Time to Ask for Help

        John 12.32 is today's Communion antiphon: When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to myself. If the Resurrection of Jesus does not draw you to him, then you urgently need to go to him directly for help.

Dying Right in Sinful State

        In today's Gospel reading from John 8, Jesus said to the Pharisees that they would die in their sins for belonging to the world and not believing in him. It is chilling to hear the words "dying in your sins." We must make sure that we shall die in our sins forgiven! 

Truth Summarized

        Today's Gospel acclamation at Mass: The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.

No Seasons in Heaven

        Spring officially began four days ago. Trees and other plants have turned fresh green, the dreary winter-scape already fading from memory. And after a rainfall, the clear blue sky is always a welcome sight. We go through seasons and cycles in this life. Then I realize that there will be no seasonal changes or life cycles in heaven ~ we just enjoy bliss perpetually in God.

How We Need God!

        So many so often forget that they are finite and need God. The realization comes when their security, status quo, or life are threatened, and learn that they are not invincible and being your own little god is useless. This is a wake-up call. The bottom line is that we cannot escape from God and survive. It's either the Lord or eternal banishment.

Our Only Calling

        Communion experience. No matter what happens, we simply go deeper and deeper into the Lord ~ this is our only calling: to be one with him.

How the Lord Spoke to Me

        It came to me that I should pray hard for God's mercy on the whole world and myself. During this Lent, I have been persecuted by an enemy and began to feel a tiny fraction of what the Lord must have felt as he underwent his agonies prior to his Crucifixion. Everything I heard at today's Mass was most edifying. 

        First, the entrance antiphon, Psalm 56.2, read: Have mercy on me, O God, for people assail me; they fight me all day long and oppose me. 

        In the first reading that followed from Daniel 13, we heard how two wicked, old judges falsely testified against Susanna and sentenced her to death and Daniel was able to unearth the truth and convict the two of perjury and save Susanna. 

       Next, the response to Psalm 23 was familiar: Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. 

        Now, the Gospel acclamation, based upon Ezekiel 33,11: I take not pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live. 

        Finally, the Gospel reading from John 8 was about the woman caught in adultery. When the scribes and the Pharisees, testing Jesus, asked him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" Jesus said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." In response, they went away one by one. Then Jesus asked the women, "Where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more." In fact, today's Communion antiphon was made up from these last two verses: Have no one condemned you, woman? No one, Lord. Neither shall I condemn you. From now on, sin no more. This is the powerful mercy of our God ~ beautiful beyond words! 

        After hearing all this, it's as if the Lord had spoken to me personally. I was right in knowing that I should pray for God's mercy in my case. 

Communion of Saints

        When I arrived at church for morning Mass a bit early today, only half a dozen or so parishioners were already present. Eventually, attendance grew to about 40. Among them, many had been humble and faithful servants of the Lord for a long time. I did not know all of them well, but it didn't matter. What I knew was that we were already one in Christ and one day we'd all be with the Lord in heaven. This is Communion of Saints. 

Amazing Intimacy

        After being a Catholic for over half a century, I am still amazed at how intimately I can get to know God. This is the Lord who has saved and renewed me; feeds me himself daily at Mass and dwells within me. It's a relationship only he can produce via his Son Jesus. There is no other religion through which you can get this close to God. Personally, I do not even consider Catholicism a religion because it's simply the truth.    

The Worst & Best in Us

        In both today's Reading 1 and Responsorial Psalm at morning Mass, we heard about the wicked and the just. Two people can appear to be equally OK, then in a test, one shows his worst and the other, his best. The wicked one might attack others with malice, while the just one seeks strength to endure and forgive in God. Naturally, the Lord already knows the hearts, so it would be wise for the wicked one to change his heart before he dies. 

On Seeking a Sign

        Sometimes I wish the Lord would make me feel something after I prayed to him. Then I remember he said (in Matthew) that only an evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign ~ so I know I should just remain faithful and not expect anything special from him. (Of course, should he decide to surprise me, that would be fine too.)

Complete Helplessness

        Today's Communion experience during the celebration I mentioned in the last post. I felt my complete helplessness without the Lord and total dependence upon him. 

Birth of Jesus Within Us

        Today I attended a special celebration of the Solemnity of St. Joseph at the local Mount St. Joseph Seminary. The Gospel reading at Mass from Matthew 1 tells how the birth of Jesus came about. I saw our spiritual transformation as the birth of the Lord in us. When he is born in us, we are born again too. Our new creature goes with the new Lord. And we should take care of the Lord in us as if he were a new born baby.  

Why us?

        Jesus came down from heaven to become precisely one of us because we are God's favorites and need salvation.  

The Christian Outlook

        For the Christian, it's the final victory that counts. Knowing that the Father has chosen you to return to him to be with him forever completely changes your outlook on life. Setbacks, sufferings, persecutions . . . all these things no longer affect you seriously. As long as there is God, the Christian sees hope ahead.

Inspired by Pianists

        I watch talented classical pianists performing on YouTube. With no technical difficulties and thorough knowledge of the composition, they are able to concentrate fully upon expressing the music when they play. What you hear is very beautiful. They are good examples for us to follow as Christians. By surrendering to and remaining in union with God, we can fully express the love of our God beautifully for all to enjoy. 

Sins as Firecrackers

        I see sins as firecrackers. People carelessly and rampantly set them off for their own pleasure everywhere. They alarm, injure, maim, or even kill others. The only one who can defuse them for good is the Lord our God.   

Life or Condemnation

        In today's Gospel reading, John 5.17-30, at Mass, Jesus makes it clear that we shall have either life or condemnation. This is such a critically important message that not listening to it could make the eternal difference! Because of it, we who believe in the Lord are obliged to spread the gospel to as many as possible.