"Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

Sunday, September 10, 2023

**Returning to God Examined

        Because we have inherited the original sin, God requires that we repent and have faith in Christ the Son our Savior to restore our original relationship with him. 

***Best Way to Overthrow the Ego*

        Ego is the worst enemy of a Christian and can only be eradicated by the Lord after you have submitted yourself completely to him. For the Catholic, it makes seeking union with God through the Holy Eucharist your top priority, for that will prepare you best to overcome any spiritual obstacle! 

**Heaven Linked to Earth*

        In todays's Gospel reading from Matthew 18, Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." This shows that whatever we do on earth shall directly shape what happens in heaven and that the Lord will alway be with us when we gather together in his name! 

**The Door We Must Pass Thru**

        We are either united or divided by Christ simply because he is our Lord and God. Our destinies are completely dependent upon whether we believe in him or not.

Saturday, September 9, 2023

***Neglecting the Soul

        In today's homily, Fr. Steve mentioned "Too many neglect their souls." How true, foolish, and tragic that is. This applies to Christians too. Being lukewarm is neglecting your soul. Being not watchful, unprepared, or living a self-centered life is totally neglecting your soul. To continue to do evil is to have already lost your soul.

*****Our Most Precious Gift

        Communion experience. The Eucharist is our most precious gift from the Lord, for it is the Lord himself! We must know what we are receiving.

**God Knows Best

        Why doesn't God wipe out evil outright every time for us? In overcoming evil, God makes it neither too hard nor too easy for us so that if we have enough faith in him, we succeed. He always tests us to help our faith grow. Naturally, the stronger your faith becomes, the easier it is to ward off evil.

*****Urgent Message to All*****

        Satan has taken over a large portion of our world. Only by accepting the love of Christ can we be set free. Listen to the latest urgent message from St. Michael the Archangel to Archbishop Vigano regarding the state of this country. (You may skip to 2:03 just for the message.)

**Evidence We're God's Creation

        I am amazed that we eat a lot of different foods and the body knows how to process them so that we absorb the useful part for nutrition and health, and discard the waste that's of no value to us. Furthermore, we understand good and evil. These two facts alone show clearly that an omnipotent God created us.

Friday, September 8, 2023

***Alleviating the Lord's Suffering

        On this Friday, I thought about the horrible sufferings Jesus had undergone for our sake. We cannot possibly go back in time to console him, to help him carry the cross, or to alleviate his pains in any way. Knowing that he is still suffering today for our unbelief and unfaithfulness, the least we could do is to accept our own cross and follow him. I believe this should please him and is also what he expects of us. 

***Christ Understands Me Perfectly***

        Today again, I am aware that Christ is the only who always understands me, thoroughly. This is of great consolation to me. How can you possibly not fall in love with such a beautiful, amazing personal Lord?

The LORD Revealing His Love

        Again during consecration of the bread and the wine at this morning's Mass, Fr. Phil recalled the words of Jesus at the Last Supper: "TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT: FOR THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU" and "TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT: FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME." These words are filled with pure, selfless love that should melt our hearts. 

**Our Calling*

        Today is the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From the first reading from Romans 8, we heard the following read: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son... So God not only wants to save us from sin, he intends that we become like his Son too.

Thursday, September 7, 2023

***How to Be Carefree***

        Care only about the LORD—a seemingly paradox that's absolutely true!      

***God as Our Friend

         When you feel God's holy presence and him calling you at all times, it's pretty overwhelming. I love it and can say that the Lord God has to be the best friend we can possibly have.

***At the Lord's Command

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 5, Jesus got into Simon's boat and asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught such a great number of fish and their nets started tearing. What got me was Simon Peter's response "at your command I will . . ." This is the admirable attitude we should assume always, obeying whatever the Lord commands at all times. 

**Weapons to Fight Evil

        These two things empower us: Holiness and Prayer. 

**The Peace Is Worth It*

        When you do not sin, the peace you experience is so good that you're glad you're clean.