clear. There are God and Satan, good and evil, love and hatred, salvation and damnation, heaven and hell. Without this dichotomy, life cannot have meaning ~ everything becomes vague, uncertain, unknown, and ultimately empty.

Jesus Worthy to Be Trusted

        I remember that many years ago when I took a course in using the computer with Windows, I was struck by what the instructor said ~ he told the class that Windows was capable of performing so many more tasks he didn't even know. I suppose you have to talk to the designers to find out all its capabilities. Even though I know so little about the computer, I trust in using it for various purposes, such as blogging I am doing now. By contrast, people are not ready to believe in God until they know everything about him. Naturally, this is impossible even if you have all the time in the world. The fact that Jesus had come and revealed God's love to us by performing miracles, dying on the Cross, and ascending into heaven should be more than sufficient for us to trust in him.

Union with God a Must

        After Communion. Jesus wants us to be perfect and desires to be one with us; therefore, union with God is the least we can do. To be one with God is the most we can give of ourselves; therefore, union with God is the most we can do. Being both, union with God is what we must do.

Jesus' Other Cross

        When we who live in the world are no longer of the world, we feel uncomfortable among any worldly crowd. This can be a heavy cross to carry. Now, Christ from heaven came down to live in an ungodly world ~ imagine how much he must have had to endure. But because of his great love for us, he completely overcame that cross. 

How We Live Matters

        In all three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." This is the same as saying that whoever lives for himself will not inherit eternal life, but whoever lives for God will.

Secret of the Greatest Commandment

        Today I realize that when Jesus gave us the greatest commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, he gave us the formula to attain freedom, peace, and deep joy!      

Mary and the Holy Spirit

        Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. Two thoughts came to my mind during Mass. (1) God chose Mary to bear his Son our Savior, so how could any Christian neglect or even dismiss her? From the Cross, Jesus made her John's mother and John, her son ~ surely she is good enough for all of us. (2) It was the Holy Spirit coming upon Mary who made it possible for her to conceive Jesus. Surely we can call upon this same Holy Spirit to make it possible for us to accommodate Jesus fully in our hearts.

Right on Course

        I only know that I came into the world and am now here. Before, I knew nothing because I was nothing. Realizing that I owe all my existence to God my creator, I must stay close to him for without him I'd be lost, not knowing where I'm going ~ just like not knowing how I came into being previously. Jesus showed up and clarified everything. Now I am on course to where I came from. This has to be the most exciting going home trip I'll ever have!

The Lord's Call

        Morning Mass Communion experience. I heard the Lord say, "Be engulfed by me and I'll make you holy." Let's take the plunge and immerse ourselves in his love. 

"Defending" the Lord

        Willing to suffer for God is willing to "defend" him from sinners' assaults. Although we are powerless to shield him from all harms, the least we could do is to stand by him and suffer along with him. 

Telling Sign You Need God

        You may enjoy driving fast cars, partying, fishing, playing the piano, or being an atheist (to do what you feel like doing), but if you really don't want to do any of these things for all eternity, then you need God.

Faith in God Justified

        God, being infinite, has to be all-knowing. Therefore, he sees, hears, and knows all about us. This realization should help us put all our faith in him. Not doing so is virtually denying his existence or saying that he is not all-knowing, which is impossible and illogical.

We Are What We Think

        We won't have inner peace if our mind is filled with improper, sinful, and wasteful thoughts. When Christ makes us new, all these thoughts are replaced by holy ones and we enjoy inner peace. Such is the gentle power of God.

Jesus Our Best Friend

        Jesus, being love so tender, is the gentlest friend you can ever have. As Lord, he will never lord it over you. So relax and make him your best friend.

Concern About God's Indwelling

        Today I sensed that there were still some conditioned responses or reactions to certain people or things in me. I must ask the Lord to eradicate them if I want him to indwell me fully. 

Ways of Serving God

        Letting God do everything through you is the right way, whereas wanting to do everything for God on your own is definitely misguided.       

Simple Logic

        Jesus willingly gave himself to us through the Cross; surely he'd be eager to give us everything he has for our good. Ask.

Resigned to God

        You may feel that you can never do enough good for God. In that case, you might as well surrender to him and let him do everything through you, with you, and for you. What a golden opportunity!