Woe to Hypocrites

        Yesterday's, today's, and tomorrow's Gospel readings at Mass are all drawn from Matthew 23, in which Jesus denunciated the scribes and Pharisees by calling out "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites" at least seven times. It's obvious that they offended God greatly. Hypocrisy is being phony. It is duplicity, deceiving God and treating him as if he is not all-knowing. Bad appearing to be good is even worse than bad being honestly bad. Ego is at the root of all this. At the same time, the wrath of Jesus shows that God is always honest, genuine, and selfless to us.

Let the Heart Hear & Think

        Today's Gospel acclamation at Mass, Hebrews 4.12: The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. Reflections and thoughts of the heart, not of the mind ~ interesting! You see, when God speaks to us, if we are not receptive, his word simply passes through the mind and never reaches the heart. Only when we are open can the word enter the heart to generate reflections and thoughts. Let the Lord speak to your heart always so that you may remain alert and vibrant spiritually. 

All for Jesus

        Like St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Joseph Marello, we can also do everything with love for Jesus. For example, when you wash dishes or take garbage out at home, you do the best possible job you can with joy, not for yourself, but for Jesus. Be like this in everything you do, big or small, and you'll be free and happy, since you no longer center upon yourself. Fact: the less you "care about" yourself, the more God is going to take care of you. Life now becomes purposeful.

Discerning False Beliefs

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 16 at Mass, when Peter said to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus replied to him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father." So, if you ever encounter a religion, denomination, or cult believing that Jesus is just a great teacher or prophet, but not the Son of God, stay away from it as you would from a plague!

God Is Fair

       (1) If you make God no. 1 in your life, he will reward you with the maximum amount of grace you need to become holy in this life and top honor in the next.

       (2) If you do not honor God or make him last in your life, you may not even make it into his kingdom.

         (3) If you judge others severely, God will judge you severely. (Matthew 7.1.)

         (4) If you forgive those who trespass against you, God will forgive your trespasses. (The Lord's Prayer.)
         (5) The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. (Luke 6.38; Mark 4.24.)        

It Pays to Be Courteous

        Once again the Lord entered me as I received the Holy Eucharist at morning Mass. This was his invitation for union or strengthening our union. If you are courteous enough to respond to Christ positively each time after you receive him, you are on your way to becoming a saint.

Most Beautiful Thing

        There are many beautiful things to see in our world. You might find them in a fashion show, a Cirque du Soleil performance, a fine art exhibit, or in nature and the stars. But the most beautiful thing may only be seen by God ~ it is doing his will! For only anything done for the sake of God is truly beautiful. It pleases the Lord, adding to your treasure in heaven and making you more beautiful in the process.

Surrender and Rest

        "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in you" ~ I have used this saying of St. Augustine a few times before on this blog. I found it to be true at Mass this morning as I experienced great peace resting in the Lord. Logically, St. Augustine is completely correct. From Scriptures also, we know that God provides us with rest. 

        To find rest in God, we must surrender to him first. This is simply the act we must make to free ourselves, the essential first step in seeking union with God. When you surrender, you break through the greatest barrier of your spiritual life. It opens wide the gate to let all the grace of God pour through, putting your spiritual progress on fast track with the Holy Spirit doing the work. If this sounds exciting, it's because it is. You will want to surrender unless you prefer to struggle with your sins all your life on your own.   

Unholiness Not Pretty

         I've witnessed people who are basically good people, not wicked or evil in any way, but are spoiled, impatient, hot-tempered, selfish, or inconsiderate. They don't clearly see this themselves because they are just being themselves, but what others see about them is definitely not pretty. If we look ugly to others, we look a lot worse in God's eyes, for God is holy. On the other hand, looking good to others does not necessarily translate into looking good to God, for God sees the heart. At any rate, to look truly good to all, seek holiness in God.

Change in the Right Direction

        We all change over our lifetime. We are certainly a different person every year. Think back if you are old enough and recall what you were like before. Now you are probably more mature, more poised, smoother, wiser... or perhaps more cynical, more self-centered, more impatient, more worldly.... The point is we are all subject to change, so why not let God change you in the right direction of becoming holier? This would absolutely be the best utilization of the rest of your lifetime. And an exciting adventure will it definitely be too.  

Joy of Christ

        The joy of Christ is most refreshing ~ it cleanses and frees the soul. It originates from within the heart where the Lord dwells, bursting forth like a spring and instantly permeating the whole soul. All in all, a most intoxicating experience.

Seek God First

        Jesus taught us to forgive and love our enemies, but people say it's too hard...impossible, so they just don't take it seriously. What they do not see is that nothing is impossible for God, and, with his help, all his teachings are within our reach. Always seek God first and he will make you holy. 

Time for Self-Examination

        It is a sad day to read about the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, resulting from the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen, by the police, and the beheading of the US journalist James Foley by the extreme Islamic group IS in Syria. We pray both Michael and James will find peace in the Lord and pray also for the salvation of all living souls in the world. The cause of all sinful acts is not knowing the true God. Therefore, instead of just focusing upon blaming those who have committed the sins, let's also examine ourselves to see if we know the Lord or not.     

Dependent on the Holy Spirit

        This is post no. 3876 since I started this blog with my conversion story in 2009. When the blog more or less took off in June of 2010, I was surprised and never thought that it would go on too long. Now it's clear that it's been the Holy Spirit all along, putting thoughts in my heart whenever he wishes, since I never have to think about what to post next. This is also confirmed by the fact that my interior life has been changing continuously. Anyway, it's absolutely marvelous and wonderful to have known God.

Love Overwhelming

        Communion experience. Jesus, most sweet to the soul, completely fulfilled me and filled me with his love. I was moved by the Holy Spirit to ask the following questions:

        (1) How can you possibly not forgive anyone?

        (2) How can you possibly want anyone to end up in hell?

        (3) How can you possibly not love God?

        (4) How can you possibly not want to go to heaven?                                    

A Proclamation

          There is nothing more beautiful than the love of God. I proclaim Jesus to be the delight of our soul!

Important Realization

        Since God's love for us never changes and is everlasting, everything that happens to us in life is intended by God to draw us closer to him, not to drive us away. Realizing this ensures spiritual progress.

Efficacy of Intensive Praying

        Two days ago I posted about being persistent and single-minded in petitioning God. Yesterday I actually had the opportunity to pray thus. I meant every word I uttered from my heart with sincerity and urgency and didn't stop praying for about an hour and a quarter. After I finished, I felt extra close to God and was able to trust in him in peace. What I asked for turned out fine later.