Treasures in Heaven

          Jesus said in Matthew 6, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal." Every time we do God's will with love, we build up treasures in heaven, and whatever is there remains with God forever. It's like you are already buying up properties up there, and that's where you'll settle after this life.

Communion Leads to Union

        I attended Vigil Mass today on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Communion antiphon, John 6.56, reads: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him, says the Lord. This is all about union with God!

How Far or Close Is God?

        If you are deeply immersed in the world, you wouldn't even know that God exists. But for anyone who is in union with Christ, God dwells within his or her heart. How far or close God is depends entirely upon you. 

*Wake Up, World!

        Today's headline: 'Mass rape' video on social media shocks Brazil. This involves 36 men suspected of raping a teen age girl of 16. Why should that concern us? The great saints are acutely aware of their sins and are determined not to offend God in the slightest. On the contrary, today most people live only for their own pleasure, following their own desires, and still think that they are OK. People in this category place their soul in great danger and will be in for a rude awakening one day. They who offend God seriously have muddied their conscience, not aware that their souls are in far worse shape than they realize. If bad news shocks you, it's time to go holy before it's too late.    

*What Delights God the Most

        God delights in all his creations, but most of all, he delights in those of us, his children, who do his will.

Reciprocating God's Love

        God loves us unconditionally. The best way for us to love him back is to follow his will. The only way to achieve that is to seek and attain union with God first.

Awesome Responsibility

        I have posted many times: it all boils down to "It's between you and God." Since God does not change, it further boils down to "It's all up to you." That is, you alone are responsible for your destiny! 

*How Not to Turn God Off

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 11, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders asked Jesus by what authority was he doing all the things. Jesus asked them a question and said, "Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things." They did not know the answer. Jesus said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things." What I learned here is that we must soften our hearts before approaching the Lord, for by his nature, he can not be open to anyone who approaches him without humility.

Yours for the Asking

        Since God's love for you is infinite and his riches inexhaustible. Be confident that he will give you whatever you need for achieving union with him if you ask for it.

Contentment in Christ

        People in general wish that they were more like someone else or have what others possess. They may feel inferior (or superior) to others. Knowing Jesus changes all that, for he and you take delight in each other and nothing can affect your contentment anymore. The peace of Christ now reigns in your heart.

A Less Obvious Sin

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 11, Jesus said to his disciples, "When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions." Normally, if I have knowingly committed a sin, I would repent and ask the Lord to forgive me. Now, if someone trespasses against me, I would hold a grievance against the person, believing that he is the sinner. Jesus makes it clear here that if I do not forgive that person, I too sin. This is good to know and remember.

A Wonder

        Yesterday before I went to bed, I thought about how we need to rest the body daily and spend virtually one third of our lifetime sleeping. Then I saw that God gave us the night after each day, and thanked him for such a wonder.

*Discernment Called For

        There is a big difference between what God prompts you to do and what you want to do, to glorify him. You need to be sure that you are not in God's way. If you can discern this, rejoice, for you hear the Lord's voice in your heart. 

On Hearing God's Voice

        Let God dwell in you, then when you listen to your heart, you'll hear his voice.

Most Loving Expression

        Today's Communion verse, John 15.9: As the Father loves me, so I also love you; remain in my love, says the Lord. What a beautiful, sincere, loving expression from the Lord! If you are not moved upon hearing this, your heart is too hard.

Most Sweet Calling

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 10, Bartimaeus, a blind man, called out to Jesus for help. Jesus heard him and asked to see him. The people called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you." Know that when you hear Jesus calling, it is LOVE calling you! Take heart and rejoice, for he wants to heal you to make you whole. There is no voice sweeter and truthful at the same time.

Moments That Count:

when you take Christ seriously.

Intimate Knowing

        Communion experience. God knows each of us personally so well that we don't even need a name.