Better Request

        It is better and more beneficial to ask God for courage and strength to endure the trials and tribulations of life than to ask him to spare you those tests. 

God Our Only Hope

        Only the true God can fundamentally change us on the inside because he's the one who created us. We can resolve to become a better person, but will not succeed well on our own. The change must be initiated at the spiritual level, affecting the soul. Without God, there would be no great saints. If you want to change the world, let him change you first. [Note: "True God" is the God who has revealed himself to be love.]

Vision Comes First

        Not many realize that vision is indispensable for survival. We must look beyond this life in order to survive in the next. Once that's settled, then we can settle down to live in the present in peace. 

God in Full Charge

        Today is the Memorial of St. Dominic. The Psalm response came from Deuteronomy 32.39: It is I who deals with death and give life. Indeed, we didn't plan our own birth and don't know when we'll die. Our life is only a brief interval between birth and death, so how can we say that we are in control of our life? God is and should be in charge all the way. In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 16, Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." This is precisely the counsel we need.      

Stopping Short

        People claim they believe in God, but when it comes to forgiving someone, they often won't do it and would even take revenge. In other words, they stop following Christ if someone crosses a line they've drawn. This is disbelieving that God can change you. Limiting God's love, mercy, and ability to accomplish anything is being rebellious, showing the lack of faith and trust in him. No lines should ever be drawn between you and God. 

Hearing God Speak

        God wants to speak to us, but we must be ready and willing to listen for his voice. Today's busy and hectic life prevents us from hearing God's gentle and quiet voice. We need to turn inward to hear him, for he speaks to the heart. If you'll remain still and open, you will find messages placed in your heart. Patience is required as God follows his own timetables, but waiting only makes hearing from him all the more sweeter.     

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.