I just watched a very good podcast. The speaker made it clear for all Christians that this is the time to go all out to battle evil for God. In the first half of the talk, he brought up various things for us to follow. I'll just mention a few. (1) First of all, be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect, as Jesus had commanded. (2) We must deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Christ. (3) Do not presume that you are going to heaven. (4) You must have faith and also works. (5) Do not remain complacent. These are all good things to remember, but if you try to follow them all, it may not be easy. That's why you should gain access to the power that can help you accomplish all these and more first. This is done by attaining union with God! When you are one with the Lord, you'll automatically do these things without thinking about them. Besides, you would know that the Lord is taking you with him to heaven!
Saturday, March 14, 2020
*A Decision We Face
Today's Gospel reading from Luke 15 is the best-known parable of the lost son. We learn that sin saddens our Father greatly, but admitting to him that we have sinned cheers him up greatly, so much so that the whole heaven rejoices. That a simple choice by us can affect God so much only shows how much he cares for us. We need to decide whether we continue sinning or repent.
Trust in God Best
God will be our final judge, casting all evildoers into hell in the end. How should we approach him? All we need to do is to trust in his mercy, for he wishes to pardon us and delights in his clemency. If we would just follow the Lord in full confidence, there's really not a thing to worry about.
*Seek the Lord, Not What's Peripheral
I've always been attracted to the Carmelites and their spirituality, St Thérèse of Lisieux being my favorite saint. I thought that visiting Mt. Carmel in Israel would be an exciting adventure, then I realized that I could enjoy the Lord every moment anywhere. It's experiencing the Lord, not anything that's associated with him, that should be central to us.
Friday, March 13, 2020
***Most Extraordinary Soulmate!
By definition, a soulmate is a person with whom one has a strong affinity, shared values and tastes. Obviously, when you are God become one, you become soulmates. But wait, this is no ordinary relationship, for God happens to be your creator and truly knows all about your soul. So that makes him the most extraordinary and fantastic soulmate you can ever have!
***The Greatest Feeling***
It's so great to be one with the Lord. Of course, it goes without saying that the Lord and you are now completely open to each other, with you in him and him in you. You pray to him, but you are really speaking to him right within your heart and soul. And you know that you are absolutely safe in him. Praise be to him, your most beloved!
***Church Needs to Repent
Outside of China, Italy has been most affected by the coronavirus. The current lockdown has made Rome look like an abandoned city. During this Lenten season, I feel that the Lord is calling all Church leaders, beginning with the Holy Father, to publicly renounce their sins to inspire the whole Church to follow suit. If they can humble themselves like this, the Lord shall surely bless them and the whole Church abundantly. This is the way to avoid divine chastisement. For reinforcement, watch Fr. Goring's new video "Pachamama & Coronavirus" below.
***He Is Our Life!
I have stopped attending daily Mass for the time being, as coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the county I live in. This morning at home, as I was gazing upon an image of my Lord being baptized by John the Baptist, I saw so clearly that Christ is the life. In John 14.6, Jesus did say (to Thomas) "I am the way and the truth and the life." Indeed, the world without him is dying, but those who possess him have and will have life eternal without a shadow of a doubt!
Thursday, March 12, 2020
***If You Don't Listen to God . . .*
Also from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man, suffering torment in hell, begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his father's house where his five brothers lives to warn them, lest they too end up in the place of torment. But Abraham replies, "The have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them." He says, "Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent." Then Abraham says, "If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead." Now, consider us. Jesus, the Son of God, the Lord himself, greater than Moses and all the prophets, had come, and many of us still do not listen to him! What is going to happen to them? I can only pray for them and leave the answer to God.
*Keeping Peace in Troubled Times
Today's Gospel reading is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16. As you know, the rich man dresses in purple garments and fine linen and dines sumptuously each day. And lying at his door is Lazarus, the poor man, covered with sores, who would gladly eat the scraps that fall from the rich man's table. When the poor man dies, he is carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also dies and is sent to the netherworld where he suffers torment in flames. Between him and Lazarus, a great chasm exists to prevent anyone from crossing to the other side. At this critical time when the world is fighting to rein in the coronavirus, it is good to be reminded that after we die, we'll end up in either heaven or hell. As long as we are sure that we are headed for heaven, we can remain in peace.
Trust Only in the One Who Knows You
Excerpts from Jeremiah 17, today's first reading: Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. The man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD, is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: it fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds. Therefore, trust only in God, not in other human beings or even yourself, for only he is trustworthy. Also, God will be the one to reward (or punish) us, for only he knows our minds and hearts.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
**Comforting to Know Our Mission
From today's Gospel reading from Matthew 20, Jesus said to his disciples, "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." The Lord knew his mission and had no fear of death. What then is our mission? Well, clearly we are to serve the Lord God without fear of losing our lives. This is good to know as we are facing the threat of possibly losing our lives to the coronavirus.
**Fool's Choice
Whether we face any crisis such as the coronavirus or not, we should always turn to the Lord, repent of our sins, and put ourselves in his hands. Those who choose to live only for themselves are doomed. There will be no reward from God after they die. What fools they must be to choose this life which will be over in the blink of an eye over all eternity.
***Urgent Time to Turn to God
Yesterday I posted "Reacting to the Coronavirus." Today Fr. Goring's video "New York Needs to Repent" echos my thoughts. It's time to turn to God and repent, more urgent than ever. To ignore God is heading toward eternal death. Only the Lord of Christ can lead us to eternal life.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
*Our One Teacher, Father, and Master
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus said to the crowds and the disciples, "Do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ." This tells me that God is our most important teacher, father, and master. And we must learn from him first, obey him first, and go to him for help first.
***Reacting to the Coronavirus
Is the spread of the coronavirus a chastisement from God? Maybe, considering how rebellious our generation has been against him. I do believe that God is always trying to get our attention to turn to him and to follow him. If we continue ignoring him, we give him no choice but to shake us a bit to wake us up. If we would all realize our sins, get on our knees, repent, and beg for his mercy, he will surely wipe out this terrible virus instead of letting it wipe us out. Rebellion against God cuts off his mercy; only repentance can open up the way to receiving it again.
Monday, March 9, 2020
**Where Is Your Faith?
A great video from Fr. Goring to watch, as many are worried about the coronavirus. In Matthew 8, Jesus and his disciples were in a boat and Jesus fell asleep. A violent storm came up suddenly so that the boat was being swamped by waves. The disciples got scared. They went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuke the wind and the sea, and there was great calm. Let's not ever hear the Lord say to us, "O you of little faith." We are to wield our faith always!
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