People who do not wish to change often defend themselves by saying "God has made me this way." Know that we are all born sinners and far from being perfect, and the Lord definitely wants to change us for the better. We must absolutely be willing to change as he wishes. This is total abandonment, which is perfect obedience. So do not ever use "the Lord has made me this way" as an excuse.
Sunday, February 9, 2025
***Beautiful Living***
Let all you think and all you say and all you do be an act of saying "I love you" to Christ the Lord.
**Another Wake-Up Call**
Do you know that our Savior Jesus Christ is ready to take your sins away to make you spotless and clean any time you repent to him? How can you still say that becoming holy and going to heaven is hard? He has completely cleared the way for us, but we stupidly hold back! If you are in that category, try to understand what your reason is. Honest self-understanding takes effort and courage, but it often clears the way for moving forward or a breakthrough. Wake up and open your heart and mind to the Lord to let him help you see the light and truth clearly.
***Letting the Lord Have His Way***
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. He then 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 a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. I just want to focus upon part of Simon's reply "but at your command I will . . ." Here is a big beautiful "but"! It's letting the Lord know that even if I don't think it's a good idea, I'll still do what you want me to do. This is being absolutely cool!
***Irrefutable Evidence
In today's second reading from 1 Corinthians 2, Paul testified that Christ died, was buried, and rose on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He further said that the Lord appeared to Peter, then to the Twelve. After that he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom still living. After that, he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all, to him. Many of us do believe that Christ indeed rose from the dead and is our Savior. If you are not such a believer, I believe that it's not because you believe he never existed or rose, but because you just choose not to believe in him, and that's a big bad reason.
**Prayer Request*
This morning at Mass, I thought that if all of us in the world would pray for the wellbeing and salvation of all others, friends and enemies, we'll surely have a world in peace. Prayer is power, and God's power knows no limits. So I urge all to join me in praying for God's mercy on all souls sincerely from your very heart. We are to please God alone and leave the judgement to him.
****Two Aspects of Life***
We have two aspects of life. The obvious one is the way we live outwardly. We do all the things to survive in this world. This is our exterior life. Then there's the interior life which we normally don't pay too much attention to, but is the first thing the Lord God looks at. It has to do with our motives and intentions behind what we do, how genuine or phony we are, how humble or prideful we are, and most of all, how much we love others. Live outwardly to survive this life, but live your best interior life now so that you may shine brightly in your next life for all eternity!
Saturday, February 8, 2025
*****Most Horrible Existence!*****
Give your soul to Christ and he'll purify and heal it. Give it to the Devil and you lose it altogether! There is no more horrible existence than living without your own soul. I can say that this is the most compelling reason for us to embrace Christ our Lord and Savior!
**Our Need for Christ*
In today's Gospel reading from Mark 6, people from all the towns hastened to where they knew Jesus was going to show up. When Jesus arrived and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. If you know you are lost and seek after the Lord, you'll be saved for sure. But if you are not even aware that you are lost and and do not seek him, you'll remain lost forever.
****Love Incredible***
At Mass this morning, I looked up and saw the Lord way up there as high as the heaven, and I looked around and saw hin filling the entire universe about me. This is the Lord who enters me every time I receive the Holy Eucharist—how great his love is!
Friday, February 7, 2025
*****Tragic Loss of Foresight*****
This is like a pandemic that spreads around the world. Whether you are old or young, rich or poor, you want to make as much money as possible. If they are ways to get money free, you go for it. Whether it's ethical or not, you don't think about it. Anytime free money is available, it's likely that there's a catch or corruption. If getting rich in this life is all you care about, chances are you'll be too busy to think about your next life, which is the permanent one. This is the big tragic situation most of the world is in. When you don't have Christ to follow, you easily end up lost in darkness, or worse.
**God Frees Us from the World
Communion experience. The Lord sets me free again, making me detached from all the things of the the world and ready to leave for him.
**Fundamental, Perpetual Battle*
Every conflict we witness in the world is a battle between Good and Evil. Just look at our two political parties: One party basically does what would benefit itself the most, and the other, what would benefit the people of this country the most. It all comes down to if you are with God or not, for only God can make us selfless and truly care for others.
**Exactly the One We Need the Most*
Hebrews 13:8 from today's first reading: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Psalm 27:1a, today's psalm response: The Lord is my light and my salvation. So Jesus is trustworthy, makes us see the truth, and can save us from sin.
Thursday, February 6, 2025
***Reward of Standing by Christ**
Today's Communion antiphon from Luke 22, what Jesus said to the Apostles at the last Supper: It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. Wow, stand by him and our reward will be great in heaven! Count me in, Lord.
**Accepting Christ Matters**
In today's Gospel readings from Mark 6, Jesus sent the Twelve out to preach repentance. He said to them, “Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” I see here the Lord is telling us that welcoming him or listening to him really matters!
***Requisites for Following Christ*
Once you have decided to follow Christ, you must carry it out single-mindedly without ever looking back. And you should also seek to attain union with him so that you may be as holy as possible, for every sin you commit along the way can deter you from having a smooth journey.
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