***Why We Feel Restless (Another Simple Truth)***

        The moment we stop rebelling against God, peace is born. A simple truth again. Now you know why you feel restless when you feel restless. Again, the Lord has made us so.

***Necessity of Finding Solitude***

        The Lord speaks to us unceasingly, but his voice is gentle. If you are always busy with things of the world, you are not likely to hear him. Hence we need to find solitude from time to time, setting time aside whenever we can. I am blessed because, being a retiree, I have the time to attend Mass daily. I remain in church after Mass and there I get my solitude. Having just received the Lord, it's the perfect time for me to commune with him. Once you attain union with the Lord, solitude matters much less, for you are now aware of his holy presence at all times. I pretty much receive all the thoughts for blogging during Mass, and I scribble them down on the cards I carry in my shirt pocket. Once in a while, I have trouble deciphering my own writing, but that's rare. Praise God!

*****Great Beauty of God's Love***

        We enjoy looking at beautiful things. Some travel to find them. As you know, I am a photographer, and anywhere I go, I try to capture whatever beauty I see with my cell phone camera. Likewise, we enjoy listening to beautiful music. But there is beauty on an entirely different level we can experience directly from the Lord. Once you taste his sweet love, you'll feel that it's so beautiful that you just can't live without it. This is the beauty that captures the heart and intoxicates the soul, making you want to be in union with the Lord forever.

*****Treasuring the Luminous Mysteries

        I love the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary instituted by Pope John Paul II in 2002. I pray them on Saturdays, for to me they are closest to the Glorious Mysteries. (1) The Baptism in the Jordan. The Lord didn't need that, but he chose to go thru it like any one of us. This moves me very much. (2) The Wedding at Cana. Again, he was like any one of us, attending a wedding to join in the celebration. There he changed water into the best wine, performing his first known miracle. (3) The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Jesus called the Twelve, started to proclaim the Kingdom of God, and called all to conversion. This work continues on today. (4) The Transfiguration. Jesus was transfigured before Peter. James, and John. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became dazzling white. Both Moses and Elijah appeared to converse with him. The Father's voice came from the cloud announcing, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." What an awesome scene! This definitely is also a glorious mystery. (5) The Institution of the Eucharist. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave himself to us in this sacrament. This is one greatest miracle because he performed with the greatest humility. It's also a glorious mystery. 

***Union w/God Extraordinary Enuf*

        Some saints and mystics in union with God receive favors such as ecstasies, visions, locutions, even experiencing levitation or bilocation. But one can be in union of God without receiving anything extraordinary. The goal of seeking union with God is to know and experience his love to the max, and achieving that goal is extraordinary enough. Any other beautiful experiences received are simply there to help you magnify God's glory to the world.

***A Good Feeling

        I love to hear Jesus teaching us, counseling us, and guiding us, for he speaks the truth always. For example, in Matthew 16 he said, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Such words cut us to the heart. I feel as if the Lord is operating on me, straightening out and curing my soul. We feel good because we are sinners.

***Moving Up to the Highest Position

        In Luke 14, Jesus told this parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” This much I know. If we humble ourselves every chance we get, we'll be exalted to enter heaven for sure.

*****Greatest Possible Blessing*****

        Communion experience. I get to consume the Lord, having him dwell within me! This is even better than seeing or touching him. To me, receiving the Eucharist and becoming one with the Lord is the greatest blessing I can possibly receive in this life. It means that he has chosen me and granted me eternal life—there is nothing more to want.

**Spinning the Truth

        in today's Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus said to the crowds: "To what shall I compare this generation? . . . For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'" Guess of whom does Jesus' description of his generation remind me? Ans. Today's leftist politicians and the fake new media—they are "experts" at spinning the truth.

***On Consecience

        God has given each of us a conscience. As a result, we all know what's good or righteous and what's bad or evil. When a person sins, it's only because his conscience has gotten dull or muddy from excluding God to a certain degree; deep down he still knows and loses his peace. So it's critical important to develop a super sharp conscience for us to remain holy. In reality, conscience and holiness are intertwined. When you seek union with God through the Holy Eucharist, these two improve hand in hand.    

***Understanding God***

        God is our Father in heaven who loves us and wants us to have peace now and joy for all eternity later—a simple truth. If you are still an unbeliever, cast your pride aside temporarily and look into it. Should you find that Christ and his teachings are all baloney, you can always go on your own and do whatever you want with yourself. But be honest with yourself always.

***Super Food***

       Communion experience. This is the only food capable of melting my heart and my soul to merge my spirit with the Lord's.

***Wondrous Life*****

        When you are amazed by the Lord's wondrousness, you are excited about him. This is the way it should be. Pay attention to all the things around you and you can see marvels everywhere, not just when you look at the majestic mountains or the night sky filled with infinite stars. Most of all, there's the wondrous Lord dwelling within you when you are in union with him! A Christian shouldn't have a single dull moment in life. 

***Attitude of a Servant***

        In Luke 17, Jesus taught the apostles about this. He said to them, “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” We are to serve the Lord single-mindedly and not expect to be rewarded. This is an excellent way to practice being humble and selfless. (Psst! Our reward will be great in heaven!)

**On Giving to Charities

        This is not so simple nowadays. Giving smaller amounts to individuals who need help is not much of a problem. But giving larger amounts to an organization is altogether different. First of all, you want to make sure that the charity is an honest one. Secondly, you want to know the percentage of your contribution that will reach those you want to help. 15%? 90%? It could make a big difference. Then there are charities which actually promote causes that go against the teachings of the Church in some way—this is not always obvious. Last, is the charity truly short of funds at this time? To learn about all these things takes time and effort. How to give is another consideration. Depending upon your financial status, doing it the wrong way could result in paying a lot more taxes to the government. Of course, giving is a duty of each Christian, as we know that all we have comes from the Lord and we are to help others. So we need to pray and seek much guidance and discernment in fulfilling this duty.

**Repaying the Lord*

        Today is the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, one of my favorite Carmelite saints. Christ got himself crucified so that we might become anew, free from sin. It is entirely proper and logical that we get our old selves crucified so that we do become anew and sinless.   

*****Most Fulfilling Personal Experience

        I have always loved receiving the Holy Eucharist. But in the early years, it's more like fulfilling your duty as a Catholic. Fast forward to the present. Now it's a true encounter daily with my Lord, my God, and my most beloved.  

***Sign of Hope

        Do you know that there has been public worship held on the streets in various European cities this year? This is a beautiful thing. Here's a recent one from Amsterdam. Praise Jesus, for he is our Savior and hope!