Enjoying My Joy

        In Philippians 4.7, Paul mentioned the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. The indescribably sweet joy of God is also in that category. At Mass this morning, I desired to enter deep into the Lord to enjoy my joy.

All for Jesus

        I have advocated doing everything for Jesus, that is, in his name. Everything means everything. It could be large or small, significant or trivial, noble or lowly, pleasant or nauseating, enjoyable or painful, asked or unasked, for yourself or for others. This is following the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, freely, with yourself no longer in the way. I've found it especially helpful in going through trials and tribulations.

No Envy, Only Pity

        I no longer envy anyone who drives a fancy, fast sports car. If my next door neighbor wins the billion-dollar lottery (assuming that there is such a one), I would be happy for him and hope that he would put the money to good use. Since I already have Jesus, all other attractions have paled. He has replaced envy with pity in me. Feeling how peaceful it is to know Jesus, it's now easy for me to feel sorry for those who do not know him yet. Jesus does make the difference.          

The God Difference

        When we were young, it's easy to think that we were going to live a beautiful life. As we age, we begin to realize that surviving is not always easy and can at times feel like struggling to stay afloat while sinking. Without God, we cope with problems on our own and seek escapes whenever possible. With God, it's not so much that bad things do longer happen as that God actually changes our attitude and outlook. Trust in the Lord now replaces our struggle and his support removes all that sinking feeling. So it's either sinking on our own or rising with God. 

Communication Essential

        Since God knows everything about us, the stupid thing to do is live as if he does not even exist. The smart thing is to open up to him to let him help you see everything about you and in you for him to make you clean and holy. Open communication is always a good thing, but communicating with the Lord is essential for living the eternal life.    

Love Draws

        Communion thought. I am a sinner on his way to heaven ~ such is the drawing power of Christ!

Jesus More than We Need

        John 15.12-17 was today's Gospel reading at Mass. Jesus told his disciples that no one has greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends and they were his friends because he had told them everything he had heard from his Father, and that it was he who chose them and appointed them to go bear fruit so that whatever they ask the Father in his name he may give them.  

         As Jesus' disciples, we now know that he has shown the greatest love for us by dying on the cross for us. Also, we are his friends knowing all we need to know from the Father and his chosen ones who will bear fruit so that we'll receive whatever we ask the Father in Jesus' name. This is fantastic to say the least! Truly, "there is nothing I lack" and "my cup overflows" (Psalm 23).   

Practicing Abandonment

        Every time you address God as "Lord," pray the Our Father and say "your will be done," or petition "Lord, have mercy" at Mass and really mean it, you practice abandoning yourself to God and will find rest in him.

Tremendous Responsibility

        Communion thought. Since God has entered me, I bear the tremendous responsibility to make sure that his dwelling within me be comfortable and enjoyable. 

Humbling Love

        In today's Gospel reading from John 15, Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father loves me, so I love you. Remain in my love. I have told you this so that your joy might be complete." Jesus actually telling us that he loves us! ~ this should bring us great joy. When other humans tell me that they love me, I would feel that I am in demand and get a big boost in my self-esteem. But when the Lord tells me that he loves me, I actually feel humbled because we have the Mighty One loving a weakling or the Holy One loving a sinner.

No Escape from God

        Since God has created all things, and we are nothing without him, we might as well put our trust in him in all things from start to finish. This is being plain sensible and realistic.

Our Move

        God has offered us salvation. Christ came and died in our place, so the work had been done. The next move is ours. We must be willing to accept the good news and believe in it. And the Lord is waiting. The correct use of our free will is to choose eternal life for the glory of our creator. It's that simple.

The Lord Seeking Union

        Two verses of the Gospel reading from John 15 formed today's Gospel acclamation: Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord, whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. Jesus invites us to remain in him. As if this is not beautiful enough, he wants to remain in us! To be in each other is to be one, so the Lord is seeking union with us here. Naturally, in union much fruit will be produced.

Jesus, Our Only Hope

        Look around the world. In the Mideast, it's more like everyone fighting for everyone else, with almost all the Arab nations getting into action. Europe and America will certainly get themselves more involved, once terrorists step up their attack within those countries. And there are a host of African and Asian nations, Mexico, Ukraine . . . each engaging in its own war. Already millions of homeless refugees have been created worldwide, not to mention the vast number of casualties. We are truly facing a monumental humanitarian crisis, while committing moral suicide! The present chaos is in a way messier that the World Wars of the past, for it can potentially spread across the entire globe. At a time like this, Jesus messages stand out: "Do not judge," "Love your enemies," "Be humble" ~ these are just the few that came first to my mind. It's absolutely clear that following his words will bring us peace, but what are the chances that people will listen? Evil is real and judgment, unavoidable. I hope that the worst in some will bring out the best in others. It's time to pray, pray, and pray hard. 

Perfect Union

        Do everything for the sake of attaining union with God; then in union, God does whatever he wishes through you.

Banishing the Ego

        God wants us to mind our own business, that is, we are to do our part in serving God as best as we could and not be concerned about the outcome or what people think of us. This is the way to keep our mind uncluttered and our heart in peace.  

Getting off the Hook

        Communion thoughts. When we received the Holy Eucharist and abandon ourselves to God, we feel free. That's because abandonment gets us off the hook, you might say, as we now simply follow God, not having to decide where to go anymore. We must know that God is trustworthy and wants to make things easy for us always.

Banishing Our Worst Fear

        The human fear we should fear the most has to be that of losing our soul. The good news is that our soul is most precious to God our Father. So when we surrender to him, we become his children and no evil can possibly take our souls away from him anymore. The best deals we can only get from God.