Source of Clear Thinking

        Only God sees and understands everything clearly, for infinite mercy and perfect justice demand that. Muddy thinking is the cause of rebellion against God and all other chaos, tragedies, and miseries of the world. Union with God will enable us to see and understand all things clearly, thus bringing peace to both our heart and the world. 

Sign of Freedom

        The fact that you feel great joy in sharing the good news of Christ with others is proof that the truth has begun to set you free.

Model for Us

        In today's Gospel from John 8 at Mass, the Jews did not like what Jesus had said to them and picked up stones to throw at him, but he hid and left them. How would we have reacted in his place? What impresses me is that throughout Jesus' life on earth, love alone motivated and guided him in all that he did at all times. He is our ideal model.  

Love Worthy of Trust

        This morning's Communion antiphon (Romans 8.32): God did not spare his own son, but handed him over for us all; with him, he has given us all things. In other words, if God is willing to give his own son for us, how will he not also give us all things with him? Such love deserves our absolute trust in God. 

God and World Worlds Apart

        In today's Gospel reading from John 8 at morning Mass, Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him that the truth would set them free. They thought they were free because they had never been enslaved to anyone, but Jesus meant "free from becoming a slave of sin." In today's world, "free" also means having no financial burdens, no one giving you a hard time, and free to do whatever you wish and not worry about the consequence. To the world, to love is to desire or enjoy something that attracts, lures, or satisfies you sensually or intellectually, whereas to love for God is to lay down your life for your friends. Again, the world seeks external pleasures that satisfy mostly the senses, while God wants to give us internal joy that intoxicates the soul. 

How to Kill the Ego

        Simple ~ just starve it.

Standard of Love

        Jesus said, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15.13). All love is to be measured by this standard. Then the greatest lack of love has to be to abort one's own child for oneself.

Multiplication of the Lord

       Communion time thoughts. Jesus in his time multiplied loaves and fish to feed the multitude, satisfying their physical hunger. Now he multiplies himself in the Holy Eucharist to feed all of us who love him, satisfying our spiritual hunger.

We Are the Soil

        Today's Gospel acclamation at Mass: The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever. This makes us the soil. If we keep the word of God, the soil will be good and rich and we shall bear fruit and live. Otherwise, the soil will be poor and barren and we shall die.

Thread of Mercy

        I see God's mercy as a thread with each of us suspended by such a thread. Since God's mercy is infinite, this thread is so strong that it will want to hold us safe all our life. But sin weaken this thread. Therefore, if we keep sinning and do not repent, the thread will in time break and drop us into the abyss where we don't want to go.

Offering Up Suffering

        Offering up our suffering to God is seeking refuge and consolation in him. It's an excellent way of deepening our union with God and overcoming sorrow with joy.

All About God

        First thoughts this morning while shaving. God is the big star of the universe since he created all of it. He deserves all the recognition and credit. Who are we, such finite creatures, to get in his way? Besides, he loves us to death. Therefore, we should not only let him have his way, but also embrace him with joy and gratitude! 

Greatest Truth

        To know God is to know love, to be illuminated and fulfilled, and be set free. Without love, we remain in darkness. Our greatest truth is love.

Same Tragedy Today

        In today's Gospel reading from John 7 at Mass, the Pharisees did not believe that Jesus was the Christ simply because they were not open-minded and had already formed negative opinions about him. The nonbelievers today are the same. When they believe that they already know the truth as they see it, they shut the door on God.  

Off the Hook

        Yesterday's Communion experience. After receiving the Holy Eucharist, I heard the Lord saying to my heart, "Do what I want from you, not what you want for yourself" and I felt great freedom.

Power of Love

        Throughout the two millennia since Jesus came into the world, many people continue to give up all of themselves to serving him ~ this is the power of God's love.  

Leaving the World Easy

        Speaking of leaving the world, when we die, we leave everything behind, including our own body. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to start severing our attachments to the things of the world before the inevitable time arrives so as to make our final departure as easy and carefree as possible.

Jesus Makes the Difference

        Suppose that I do not know Jesus at all and must leave the world now. I know I would feel unhappy, not because I haven't found God, but because I haven't achieved all my personal goals yet. Since I know the Lord, I can leave this world with peace and joy, not matter what I have done or failed to do, for God can make us anew at any time.