**Are You a Good Person?

        You may think that you are basically a good person, but that depends upon how you measure yourself. None of us is qualified to judge anyone, including ourselves. Anyway, even if the whole world thinks that you are a great person, it's no proof that you'll make heaven. As a matter of fact, the world usually gets it wrong. Therefore, do not judge or exalt yourself, but remain humble and let God alone be your judge. Only what God thinks of you matters.

*Perfect Disciple's Role

        In today's Gospel reading from John 13 for this Holy Thursday evening Mass, we shall hear read the washing of the disciples' feet by Jesus at the Last Supper. Jesus gave his disciples a model to follow. If he, the master and teacher, had washed their feet, then they ought to wash one another's feet. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, ready to wash his feet, Peter said, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." I must include Peter's response which is typical Peter: "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well." The clear lesson for me is that we must accept whatever the Lord wants to do to us without questioning, even if we do not understand. This is perfect trust and perfect obedience, making you his perfect disciple, ready to receive inheritance from God!

With Christ As One

        Communion experience. I was in touch with Christ, interlocking hearts and being detached from the world at the same time.

Secret to Greatness

        Today's entrance antiphon from Philippians 2: At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, for the Lord became obedient to death, death on a cross: therefore Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The Communion antiphon from Matthew 20: The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. These verses give us the complete secret of being exalted by God. All we need to do is to be obedient to the Lord and serve him.

Reverse Outlook

        We don't happen to be here on earth somehow and then want to find God somewhere. Do you know that God knew us before we were formed in the womb? that we were created in his image? that we actually belonged to him? that we had strayed away from him and he had redeemed us again through Christ? that now we can return to him? and that we is awaiting us?

More Serious Sin

        Do you realize that when you idolize a pop star or any other human being, you also help building up his or her ego, thus making you sin even more serious?

*Even Greater Feeling

        I have said that it is a great feeling to know that you and God are on good terms. But it's an even much greater feeling to know that God has completely occupied you and you are now all his!

Infinite Kindness

        Communion experience. I felt as Peter did when he was awed by the power of Jesus, fell at his knees and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." Yet the Lord came to me, asking me to receive and consume him.

Avoid Sinning

        I attended the Vigil Palm Sunday Mass. The long Gospel reading came from Matthew 26 and 27, telling about the betrayal by Judas, preparation for the Passover, the betrayer, the Lord's Supper, Peter's denial foretold, the agony in the garden, the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, Jesus before the Sanhedrin, Peter's denial of Jesus, Jesus before Pilate, the death of Judas, Jesus questioned by Pilate, the sentence of death, mockery by the soldiers, the way of the cross, the Crucifixion, the death of Jesus, the burial of Jesus, and the guard at the tomb. The Lord made me see that every sin we commit against him hurt him, and that we must avoid sinning with all our heart, all our mind, and all our soul.

The Human God

        The response at Mass was what Jesus cried out from the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This completely revealed the human side of Jesus ~ so beautiful, so moving. Thanks and praise be to him forever!

*Sinner's Joy

        I am glad that I am a sinner. How so? You see, it's the realization that I am a sinner that makes me love Jesus my Savior!

Peace Eternal

        Attended Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Church in a city. I saw that once you are in union with Christ, the peace you experience in him is eternal. 

Who's the Boss?

        Before you know God, it's all up to you because you play him, controlling your own entire destiny. After you know and surrender to him, it's all up to him as he directs and leads you. It's from "all up to you" to "all up to God." It's all about "who's the boss?" 

Seeing It Both Ways

        If you encounter misfortune and ask God why it should fall on you, then you should also ask him the same question when good fortune comes to you. 

*How to Be Perfect Is . . .

the same as how to love God.         

God's Will Over Emotions

        As humans, we tend to follow our emotions and not our will. Since we can never go wrong by following God's will, it would be wise for us to do that exclusively to avoid being misguided by our own emotions.

Progress

        Once you have graduated from college, attending kindergarten would no longer be fun. Similarly, once you have known the heavenly Christ, the world becomes boring.

Home-Sweet-Home Feeing

      I used to pursue pleasures of the world, but now I feel good that God is my home. We all know that home-sweet-home feeling. But if your home is where God dwells, that has to be the sweetest home-sweet-home feeling. Indeed, there is no place like heaven, being home with God.