Amazing God

        Today is the Feast of St. James, Apostle. The Communion antiphon at Mass: They drank the chalice of the Lord, and became the friends of God. I can't help thinking that our Lord and God treats us virtually as equals ~ we are his sons, daughters, and friends. He never looks down on us because he treasures us. We truly have an amazing God and Father! 

How God Communicates

        In 1 Kings 19, we read that when the Lord passed by, he was not in the strong and violent wind, nor in the earthquake or fire, but spoke through a light, silent sound. I feel this is how he speaks to me: he either quietly implants a thought in my heart or flashes a quick one through my mind, all at a time of his choice.

Two Urgent Messages

         To all Catholics (and those considering to become Catholic): Your journey does not end with entering the Church and attending weekly Sunday Mass ~ this is just the beginning. There is unlimited room for spiritual growth that your journey (life) gets more and more exciting as you seek union with the Lord. It's always the best is yet to come (and you'll know it). 

        To all those who haven't turn to God yet (and nominal Catholics): Do not wait to turn to God until you are old and realize that you days on earth are numbered. They are numbered from the moment you're born. If you wait, you simply waste more precious time on earth. Delaying turning to God is absolutely being foolish. Unless you are a true atheist, turn to Christ right this moment to ensure your salvation.

Ego Ever Present

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 13 at Mass, Jesus spoke to the crowd in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy. Should we blame them? I thought of how blind and deaf we are to the presence of our ego. We enjoy being praised; we like to be noticed for anything nice we've done; we care about what people think of us; we want to be life of the party; we don't like to be told what to do even though the adviser means well; we are turned off by anyone who is not attractive to us in some way; we judge others; we can not forgive those who have offended us.... Why? All because of the presence of ego.     

A Beautiful Thing

        Today I see seeking and following the will of God as a most beautiful thing! It gives living a clear purpose, making life meaningful, and brings you into harmony with God, filling the heart with peace and satisfaction.

Inspired Love

        God's love for us is pure; he simply loves us to the point of dying for us ~ that is his nature. Our love for him is a little different. We love him because we are amazed and awed by his great love and mercy, his perfection, his beauty ~ perhaps less so by his power. That we are able to love him also came from him in the first place. He loved us first and this love inspires us to love him back.

Connecting the World

        Watch this video on Eric Whitcare's virtual choir, a beautiful way of connecting people all around the world, using technology. This is refreshing when many lost, fanatical people today are mercilessly killing others to get their way.

 

Earthbound or Not?

        If the world is more interesting to you than God, then you are still earthbound and your soul not free. 

A Sober Overall Look

        The soul is invisible in the physical world and we live in this physical world with our soul only for so many years, a very brief time. After we die, the soul lives in the spiritual world where it belongs for all eternity. This overall picture should make us realized how awful we are in our lifetime on earth to mess up (1) our lives and the world through self-centeredness and (2) our own eternal destiny by ignoring God, our loving creator.  

Fooled by Ego

        Having a big ego is like clutching onto yourself for dear life, but you should know that only God, not you, can save you.

Rising Above Ourselves

        Learn to see the good in everyone, which could be the saving grace God looks for. This will help you not to judge others, and God will be lenient in judging you too. We must rise above ourselves.

Our Greatest Danger

        Being close-minded ~ ignoring the gospel and not looking beyond this life. 

Christ Our Confirmation

        We are all born with a conscience, which proves that there are good and evil, which proves that God must exist and be the ultimate good, which is love. Christ came and confirmed it all. 

Have Passion & Become Awesome

        This video featuring the Japanese yo-yo world champion Black is inspiring because his found his life's passion and truly gives an awesome performance here. We can also love God with passion and become awesome, to God, that is. 

Most Urgent Prayer

        The conversion and salvation of the entire world.

Mistaken Belief

        Today's Communion Antiphon at Mass, John 6.56: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Does it sound like Jesus was merely talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood symbolically? Sadly, many Protestants believe so by glossing over John 6.

What Makes a Saint?

        Following Christ all the way without reservation.

Doubly Tragic

        I watched some short episodes on the Smithsonian History Channel. They were on World War II, sinking of the Titanic, the Great Train Robbery, etc. It made me realize how short-sighted mankind had been. As history repeats itself, we have not gained any foresight. We still keep on living as if there is no God, no eternity, but only ourselves and this life. It's doubly tragic we don't even realize that we are already "acting" in a tragedy.