I attended 5 p.m. Vigil Mass today. The Gospel reading from John 2 is powerful. Jesus drove those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers all out of the temple area. To those who sold doves he said, "Stop making my Father's house a marketplace." His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. Then the Jews asked him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." He was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Welcoming Trial
This morning in the church vestibule, for the first time I read this saying attributed to St. Augustine under the title "Trials and Suffering" taped on the CD and book rack. It reads: "Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We progress by means of trial. No one knows himself except through trial." I agree with everything here and the last sentence truly taught me. We can take advantage of trial by drawing ourselves closer to God. Through trial, we find out how strong our faith is and how much we trust in the Lord.
Most Beautiful Father
Today's Gospel reading at Mass contained the Parable of the Lost Son, Luke 15.11-32. Like the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, this parable is also on my must-read list because it tells of the love of our Father for us so beautifully. You have to be insane or idiotic not to embrace such a loving Father! (Pardon my honest expression.)
Take Your Shower
To be steeped in sin is like wallowing in mud. You may feel the pleasure, but you know that you are filthy. To have God forgive you and take away your sins is like getting washed in a nice, hot shower ~ you feel clean and invigorated afterwards. Know when to take your shower.
Making Yourself Happy
There are two ways to make yourself happy, one true and one false. The true way is to make others happy, and you'll feel good about it. The false way is to ignore others' feelings to get your way, and you'll never taste inner peace.
*God's Judgment
The Lord's judgment will always be just and remain the same. If you commit a more serious sin, it doesn't mean that he'll judge you more harshly. One thing that really works on our side: God's mercy ~ if we repent, our sins are forgiven. In conclusion, it's up to us to set the judgment we are going to receive at the end.
Friday, March 6, 2015
What's Good Will Be Well
Sometimes I wondered what's going to happen to the good people who do not know Christ and those who do not seem to get a fair shake in life, whom the world might brand as losers. After rereading Jesus' Beatitudes (Matthew 5.3-12) today, I knew that God would bless and take care of them.
Banishing Fear of Death
Once you see that life is continuous and living the right life in God enables you to glide smoothly from this life into the next, all fear of death is gone.
Connecting with God
Today being the first Friday of the month, there was Eucharistic Adoration at the church after Mass. I adored the Lord who entered me earlier and realized that the only way to connect with him already within me was to surrender myself to him.
No Turning Back
Today's Communion experience. My life is complete, fulfilled. Now I can go to the Father in peace, leaving everything behind to collect my treasures in heaven.
More Appropriate Question
When something bad happens to you, it's easy to question God why it should happen, especially if you believe that you've been a pretty good person. I can understand that. But the more appropriate question to ask is one for ourselves, not God: "Why do we offend the Lord who is holy?" That is: "Why do we make bad things happen to him?" After all, it is sin that causes almost all of our problems.
Beauty of Christianity
It strikes me today that Christianity is beautiful because it allows God who is love to envelop you so that you vanish in him for him to dwell in you.
Pressing Time
As you scan the shocking news headlines everyday, you can't help sensing that there is no time more pressing than now to choose God. Among all the bad news, Christ alone brings the good news, hope, and promise for a certainty. If you don't feel the urgency, you are living in a dream world.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Getting Things Done
Communion time thoughts. The priest offered the congregation the Lamb of God and we all responded by saying "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." I believe that when the Lord says the word or just wills, it's done. Be good, obedient, and faithful children and we can get the Father to say the right word to get a lot of things done.
Being Fair in Praying
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.
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?
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