In education, the more you advance, the more you become aware of your intellectual growth. In the early years when I photographed a lot, I thought I was pretty good. Later, after I had refined my vision, the early works appeared rather mediocre. It's the same in spiritual growth. Attaining union with God is like climbing a high mountain to get to the top where God dwells. As you ascend higher and higher, the view becomes more and more beautiful. Of course, the most magnificent view you'll see only after you get to the top. Therefore, aim high and never cease advancing. (Better advice. Take the fast track by surrendering to God and letting him take you to the top, eliminating all climbing.)
Friday, April 22, 2016
Learning from the Our Father
The second half of the Our Father: "Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." I see that Jesus taught us to pray thus because he wants us to know (1) that we are to depend upon the Father for all things, (2) how the Father can forgive our trespasses and (3) that our Father is also the one to safeguard us spiritually.
No-Bypassing Reality
In today's Gospel reading, John 14:1-6, Jesus must know exactly what he's talking about or he had to be delusional. In the last verse, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." If he was not delusional, then he must have spoken the truth. It follows that no one can possibly bypass him ~ something we must reckon with, the sooner the better.
Seeking Fun
The people of the world seek fun, excepting perhaps the refugees on the run and those living in poverty. In the USA, it's estimated that 80% of young Christian college adults lose their faith in the four years of attending college, as seeking fun becomes their priority. The entertainment industry invests in providing fun for the general public and profits richly. With so much fun to pursue, who can possibly feel his or her spiritual needs? On the cross, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." I hear him praying the same now.
Praying Unceasingly
Communicating with God whether it's reciting a formal prayer, praising him in public or talking to him in private, or just thinking about or longing for him is prayer. Every time you pray (from the heart), you strengthen your relationship with God. Therefore, pray unceasingly, and you'll be richly rewarded.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Reason for Our Salvation
Of course, God wants to save us from condemnation because he loves us. More specifically, he save us for wanting us to be holy as he is holy.
Steps to Heaven
Realize that every creature, animate or inanimate, belongs to God and you'll be able to let go of all your material possessions and forgive even your enemies. Then do you very best to glorify God in every possible way ~ you are now ready for returning to your Father in heaven.
Amazing Love of God
God's love is so beautiful and powerful that it can move our hearts to the point of accepting suffering and dying for his sake, willing and joyfully ~ seeing it as a great honor.
Making Life Meaningful
If you acknowledge that God did create you and then died for you to save you from sin, life instantly becomes meaningful.
Wonderful, Amazing God
Today's Entrance verse at Mass from Psalm 68: O God, when you went forth before your people, marching with them and living among them, the earth trembled, heavens poured down rain, alleluia. Indeed, God is awesome. He is to be worshipped, praised, and adored, yet he is also completely approachable. There is an amazing duality here. He is our God, but also our loving Father. He is our judge to be feared, yet also our most endearing, intimate friend. He is all holy, yet he yearns to unite with us sinners. John the Baptist said that he was not even worthy to untie the sandals of Jesus, yet this Lord gladly enters me daily in the Holy Eucharist. Our God is not only unique, but truly amazing.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Only Qualified One
Communion experience. It's abandonment time. Then I realized that the Lord is the only one to whom I can completely abandon myself ~ there was absolutely no one else around who could take his place. What a blessing and joy that I have him!
Live to Live
In today's Gospel reading from John 12, Jesus cried out and said, "If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day." We see that even though we commit many sins, the Lord does not judge us until after we die. So, it's either observing the words of Jesus now while we are still living or waiting to be condemned.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Making Life Beautiful
Back on June 18, 2015, I posted about the genius of Oscar Peterson which made me think of the infinite genius of our Lord. Today I thought of the great jazz pianist again, whose playing was so free and natural that he and the music became essentially one. It strikes me that expressing our love for God should also be completely free and natural. And we can achieve that when we become one with the Lord, making our life most beautiful. In case you missed Peterson's video the first time, I am posting it again.
Ceasing the Struggle
It is either we let God be God or we play God. This is the fundamental struggle that goes on within us. If the former, then we abandon ourselves to God, the struggle ceases, and we have peace. If the latter, the struggle simply continues on. I choose to have peace, therefore I choose to submit myself to God (the God of Christ).
Monday, April 18, 2016
Only Relevant Question
Here are a number questions regarding sinning. (1) How did you sin? (2) What lead you to sin? (3) How often have you sinned? (4) How serious is your sin? (5) Do you sin?
Only the last question is relevant.
Another Hurdle
It's not difficult to refrain from speaking ill of anyone whom I do not know well, but it's another thing not to criticize someone in my own family whom I know well. In the family setting, when there is a disagreement, it's just so easy to assert that I am right and my "opponent" wrong, hoping that all others within earshot will support me. This again shows the presence of ego and that more dying with Christ is needed.
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