Views of Death in Contrast

        Without knowing God, death is not a pleasant thought. You realize that life is fragile and that being old and frail can be likened to a candle whose flickering flame can go out anytime. The worst feeling is not knowing what will happen after death. Those who follow Christ know that he has conquered death for them. As they age, they know that they are getting closer to being with him in bliss for all eternity and their longing for their beloved one will finally be fulfilled. There is no greater contrast than that between these two differing views.  

Awesome God

        Today's Communion experience. I trembled but was filled with great joy at the same time. 

Linked to Heaven

        Communion experience. It was Jesus calling me to his table at which I was served the living bread of life. Jesus was as immediate to me as he was to the Apostles at the Last Supper. I have tasted heaven and am now linked to it. 

Process of Spiritual Awakening

        We first believe that Jesus does exist as a historical person; then we believe that he is God; next, we accept him as Lord and Savior; we come to know his love for us; we fall in love with him; we desire to be one with him; finally, we achieve union with him. This seems like a long process, but the speed of progress and the extent to which you can progress depend entirely upon you. In theory, the moment you abandon yourself completely to God, you are in union with him.

Changing Life's Goal

        We all basically strive to make enough money to survive in order to satisfy our physical and mental desires. In short, we have been enslaved by self-centered desires. Then Christ enters our life and makes us see that if we live for him for his glory by following his will, we would be free, and on top of that, have eternal life. If you think that this is too good to be true, you can always try it to find out.    

All About Life

        I see myself as someone traveling on my journey back to my creator and Father. On earth, I am just passing through, carrying no burdens. If you don't believe that there is a God, then you have no idea where you are going. In other words, you are lost. In this case, you might as well live a completely self-centered life, enjoying life as much as you can and not caring about others, while you are on earth. The fact that atheists are not living like that 100% yet shows that they still have a God-given conscience. 

Eager to Receive More

        Communion experience. Jesus said, "To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich." With this in mind, I eagerly desire to receive more from the Lord who is infinitely rich.

Own Ways in the Way

        In the Gospel reading from Matthew 11 at morning Mass, Jesus told the crowds what their generation was like. Today's generation is not much different. People are full of biased opinions, readily judging others. Those who run for public offices and their supporters are prime examples. Then there are some people I know personally who are basically good people, but very strong in holding onto their own beliefs. In one case, a man does not want to bother anyone, even though clearly he needs help because of failing health. He turns down any help from others who are genuinely concerned about him. Perhaps it's his pride? a stubborn trait? The point I want to make is that you may have your own ways as long as you are not dealing with God. With the Lord, we must soften our hearts and give in if we expect to be saved, for no one other than the humble will be able to stand the Lord.

*Beauty of Faith

       If you believe in the Lord with your whole heart, everything about him, about you, and about everything else will make perfect sense to you, for there is no contradiction in God.

*Looking Forward

        Communion experience. Jesus cleansed my whole interior and I was ready to go to him. Great Feeling. Nothing in the past is worth dwelling on, for the past is gone forever. Only God is worth looking forward to, for he will always be both my present and our future.

On Obeying Jesus

        At the wedding at Cana which Jesus and his mother attended, when the wine ran out, Mary asked the servers to do whatever Jesus tells them, and water turned into the finest wine. Obviously, Mary knew who her Son is. It is in obeying Christ that we come to witness his miraculous powers. And it is in obeying him that we become truly Christians and whole beings before God.

Mary Our Beloved Mother

        We all need a mother. Whether you are male or female, it is natural for us to call upon our mother when we are distressed. Mary is our mother in heaven. She intercedes for all of us who call upon her and leads them to her Son. It was through the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe (whose Feast is coming up on December 13) that Mexico was converted to Catholicism. My love for Christ can't help spilling over to loving his mother and now my mother.

"Impossible God"

        At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel told Mary that nothing would be impossible for God. Of course, that does not mean that we ask for anything and it is done for us, but it does give us hope always, knowing that we have a God who can do anything and happens to love us. 

How God Calls Us

       In the Gospel reading from Luke 1, God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, through her. Mary didn't expect all this and naturally, was troubled and puzzled at first. This is how God calls us too. First, there is an element of surprise, then in time we understand what the Lord wants from us. Our role is to do what Mary said to the angel at the end, "May it be done to me according to your word." Know that God calls us when we have found favor with him.

God Beyond Understanding

        Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the second reading from Ephesians 1, Paul writes: Blesses be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. Wow! This is the way God the Father has blessed and chosen us! It's so much more than what we could have expected. Rejoice that we have a God who surpasses all understanding.

Making Our Life Meaningful

        Communion experience. Today is the Memorial of St. Ambrose. (Bishop Ambrose was the one who influenced Augustine and baptized him into the Church before Augustine became a saint.) The Lord showed me that continuing letting the Holy Spirit make us as perfect as he is until the day we die is what makes our life meaningful, for this is properly responding to his love for us. 😊

Responding to God's Love

        Communion experience. 1 John 4.19: "We love because God first loved us." It follows that God also first chose me, found me, and called me. Now I must respond to his love with joy.

Bonding With God

        People create strong bonds among them when they go through some adventure or harrowing experience together, even though they might not have known each other well at the beginning. Therefore, always ask the Lord to go through all the trials and tribulations of life with you for him to become your best and most intimate companion.