When we sin against others, we really sin against God who is most holy and the one who truly loves us and will judge us. Sin truly matters to him. Of course, it matters to us too, but sadly, we are not always aware of that. Nevertheless, we sin only against God and only he can take away our sins. If you are smart, you would want to submit yourself to him now.
Friday, February 24, 2023
***Making Following God Easy
During Lent now, we are reminded to deny ourselves and follow the LORD. This is living to please God alone and not others nor ourselves. Amazingly, this is how we get to experience joy and freedom. It also proves that we are our own stumbling blocks to following God.
**Enjoy God Foremost
Living in the world, we can enjoy the LORD as well as all the good things in life. I've found that with things of the world, I feel best if I don't overload myself with them. For example, if I overeat something that tastes good, I just don't feel that good anymore. And if I watch TV a little too long, even though what I watch is something good and interesting, it just doesn't make me feel any better. So it's best not to let things of the world tie us down to any extent. We should know when enough is enough. With the Lord God, it's just the opposite. We can let him "overload" us as much as he wishes and we'll feel all the more uplifted and upbeat.
**The LORD with Us
I walked into the chapel for Mass this morning and all lights were out; only the candles on the altar stands were burning. I wasn't sure what happened. My thoughts were as long as I know the LORD, it doesn't matter whether I am in darkness or not, for he is my light. Whether I see him or not, he's already in my heart. (All the lights did come back on later.)
Thursday, February 23, 2023
***Too Close for Comfort
We may love to know the Lord, yet we don't want him to get too close to us. With another human being, that may be being prudent and OK, but God is totally trustworthy. So keeping him at a distance is being rude, shows that you don't trust in him all the way, and cuts you off from attaining full union with him. I am sure that if you were in his place, you would be deeply hurt. With God, we should go all out with all our heart, if we ever wish to "capture" all of him.
**Getting to know the Lord
I've beeb looking for a monitor to replace my old one that has stopped working. And there are tons of information on choosing the right monitor online. The more you learn about it, the more questions you have. I really don't enjoy going down a rabbit hole like that. Then I thought of the Lord. Even though he is infinite, you can get to know himself thoroughly, for the path that leads to him is straight and clearly marked. You'll find him as he is and the journey is a delight.
*****Thanks Be to God***
Communion experience. It's the Lord God coming down from heaven to give me this heavenly bread, which is himself, to consume. Receiving it once is blessing enough, yet I have received it innumerable times and am receiving it now daily. I am dumbfounded that he should love and favor me this much. There's no way I can thank him enough. The best and least I can do is to always do his will. And I know that he'd be pleased. Bless my Lord now and forever!
**Be Awake, Not Just Aware
Also in today's Gospel reading from Luke 9, Jesus asked, "What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?" We all know the right answer to that question, yet so many of us still remain deeply attached to the world. I suppose we can be aware of a truth but still not awake to it. A tug of war is going on between God and the world over our souls. It behooves us to choose sides wisely and early.
**God Does It All*
In today's Gospel reading from Luke 9, Jesus said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." The picture I see is little me carrying a tiny cross, following the Lord with his big cross. As I follow along, I realize that he's caryimg me with my cross as well. Following the Lord is letting him carry you!
**Alone with God, Not Alone
First thought this morning. I am not alone! For the Lord is with me—he watches over me; he knows all my intentions, and he hears me when my heart speaks to him. It's impossible for me to ever feel lonely!
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
**Reluctance and Willingness
We are always the ones reluctant to let God love us, whereas God is always willing to save us from sin. When you are willing to embrace God, you are like the prodigal son returning to his father. The whole heaven rejoices and you are an instant celebrity.
****Being Marked by God
Today we all received ash in the form of a cross on the forehead. It's a beautiful mark to remind us that we are but dust, and to dust we shall return. To the faithful, I also see that God has marked them as ones chosen to inherit eternal life! From dust to becoming eternal sons and daughters of the heavenly Father, that's truly an amazing metamorphosis!
***Best Healing Experience!***
Communion experience. Christ is he one who can shake up, enter, purify, and heal my soul! I love it! Lord, now I can truly thank you from my soul.
***Living in Secret, the Secret***
In the Gospel reading from Matthew 6 today, Jesus said to his disciples: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father." The Lord wants us to live our lives in secret, hidden from others. This is living for God alone! This is being truly humble and liberated from yourself!
***Ash Wednesday Hope*
Today is Ash Wednesday. In the first reading from Joel 2, the LORD calls the people to return to him with their whole heart, with fasting. and weeping, and mourning. We weep and mourn because we have sinned against the Lord. But we can also rejoice and celebrate because the Lord is also our Savior! To those who believe and follow him, he promises that he will wipe every tear from their eyes and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain (Revelation 21: 4).
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
**Advice to Married Couples
Union between two human beings can never match our union with God who alone is perfect. True, on earth there are happy marriages and not-so-happy ones. Always remember that in Mark 10, Jesus said that in marriage, the man and the woman shall become one flesh, and no one must separate what God has joined together. Again in Luke 6:32, Jesus said, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them." In other words, we must love everyone, our wife or husband included. Learn to love the unlovely and we grow spiritually. The goal is to let the love of God rule in our hearts. And this can best be accomplished through attaining union with God. For in union, you become humble, selfless, and generous like the Lord, thus you will be able to overcome all difficulties in your marriage or elsewhere in your life. The love of God is the most powerful force in our universe. Obey the Lord to become powerful.
*Attaining Freedom in God*
Communion experience. It's by surrendering every bit of yourself to God that you gain total freedom in him! Everything else fades away, the LORD alone looms large. And I got myself totally renewed.
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