We do not need to fear God, for he loves us and is waiting for us to show up in heaven. We don't need to fear the evil one either, for if we have God, he won't be able to touch us. What we need to fear are ourselves, for our eternal destiny is completely determined by whether we choose God or the evil one.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Perfect Teacher
Anytime I sin, I realize how holy Jesus is ~ and I see him to be the perfect teacher to make us holy.
To All Christians
This morning's big headlines on BBC News: "Deadly attack on Tunisia beach," "US Supreme Court backs gay marriage," "Man decapitated in French attack," "Kuwait mosque hit by suicide blast," "Militants storm Somalia military base," "IS 'kills 120 civilians' in Kobane." More than enough bad news! The US Supreme Court got it wrong on the abortion issue and got it wrong again. Anytime you leave God out of consideration, you are bound to fall. The world does not know or does not want to know the true God anymore. In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 8, a leper approached Jesus, did him homage, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." How many of us today have that kind of attitude? All Christians need to know that it's do-or-die time to submit themselves to Christ without reservation. We cannot serve both God and mammon. Rather than thinking about making money all the time, set your heart on entering heaven first by serving God with all your heart. There will be final judgment and we shall reap only what we now sow. Pray for the salvation and conversion of all souls unceasingly, for God depends upon those who love him.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Belonging Wholly to God
Communion experience. While Jesus was taking away my sins, I also asked him to take my heart and my soul as well. That's because sin can not remain in one who belongs wholly to God.
Authentic or False
Today's Gospel acclamation, John 14.23, at Mass read: Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. Suppose that Jesus was the Son of God, then he really meant what he said and you can accept that. Now suppose that an ordinary human had said it, you'll know immediately that the speaker must not know what he's talking about. Read the Gospels through and you'll find Jesus not only speaking always with authority, but also being consistently authentic throughout his earthly life.
Not a Thorny Issue
In 2 Corinthians 12.7, St. Paul mentioned that a thorn in the flesh was given him so that he might not become too elated. Even though he begged the Lord that it might leave him, the Lord said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." We do not know exactly what Paul's thorn was, but we all have thorns in our lives too ~ it could be someone or something that annoys us or one of our own sins. By remembering that Jesus was crowned with thorns on his way to Crucifixion, we can let our thorns help us walk along the Lord, who is still suffering today for our sins, and reach new spiritual heights.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Not to Be Alone
A parish friend is suffering from terminal cancer and does not have much time left to live. Many are praying for her, but it's all up to God. Again, I quote this saying attributed to Mother Teresa: "In the final analysis, it's between you and God." I do feel that each one of us is on his own with God. Family, friends, and all those who love you can only do so much. Only God who knows us intimately can do whatever he wants with us. We truly stand alone before God; but we can amend this situation in advance. Seek union with him now and you'll have God with you at all times.
Called to Go Home
Entrance antiphon at Mass: A Man was sent from God, whose name was John. He came to testify to the light to prepare a people fit for the Lord. I came to realize that we are all called to be fit for God, not just a few of us. God wants to save us all, so do not count yourself out. Respond to his call with gratitude to become his chosen one and you are safely home. Or would you rather stray away and never return to your Father in heaven? He waits for us forever, but we have only one short lifetime to respond.
Most Personal God
Today is the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. At the beginning of Mass, I felt like crying as I was deeply moved by the Lord's presence in my heart and in my life. He's been so good to me and is the only one who will be with me always. Later as Psalm 139 was read, my feelings were confirmed. I'll just quote the response here: I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
One-Sided Readiness
God is always ready for us. If we do not see him, hear him, or feel him, it's because we are not ready for him yet.
Most Important Feeling
Communion experience. The Holy Spirit showed me that one of the most important feelings to keep is knowing that you are holy, irrespective of how your enemies are attacking you to stir up negative feelings.
Finding the Way to Life
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 7 at Mass, Jesus said to his disciples, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." For the general public today, it is still true that the gate is narrow and the road that leads to life constricted for many, for this is how they perceive it. Naturally, if you don't wish to submit yourself to God, you don't make the effort to find the gate to him and you see the road to life as unpassable. This perception or vision can entirely change if you approach the Lord with humility and openness. Discovering his mercy and love will make you see that the gate is wide open and the road to life direct. In fact, when you reach union with the Lord, your effort is reduced to almost zero with God completely taking over. How difficult or easy is it to find your way to life? It all depends upon you.
Living My Last Day (Not Really)
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.
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.
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