**One Wish Before Death

       We usually have something we'd like to do as much as possible before we die. It can be traveling, collecting stamps, woodworking, volunteer work, etc. Having resumed attending daily Mass, I'd like to receive Christ in the Holy Eucharist as often as possible before I die, for I realize that this Holy Sacrament is the most precious gift the Lord has given us to help us attain union with him.

****Secret of Rapid Spiritual Progress****

          Back in the 1970s when I was active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement, I was amazed how fast I progressed spiritually when God did the work for you. Years later, God seemed to withdraw from me to let me stand more on my own feet. Eventually, I realized that he's actually calling me to surrender myself to him even more on the contrary, for the more you submit yourself to him, the more he is free to do the work for you! This is the whole secret.

***Best Way of Knowing God***

         Go straight to Christ with total abandonment, not seeking signs, miracles or any affirmation. When the Lord sees such single-minded faith, he'll reveal himself to you quickly. This is the safest and most expedient way of knowing God. 

*****Fulfillment of All Desire*****

        Communion experience. I went limp. Who can possibly resist God's love? I became his and he, mine. I have all I desire. End of quest. 

***The Happiest Sound***

         That's the sound of the breaking of the consecrated host at Mass. You hear it and know that the Lord is ready to share himself with you. He's going to enter you, heal you, and become one with you. Joy without end!

**Choosing Light over Darkness (Smart Move)

         In today's Gospel reading from John 3, the Apostle wrote, ". . . the light [Christ] came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed." If you did something you're afraid to let anyone know, then you have sinned. That's why confession is such a good solution. Happy is the one who is free to tell the Lord everything he has done! This is also a smart move, for the Lord already knows everything.

**Letting Christ Change Everything

        I feel sorry for many older people who have nothing happy to share with others. They talk mostly about their minor ailments and sound so miserable. I wish they would know that Christ can change everything! He can completely change our outlook, give us the brightest hope and the greatest joy, and even heal us! At the moment, I can only pray for them, knowing that nothing is impossible for God. 

**Christ, Cause of Division

        Jesus said that he had come to cause division (Matthew 19, Luke 12). This is true. I've seen members of non-Christian families actually getting along with each other better than those of Christian families. In the latter, we often have non-believing and believing members going separate ways. This shows that Christ is no ordinary subject; he is either true God or false. The fact that he makes many people feel strongly for him and others strongly against him shows that he matters. Satan seeks to destroy the family, so any family that's undivided in Christ becomes a stronghold against any attacks from the evil one.

**Unending Love Real

        I rejoice today in God's unending love for me and everyone else. You can only dream of something like that, but it's real! So I rejoice. 

***Intoxicating Power of the Holy Spirit

        I love the Holy Spirit. I especially love to have him zap me, shake me up, and take full control of me. Then all my fears vanish. Having been totally refreshed, I now feel secure and content.

***Our Best Trip Ever!

         In today's Gospel account from John 3, Jesus said to Nicodemus, "No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man." Jesus must be the only man on earth who had come down from heaven. For this alone, he is to be trusted. The best news is that he came down from heaven so that we can go up there one day. This will have to be the most exciting trip we'll ever take. Hallelujah!

**Love That Overcomes All Sorrows

         Today Tuesday I prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Even as I meditated upon the great agony and horrific suffering the Lord underwent, I found solace. For his love for us is truly overpowering.

**Seeking Perfection*

        I listened to Radu Lupu playing Brahms' Intermezzo, Op. 117/1. It's an encore played at his last public concert on Feb. 3, 2019, at the Royal Festival Hall, London. As usual, the great pianist played this beautiful Brahms composition sublimely. Here the artist pursues perfection and we listeners expect to hear perfection. But any art can never be truly perfect and be our end. This leads me to see that only God is perfect, making him our perfect end. Nevertheless, let the great musician inspire you to seek the ultimate perfection, our God.

***Humbling Experience***

        Communion experience. The Lord entered me. It's such a humbling experience that I can only respond by yielding myself totally to him. Such a great joy! 

*****All We Need*****

        I have come to realize and see that Christ is all we need. I couldn't simplify this statement anymore. Truth is always simple and straight forward. You cannot say this about anyone or anything else.

***Storing up Treasures in Heaven

        In today's Gospel reading from John 20, the resurrected Lord appeared to the disciples when Thomas was absent. Later after the disciples told Thomas that they had seen the Lord, Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." A week later Jesus came again and this time Thomas was present. He said to Thomas, "Put you finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." The Lord knows everything that's going on. This makes me happy, for I can do every little thing for his sake and he knows and will reward me for it. Little things add up to bigs things. This is how you can store up treasures in heaven.

***Plea for Accepting Divine Mercy

        Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. God's mercy is great. He'll save you in the last second of your life if you repent all your sins and ask for his forgiveness. If you are reading this message, you heart is still beating and there's still time for you. But one day that beating will stop—where would your soul go then? Divine Mercy is meant for you, but you need to accept it to be benefited. Please don't wait until your heart stops beating.

***Preserving Inner Peace

        The peace of Christ is so precious that you want to guard it against anything that might take it away from you. This means you don't ever want to sin against the Lord. Protect this peace as if it's your own life. As a matter of fact, protecting it protects your eternal life!