**God Always with Us

        As I age, I realize many things I never thought about before. I can say that I am now much wiser, thanks to God. When we were young, we dreamed about our future on earth. Since we were in good shape physically, we pretty much thought that we could try anything we wanted. As we age, we start to see things differently. Of course, there are always some who die young unexpectedly, but most of us live to an older age. Then one day we realize that we are getting weaker physically. Our joints are now stiffer and even getting out of bed becomes hard. Any bruise mark we get doesn't go away for weeks or months and recovering from a serious injury seems to take forever. When an old person suffers a bad fall, it could end his or her life. Recently, a number of my old (age-wise) friends lost their driver's license. In this country, if you can't drive, you have to depend much on others. And we know that no one on earth can help our deteriorating condition and all of us will be left with God alone. This has been the reality ever since our birth, but we are only now aware of it. Yes, only God is always with us.  

Moment of Exaltation

        Communion experience. This was the moment God exalted us for yielding ourselves to him.

*Day of Chastisement

        Today is Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In today's Gospel reading from Luke 19, Jesus drew near Jerusalem, saw the city and wept, for he foresaw the coming onslaught on and destruction of the city. We do not take God seriously enough to realize that if we do not turn to God, our day of chastisement will surely arrive. Any cause will produce its effect. May we wake up to this fact before it's too late. 

**Most Profound Celebration

        Communion experience. It's the Lord completing my joy. Mass is the most profound celebration of all celebrations. We celebrate the Lord coming to us, giving us himself to consume in the Holy Eucharist so that we might have eternal life.

Controlling the Ego

          Serving the Lord without an ego is not easy. There are times we have an amusing thought and want to share it. It's OK if the motive is not to want others to notice you. But sharing it while serving Mass is usually never appropriate. It boils down to whatever you do, it must not be centered on yourself. And believe me, it's easily said than done. 

Saluting Fellow Brothers and Sisters

        At my church, I see many of my brothers and sisters in Christ who serve the Lord faithfully. They form the core of the parish, for they perform many duties faithfully, including cleaning the church every Friday, despite facing severe family and/or health problems in some cases. I praise our Lord for them and know that he will reward them greatly.  

**How to Receive More from God

        Today's Gospel reading came from Luke 19.11-28. Jesus told the parable of the ten gold coins. Two things we can learn here. (1) The Lord rewards those who are faithful in small matters. We may never be called to do anything big, but we are to remain faithful in every matter we are called to take care of. I might add that we must not neglect to do anything that glorifies the Lord either. If there is an opportunity to draw someone close to him, seize it! (2) The Lord is merciful, but he is also demanding. We cannot afford to be lazy in serving him. The bottom line was given in verse 26: I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Amen.

**Joy of Hearing God Speak

       I often have difficulty understanding others. At Mass, the lector is often not well-prepared or speaking too softly or enunciating poorly – that's understandable. Sometimes I also have difficulty in following those who speak using a lot of big words or nonstop – that could be my problem. That is why I feel great joy in hearing the Lord speaking to my heart because he always is clear and goes straight to the point.  

*Calling on Pope Francis

        Archbishop Vigano calls on Pope Francis to repent.

**Call for Action*

        Doug Barry's urgent message for all Catholics:

*Always Between You and God

        Nowadays, there is a great lack of reverence in many parishes. While waiting for Mass to begin, you could hear the congregation chattering and chuckling incessantly. You would have no idea that they are there to receive the flesh and blood of our Lord in person. Basically, we can listen to the most inspiring messages, read all about saints, or even witness miracles, if we do not open our hearts to God, we remain the same. But if we go to the Lord directly and open ourselves up completely, he can transform us in an instant! As Mother Teresa's poem "Do It Anyway" states, in the final analysis, it's between you and God.

*Holy Eucharist and Going to Heaven*

        These two Fr. Mark Goring's latest videos are worth watching. The first one came out 3 days ago and the 2nd one just over a week old.

Faith in Christ Most Beautiful

        Yesterday I could have attended morning Mass after returning home the day before, but I was too tired physically. So I attended Saturday morning Mass today. I experienced the beauty of remaining faithful to Christ. There is beauty in remaining faithful to anything that's good, but this was remaining faithful to the most holy, perfect, and loving Lord! You can't get more beautiful than that.     

*Living for God Only

        If people say good things about you, you do not become a better person. If they say bad things about you, you do not become a worse person. Ignore what people say about you and respond to the Lord God alone. Live to please only him and you'll have peace.

Body, Mind, and Heart

        Our body is good for doing physical work and labor; our mind, for learning new things and coming up with ideas. As for our heart, it's best to be used for searching for God and getting to know him.

**Serious Consideration

        Not accepting Christ as Lord and Savior is writing him off as one who has come and died for nothing. Do you honestly believe that there will be no consequences for that?

Christ Faithful and Trustworthy

        Communion experience. Jesus let me see that he is forever faithful and trustworthy.

God Our Renewer

        Attending Sunday Mass at a church away from home, the Lord let me know that we could start anew with him anytime we wish. In fact, he's going to make me new, whole, and as perfect as possible that day.