Goal of Prayer

        The primary and only goal of prayer is to glorify God, not to obtain what we wish for.       

New Existence in God

        Communion experience. Knowing Jesus begins our new existence in God; attaining union with him is reaching the pinnacle of that existence.

Happy With My God

        I am pondering over the act of suicide bombing which you practically hear about occurring daily somewhere in the world. As far as I know, the bomber believes that he or she is carrying out God's will by sacrificing his or her own life to kill others indiscriminately. It's impossible for me to comprehend that God would hate anyone to want them dead, as the God I know is the one who has died in our place to save us ~ a God full of love, compassion, and mercy, and who wishes us to always forgive others, never judging. You go figure. I am just completely satisfied with the God I know.  

Mary Over Martha

        Today's Gospel reading, Luke 10.38-42, is about the two sisters Martha and Mary. Jesus came to their home and Martha was anxious and worried about the serving, while Mary just sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Jesus made it clear that Mary had chosen the better part. Of course, we have to be Martha at times because it's necessary, but to be Mary is essential in order to serve the Lord well. In fact, choosing to be Mary turns our role as Martha into a joy.

Avoiding the Most Horrible

        Today's response to Psalm 130 at Mass read: If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? Indeed, it would be the most horrible thing that could ever happen to you to be so marked by the Lord! Then remember that he is infinitely merciful and he will never mark you if you let him take away your sins.

God Calling!

        I see God calling us at all times. Horrific crimes committed around the world (domestically, killings within the family are common), unprecedented natural disasters (South Carolina is currently experiencing catastrophic flooding after days of historic rains), personal tragedies, the emptiness of worldly living . . . all these are clear and loud signs telling us to turn and return to God. Suppose you live to 63 ~ you live almost 2 billion seconds. In any of those seconds, you have an infinite number of chances to turn to God. Waiting until Judgment Day will be too late.

Perilous World?

        Communion thoughts. The world is perilous only to those who do not know Jesus, for they can easily lose their way forever. For those who have Jesus, they are safe in a boat from all storms because the Lord is in the boat with them, sleeping peacefully (read Matthew 8.23-26).

Intuitive Knowledge

        The more I get to know Jesus, the less attractive the world becomes ~ I just know that God has made me in such a way as to make me want to return to him.

Intoxicating Love

        Communion experience. The Holy Eucharist intoxicated me with love, sweetening my soul.

Time for Giving

        I have my favorite charities and would like to leave them with part of what I possess after I die. Then I realize that this is not really being generous because it's as if I need everything of mine now and I am going to take care of myself first and others later when I don't need anything for myself anymore ~ this is putting my needs ahead of God's! Therefore, the time to help others is now if we can, not after we die.

Warning of Hell

        As you know, the more polluted the air, the more beautiful the sunset. In other words, looks can be deceiving. On a beautiful day in an upscale neighborhood, everything looks neat and orderly, but wait until you know what's in the hearts of those walking outside and those living inside the houses. Again, looks can be deceiving. Today's world has been completely tarnished by sin. Every day every moment, we see, hear, and feel things that tempt us ~ it's just too easy to succumb to evil. People have reached the point that they no longer want to know God and his love; they just want to have a good time, unaware that what they do can send them on their way to hell! I speak strongly because the world now needs to hear it, as hell is real ~ Jesus mentioned it. It's out of love that we should warn the world of the reality of hell, for it has already rejected God's love.

Serving the Poor

        I caught this Journey Home episode on YouTube and was impressed and inspired by Fr. Richard Ho Lung's coming-home story. He founded the Missionaries of the Poor order (http://www.missionariesofthepoor.org/) whose work reminds me of Mother Teresa. This video is worth watching for Fr. Richard's words of wisdom and his great humility.

Supernatural Healing

        Communion experience. I received the Lord and he was physically consumed by me, but the most important part is the supernatural healing of my soul as only he can bring about!

Soul Before Body

        We are alive because the eternal soul dwells within our physical body. After the soul departs, the body decays. Hence, do not be attached to the body so much, but keep clean and pure the soul which God treasures. Anyone who is concerned much about his health but ignores his spiritual well-being is being plain foolish.

Most Special Gift

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 10, the seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." Jesus said to them, "Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." If your name is written in heaven, it means God has already chosen you and your future is assured for all eternity. There is nothing in which you can rejoice more! This encompasses being loved by God, becoming his faithful servant (and his adopted child), and receiving the pass to heaven. God gives only most special gifts.

Be Like Children Again

        Today is the memorial of the holy guardian angels. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 18, Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." We can all remember the time we were children. We put our entire trust in our parents, believing in everything they told us. We knew we were taken care of, never having to worry about what to wear, what to eat, or what's going to come tomorrow. We just focus upon playing and having fun. I believe that is how Jesus wants us to be like now that we have grown to be children of our Father in heaven. God can certainly rejuvenate us.

Peace and Security Among Chaos

        It's bad enough when people kill each other as if there is no God and no hell, and it's even worse when people start killing others in the name of God. Once a war has started, it's never easy for it to end. Our current world is embroiled in the worst mass killing and destruction we've every seen. Mankind is truly on the path of self-destruction on both levels, the physical and the spiritual. Today is the memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, my beloved saint. After her, I also seek my peace and security in Christ the Lord who always delivers and never disappoints. How I love him!

On Praying for Others

        As I pray to God for someone, the Lord definitely knows what he is going to do, although I do not have a clue. At any rate, I must not guess or expect how he is going to respond, but trust in him completely as if it's not even my business. In this way, when I pray for someone, I am actually praying for myself too.