It's only natural that we do not reveal ourselves too much to those whom we do not know well, but feel free to be ourselves at home around those close to us. Therefore, if you do share everything in your heart with God, rejoice that you have a most close relationship with him.
Monday, June 13, 2016
The World Doesn't Get It
The current tragic news is the mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub in Florida. Strict gun control might delay some of these violent attacks, but will not remove their cause. As in fighting the drug war, going after the traffickers will not stop the flow of drugs, since the demand for drugs, the cause, is still intact. What causes all the horrendous acts of violence today is the rejection of Christ ~ I don't have to be a prophet to tell you that. The fact that people are not saying this only substantiates my claim. Mankind has fallen far away from God and become self-important and judgmental. The acceptance of abortion in our societies is a good indication of how much Christ is absent from our lives. We reap what we sow.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
All I Need to Know
As I was praying this morning in my bedroom, I looked around and saw the face of Jesus on an Albert Gilles copper piece (as seen on the Holy Shroud of Turin) hung over the headboard of my bed, and a crucifix and a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe hung on a side wall. I saw all three and realized that I already knew all about life and God my creator ~ I felt great satisfaction and joy.
Most Valuable Lesson
In Matthew 20, Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave." Again, in Matthew 23, he spoke to the crowds and to the disciples, "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Here's one greatest teaching from Jesus. Humility and willingness to serve go hand in hand. You can be a great speaker trying to convert others, but if you lack humility, you still remain a hypocrite. We now have the secret of attaining freedom and being exalted by the Lord.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Will You Be Ready?
I attended Vigil Mass today. I saw the beautiful flowers adorning the altar. They reflect the beauty of our creator for a few days and are thrown away, having served their purpose. I started thinking about our own lives. After our sojourn on this earth is over, we'll meet the same creator our God. Will we be empty-handed then with no gifts to offer to him? Will there be treasures in heaven we have stored up while on earth? Under our accounts, will the Lord find fruit that we've borne for him? In sum, have we done anything to make us fit to enter the kingdom of heaven?
Gift Most Special
If you receive something of this world that makes you happy, you either keep it all to yourself or share it with some good friends when you feel like it. What is so special about the love of Christ is that once you receive it and it makes you happy, you become completely selfless and would want everyone else in the whole world to have it too!
*Bridging the Gap Between God and Man*
Communion experience. The fact that Jesus has instituted the Holy Eucharist for us to receive is proof that he has bridged the gap between God and man.
*Only One Way to Go
We know that we are all sinners. We know that God is all holy. We know sin and holiness do not mix. Now, know that that gap has been bridged by God through the giving of his only Son, Jesus. Also know that there are no bridges behind us for us to make any kind of retreat to safety.
*Indispensable Company
In union with God, you enjoy his company at all times. You enjoy what Paul talked about, the peace that surpasses all understanding. When you sin ever so slightly, you lose that peace instantly and want to get right back amidst the company of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You know that you'd never survive outside their company. God does "pamper" his children.
Friday, June 10, 2016
To Be Holy
Communion experience. To receive the Holy Eucharist is to accept the Lord's invitation to become holy by being one with him. Unlimited grace will be bestowed upon you via this Most Blessed Sacrament. To be holy is to be free, to shine in God's sight, and to dwell in God,
High Standards Our Hope
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better...." The Lord has certainly set high standards for us to be perfect, but we do need standards, and low standards are no standards. Rather than bemoan what we have to follow, let us rejoice that God wants us to be holy just like him. These standards give us hope. If we surrender to God, he will make us meet these standards with no sweat.
Hearing God Speak
In today's Reading 1 from 1 Kings 19, it was read that at the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the Lord came to him, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind came by, followed by an earthquake, and fire, but the Lord was not in any of them. Finally, there was a tiny whispering sound and Elijah heard the Lord speak to him. God truly speaks to us in a whisper. In fact, he usually speaks silently to our heart, not through our ears, for he wants to reach our innermost. Therefore, we will not hear God speak if we are not used to opening up our inner heart and examine our conscience before the Lord. If you make your heart completely transparent and accessible to the Lord, you are ready to hear his sweet voice speaking to you at any time.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
To Be With God Is...
to be filled with God and in God. You have settled down forever, no more looking ahead or back. You are content and free, no need to look out for yourself nor seek fulfillment. God now envelops and occupies you. Finally, you are home.
Becoming More Perfect
Communion experience. God entering you to make you holier! It was most gratifying ~ thanks be to God.
Illustrious Company
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all in each other. Do you know that when you are in union with God, you join the company of the triune God?
Getting Along With God
Also in today's Gospel reading, Jesus said, "If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." So don't expect that you can get along with God if you cannot even get along with your brother or sister. It follows that thinking you alone are favored by God and all others are despicable has to be most abhorrent to the Lord.
Impossible God Makes It Possible
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus warns that whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, whoever says, "You fool," will be liable to fiery Gehenna, etc. Then how can we possibly avoid punishment? Recall that after Jesus said to his disciples, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God," they asked him who then can be saved. And Jesus looked to them and said, "For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible." So the Lord's rigorous demand for our perfection above must be balanced by his infinite mercy.
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