**Correct Focus

         In today's first reading from 2 Timothy 1, Paul wrote, "God saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus . . ." This is telling me that to be holy, I do not focus upon what I do for God, but upon following his will, a fine distinction here.  

***Do You Belong to God?***

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 12, some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and asked him, "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?" He said to them, "Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at." They brougnt one to him and he asked them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They replied, "Caesar's." So Jesus said to them, "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." So if we belong to God, we should repay to God all of ourselves. If we are still fighting him, we don't belong to him yet, that is, he is not truly our Lord yet.

****What Life on Earth Is All About****

        In today's reading 1 from 2 Peter 3, Peter wrote "Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God . . . we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him." While we await meeting the Lord, this is the perfect time to perfect ourselves to show that we welcome that day. Life on earth is all about perfecting ourselves for heaven, in case you're still unaware. Either do this or waste your whole time on earth. 

****Same-Lord-Different-Roles Warning***

        Jesus came to us 2,000 years ago as Lord and Savior. He came to give us the good news as told in John 3.16: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. He came not to condemn us, but to save us from sin with love and mercy. He remained meek and humble, and died on the cross for our sake. Then we'll meet him again to be judged by him either after we depart from this earth or at his Second Coming. That'll be the time of justice, not of mercy anymore! If you want to repent and ask him to forgive you then, it'll be too late! So make peace with your creator now while there's still time.

***Wake Up to Sin Please***

         We all know sin and must not ignore it! It is the biggest and most fundamental problem we face and our worst enemy, for it alienates us from God and can get us condemned for eternity! It is the first problem we need to address and dispose of. Dealing with sin is more pressing than any of our other concerns, for we don't how much time we have on earth. Much of the world's population is in such a sad state that they not only embrace sin, they are also oblivious to how sin can ruin their souls. The only way to solve the problem of sin is to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, for as our creator, he alone is able to take away our sins and make us heaven bound. This is the reality we need to awake to. It is what life is all about.  

****Amazing Thought*

        I am amazed and rejoice that on earth I can not only reach the Almighty God and Father, but also be united with him both physically and spiritually. After I leave this world, I'll be living the most joyful life in my Father's house forever! 

**Fruit of Being Connected to Christ*

        In John 15:5, Jesus said to his disciples, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing." Since each of us is a branch of Jesus the vine, we are connected to him as one. Know that not only we can bear much fruit, we also receive all the power we need to remain strong in battling evil at all times.

***Beware of Prophecies***

        Jesus warned us in Matthew 24 that many false prophets would arise and deceive many. Today in what I believe to be end times, we have prophets galore. On YouTube alone you find all kinds of signs, miracles, apparitions, warnings, etc., reported or presented. To me, a true prophecy deserves to be presented accurately and clearly with all the detailed information on where, how, and when it came about. Looking at these videos on YouTube is like looking at a Hollywood production. You see special effects and hear dramatic music. The thumbnail usually shows a made-up fake image with a clickbait title or description which often is not even mentioned in the video. Sometimes it also shows the picture of a well-known Catholic religious figure just to lend credibility. The image of any sign or miracle presented is always fuzzy or somewhat dubious. Some weeks ago, some videos reported that Virgin Mary would appear atop the Statue of Liberty on June 1, just two days ago, according to Vicka, one major Medjugorje seer. The thumbnail showed such an image as if it had already happened. So far I haven't heard that it had. So this false reporting's can potentially ruin the credibility of all those alleged Marian apparitions that began in Medjugorje. What bothers me is that there are prophets who advise us to eat special foods, keep certain objects in the house, and even not to go out on a certain day during certain hours. To me, to be ready spiritually is of foremost importance, not performing certain specific little things. The best policy is to stick to the Church-approved prophecies, even though the Church doesn't require us to believe in them either. Put your trust in Christ and you can't go wrong.

*****Extolling the Eucharist*****

       On this Corpus Christi day, here is my message to all. The Eucharist is my our greatest gift from God, for it's the Lord himself. It is also the humblest and thereby the greatest miracle because the change of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ takes place unnoticeably with zero pomp. When you receive this sacrament, you are united with the him physically; then when you also accept his invitation to unite with him spiritually, you attain union with him. There is not another relationship that's more intimate, exalted, or fulfilling. The Lord is now your God and also your heavenly soulmate.

***Jesus Is God***

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 14, we heard that on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Jesus’ disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them. What amazed me here is that Jesus made things happen in the future the way he'd wanted. Only God can do this! 

*****KNOW THIS INVAUABLE TRUTH*****

         Anytime we lose peace, it's because we are out of sync with God. Proof: Surrender ourselves to God to become totally obedient to him and we experience instant peace. This is how God has made us! 

**Crystal clear Promise*

        Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi. John 6:51 is the Gospel acclamation: I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever. It can't be any clearer. Either you believe it or you don't. Also, common sense alone tells me that the Holy Eucharist is truly the body and blood of the Lord. If the bread were merely symbolic, it'd be hard to believe that he would have said "whoever eats this bread will live forever."

***Communion Elation*

        Communion experience. In John 6:51, Jesus said to the people, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever." How could I possibly not feel elated when I ate that very bread? (I did feel sorry though for those who couldn't get to experience the joy I was experiencing.)

**Christ My Illuminator and Consoler*

        Today I feel blessed that anytime my heart is troubled, I can go to the Lord Jesus who understands everything perfectly. I unburden myself before him and he would help me see the truth and make me feel good again. Without recourse to him, one could easily be driven to depression and hopelessness. With him, no matter how heavy your burden is, you always come away feeling free.

**How Lost Can One Be?

        We are to take God's every word seriously, yet today there are many who worship Satan exclusively. Satan is real to them, but the Lord God is not? How lost can you be? This surely has to be one gravest sin!  

**Attending Daily Mass Avantage

        I get to enjoy uniting with the Lord spiritually as much as possible. If we are inseparable now, we'll be inseparable forever.

**Praying for Evildoers

        We pray that the Lord will wipe out all evil. It's better that we pray he convert, not destroy, all evildoers.

***Each in His Own World***

        Once you know Christ fully, you know you are living in reality. Then you look at the people who live apart from the Lord and see that they are each in a way living in his own fantasy world. To them you now look like an oddball. I guess that's being fair enough and a small price to pay. Wait, I could also see it as a great big honor that's been bestowed upon you!