No Swearing Allowed

        In today's first reading from James 5, the Apostle essentially repeated what Jesus taught about oaths in Matthew 5 ~ that is, we are not to swear, but let our "Yes" mean "Yes" and our "No" mean "No." In other words, we must be even-tempered, never letting our emotions go out of control. We are to remain cool. This is accomplished by abandoning ourselves in God, a most cool idea.

Call to Holiness

          Today's Gospel reading at Mass came from Mark 9. I urge you to read verses 42-48. Jesus' command for us to be holy is urgent. Know that if your conduct also causes others to sin, your sin is a lot more serious. In the wake of the news of the disappearing EgyptAir plane and other tragedies, the call to be holy is more urgent than ever. Never think that you are already good enough for God, when Jesus told his disciples to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.

Christ the Light

        Communion thoughts. Christ is the light that illuminates my spiritual path, making me see clearly what should and should not remain in my heart. (I am not saying this to sound good; I am saying it because the light makes everything crystal clear to me.)

Moved to Tears

        At church before Mass began this morning, I felt like crying for these two reasons. (1) The world does not know that God loves every single one of us and continues offending him. (2) I realized how much I need and depended upon God!

Forever and Done

        With God, it's forever. Jesus came to reveal that God is love, and this love is for ever. Once he has forgiven our sins, those sins are forgiven forever, and it's done. When we receive the Lord in Holy Communion in total surrender, we belong to him forever and it's done. This is why God is to be trusted, for he is completely dependable and forever the truth.

Why I Believe in Christ

        I went through a drawer in my study and found a list of 16 reasons I shared with my two sons in January, 2009, as to why I believe in the God of Christ. I am going to post them here. Of course, those of you who have been chosen by the Lord already will not need any more reasons. But for those who still have some doubts, a list like this can help.

1. In Christianity, God entered the world as one of us so that we might relate to him. This unique feature distinguishes Christianity from all other religions.
2. Jesus came and sacrificed himself in our place so that the gap between us sinners and the holy God was bridged – amazing!
3. Jesus showed that God is pure love, not what we humans would have expected.
4. God is omnipotent, yet he is meek and humble – an amazing combination of characteristics.
5. It follows that Jesus is not just our Lord and God, but also our brother and servant.
6. Jesus came and performed numerous miracles – healing the sick, the crippled, the blind ... even raising the dead. He multiplied loaves and fish, walked on water, calmed the storm ... all incredible feats.
7. His transfiguration when his face shined like the sun and his clothes turned dazzlingly white was awesome.
8. He forgave sins as only God can.
9. He loves us to the extreme, teaching us to love even our enemies and never stop forgiving others who have offended us – so radical that it seemed almost foolish.
10. He forgave those who crucified him with absolutely no hatred.
11. Of course, there was his Resurrection, which alone is sufficient for me to accept him as God.
12. He challenges us to love him above everything else, including even our own families. This makes sense only if he is truly God.
13. If Jesus is good enough for all the great saints and martyrs, he should be good enough for me.
14. My personal experience as a believer firmly confirms that I am believing in the true God. No one else can possibly grant me the peace, freedom, and joy I experience.
15. There have been so many amazing miracles occurring worldwide, witnessing to how God loves us.
16. Last but not least, Jesus was the one who fulfilled the hundreds of prophecies found in the Old Testament!

Conclusion: We have an incredible, extraordinary God, deserving all of our love and trust.

The Holy Spirit

        On this Pentecost Sunday. Pope Francis said that the Holy Spirit brings Jesus' timeless teachings to life and helps us to both understand and live it throughout our lives. "The Holy Spirit grafts his teaching into our hearts, helps us to interiorize it, making it become part of us," the Pope said. He concluded that the Spirit is a Consoler, Advocate and Intercessor who assists us, defends us, and is by our side on the path of life and in the fight for good and against evil. To me personally, God the Holy Spirit is the God in action, stirring our hearts to seek union with and to love him. Let the Spirit enkindle our hearts with the fire of his love. 

Guide to Living

        Today is Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle. In the Gospel reading from John 15, we hear Jesus saying to his disciples, "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you" and "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last." Here is our succinct guide to living: know that we have been chosen by God, then go and bear fruit by loving one another. 

Humility Always

        When we are young and healthy, it's easy to behave high and mighty, believing that we can accomplish all things on our own. In yesterday's Gospel reading from John 21, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Although here Jesus said this signifying by what kind of death Peter would glorify God, it is true that as we age with failing health, we just won't be able to do many of the things we want to do. Realizing this, it's best to remain humble from the very beginning like Jesus, the only high and mighty one.

Merging Into God

        Communion experience. What a beautiful opportunity to enter deeper into union with God, forgetting more and more of the self.

Jesus Most Precious

          Communion experience. The Lord is my private refuge and consolation. The secret joy I experience is impossible to communicate with anyone who has not tasted it. He is my treasure, more precious than my own existence. 

*Most Attractive Lord

        Here is a Lord I revere and rightfully fear, yet I can't help but fall deeply in love with him. I shed tears when I think of all the transgressions his children commit against him, yet more often than not, I rejoices in the love and the hope he has given me. Though his word pierces my heart and soul, it also oozes unspeakable joy within them. He overwhelms me with his majesty and holiness, yet he beckons me to recline at his side. His love makes me tremble and bold at the same time. This is my beloved Lord.        

Advantage of Knowing Christ

        Jesus is the only one who can take away our sins and save us, whether we know him or not. For those who know him, they have the advantage of repenting their sins, getting them removed, becoming holy, and being assured of salvation. 

Jesus' Agony

        Communion experience. I felt Jesus' agony of being rejected by the world. 

Distinct Separation

        In today's Gospel reading of John 17.11B-19, Jesus made it clear to his disciples that the world hates those who do not belong to it. Indeed, you either belong to God or to the world. Those who belong to the world do not long for heaven because they are too immersed in and attached to the world, while those who belong to God long for him as they find the world to be frivolous and boring.  

Exciting Future

        Communion thoughts. The future is most exciting for those who follow Christ ~ so much to look forward to. Just imagine that in permanent union with the Lord, you'll know exactly how God feels about all things!

Praying as God's Children

        Read today's Gospel reading at Mass, John 17.1-11A, and you'll see how Jesus poured out his heart to the Father, knowing that he would soon be arrested and be put to death. We should pray to the Father like this too, revealing our innermost thoughts from our hearts with total freedom, enjoying great intimacy with him.  

Jesus' World

        The world of Jesus is otherworldly, but it is a world of peace, tranquility, carefreeness, and extraordinary beauty. Enter the Lord and it becomes your world.