****Effortless or Time-Wasting Living****

         The Lord God intends that we trust in him fully and abandon ourselves to him completely so that he may take full charge of our lives. On our own, we inevitably struggle, toil, and worry. Seemingly impossible goals such as getting to know God well, attaining union with him, becoming holy and blameless, etc., can all be realized when we get the Lord fully involved, for he makes the process effortless each time. When we do not take advantage of the mighty loving Lord, it is truly sad and we end up wasting time living.

**Be Attentive to God's Calling*

        At Mass this morning, I sensed God's awesomeness. Such an awareness demanded a response from me. In fact, anytime you sense God's existence for an instant, that comes from him and you should respond sincerely and respectfully from your heart. Do not ignore such a grace. Having a hardened heart is worse than suffering a heart attack, for it will destroy your soul for sure.

***Secret of Inner Peace Revealed*

         The Lord God created us out of love. Christ came to us and confirmed that. We either accept him as our Lord and our God or we don't—there's not a third choice. Accept him and we have peace. Otherwise, no peace. That's all there is to it.

***The Christian Truth***

         This post is appropriate to follow the last one I just published;

*****Most Important Subject*****

        I've been known as a one-subject person to talk to, and that subject is Christ. It's not exactly a compliment on me; but I don't mind, for it is the most important subject for our existence. One day soon we'll all realize that when we leave this world. But for some who are still asleep now, it may be too late then.

***Only One Worth Living For***

        Communion experience. Christ is the one for whom it's worth our giving up everything, ourselves included, for. He must increase to 100% and we decrease to zero.

***Know the Truth***

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 4, a demoniac saw Jesus and knew him to be the Holy One of God, proving that he indeed is. We need to recognize this truth too, for the eternal survival of our soul hinges on that.   

***Greatest Division Explained

        In today's Reading 1 from 1 Corinthians 2, Paul writes that Christians have the mind of Christ and can judge everything but is not subject to judgment by anyone. I see that those who have received the spirit of the world no longer possess a clear conscience; they are not able to distinguish right from wrong anymore. You see this all around you at all times. This has caused the greatest division among us. I suppose you can "blame" it all on Christ. Then know that he is our judge and our Savior, the Holy One.  

***Believing in God Properly***

        With the Lord, always keep things simple. Believe in him like a child. You only need to know that he loves you and you need to love him back by obeying him always. There'll be no doubt, no questions asked. Your faith is so single-minded that you don't need to see miracles nor hear prophetic warnings. You know the Lord will always lead you right and Satan can never harm you. Now you remain totally free in the Lord, enjoying his peace and joy.

***Loving the Lord*

        Today's Psalm response, Psalm 119:97—Lord, I love your commands. If we love the Lord, then we love everything about him, his commands in particular. It is in obeying his commands that we remain holy and in union with him. 

***Most Ignorant Fools*

        There are people who believe that they know more than anyone else, becoming so opinionated that they no longer listen to others. Not knowing the Christian truth, they don't see right from wrong. So these prideful individuals are now easy targets for Satan. They think they are smart, but they in fact are most ignorant fools. They are to be pitied. Pray for them all.

***Our Ultimate Quest and Rest*

        Christ the Lord is our God, our creator, and our Savior. I can tell you that knowing him can make you feel so good, experiencing freedom, peace, joy, and a lot more. So definitely give him a  try, for there is really not another being or thing that can fulfill our heart's desire to any extent.

**Clear Conclusion**

        This came to me today. If Christ is the truth, then we must follow him to the letter. This is so clear that there's nothing more I can say about it.. 

***Be Smart and Bold Please

        The Lord God is our only judge. Since he knows each of us thoroughly, he knows exactly how to judge us right. Not knowing God, we can never be sure if we'll be saved or not in the end; but, if we believe in Christ, eternal life is assured! So why not take the sure path rather than remaining uncertain all your life? In other words, why not be smart rather than remaining asleep the whole time?  

***Joy-Filled Encounter with the LORD***

        Communion experience. It's a most intimate, most endearing, most personal, most satisfying, most rewarding, and sweetest encounter with the Lord God!!!!!!

**How to Earn God's Trust and Grow Rich**

       Lesson from hearing the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25 this morning: To the servants who had successfully traded with the master's talents and profited, he said to them, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities." To the lazy servant who out of fear and buried the only talent he received so as not to lose it, the master was angry and took it from him and gave to the one who made the most profit. He said, "For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." We Christians need to be faithful in everything we do to earn the Lord's trust. Being fearful and timid just won't cut it. This is how we can grow rich spiritually.

*Cheering Messages

        Today's First Reading verse from 1 Corinthians 1: God chose the weak of the world. The Psalm Response from Psalm 33: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own. The Gospel verse from Matthew 25: Since you have been faithful in small matters, come, share your master’s joy. Last, the Communion antiphon from Psalm 104: The earth is replete with the fruits of your work, O Lord; you bring forth bread from the earth and wine to cheer the heart. Upon hearing the highlighted parts read, my heart was gladdened each time.

***How to Know God***

         This is how I first accepted Christ. I felt the emptiness of life and met a humble Protestant Christian who lived a simple life and was always cheerful. Because of his example, I finally succumbed and accepted Christ as my Savior. In this case, only my heart was involved. This is how the Apostles came to believe in the Lord. Later when I wondered if I should become a Catholic, I started reading books both for and against Catholicism from the public library at Berkeley. I did that every weekend for over a year and finally knew that I should. Now, the mind was totally involved. So to know and love God, you only need your heart. I know of people who started out using their mind and never converted. The heart has to take over at somer point, and humility can certainly help.