Today we heard the parable of the lamp read from Luke 8. Jesus said to the crowd: "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be be known and come to light. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." Jesus is our light, for nothing can be hidden from him. Those who welcome his light see their own imperfections and know exactly how to ask the Lord to help them, and he makes them holier. But those who hide from his light are blind to their sins; they remain in darkness and lose their life altogether.
Monday, September 23, 2019
**What Life Is Like to Us
Life can be seen as a peaceful period of time interspersed with many disruptions or as a series of disruptions interspersed with short peaceful periods in-between. Since I receive the Lord daily, I see my life as a continual dwelling in him who protects me from all disruptions and blesses me with inner peace.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Are You Trustworthy or Not?
In today's Gospel reading from Luke 16, the parable of the dishonest steward was read. Jesus said, "The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones." People are either trustworthy or not trustworthy. It doesn't matter if you are a Christian or not. I had Christians who promised me to do something for me and never heard from them. I bet we all had friends or acquaintances who owed us money or borrowed a book from us and never mentioned it again. And they are lawyers and government officials who do not follow the laws themselves. One small incident I still remember. I was learning how to develop prints in a city photo lab many years ago. A staff member told all learners never to dip their hands in the developer. In the darkroom, I saw this very staff member doing exactly what he forbade us to do; he was rubbing the paper with his fingers in the solution, attempting to make the image appear sooner. If we want God to trust us, we must be trustworthy to him.
*Jesus Revealed
We do not know what we want until we know Christ, for he leads us into a new existence out of this world. He is our missing piece that makes us see the whole truth. He is absolutely essential for our soul, our whole being. Yes, he is our treasure, pearl, and prize. And he turns out to be our creator, Lord, and loving God.
**How to Know the Lord
John 10.14 is one of today's two Communion antiphons. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep and they know me. It comes down to knowing the Lord as our shepherd. Do you truly know him? If not, seek to attain union with him and you will know him when you become one with him. A most amazing life-changing experience!
What's Our Concern?
Living in this physical world, we are most concerned about my physical existence. We wish each other good health and believe that to have good health is most important to us. The last thing we are concerned about is our spiritual well-being. Therefore, those who are ready for Jesus' Second Coming will have an excellence chance of being saved and those who don't even think about the Lord will have a much smaller chance of being saved.
Worse than You Think
Is the spiritual condition of the world better or worse than you think? In Mark 7, Jesus said to his disciples, "From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile." Since these evils may not manifest themselves and we can't see what's hidden in people's hearts, the spiritual condition of the world is definitely worse than you think. When we think that we are good enough for God, it only shows that we are not, for lack of humility.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
*Experience Your Conversion
As sinners, we can all experience conversion. When we truly repent of our sins, we experience it. Besides, God always wants us to become holy and he can surely help us succeed. Open up to the him and you'll experience being converted by him continuously, living a life ever refreshing.
**Cleansing Time for the Church*
Today is the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle. Matthew 28.19-20 was the entrance antiphon: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that I have commended you, says the Lord. This is the chief mission Christ has given to his disciples. Then you look at the Church today, busily occupied with covering up all the scandals and allying with the world's leftists and globalists. As the members are losing their faith and leaving the Church by the droves, the Church doesn't even seem to care. Yes, there are still clergy and laity that are God-loving and God-fearing, but the hierarchy has become more like our politicians or the Pharisees. Schism within the Church has already begun (look at the German Church that wants to go even further left). In fact, the present division could end up with a breakup into more than just two factions. This is a sad, trying time for all of us, but God will triumph in the end. Pray hard that he will cleanse and restore his own Church again quickly.
Friday, September 20, 2019
**To Be Freed from Sin and More
I see that we sinners (7.7 billion as of this year) continue to sin in thoughts, words, and deeds. On the surface, we can't always tell until our own or others' sins hit us in some way. In other words, we are living in a pretty filthy world full of unclean hearts. This can't be our permanent home and the good thing is that all of us will be leaving this world. I see clearly that the way out of this predicament is to follow Christ. He is the only one who can remove our sins, even our tendency to sin, and heal all the wounds inflicted upon us by sin. Not only we are set free from sin now, we also get to enjoy paradise forever later!
**Ultimate Food
Communion experience. Here I was receiving the food that would fill my hunger and quench my thirst not just for a day, but for all eternity!
*Easy Path to Heaven
Matthew 10.32, today's Communion antiphon: Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father, says the Lord. Be proud of Christ and he'll be proud of you. What an easy way for us to get to heaven!
God Our Ultimate Goal
You can never _______ God enough. Can you fill in the blank? Here are just some correct answers: love, praise, adore, trust, obey, surrender to, be holy for.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
**Dark Days of the Church*
Worldwide abortion of the unborn continues on, less and less Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Church membership dwindles, and Catholic universities are become increasingly secular—just to name four alarming facts. I don't see the Church doing much to turn the tide. Instead I see the Church continuing to cover up the various scandals, not providing complete transparency. Millions and millions of dollars were paid out, resulting in the closure of many parishes and schools. The Holy Father seems to be more concerned about "global warming" and conciliating the various other religions and the secular world than saving his own flock. We with the Church are going through some very dark days.
***Get Personal with God***
In today's Gospel reading from Luke 7, a sinful woman showed great love for Jesus—she brought an alabaster flask of ointment with her, stood behind him at his feet, weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears; then wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. And Jesus forgave all her sins.
Lessons. For those who show great love for God, much will be forgiven; but to those who love little, little is forgiven. The Lord is not someone remote or from whom you need to keep a distance. In fact, he loves you to get personal with him. Therefore, tell him everything and show your affection—there should no barrier between you and such a loving God. He wants all sinners to go to him so that he may free them from their sins! There is no other Savior than the God of Christ. Yes, seek union with him and he even becomes your soulmate!
What We Forget to Do to God
We pray to God, praise him, thank him, and serve him diligently, but we often forget to rest ourselves in him, which is equally important.
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