***Putting Both God and Ourselves Down

        We talk about and quote the saints a lot. Why don't we talk about that we should and can be saints ourselves?     

How to Be Great

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 9, the disciples of Jesus were discussing among themselves who was the greatest. I believe at that time they had followed the Lord long enough to see that he was great, but still did not know what being great truly is yet. Jesus heard them arguing, came over and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Now I think they were beginning to get it.

*You Can Be Superior

        We have people in the world who are talented, good-looking, have wealth and fame . . . they seem to be in an advantaged position. Know that if you know and have Christ, you should not ever feel that you are disadvantaged in any way. In fact, you are in a superior position. Of course, this is not something to speak publicly about, for it is more or less a secret between you and the Lord. But you must feel happy about it if the Lord is pleased with you. 

Prayerful Life Is Must

        In today's reading from Mark 9, Jesus healed a boy with a demon his disciples could not drive out. Jesus told them that this kind could only come out through prayer. It shows that prayer is most powerful because God hears us and is most powerful. Pray and trust is all we need to do to get through this life to eternal life.

Always Go to the Lord

        Here is Fr. Mark Goring's latest post. I say amen to his message. God and his word are what we should always go to first. Best yet, attain union with the Lord and hear him speak to your heart directly.

God Lives Up to His Standards

        The teachings of Jesus are difficult for us to follow unless you truly know him well, as in union with him. In reading the Gospels, you actually see that the Lord practiced what he preached to the letter. This further convinces me that he is God, even though I already know. 

Following the Lord

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 6, Jesus gave the teaching on love of enemies and judging others to his disciples. It showed me clearly that we should love everyone, enemy or friend, and expect nothing back. It goes beyond mere oneway giving, for we are to accept being hated, mistreated, struck, or robbed. This is extremely difficult us to follow. Then I realize that for the love of God, we must at least have the intent to follow him. Doing all this for the Lord is really not that much relative to how much love we receive from him. 

**Eucharistic Miracle

        On Nov. 20, 2015, I posted about this miracle which took place in Buenos Aires. The video had been deleted, so I am posting a different one with Fr. Mark Goring reporting. The other video showed photos of the bleeding Host, but Fr. Mark tells the story so well that you do not miss the images. 

What Life Is Like (revised repost)

        You hear said "Life is like a dream," but I think it's more like a movie. A dream is rather ethereal, whereas a movie is a succession of scenes which you can direct and edit to achieve the desired ending. Watch this Catholics Come Home "Movie of Your Life" commercial to see what I mean.

To Follow in Faith

        God wants us to follow him in faith. Otherwise, he would show us instantly what he wants us to do each time and reveal the purpose of it all. Trusting in him with a strong faith is what he wishes.

*Missing the Boat (repost)

        I have been going over my old posts, trying to extract the short to the point sayings from them. I came across this one of September 10, 2015. I hope you'll like it as much as I do.

          "Not knowing Jesus is missing the boat that happens to be paradise."

**Fearing Ourselves (repost)

         This post of June 26, 2015 is worth reposting. I have shortened it to make it more succinct.

        "No need to fear God, for he loves us. No need to fear the evil one, for we have God. Fear only ourselves, for our eternal destiny depends upon if we choose God or the evil one."

To Know You've been Chosen

        Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 16, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." If you honestly believe as Peter did, then you have been chosen and called to be the Lord's disciple too. Now, follow him.

Letting God Have His Freedom

        I arrived at Mass this morning as an empty vessel, a blank canvas, ready for God to fill me with and make me look like whatever he wished.

***How to Love God?

        I was on the tread mill when this question came up and the answer came to me instantly: by unloving ourselves. As long as we love ourselves more than we love God, we do not really love him much. If we can love only him, 100%, then we become free. I have just revealed this simple truth to you. To me, compared to Einstein's E = mc² equation, it's simpler, but in a way even more profound and astounding. 

God Ours for the Asking

        There is a spiritual world out there. Before I became a Christian, I'd watched people inviting some spirit to come and it just showed up almost instantly. In this country, people who play the ouija board can tell you about this. Of course, those are all evil spirits you cannot trust. The point I want to make is that the Lord God, our creator, is the greatest and most holy spirit. Naturally, if you invite him to come into your life, your heart, he would do just that. Yes, he who loves you is yours for the asking. And he will protect you from all evil.  

An Unavoidable Question

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 8, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" We must ask ourselves this same question and know the right answer, and live what we profess to believe in. Again, no escape here. And believing in Jesus must be followed by following him until we know him at least as much as we know ourselves. (Yes, it's possible to know and love Jesus more than you know and love yourself.)

**The Unavoidable!

        The world is burying it head in the sand, trying to avoid something that is absolutely avoidable. And that thing is, every one of us will face our God and be judged one day soon; there will be no escape! So I am very concerned about all the souls. I have already woken up and know where I am headed, a great feeling. If you do not pay attention, you are drifting into oblivion, not good.