**Three Stages of Spiritual Life

        (1) You do not know God. (2) You find Christ and believe in him. (3) You submit yourself to himself totally and attain union with him. 

       You are saved when you reach stage 2, but I do believe that when you advance to stage 3, you definitely reduce or possibly eliminate your time in purgatory. 

*Horrible State to Avoid

        In today's Gospel reading from John 8, Jesus said to the Jews, "If you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins." "To die in one's sins" is a horrible thought! Sins are abhorrent to God, so to be in sin is to get repelled by God. Therefore, be sure to have the Lord cleanse you of your sins at all times, for you do not know the time of your death.

*Letting God Draw Us

        John 12.32: Jesus says, "When I am lifted up from the earth; I will draw everyone to myself." Because Jesus loves us, he wants to draw everyone to him. Certainly he would want to draw us all the way to be one with him, for the Lord is always thorough, committed, total, and complete. Let him draw you and you will also receive a bonus, eternal life in heaven.

Captured by God

        Communion experience. I felt uplifted and fulfilled, for the Lord had captured my heart.

Amazing and Inspiring

        Most amazing is how much the Most High God loves us. Most inspiring is how humble he is.

Knowing God 101

        St. Paul was a persecutor of early Christians before Jesus made him an apostle to the Gentles, and his calling came rather dramatically. For most of us, the calling is gentle and subtler. If we do not wish to turn to God, we just don't get to know him. But if we are sincere in wishing to know him, he never fails to reveal himself to us. Many converts came to know God after they pray "Lord, if you really exist, reveal yourself to me." Know that God is ever ready and eager to become one with you, so open your heart wide and he is yours!

Christ the Big Difference

        Humans beings can be loving and kind, but it is undeniable that they are also inclined to do evil to each other. Precisely why our world is so messed up. No doubt that without God, a lost world is doomed. Fortunately, we have the light of Christ, showing us the way to eternal life. This is  the hope the world needs. Now, those who believe in him will be saved forever. There is nothing else that can make such a big difference to us! 

**Healing of the Soul

        When we are physically ill and pray for healing, God may choose to heal us instantly, take his time, or leave us alone. In the last instance, we may recover naturally, remain ill, or even worsen. At any rate, God knows what's best for us. But when we are spiritually ill and pray for healing of the soul, the Lord does not delay. If you repent your sins, the cleansing is instant. Before receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, all Catholics respond by saying "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." If you truly believe, your soul shall be healed! The soul is our Father's utmost concern. It's healing is so much more urgent than healing of the body. It would be good to have both a healthy body and a clean soul, but always pray for healing of the soul first. 

*To Truly Please God

        If you truly wish to please God the Father, you would want all the souls, including the worst sinners in the world and your own worst enemies, whom he all loves, to be saved. Naturally, you would want to forgive everyone and not to judge anyone anymore. Seek union with God to make your will his will.

*Satisfied Is the One Who . . .

knows the mission God has given him. His life is now complete.  

Shortsighted or Foresightful

        If you think that your career in the world is most important to you, you are being extremely shortsighted. If you consider your spiritual life to be most important, you do not lack foresight. 

*Why God Is Indispensable

        I want to say again that only God can fundamentally change us. That is, only he can make us holy. Therefore, we absolutely need him to get into heaven.

Same Division Today

        In today's Gospel reading from John 7, people discuss about the origins of the Messiah, and there is disagreement among them, and among the Pharisees too, causing divisions. Today we are still like that. We either talk about Jesus a lot or actually listening to him; we are either close-minded or open-minded to his words. We are shaping up to be goats or sheep!

**Letting Evil Make Us Holy

        When you read or watch the news daily, it is easy to be saddened by all the bad things that happen around us. Natural disasters and accidents due to human error do occur, but most bad things are caused by sin, when humans inflict evil upon fellow brothers and sisters. Anyway, we feel frustrated when we see no way of helping the victim(s) in any way. I do suggest that besides praying for them, see each bad happening as an opportunity for us to become more obedient to the Lord God. Our desire to grow holier should please him and help making amends for the sins of the world. 

*From Atheism through Occult to Faith*

        The video on the Shroud of Turin by Russ Breault lead me to read more about him. Here is his most interesting and captivating conversion story. It confirms my belief that if you really want to know Christ, he will come to you! A video worth watching. 

*Shroud of Turin

        Russ Breault has studied the Shroud of Turin for over 25 years. Here is one of his shorter presentations on this burial cloth. You'll hear some amazing facts as well as some of Mr. Breault's personal insights.

**Greatest Tragedy and Foolishness

        Jesus is the only one who can unify all of us and give us eternal life as well, yet the world continues to ignore him – heading toward self-condemnation.

**Left vs Right

        I have said before that I do not ask myself if I am a conservative or a liberal – I do not think that way. I just go by what Christ has shown me. Today, it's more accurate to say that we have basically the left versus the right in America. In today's Gospel readings from John 7, the Jews were trying to arrest and kill Jesus. This reminds of what the left is doing today. Leftists are good at calling names, spreading lies, and accusing the right without facts. They are most concerned about controlling the populace so that they might hold onto power. The left has no regard for the unborn nor religious freedom. It fits the fascist mold. Hypocrisy and double standard come to my mind. The right is far from being perfect, but it's closer to being right. Follow Christ always to discern right from wrong.