I had wished that God would convert everyone the way he converted Paul (Acts 9.1-9). I thought that if God applied force, people would buckle. People somehow got the idea that the Lord knocked Paul off his horse. Rereading Act 9 shows that Jesus asked Paul "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" almost pleadingly. It shows me that God is always gentle with us because he loves us. He treats us truly like we are his children.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Most Pressing Question
Do you know where your soul will go after you die? Once you can answer yes, you don't need to be concerned about having no answer for any other questions.
Strongest Bond
Nothing whatsoever can possibly separate us from God's love for us. I rejoice that because of this, the strongest bond is formed between all those who love God. Not only I belong to God, I also belong in the company of the Holy Mother, all the saints, and all my brothers and sisters who love the Lord on earth. I am overjoyed.
In-Heaven Feeling
Communion experience. On earth, when a man and a woman fall deeply in love with each other, they feel heavenly. Today after receiving Christ in the Holy Eucharist, I literally felt that I was in heaven.
Brokenheartedness Healed
In Luke 4.18, today's entrance antiphon at Mass, Jesus read from Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me and sent me to preach the good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted." The word "brokenhearted" hit me because Jesus has already healed my heart so that it cannot be broken anymore. Of course, I still can feel sorrow or disappointment, but I will never feel despondent or dispirited, for deep down in my heart, the peace of Christ has settled.
Opposing Tendencies in Us
In each of us, there is the tendency to sin and the tendency to do good. In one who does not know God, the tendency to sin usually dominates the tendency to be good. For one who has attained perfect union with God, not only the reverse is true, the tendency to sin is also completely purged.
Truth of What Jesus Said
In John 4.13-14, Jesus said, "Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The Lord has completely quenched my thirst, filling me to the brim. The intoxicating joy I receive from the Holy Spirit does feel like a spring welling up within me. In John 8.12, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Yes, Jesus makes me see everything clearly, the way to be washed clean by his blood and the way to return to the Father in heaven. In John 14.6, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." The way, yes ~ it is through him that we go to God. The truth, again yes, because he is God. The life ~ he is eternal life, the source of life, and through him we gain access to eternal life! The Lord spoke only truth.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Loving Without Limits
Today is the Feast of the Nativity of the Blesses Virgin Mary. Communion time thoughts. It is amazing how much you can fall in love with God! How so? It must be because God is love. This love is pure love, upon which love is defined, not the kind the world knows. This love enables us to love others and makes the human soul beautiful. Infinite love deserves our falling in love with God without limits.
The Happy One
Quite often I learned something about a person that I never would have expected. I suppose many have a dark side to them. Happy is the one who always dwells in the light of Christ, having absolutely nothing to hide, and keeps his inner peace.
How to Expect Life
If you expect life to be rosy at all times, you will certainly be disappointed numerous times. To be realistic, expect life to be full of ups and downs and face them one at a time, placing all your trust in God. Then there will be less disappointments and a lot more pleasant surprises. Again, this is getting out of God's way.
Monday, September 7, 2015
Why No Quick Healing?
If we pray to God for a physical healing and nothing happens, what are the possible reasons? We certainly can rule out that God did not hear us, God is unable to heal us, and God does not care. I also do not believe that God meant to punish us. Teaching us, yes. The possible reason could be that our faith is weak, not that we are sinners. The most likely reason is that it's not the right time for our healing, for he wants to build us up spiritually.
First Step to Holiness
Let God find fault with us, since knowing our faults is the first step to becoming holy.
On Listening to God
As I have said, when we speak to God, he is all ears; he listens to us alone. Therefore, when he speaks to our heart, we should also listen to him attentively. It's to be heart-to-heart always. Otherwise, we are not yet his sheep, as Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10.27).
A Double-Barreled Approach
When I ask God to shield me from all evil, I want him to use a double-barreled approach ~ protect me from evil and keep me from doing evil myself.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Finally, Some Happy News
Thousands and thousands migrants were trying to reach Austria and Germany which were willing to take them, but Hungary blocked them from traveling by train; so they started walking the 100 miles from Budapest to the Austrian border. Now a convoy of private cars have crossed from Austria to Hungary to help collecting stranded migrants. The happy news today is that hundreds of migrants, mostly from Syria, have arrived at Munich train station to applause after boarding trains in Austria. There were cheers from a large group of Germans who had come to welcome them, with many handing out sweets and water. Watching the video on BBC News, I was quite overwhelmed to see the happy, smiling faces on these newly arrived refugees. It's the truth that if you make someone happy, you'll be happy too.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Shame on Our Government . . .
(1) for not treating our veterans right ~ they lay their lives on the line to defend our freedom and can't even get decent medical treatment after they get home and (2) for not doing anything to help the Christians in Iraq who are being persecuted and facing genocide.
Conversion
Communion experience. I saw myself on my own as a most imperfect creature, weak, timid, often confused, and most of all, prone to sin. Then Jesus came along, opened my eyes, ears, and most of all, my heart, and healed all my infirmities. I was made anew in him by him. It's been a most exhilarating experience!
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