Worst Burden of Life

        Once you are in union with Christ, carrying any cross for him is no longer a heavy burden. But if you commit a sin, you would feel like your heart is being tortured and the burden can become crushing. 

Who's Naive?

         Those who don't know God think that we who have faith in God are naive for easily believing in some God to make ourselves feel secure. On the contrary, I think nonbelievers are naive because they unknowingly look for God here and there, hoping that they would run into something to make them permanently happy. 

Love Wonderful

       From us, God desires mercy, not sacrifice (Hosea 6.6; Matthew 9.13, 12.7). Let love motivate all that you say, think, and do, sacrifice included. Love is to be our power source, so that we can be like God. It's wonderful that God being love sets a kind of standard for the whole universe, making it clear that everything is to exist by love. I just can't think of a more perfect standard to uphold. Our God is just wonderful.

Delightful and Sweet

        Communion experience. Wisdom 16.20, today's Communion antiphon: You have given us, O Lord, bread from heaven, endowed with all delights and sweetness in every taste. Indeed, the Lord was delightful and tasted most sweet, and I felt complete contentment.

No Greater Loss

        During Eucharistic Prayer at Mass this morning, I knew that Jesus is my answer. Sadly, I thought of those who do not look for him, for there is no greater loss than missing him forever. Have him now and you'll have him forever.

Casting the Holy Spirit Aside

        Worrying is an ugly form of nosiness. It pessimistically projects things that have not happened yet. Therefore, when you worry, you're casting the Holy Spirit aside. Optimistic projection of things that have not happened, while not as bad as worrying, is nevertheless also being out of sync with the Holy Spirit. The one who's with the Spirit does not project into the future; he simply trusts in God every moment in peace.

Humility Called For

        After watching the documentary Space: Unraveling the Cosmos showing the vastness of space, it reinforced my feeling that God is infinite and that what we know is only what God has allowed us to know. If we could see the entire universe through God's eyes, we would realize what we know is practically zero. Let humility open our eyes to the grandeur of God and accept the good news Jesus has proclaimed, which happens to be God's most important revelation for us.

Hanging by a Thread

        When I was a high schooler, I fainted once for whatever reason. As an old adult, there had been times when I felt dizzy and was on the verge of slipping into unconsciousness. We know that our life on earth is brief, but it's also just hanging by a thread. The only sensible thing left for us to do while we're still conscious is to put our faith in Jesus; then even if the thread snaps, we shall remain secure in God as he had promised.  

Why Choose God?

        God is all holy and we with the original sin innate in us are inclined to sin. Once we see this, we can understand why without God's illumination, our thoughts are not his thoughts and our ways, not his ways. Then would you rather trust the thoughts and ways of a holy God or those of a sinner? The answer is clear. Logical action to take: abandon ourselves and follow God.

Secret of Detachment

        Communion insight. No one can serve two masters. No mind can think two thoughts at the same time. If I hold onto Christ alone, then automatically everything else will be let go. Here's the secret of detaching yourself from the world.

No Small Matter

        At Mass today during breaking of the bread, I was quite astounded to say and hear the familiar "you take away the sins of the world" following addressing the Lord as "Lamb of God." Taking away the sins of the world is no small matter! I must be aware of its power, scope, and effect on mankind, and understand its purpose, meaning, and what my proper response to it should be.

We Should Be Holy

        God, being all holy, can make us all holy! In fact, he wants us to be holy because he knows it's best for us. Being our loving Father, naturally he also wants us to be holy so that we may be like him. You might say that asking God to make us holy is right up his alley.           

Foolish Reponses

        This question asked by Jesus came to me: What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? The correct answer is obvious, yet most people do not take it seriously. I think it's because they still think they have time and don't want to deal with such serious stuff yet. Here a wise question gets a whole bunch of foolish responses.

God Our Cleanser

        Jesus taught that it's what comes out from within what defiles a person. Union with God ensures that your interior will have been cleansed by him.  

Intimate Communication

        If you are aware that God dwells within you, you will pray inwardly to him in your heart and clearly know his will.

Intention Matters

        Today is the Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori. A long time ago, I read something I never forgot, which I believe was said by this saint, although I cannot be totally sure. Anyway, a saint said that if we truly yearn for God, the soul may even skip purgatory and go directly to him after death. To me, God looks at our heart and takes our intention or desire into consideration. If I intend to glorify God in some way and fails, he still values my attempt because the intention was there. This is totally better than succeeding without any good intention.   

An Insecure State

        If you have not yet totally surrendered to God, you are in an unsettled, suspended state. Unsettled, because you cannot totally relax yet. Suspended, because you can be dropped and get hurt badly. 

Two Links to God

        Communion thoughts. I am proud of the Apostolic succession within the Catholic Church. Starting with my parish priest, I can trace all the way back to St. Peter and the Lord. When I received the Holy Eucharist today, the Lord directly connected with me. How good it is to have these two lines linked to God!