Today we celebrated the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord at morning Mass. The readings advised us to do the will of God. In the Gospel reading from Luke 1, the angel Gabriel came to Mary to announce her conception of Christ. Before the angel departed, Mary's final response was: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Disobedience to God is precisely what has made our world so disordered. Only obedience to him can restore our sanity (and lead us to sanctity).
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Mutual Knowing
In John 10.27, Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they know me." I feel that the Lord and I know each other so well that I only need to call out "Jesus" and he already knew what's on my mind and in my heart. This trust simplifies the relationship. What Jesus said in the next verse completely solidifies that relationship: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand." Imagine!
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Viewing Life Right
If you view your life as a journey of wandering off on your own, then admit it ~ your are lost. Life makes sense and becomes meaningful only if you see it as a journey to God.
The Missing Puzzle Piece
Communion experience. I saw Jesus as the perfect missing piece that completed the puzzle of my life.
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.
Monday, March 23, 2015
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.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
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.
Friday, March 20, 2015
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.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
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.
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