***The One to Follow

        On this Holy Thursday, we had Evening Mass of the Last Supper. In the Gospel reading from John 13, Jesus washed the disciples' feet to give them a model to follow, so that as he had done for them, they should also do. In any situation, it'd be good for us to ask what Jesus would do before we do anything. This takes courage and discipline, but it's the way to become a bona fide disciple.

**Old Age Blessing

        When you are young and healthy, there are always things you specifically want to do or accomplish. Once you get older, you realize that your time left in this world is limited and if you already believe in Christ, you question what the point is of doing anything that's going to satisfy just yourself. So you become famous, important, or admirable for a little bit more, will that make you look better before God? The answer is clearly no. In the time you have left, whether you are old or still young, the wise thing to do is to serve the Lord and start storing up you treasure in heaven. Believe me, the inner peace you'll enjoy alone would make it worthwhile. Unfortunately, many of us do not realize this until we are very old or just before we die.

**Only Way for Us

        As I was enjoying my time with the Lord at Mass this morning, it came to my mind that some of the Ukrainian soldiers might be aiming their weapons at their enemies, deciding when to blow them up. This is what evil can lead us to. All I can say is that we are at the mercy of God, so we need to love, obey, and trust in him with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength. I don't see another way. Then even though we walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil (Psalms 23:4).

**The Christian March

        "Never look back" is a good motto for Christians to follow. We should always march forward fighting the battle for the Lord God on our way home back to the Father. When we repent our sins, we simply pause briefly. Once our sins are forgiven, we are recharged and move full speed ahead again without looking back. 

**God Loves Our Soul

        Communion experience. The Lord's love for me is an inherent love for my soul! And I am to respond to him from my soul.

**In Heaven Already

        At Mass this morning I knew that the Lord had already revealed all the mysteries I need to know for my salvation. I am not in heaven yet, but in a way I am already there, as there is absolutely no barrier between the Lord and I now. 

**God Invulnerable to Evil

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 26, Judas Iscariot was getting ready to betray Jesus. This shows clearly that evil is real and Satan always tries to attack God. This time he lost again because he didn't know that it's God's plan that Jesus should die so that we might all be saved. Anyway, follow God no matter how bleak things seemingly look, for evil can never thwart his plan.

**God Loves High Aimers

        Always aim high before God. You want to be good enough to go straight to heaven! If you are satisfied with going thru purgatory first, then you are like the student who is happy if he can just pass the course. He can miss the passing grade by half a point and flunk the course. And that's not being smart. God loves high aimers who trust fully in his mercy and generosity. Allow God to lift you up as high as he wants you to go. This is being smart!

****Incredible, Awesome Sacrament*

        Communion experience. Before receiving the Lord, I was excited, realizing that we can attain union with God and become holy! This is absolutely awesome, exhilarating, and most humbling! Then when I received the Lord, it's like the heavenly banquet being delivered right to me—again, awesome and incredible!

***Amazing Lord!

        In today's Gospel reading from John 13, Jesus announced Judas' betrayal and predicted Peter's denial. I am amazed by the following. (1) Jesus knew that he's going to suffer greatly and be crucified, yet he humbly accepted it all and never complained. He's no ordinary human. (2) He knew in advance when and how Peter was going to deny him. Only God has such power. 

**Union with God Solidified

         Today Tuesday is the day for praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. I am thinking that people bond with each other when they have a good time together, but the bonding is even stronger when they go thru some tough or difficult time together. When we meditate on the Passion of Christ and feel his sufferings, our union with him is also solidified.  

**Eternal Life Begins in This Life

        When we follow Christ, we not only gain eternal life, we start experiencing freedom and receiving peace and joy in this life. By contrast, living without Christ is living a lost, meaningless life devoid of real peace and joy that can last forever.

**Letting God Prepare You

        God is in charge. We should put ourselves in his hands before doing anything. This way, whatever happens to us would be expected. If you do not put yourself in his hands and do whatever you feel like doing, whatever happens to you may shake or shock you and it would be difficult for you to deal with it properly without losing your peace.

*****Max Giving, Max Gain*****

        Communion experience. Christ shed his most precious blood to save me from eternal death—he couldn't possibly have given me more than all of himself. I surrender myself to him totally and gain all of him plus eternal life—I can't possibly gain any more that that. It's God's lopsided love!

**Most Important Thing to Take Care Of

        We don't hesitate to take care of the many things in life. It's often necessary. Yet we totally cast aside looking into our relationship with God, the most important of all things. Let's say that's because you don't have any faith yet. Then the right thing to do would be to find out who Christ claims he is and what he teaches. To head into an unknown future is a terrible thing.

**Switching on God

        God is always calling us. Why? Because he loves you and wants to save you. That is, he wants to give you the vey best in every way beyond you highest expectations. You are now enslaved by your own sins, fooling you into thinking that you can find happiness in this life. But deep down, you know that you won't, and life is short. Like many, you are not able to break free of your attachment to the world to face God for a change. The best way to get going is to start praying to the God of Christ even if you don't know him yet. Tell him honestly about yourself. The more humbly you acknowledge your helplessness, the more he can help you. Getting started is hard, but get started you must. Once you get going with an open heart, it should become easier and easier. If you go all out, your spirit will soar in no time.

***Just Passing Thru

        We who follow Christ already know our endpoint—heaven, that is. So whatever we go thru is what we must go thru for a little while. You might as well enjoy the scenery, while your heart is with the Lord. Doin't complain, be patient, and remain faithful. In fact, be like the breeze, free, easy, and carefree. Before you know, your journey is over. Now it's joy all the way!  

**Be Wise and Have No Regrets

          In today's Gospel reading, as Jesus was carrying the cross to his execution, a large crowd followed him, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!'" These are poignant words. I believe that such days are coming to all those who ignore the Lord now and will regret later. God's infinite mercy is yours for the asking. But if you do not ask, you could end up regretting for all eternity. My advice: "Never do anything that might make you regret later!"