Going Through the Front Door

        All messages you hear from the pulpit advise us to love God or grow holier, but having good intentions and achieving results are two separate things. One can hear these messages a thousand times and still remain pretty much the same old person, which can be frustrating. In the world, people can often achieve what they desire through the back door, but I propose that you go boldly through the front door. "Going through the front door" is going straight to God to seek union with him. The fundamental change takes place after you enter him. Now, it's he changing you, no longer you trying hard to change yourself ~ an absolutely amazing and rewarding experience! [This in fact is the central message of this blog ~ I am stating it again after seeing all the frustrations in people.]

No Lazy Christians

        At Mass today the Gospel reading was the parable of the talents from Matthew 25. It was clear that God expects us to make good use of what he has given us to be fruitful. There is just no place for lazy Christians in his kingdom. Believing in the Lord, then sitting back to play it safe does not please him. A Christian needs to remain alive, awake, alert, and adventurous. A timid Christian is only as good as a dead one.  

Ultimate Living

        Union with God is letting God live in you while you are living. Receiving the Holy Eucharist, the most holy sacrament, is essential for reaching that ultimate level of intimacy with him. It's all about letting God love you and you loving him back.

Greatest Love

        Today, Matthew 25.40 came to my mind: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." Imagine ~ doing something for one of the least is the same as doing it for Christ the King! The Lord is truly selfless, marking his love for us as the greatest love. We have a revelation here!

God over Guns

        The big sad story in today's news is that a girl, nine, accidentally kills her shooting instructor while being shown how to use an Uzi submachine gun at a firing range in Arizona. It's a fact that so many citizens now own or carry guns for security reasons. It is my belief that if we trust in God foremost, he will not put us in situations where we'll need to use a gun. Without God for our protection, no weapon can keep us safe.

Predictable Journey

        If you have not surrendered to God yet, you are basically a fugitive fleeing from being captured by God. Then one day you realize that God wants you, not to restrict your freedom, but to release you in his love. You stop running and surrender. You get that you're-home feeling because you experience such great relief and joy! And you know that your journey will end in heaven.

An Ego Test

        Let's say you believe that you love God very much and find out everyone else you know loves God a thousand times more than you do ~ what would be your reaction? If you rejoice greatly, then congratulations, for you have passed the test!

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.