Life is fragile. Right now storms and tornadoes in the Midwest are destroying properties and threatening human lives. And the current Pakistan heat wave has already killed near 700 people. I myself could have died in any of my past accidents. This is definitely not the world in which I want to live forever, and my heart is already where God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is. Today I am living as if it's my last day on earth, despite the fact that there are still things I need or plan to complete. But unfinished business is unfinished only if you are obsessed with finishing it. Feeling free to go to God is a special freedom no one can take away from you, for it came from God.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
Burning Request
On the road to Emmaus, the disciples of Jesus felt their hearts burning within them when Jesus spoke to them on the way and opened the scriptures to them (Luke 24). Pray to God the Holy Spirit that he will set your heart ablaze with his love and it shall happen to you!
A Simple Guide
This is the strong message from today's Gospel reading from Matthew 7. Jesus said to his disciples, "Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you." In other words, how we treat others is how God is going to treat us ~ a simple enough guide for us to follow. Again, I advocate seeking union with God, for when you are one with the Lord, you automatically see others as he sees them.
The Heart Belongs to God
Today's Gospel acclamation at Mass, Hebrews 4.12: The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and the thoughts of the heart. The mind has its own intelligence, but God always speaks to the heart. While our intelligence remains fixed, our heart grows in knowledge as God teaches us. Also, the heart directly affects the mind. When the heart is pure, the mind is pure; if it's filthy, so will the mind be. To serve God, always think with your heart, but be aware of the Evil One attempting to contaminate your heart by manipulating your thoughts of the mind.
Opposite Effects
Fear of God drives one to want to be more prominent than God, while love of God humbles one to regard himself to be the least important.
To Nonbelievers
Jesus has come and revealed the good new of salvation to all mankind. If you do not believe in him, what are you waiting for? The next time he comes, it'll be Judgment Day! If you are not waiting for anything, then your existence is empty. Sinners without having their sins taken away by God sink continually ~ believe in Christ as your Lord and Savior to reverse your course. Letting him go by and not getting your eternal destiny secured has to be the the most foolish and cowardly of all your acts.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Jesus the Way
To the believer in Jesus, everything looks "right" and there are no more questions about life. To the unbeliever, things are puzzling and life is meaningless. Jesus was right in declaring that "I am the way."
Our Re-creation
I attended Vigil Mass today. Here's my Communion experience. The Holy Eucharist is the Most Blessed Sacrament of all sacraments. In receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord, God and man meet, touch, and merge into one ~ how more intimate can you possibly get? I saw that moment as the re-creation of each of us, as special as our creation, enabling us to return to the Father.
Total Abandonment in God
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 6 at Mass, Jesus told his disciples not to worry about life or be anxious about anything. They were to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all the things they needed would be given them besides. He's talking about total abandonment in God here. This is living in complete devotion to God so that we become free and settled for eternal life ~ not something to brush aside. It is also fulfilling the Father's wish to become one with his children! By the way, abandoning ourselves to God does not guarantee success in whatever we are called upon to do from our point of view, but what is certain is that the Father always wants to draw us ever closer to him.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Faith Makes the Difference
This link takes you to the interesting article on the Shroud of Turin on BBC News today: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33164668. My general thoughts are that scientists and unbelievers do not have a clue about how to prove that God exists, yet they are most eager to prove that there are no miracles. Indeed, nothing makes sense to the unbeliever and everything makes sense to the believer.
Healing Ocean
Communion experience. I am like a little drop in Christ the ocean of love, in whom everything that needs to be healed is healed.
Living for God
Every breath and every heartbeat of yours tell you that God is keeping you alive, that he is with you. Therefore, live every moment of yours for him.
Getting Out of Darkness
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 6, Jesus mentioned light and darkness. No one can be happy in darkness, but they cannot get out of it because there is no light to show the way. This is the situation of a sinner. The light they need is Jesus. Reach out for him and he will dispel all darkness.
Rejoicing in God Always
In today's first reading at Mass from 2 Corinthians, Paul mentioned his labors, imprisonments, beatings, numerous brushes with death, being lashed, beaten with rods, stoned, and shipwrecked, and other toil and hardships. We are to rejoice in the Lord always. All trials and suffering for the sake of Christ are to be welcomed, for he is drawing us to him.
It's the Holy Spirit!
If you cry out to God calling him Father, if you long for him, if you are grateful to him and rejoice in him, if you feel compassion for all others and are willing to forgive those who trespass against you, if you have the strong urge to share the good news with all and feel bold about doing it . . . the Holy Spirit dwells within you!
Thursday, June 18, 2015
God's Infinite Genius
Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson are regarded as the two greatest jazz pianists that have ever lived. Here are two Oscar Peterson videos for you to enjoy. May the genius you see in him make you think of the infinite genius of our loving Lord.
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