Misinterpretation

        The Church upholds the sanctity of life from the moment of conception and pro-abortionists misinterpret the teaching as disregard for women's rights. The Church upholds the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman and was misinterpreted to be hatred for gays and lesbians. On BBC News today is this story making headlines: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-28113228. I don't know the singer Lovato, but I must point out her "misinterpretation" of Jesus when she said at a gay pride event in California as reported: "You don't have to hate because my Jesus loves all." It's true that Jesus loves all, but you must also remember what he said to the woman caught in adultery before dismissing her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin any more" (John 8:11). 

Another Sign Jesus Is God

        In Matthew 25, Jesus makes it clear that whatever we did (not do) to one of the least ones ~ the hungry, the thirsty, strangers, the naked, the ill, the imprisoned ~ we did (not do) for him. This is an amazing statement, showing that he loves all of us and identifies himself with all of us. Only possible if he is God!   

Sign Jesus is God

        At Mass this morning, I realized that for all of us on earth, there were times when we needed guidance, not sure about what to do. Reading about Jesus in the Gospels, you find that he never hesitated, always knowing how to proceed. To me, another telling sign that he is God incarnate. 

Abandonment Time

        Communion experience. The Lord entered me and it was the perfect time to abandon myself to him and be his completely.

Love and Purity

        Love is always pure. Nothing impure can be love. We can be pure only if we live for God. If we still live for other humans or ourselves, we are not yet pure. Love and purity go hand in hand. 

Natural Conclusions

        If we do believe that God is love and truly exists, then we have no choice but to love him with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. Since we are all going to die one day, we should make sure that we return to God and not head into the unknown. 

Through God's Mercy

        When we receive the Holy Eucharist at Mass, we receive the true body and blood of the Lord Jesus. Were the consecrated bread and wine to appear as real flesh and blood, we wouldn't be able to receive them with ease (John 6:60). It is through the mercy of God that they remain looking the same, even though in substance they have changed.

Receiving the Son of God

        Today is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 16, Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him, "Blesses are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father." If we also believe as Peter did, then we must not receive Holy Communion so casually. As the Lord built his church upon Peter, we need to be staunch supports of this church by letting the Holy Eucharist, the Son of the Living God, truly transform us.  

Call to Become Saints

        I caught Dr. Paul Schenck (now Fr. Paul Schenck) telling his coming home story on The Journey Home show on EWTN. He became very pro-life after being horrified at seeing some mangled parts of aborted babies that had been dumped as garbage at an abortion clinic. Since abortion was legalized in 1973 in this country, abortions have been averaging over a million a year! This points up the great urgency for us to become saints, for being holy is the only and best way to fight evil.     

Food for Thought

         Matthew 7.21: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."
        John 6.54: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day."

        There is a somewhat surprising contrast here between the first halves (italicized) of these two verses.

Trust Is...

letting God have his way, do his things, take care of us, change us and the world... with us out of the way.        

Dealing with Worry

        Worry is always about something that has yet to happen. It's due to uncertainty. If we believe in Christ and know that we'll be with him in heaven, that alone removes the biggest uncertainty of life. The rest we should be able to manage well with God's help. All uncertainties pass. Consider them blessings because they provide opportunities for us to trust in God's love and mercy while they last.          

In Communion

        Communion thoughts. This is exactly what the Apostles received and ate at the Last Supper. I am now in full communion with the Lord and all the saints. We are one!  

Awesome God

        I feel trepidation when I ponder upon the holiness of God, yet all my fears vanish when I run to him, seeing him as my most beloved Father. 

Ultimate Fulfillment

        As 2014 FIFA World Cup competition continues in Brazil, you can catch the excitement and frenzy at the games on TV. It is a fact that as you get to know Christ the Lord more, your enthusiasm about football or any other form of entertainment in the world dwindles. It is evident to me that we all seek fulfillment in life and that fulfillment is found only in God. How can one not be excited about God when you know he's the one who can lead you to heaven?

God's Deliberate Plan

        Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Prophecies and foretold his own death and Resurrection to his disciples. Therefore, the Incarnation and Crucifixion had been deliberately planned by God, and that plan had to be the plan of salvation for all of us. 

Going Beyond Purity

        Of course, keeping our mind and heart pure pleases God very much, but we must go beyond that, for we can remain pure by staying put and do nothing. What we must do is to be filled with God's love to be motivated into loving others. The love of God is for us not to sit upon, but to spread far and wide for his glory.        

No Judging

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 7, Jesus told his disciples to stop judging. This is absolutely necessary for us to be able to love our enemies as the Lord also taught earlier. Judging and loving are mutually exclusive.