I was driving home, passing a cluster of movie theaters, which made me think of the many immoral films that had been shown there in the past and the many people involved in producing and making those films. Then I thought of the imminent judgment from God we'd face, either right after we die or at the Second Coming of Christ. You really don't have to be a prophet to realize this. Personally, I choose to get ready for that moment now so that I may continue living in peace.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Never Homeless
In the news today: Pope Francis greets some of the homeless people the Vatican is taking care of. When sometimes my hair grows a little too long and I stop shaving for several days, others remark that I am beginning to look like a homeless person. Well, even if I become truly homeless in this world, I know I am not, because anyone belonging to the Lord already has the most beautiful home awaiting him in paradise!
God Knows!
In today's Gospel reading from Luke 12.1-7, Jesus said to his disciples, "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops." Later he added that nothing escapes the notice of God and even the hairs of our head have all been counted. Indeed, the big difference between God and us is that he knows everything while we know almost nothing. This is reality whether you like it or not.
Joy of Salvation
Today's response to Psalm 32 at Mass reads: I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. This joy should characterize the Christian who has encountered the Lord and been saved. It is a joy only God can bestow and the world in general needs but does not know. This joy will reach its zenith when the saved one sees the Lord welcoming him or her home in the coming life.
Use of Contraceptives
It should be clear that God gave us sexual desires to assure that procreation will continue. To use any contraceptive solely for the purpose of enjoying sex is to thwart God's purpose and to be purely self-centered. If everyone does this at all times, humans would become extinct in a few generations. You don't have to be a theologian or scholar to see that the teaching of the Church against the use of contraceptives is right; you only need to cast aside selfcenteredness and think with a clear, cool mind. This teaching fits in perfectly with the other teachings on marriage and the sanctity of life.
Made Free
As I got up this early morning, it was still dark outside. Looking out the window from my bed, I saw the tall trees silhouetted against the dim sky. I realized that I am living in a dark world, yet have no fear because I am linked to God, free from the world and no longer bounded by its darkness. It's a great feeling, made possible by Christ the Lord.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Be a Saint!
In Matthew 5.48, Jesus said to his disciples, "Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." So why don't Christians aim high? Why do we not aim for becoming saints? God deserves nothing but our best from us. I caught a little bit of a program on EWTN giving out good, helpful information to help your grow spiritually, but why do we not hear any speakers directly urging people to become saints? You don't need a saint to talk about becoming one ~ we need to know it because this is what the Lord asks of us! Aim high for God who is high and for whom everything is possible. Sainthood is the vocation call for every one of us Christians!
Existing Within God
Communion experience. I desire to be conscious of God alone, not even myself, in my existence. This would be ideal. The goal is to be completely engulfed by him in his love. All in all, an exciting process.
Christ Mighty
Today is the memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus. John 14.6 is the Gospel acclamation at Mass: I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me. I believe all Christians are familiar with this verse ~ what a mighty statement! In fact, all his deeds and words are mighty, culminating in his Resurrection and Ascension. There is no one else mighty and holy like him. He alone is worthy to be God and is God! Ignore him and you remain lost!
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Grateful to God
Communion experience. I am most grateful to the Lord, for only he can take away my sins and only he can heal my soul ~ he gives me great joy! I love my Lord and my God.
Sin Deafens the Heart
God speaks to our heart constantly and it's beautiful to hear his sweet, gentle voice ~ but your heart must be pure and undefiled to hear him clearly, for sin makes it lose its hearing.
On Judging
At Mass this morning, a visiting priest made the distinction between judging someone's action and judging the person's intention. It is all right to judge someone's action to be wrong and correct him, but the intention is left for God to deal with. Jesus asks us not to judge ~ here "judge" implies "criticizing without love." It all goes to the saying: "Hate the sin, but love the sinner."
What Totally Matters
Where you go after you die matters. Whether you go to heaven or not absolutely matters. Therefore, believing in Jesus or not totally matters!
Works Matter
Today's response to Psalm 62 reads: Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works. God knows everything we do and everything we do matters to him and to us ~ this is the point. Happy is the one who always does God's will.
Being Alive Forever
I am alive now because God sustains all life. But if I let him dwell in me now (as in union), I shall be alive for ever!
Conserving Energy
One exercise book recommends that when you exercise with weights, do not show any strain on your face, but direct all your energy to lifting the weight. This makes sense in petitioning God too. It's natural for us to pray hard, wasting much energy on wondering if God has heard us or when and how he is going to respond to us. The superior and right way is to put all your energy into trusting in God and not any on feeling anxious and unsettled. In other words, pray from the heart, trust, and let it go.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Bittersweet Christian Life
As I prayed the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary today, I realized that they are all about what the Holy Mother experienced and that hardship accompanied her joy each time. (1) Annunciation ~ with the joy of learning that she had been chosen to bear the Savior came the great responsibility of nurturing and rearing him. (2) Visitation ~ visiting her cousin Elizabeth involved arduous long-distance traveling. (3) Nativity ~ with no room at the inn, Mother Mary had to give birth to Jesus in a manger. (4) Presentation ~ Simon foretold that a sword would pierce her soul. (5) Finding Jesus in Temple ~ the temporary missing child must have caused distress in the mother's heart.
After reflecting upon the above mysteries, I saw that the our Christian life is basically bittersweet. The bitterness are the hardships that are either necessary or brought about by sin, and the sweetness, the ever presence of Christ in our lives.
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