Impure Thoughts

         Even if it were true that entertaining impure thoughts in your mind does not harm your soul, it's still a big waste of time, for it does not advance the status of your soul.

*Easier to Become Holy

        I play the piano and find that becoming holy is a lot easier than learning to play the piano well. In fact, it is easier than learning most other things. Let me explain. To learn to play the piano well, you must understand the piece you are playing, analyze its composition, and know how you wish to interpret it. Then it takes a lot of practice to learn all the notes. Even talented pianists spend up to 6 hours a day on practice. Some won't even play any work in public until they've mastered it for at least a year. You want to reach the point to be able to play the piece exactly the way you'd like to hear it played without any concern about the notes. As to becoming holy, you simply submit yourself to God. He then takes over and you place all your trust in him. The rest is up to the him, with no analyzing, no figuring out what to do, no memorization or any drudgery on your part. 

*Only Truth

        It is the coupling of authority and 'love and mercy' that distinguishes Christianity as the truth and not just another religion. No other religion can come close. (And please do not judge Christianity by the acts of some of its members, for all sinners fall short of being perfect or they wouldn't need Christ anymore.) 

Christ the Life Giver

        In today's Gospel reading from John 6, Jesus said to the crowd, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." I am here to testify to you that Jesus had spoken the truth, for all my spiritual hunger and thirst have been completely fulfilled. It's only after this happens that one can start living a happy and meaningful life. 

Appropriate Submission

        Today's response to Psalm 31 of David (verse 6a): Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. It was what Jesus cried out to the Father before he breathed his last on the cross. And this is exactly what we should be able to say to Christ as our shepherd and our God.   

*Freedom in God

        Do you realize that God cannot be a burden to us? If you think that he wants to control or enslave you, you've got it all wrong. The fact he has given you the free will shows that this fear is all conjured up by you in your heart and mind. In truth, God is our doorway to freedom. Once you submit yourself to him, you enter his infinite space and are free to do anything you want. The fear of God is basically caused by your rebellion against him and not by him.

*What Life Is All About

        Today's entrance antiphon at Mass: The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock. Here is the supreme example of God showing his love for his children. Hampered by the original sin we carry, we need his help to respond to this love and return to him. It all comes down to straightening out our relationship with God. 

Content in God

        Communion experience. After receiving the Lord, time froze and I clearly saw all the sins I committed before I knew him and the restless state my soul was in. Now, I am in him, with him, and could ask him to keep me clean to my heart's content. What a difference God can make! He does want to give us joy that can wipe out all sorrows.

Experiencing the Holy Spirit

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 24, Jesus, after his Resurrection, appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Even though they were prevented from recognizing the Lord at first, their hearts burned within them when he spoke to them and opened the scriptures to them. If you experience the burning of the heart at the thought of him, it is the Holy Spirit, for you cannot induce this feeling yourself. Paul wrote that it is the Holy Spirit in us who prompts us to cry out, "Abba, Father!" Naturally, this has to come from the heart and not just saying it without feeling. Tears of joy is another gift of the Spirit. God is not cold; he is to be experienced.

Most Pleasing to God

        Sometimes we promise God that we would glorify him in some way if he would grant us a certain favor. But the Lord would be more pleased if we do not bargain with him but submit ourselves to his love with great trust. 

Our Full-Time Job

        Following Christ is a full-time job. In fact, it should become our second nature. To achieve that, simply seek union with God by surrendering ourselves to him.

*Tough or Timid

       There are guys who want to be tough, believe that they are tough, and act tough. But if they are afraid to look into themselves to see what they are made of and are afraid to face God, then they are in truth timid souls. On the other hand, those who remain humble and willingly submit themselves to God are the courageous (and wise) ones whom God will happily exalt.

God Incredible

        He loves me; he died for me; and he enters and becomes one with me through the Holy Eucharist. I believe in him and receive unbelievable benefits. Praise be to him forever!        

Feeling Sorrow in Happiness

        Communion experience. I already have the Lord and lack nothing, so I felt great sorrow for those who do not know him and greater sorrow for both the Lord and those who reject him.

Life Also Precious

        Even though our life on earth is relatively brief, it does provide us with many opportunities to increase our faith. When we are receptive to God, he also uses every moment to teach us. It is through living on earth that we receive our faith. Besides, our life is given by God. Thus life is essential and precious too.      

Faith Over Life on Earth

        Faith in Christ is infinitely more precious than life on earth, for the former guarantees life eternal, while the latter is over in the blink of an eye. If you ever have to choose either faith or life to keep, you should clearly choose faith.

**Life's No. 1 Concern

        If you have any foresight and courage at all, you should do your best to make sure that you soul will enter eternity happily, for it exists forever. A pointed question: what's the point of living if you future life is going to be even more miserable?

Guidelines for Living

        In today's first reading from Acts 5, the Apostles rejoiced that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name of Jesus. So it's not what others do to you, but how you respond to the Lord that matters. What the world thinks of you is utterly unimportant relative to what God think of you. And always follow the will of God and not be concerned about your success or failure in whatever you do.