**God Knows It All!

        In today's Gospel  reading from Matthew 14, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening, the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the 4th watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they cried out. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
       It is clear to me that the Lord had all this planned out from the beginning and knew exactly what's going to happen and what he's going to do. And that is the way with each of us who follow him. It is so good that we can trust in him fully to have him teach us, take complete care of us, and save us! 

***Go with God

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 22, Jesus told the parable of the wedding feast, explaining again what the Kingdom of heaven was like. His conclusion at the end was that "Many are invited, but few are chosen." We should take this message seriously. If we ever feel that the Lord is inviting us to go to him, we'd better go. In fact, we should leave everything behind and go without hesitation, as the apostles did when they heard his call.

*Knowledge vs. Faith

         Which one would you rather have? To see the correct answer, ask yourself which one will get you to heaven.

**God Is Always Fair

         In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 20, Jesus explained what the Kingdom of heaven was like to his disciples by telling them the parable of the workers in the vineyard. A landowner hired various laborers for his vineyard throughout the day. In the evening, the owner started to pay all the laborers. When they all received the same wage, those who were hired early grumbled against the owner that those who were hired late and worked less hours received the same pay. He said to one of them in reply, "My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous? Thus the last will be first, and the first will be last."
              To see the point more clearly, imagine that you work hard for the the Lord all your life and get to heaven. Then you meet someone there who had been bad all his life, but was saved because he repented just before he died. Would you feel upset? I don't think so, for all is fair and square. In fact, you'll probably feel good that you have served the Lord well. Besides, when you are so happy and content in heaven, you wouldn't know how to grumble against God anymore.

***Letting God Have Your Heart

        Today's Gospel acclamation, Hebrews 4.12: The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflection and thoughts of the hearts. All the more we need to give our heart to God. When the Lord has our heart, he will reveal all we need to know to us, setting us free! Yes, offer your heart up to him to become one with him! 

**Bypassing Our Shepherds

         In today's first reading from Ezekiel 34, Ezekiel prophesied against the shepherds of Israel that since they no longer looked after the Lord's sheep, the Lord was going to save his sheep by claiming them from their shepherds and pasturing them himself. This is how I feel about our Church divided today: we are no longer being pastured by our shepherds. All the more we need to go to the Lord directly to seek union with and guidance from him.

*Clear-Thinking Catholic*

          Many of you probably have heard about the controversial Fr. James Martin. Here's an older video that shows the response to him from an articulate, clear-thinking convert Catholic. 

**Most Profitable Possible Investment

          In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 19, Jesus said to his disciples, "Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life." From the business point of view, this has to be the investment with the best possible returns. Anything that will give you eternal life is definitely to be grabbed. Put the Lord first for a brief time on earth and he'll make you blissful for all eternity! For any amount of effort we put in to honor him, he'll always reward us to the max.

**Harder than Keeping God's Commendments

         In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 19, a rich young man asked Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. He asked him, "Which ones?" Jesus replied, "You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
         We see that giving up your material possessions is even more difficult than keeping God's commandments. But to be perfect, we must detach ourselves from what we have. In practice, we may not be free to give up all our things for whatever reason, but at least we must be willing to do so, should such need arises.

***Hypocrites Galore Today

         During this COVID-19 pandemic, churches and many business have been forced to close down and most of us to remain home as much as possible. It is ironic that many of these government officials who enforce these restrictive laws have no qualms about (1) letting unruly mobs loot and burn other people's properties and endanger other lives and (2) supporting unconscionable sins such as abortion that would cause many to lose their souls! No wonder the Lord say "woe to you" to the hypocrites!   

***Only Guide We Need*

         The second part of today's entrance antiphon from Psalm 84: One day within your courts, O God, is better than a thousand elsewhere. Living in this world on our own is like wandering in a vast wilderness. You are attracted to go here and there, but you do not know where you should go. Once you know the God of Christ, you don't need to go anywhere anymore, for you have now found the way, the truth, and the life, all in one Lord.

**Starting Out with God

        This is the typical way we lose God. We start out following the secular world like almost everyone else, not being aware that many things are sinful to the Lord. Gradually, we sink deeper and deeper in sin, falling further and further away from God. It would take a rude awakening for us to ever get back to him. On the other hand, if you start out submitting yourself to God and enter deeper and deeper into him, sin will become so distasteful to you that you will not ever want to offend the Lord again. Now you soul is safe and eternal life awaits you. Starting out with God makes all the difference!

***How to Become a Saint

         Simply let the love of Christ consume you totally. We need to submit ourselves to him more than ever at this critical time to receive power to safeguard all souls for the glory of God!

**Faith Is Persistent

         In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman called out to Jesus, begging him to heal her daughter tormented by a demon. Jesus said to his disciples, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." The women still came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me. He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." The woman's daughter was healed from that hour. Faith won the day! The Lord never gives up on us. Let's not ever give up on him.

***To Get God's Approval in All Things***

         We as Christians should do everything to please the Lord, but it's so easy to forget that and do just what we feel like doing, and worse yet, do what feeds our ego. I followed Sunday Mass on TV this morning and watched one reader reading who wore a flowery dress with her whole arms and small parts of her upper body all exposed. I understand that this is summer time and I am sure that she would blend in well at a shopping mall or a summer party. But at Mass, everyone is looking at you reading from the Scriptures and you surely do not want anyone to lose their focus upon the Lord. I know some people will say that they do nothing wrong and if others have a problem with it, then it's their problem. Let me quote Luke 17.1: Jesus said to his disciples, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur." Be in touch with the Lord always; never mind if the whole world think you are out of touch with them. 

*How to Get Blessed the Most

         Today is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here is the entire Gospel reading from Luke 11.
       
        While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

        The Lord is telling us what pleases him the most. We can praise him with words, but praising him by observing the word of God is best.

***Start Living an Exalted Life

         On the physical level, to become a muscle person, you need to have been born with the right genes. If you wish to become an excellent ball player, you need to have the right coordination and good reflexes. Not everyone are so gifted. The same on the mental level: not anyone can become a top mathematician or proficient pianist. But on the spiritual level, since God can reach your heart and soul, there is no limit to how holy you can become! This is something to rejoice and be excited about. We can reach God, beyond even the stars! Open up to the Lord to let him exalt you to the highest possible level.

*Become Wiser as You Age

         Christians are in the world, but they must not be of the world. As we age and approach leaving this world for good, it should help us become more and more detached from the world. After all, what's the point of holding onto anything you'll have to leave behind forever? To be in Christ is to be out of this world, for we are now free and belong to him. Let aging help you see this truth.