Life is on shaky ground, for anything can happen to us at any time and we are gone. Wise is he who realizes this, prepares for it, and is ready. For him the shakiness of life is a nonissue when he is assured of having a rock-steady future for ever.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Life an Endurance Test
In the Gospel reading from Mark 10 today, Jesus also said to Peter, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come." I see life as an endurance test. To receive eternal life, we are to given up everything, accept all persecutions, and live for Christ. The antithesis is to hold onto everything, reject sufferings and hardships, and live selfcenteredly, with no promise of eternal life.
God is Hope
In today's Gospel reading from Mark 10, Jesus said to his disciples, "All things are possible for God." This is saying to us that there is always hope in God.
God Knows and Cares
I'd like to quote the last verse of today's second reading from Hebrews 4 at Mass: No creature is concealed from him [God], but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. God knows and sees everything about us because we must render an account to him after we depart from this world. If he doesn't care about us, there would be no reason for him to know anything about us.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
God Calling
Whether you believe in the God of Christ or not, he is calling you in everything that happens to you, good or bad from your point of view. To the believer, what happens to him is always a lesson to be learned and an opportunity to be drawn closer to God. Therefore, he continues to grow spiritually and enjoys peace and freedom. The unbeliever won't hear God calling until he is humble enough to turn to him for help.
Observing the Word of the Lord
Today's Gospel reading from Luke 11 at Mass consists of just verses 27-28. When a woman from the crowd called out and said to Jesus while he was speaking, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed,” he replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." Indeed, the Lord makes everything simple for us ~ we only need to observe his word. When Mary understood from the angel that she was going to conceive in her womb and bear the the Son of the Most High, she said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done according to your word." When Jesus called the twelve Apostles to-be, they dropped everything and followed him. The path of observing the word of the Lord may not always be smooth, but you'll be absolutely secure. Why do we make it so complicated? Good question.
Unselfish Love
God loves us unselfishly. I realize that when we fall in love with God, our love is equally unselfish. We just love him, period ~ no other motive. Sure, heaven might be in the very back of our mind, but loving him is only what matters. This is the Lord drawing you, so you love him with the love he has planted in you. This is the love that unites us to our creator and Father.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Holy Eucharist to Union
If I have killed someone and feel sorry about it, I could repent directly to God, but it would be difficult for me to know for sure that he has heard and forgiven me. God knows our human nature only too well. The Resurrected Lord appeared to his disciples, breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (John 20.29.) Now we repent to the Lord before a priest. When the priest absolves us of our sin(s), we know we are being forgiven. The Holy Eucharist is to union with God as the sacrament of penance is to being forgiven by God. After receiving the Holy Eucharist, you know that the Lord is healing your soul to become one with you.
Mind for God Alone
As we usually are influenced by the company we keep, we are affected by what we hear too. All the mundane or even gossipy things we hear can easily disturb our inner peace. It is best to let the mind receive inspiration from God, for only he can uplift our spirit. Avoid or let pass all that is uninspiring or clutters the mind to reserve our space for the Lord alone.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Communion Thoughts
Three thoughts after receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist: (1) My life is now complete, (2) God has filled me to the full, (3) I am ready to go to him.
What Life Is Like
You hear said "Life is like a dream," but I think it's more like a movie. A dream is rather ethereal, whereas a movie is a succession of scenes which you can direct and edit to achieve the desired ending. Watch this Catholics Come Home "Movie of Your Life" commercial to see what I mean.
How God Answers Us
"In today's Gospel reading from Luke 11, Jesus said to his disciples, "And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find . . . ." The Lord is saying that when we ask, he hears and will definitely respond. He does not promise that we will receive exactly what we ask for, but whatever we receive will be good, as he later added: "What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?" Trust in God always to receive what's best for us.
Condition for Peace
Today's entrance antiphon, Esther 4.17: Within your will, O Lord, all things are established and there is none that can resist your will. For you have made all things, the heaven and the earth, and all that is held within the circle of heaven; you are the Lord of all. Indeed, there will be no peace within or without us until we (1) acknowledge that the Lord has created all things, including us, and (2) submit ourselves to him unconditionally.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
We Affect God
Communion time thoughts. God hates sin, only because he loves the sinner. If we choose to remain in sin, he would feel great sorrow. On the other hand, if we want him to take away our sins, he would be overjoyed. It's our choice!
Highest Honor
You may be honored by receiving honorary doctorates or the Nobel Prize, but no honor is higher than being called by God to serve him.
Most Moving Acts
(1) Jesus laid down his own life for us.
(2) Jesus gives his own flesh and blood for us to consume.
Our Advantage
The disciples of Jesus in his days actually saw him, heard him, and touched him. We who follow him today do not see him, hear him, or get to touch him, but we do have an advantage: Jesus had said to Thomas who was not present when the Risen Lord first appeared to the other disciples, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (John 20.29.)
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