***Praying to the Father***

         In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 14, after dismissing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain by himself to pray. If the Lord needs to pray to the Father, how much more we'd need to pray to him! Seeking union with God thru the Holy Eucharist is one sure way of becoming aware of the Father's presence at all times so that we may succeed in praying unceasingly to him.

****Well-Meaning Warning***

        I arrived at the seminary early, about half an hour before morning Mass started. I sat in my car in the parking lot at the top of a hill. Normally, I say some of my prayers then. Today I looked thru the windshield and saw the whole distant view, a landscape of trees dotted with houses here and there, extending as far as I could see. It just looked so peaceful in the cool sunny morning. We should really be so content living a peaceful life and enjoying all the good things the Lord has given us. Yet people still seek fame, power, and wealth, trampling on others along the way. This is our biggest problem, making us the only creatures on earth that sin against God, soiling our own souls in the proocess. This makes a mockery of Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross. A huge awakening is needed or we'll receive the greatest shock of our existence upon leaving this earth! 

***Basic Truth (Mankind's Biggest Problem)***

         When we disobey God (sin), we feel the burden and lose peace. When we surrender to God and let him be our Lord, we are set free. It comes down to choosing ourselves or God to follow. 

***All Delights and Sweetness***

        Today's Communion antiphon, Wisdom 16:20: You have given us, O Lord, bread from heaven, endowed with all delights and sweetness in every taste. I must say that our Lord is most delightful and sweet, and he makes us all delightful and sweet to him.

***God's Most Extraordinary Miracle

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 14, Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish enough to feed the crowds that followed him, consisting of five thousand men, not counting women and children. After they ate, there were still twelve wicker baskets full of fragments left over. To me, this miracle is absolutely extraordinary. You see, human scientists can only convert an existing amount of matter into an equal amount of something else. Here, the Lord practically created something out of nothing.

**Following God Anywhere Anytime*

        The Apostles followed the Lord when he was on earth. Since the Lord God is not restrained in any way by time nor physical distancing, we can follow him just as easily. After all, we are to follow him in spirit and with our heart.

***Going Home to the Father***

        If you go to your heavenly Father and tell him anything from your heart, focusing upon him alone, you'll get his undivided attention. He always treats you the way you treat him. This is how you can get to know your Father most intimately. With the aid of the Holy Eucharist, you can achieve full union with him. You are now home with the one who loves you the most, the one to whom you rightfully belong!

***Set Free from Sin

        Communion experience. I am saved! The biggest burden of my soul is gone—sin has lost all its power over me.

*****Most Important Reminder*

        Before you die, you'd better make sure that you have reconciled with the Lord God, for he's the one you must answer to after you die. Wise is the one who does it the moment he's aware of it.

**Believing Is Better than Seeing

        Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. I did not see such an awesome glorious sight, but if I believe that it did happen, this to me is as good as seeing it. I'll always believe what Jesus said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed" (John 20:29).

***Is Your Life Worth Living?*

        No, if you live you life for yourself only. Yes, if you live it for the Lord God who loves you and wants to save you from sin. The answer is that simple.

***Our Only Worthy Judge*

        God is our best and most worthy judge, for he created and knows all about us. If we know him well, we'll know exactly what's best for us, that is, what will and will not get us to heaven. 

**Life Is like a Lit Candle*

        Life is as fragile as a lit candle. A puff of wind can easily put the flame out. But those who have Christ don't need to worry about that, for if the flame does go out, the Lord will relight it with a flame that will last for ever!    

***Remember God Always

        Without God, there would be nothing existing. Because of him, we're here now. This is something we must always remember and thank him for it. Now that we can even have life eternal thru Christ, it behooves us to obey him with all our heart. 

**Being Renewed Again*

        Communion experience. The Lord was present and the chapel became a most holy place. I received the Lord and a brand new life began again. I could even compare it to the moment God created me.

**No Ordinary Death

        Jesus has died for us—you probably have heard that many times. But pause and think about that for a moment. Jesus is God. He died for us means that he sacrificed himself on the cross for our sins. So we have the Lord God sacrificing himself to save us—we are loved with the greatest possible love! When I realize this, I thank Jesus and feel great joy what he has died for me!

**Confidence in the Lord**

        Today at Mass I knew that the Lord hears me, for everything I tell him comes from the depth of my heart. And he listens to me, as I've already asked all the angels and saints in heaven to intercede for me. 

***No More Freedom of Speech!***

         The video may be taken down shortly. I share it because what's happening in this country is just as bad as what's happening in some of the countries we condemn. Hypocrites galore are running our country now.