When Jesus was on earth, his disciples saw him, heard him, and spoke with him. Now almost 2,000 years later, we do not see him visibly, but the relationship can be just as intimate. He is with us exactly as he was with his early disciples. We now even have the Holy Spirit and can attain union with him through the Holy Eucharist. He still speaks to our hearts and we speak to him through prayer. God will never abandon us. He is close to us until we distance ourselves from him.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Ultimate Trust
Communion experience. The soul is my most precious possession. Recognizing that Christ was the only one who could safeguard it, I gladly gave it to him for safekeeping.
How to Live
On this Memorial of St. John Bosco, the Communion antiphon, Matthew 24.46-47, reads: Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen, I say to you, he will put that servant in charge of all his property. Attributed to Gandhi: Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Now, more to the point: Live today as if the Lord were to come tomorrow.
*Be Like a Worm
Earthworms live in tunnels in the soil. Because they become paralyzed if exposed to light for too long, they remain hidden underground. Nevertheless, this habit of the worm should inspire us to remain hidden in the Lord, not physically, but spiritually, so that we may be in his holy presence always and never seek the limelight of the world. It is concentrated, but relaxed and joyous living.
Our Main Business
In today's Gospel reading from Mark 5, we heard the healing of a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched his cloak, believing that she should be cured by doing so. Immediately her flow of blood dried up. Jesus was aware at once that power had gone out from him. He turned around, saw her, and said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."
Here we learn that the woman had faith and when she needed help, Jesus knew it immediately, and that her faith saved her. Sometimes God tests our faith, but we must always trust in him. For me, the Resurrection of the Lord alone is enough for me to cast all my care upon him. We should worship, adore, and praise God, but our main business is to trust him.
Proud to Be One-Issue Voter
Yesterday I conversed with a Catholic friend who voted for Hilary Clinton. One big reason I couldn't vote for her was her extreme pro-abortion stand, allowing aborting a baby anytime before its birth. My friend, a female, insinuated that I was a one-issue candidate, but I am honored to be one (even though I had other issues with Clinton) for following the will of God. Is it alright to follow nine of God's Ten Commandments and disagree with him on the one that says "You shall not kill"? I don't think so. With God, it must be all or nothing ~ either you obey him 100% or think that he is not worth obeying. Faith is nonnegotiable and must not be compromised at any cost.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Enjoying the Lord
Communion experience. Since I was in a state of grace, it was so enjoyable to receive the Lord to become one with him ~ to be exalted by him! I became completely his and vice versa.
Extreme Separation or Fantastic Union
Jesus said he had come not to establish peace on the earth, but rather division. From the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, we learn that a great chasm exists between the place of comfort and that of torment, which prevents anyone from crossing from either side to the other. This is extreme separation. On the contrary, there is the greatest unity on the side of God where barriers do not exist among those who belong to the same Lord – all in perfect union with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Again, we are confronted with making a choice now.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Unavoidable Choice
Everything we do has consequences, affecting the universe and most of all, ourselves. Know that doing anything selfcenteredly moves us away from God, whereas doing something for God's sake brings us closer to him. These are the only two directions to go. Putting off making the choice is definitely being self-centered.
Bread From Heaven
Communion thoughts. Food on earth may taste good to the mouth, but still upset the stomach. The bread from heaven not only uplifts and refreshes the spirit, but also heals and delights the soul.
A Special Reminder
If your mind is clear, it would be nice to thank the Lord for that when you still can.
Blessed Living
In today's Gospel reading at Mass from Matthew 5, we heard the Sermon on the Mount delivered by Jesus, giving us the beautiful Beatitudes. They guide us in the way of Jesus. He will bless those who acknowledge their need for God, feel sorrow for others, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful and clean of heart, make peace, and are willing to suffer for the sake of righteousness and for him. Last, he asked all to rejoice and be glad, for their reward would be great in heaven. How can we possibly not rejoice over this good news? I say, get blessed all the way to heaven!
Saturday, January 28, 2017
*Jesus Our Servant
Communion experience. I felt I was like some mud, dirty and full of germs before the Lord. Yet, in spite of my condition, he lovingly cleansed and sterilized me. The scene of the washing of the disciples' feet came to mind (John 13). God humbles himself so that we may be exalted.
Why Jesus Draws Me
Jesus draws me because of his perfection as God and sanctity as man. His unconditional love for us is the perfect manifestation of these two characteristics.
*Our Longevity
Some people live a long life and others die early. It seems that there is no correlation between longevity and how ready we are to die, how saintly or unholy we are, whether we are rich or poor, if we are healthy or sick, or other. Of this much I am sure: God allows those who love him to live long enough to do maximum good in serving him. He retires you after he thinks it's time to reward you.
*Jesus the Restorer
A newborn baby is pure and blameless. Unfortunately, it is born into an impure and sinful world and the child easily ends up as a full-blown adult sinner. I see Jesus as the only one who can make all the corrections to restore us to our initial pristine condition.
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