The drug problem will persist if you only go after the dealers and not change the habits of the addicts. If you desire peace in the world, go beyond praying for those you love and pray for your enemies and all the evildoers too. This is applying offense and defense at the same time. Besides, we must be fair to all whom our Father loves.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Precious Conscience
If you possess a clear conscience, consider yourself most fortunate and blessed, for it is more precious than all the riches of the world.
Love and Life
If you have Love for God, then you have Life. These two L's are inextricably linked together.
Are You Listening?
In today's Gospel reading from Luke 8.19-31, we heard the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. This parable should be on everyone's must-read list, as the crystal-clear messages it carries are of paramount importance. Here's what Abraham said to the rich man suffering in the netherworld and asking for some relief from his torment, "My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours." The Jews had Moses and the prophets, but those who did not listen to them ended up in the place of torment. Now we have Jesus, the Son of God, shall we not listen to him either?
Judging as an Indicator
Jesus teaches us not to judge others. You can easily see those who judge and criticize others harshly are the ones who do not know the Lord well, whereas humility, obedience, and forgiveness mark the great saints of the Church.
The Gospel Test
Read the Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, assuming that Jesus was not God. I don't think you would be able to finish reading them, for it make no sense for an ordinary human to say and do what Jesus did as recorded. Read the books again, this time believing that he was the the Son of God, or God, then everything comes together and no puzzle is to left to solve.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
See It Right
First, realize that you cannot find true happiness in this life messed up by sin ~ this should preempt all your disappointments. Next, know that this life is not only imperfect, but also quickly passing. These realizations should help you see the need for a loving and dependable God. By living for him, you live for eternal happiness, not just for your rather brief, ordinary-to-miserable sojourn on earth.
Compelling Ave Maria
In my list of Good Sites, Blogs, Web Pages..., you'll find 4 Ave Maria music videos. The music is beautiful in each of them, but the one that moves me to tears every time I watch it is the one by Lorenc. I thought I would point this out. Loving God can be so beautiful!
Our Mission
Jesus is the light. Without him, there'll be only darkness. If we follow him, we must let his light shine as brightly as possible. This is our duty, our responsibility, our life goal, our mission. It's do-or-die. Why? Because it's liberating and a great joy!
*We Are Human
Anytime I experience mental agony, I tend to think that my trust in God must be weak. Today I realized that when Jesus underwent his Agony in the garden of Gethsemane, he certainly did not lack trust in the Father ~ he suffered simply because he was human. This came as a great consolation to me.
God's Purpose for Us
Communion experience. I felt so fortunate that I was present at the consecration of the bread and wine when these elements were transformed into the body and blood of the Lord ~ he transformed himself so that we might be transformed to be like him. This was clearly his intention when he created us in his image.
Jesus Has Few Friends
There's this story about St. Teresa of Avila. Once, when she was traveling to one of her convents, her carriage tipped in crossing a torrential stream and she fell into the muddy water, injuring her leg. Soaked and hurt, she cried to God, "Lord, if this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few!" Humor aside, the Lord still has few friends today. In our present secular societies, people look up to pop stars, rock musicians, sports heroes, those who have glamour, wealth, and/or power. Mother Teresa was inspiring, but how many of us wanted to be like her? The humble, meek, and self-giving image of Christ just does not appeal to the world anymore. Timid Christians ashamed of him are legion. What is certain is that if we ignore the Lord, he will ignore us in the end too. The worst thing you can possibly hear said to us is "I do not know you" from the one who loved us the most (Matthew 25.12, Luke 13.27).
Changing Perspective
Sometimes I wonder what I have done for Christ. It seems that I haven't succeeded in bringing many people to him or done anything extraordinary for his glory. Then it dawns on me that I am again seeing things from my perspective, while the Lord only wants me to be holy so that I might be saved, and not be so concerned about what I have accomplished in his name.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Cause of Uneasiness
The more one feels uneasy upon hearing the name of Jesus, the more that person needs to surrender himself to the Lord for mercy.
Fundamental Truth
Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The last part I italicized is a truth in itself. Since Jesus is the truth, knowing him solves the puzzle of life. I now know where I came from, why I am here, and what my final destination is going to be. Through Jesus, I now belong to God, my creator and Father. In other words, I am now free!
Monday, March 2, 2015
Reading God's Mind
In today's Gospel reading from Luke 6 at morning Mass, the first thing Jesus said to his disciples was: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. All the teachings Jesus gave us told us what he, God, is like. His desire was for us to be like him. The reason could only be love.
Be a Contrarian
An investor in stocks is called a contrarian if he buys when everyone else is selling and sells when everyone else is buying. Often he ends up making more money than many regular investors. Here's how to be a contrarian Christian.
The more things go against you, the more you put your trust in God. The more your enemies attack you, the more you seek refuge in God and pray for their conversion. The more you undergo suffering, the deeper you enter God for strength and consolation. The more you run into problems, the more you welcome the challenge. Moreover, be determined not ever to let evil defeat you, not ever to let any sin of yours be the cause of your death ~ die only for the glory and love of God.
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