"Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Personal Private Universe

        Communion experience. Let the Lord dwell within you and he creates a personal universe for you to live in, enjoying your union with him in great intimacy. 

*One True Freedom

        In today's Gospel reading from John 8, Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." "Freedom" sounds like a beautiful word, but not all freedoms are good. For example, freedom of speech invariably leads to disorder and freedom to chose abortion is purely evil. All these freedoms enslave us, for they allow us to sin. Therefore, the only freedom that truly sets us free is freedom from sin. Let Jesus take our sins away and we are free. Remain as one with him and we continue to remain free.

Overview of the Spiritual Warfare

        Some thoughts following the last post on the life-or-death situation we are in. The spiritual war goes on between God and Satan, but we are really engaged in a war with ourselves. One part of us tells us to follow God and the other part, to follow ourselves – this is the fundamental struggle that goes on within us. Although God will overcome the evil one in the end, the outcome of our personal battle directly affects God's success. To not help the Lord who is on our side is to help his enemy who is also our enemy.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

*In a Life-or-Death Situation

      A dear friend's brother just passed away. He was a most devout Catholic to his last day, but none of his children today has any faith. It shows how divided our world is, how evil has infiltrated the world. Be aware that we are right in the middle of a fierce and ferocious warfare! Every single one of us is in the battlefield. If we do not choose God to fight against evil, we shall surely die. There is not a moment to waste. 

*Holy Communion to Be Cherished*

        Communion thoughts. There are life experiences we always remember and cherish. Receiving Christ in the Holy Eucharist should be such an experience. After the Lord has personally entered to be consumed by you, how can you possibly walk right out of Church after Mass and instantly revert yourself to the same old you? You have passed up the most intimate prayer time you can spend with the Lord! Let every Communion draw you closer to union with him to make you more perfect and beautiful. Take the Lord seriously so that he may take you seriously.

**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.

Monday, March 19, 2018

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!

Sunday, March 18, 2018

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. 

Saturday, March 17, 2018

*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!