**Antithesis of Love**

       Today is the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. Here is much of the Gospel reading from Mark 6: Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet. Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her. She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request. The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. Here'e a case of letting pride override conscience, the very antithesis of Christ dying for our sins. 

**Selfless Love vs. Self-centered Love**

       When we love God, he sets us free, making us totally selfless. Thus we experience joy and peace. On the other hand, our love for what's of the world is always self-centered, aimed at satisfying ourselves. Thus we never experience freedom nor fulfillment.

***Two Disparate Paths*

        Anyone who loves and follows Jesus knows that he is united with his Lord and exactly where he is headed; he experiences freedom, peace, and joy. On the other hand, many reject Christ not because they have found some "truth" that's better, but because their pride has gotten in the way. And they face an unsettling future.

***A Great blessing

         In union with God, you develop a super sharp conscience. You become so aware of God's holy presence that any thought of sin becomes unbearable. This dread of sin is most helpful in remaining blameless and achieving inner peace.

***Sign You're Ready to Go to the Lord

         When your heart yearns for the Lord, you are ready to go to him. 

***A True Man Is . . .

 one who is totally responsible for what he does to the Lord God.

***Separation Comes After This Life*

        The tragic news this morning: A shooting gunman killed two children and injured 17 others during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The suspect took his own life afterwards. Let us pray for the souls of all those deceased, those injured, and their families. We need to believe in God all the way to eradicate all evil. As of now in this life, mishaps can happen to all of us, whether you are holy or evil. It's in our next life that we'll either be welcomed or cast out by our heavenly Father forever.

***Sign You Are Christ's***

        You desire ardently to be perfect like him.      

**No Jusgtification for Sin**

        Sometimes one feels that he is justified to commit a sin for some "compelling" reason; he loses control and does it. This is gambling with your soul! No reason can possibly justify sinning! Never ever let sin control you. Once you reach that point of no return, you are a goner! Therefore, seek union with the Lord through the Holy Eucharist to become sin free—only God has complete power over sin.  

*****Smart Thinking***

        If someone did save your life on earth, you'd be so grateful to that person and make him or her your best friend. Now, we have Jesus who is ready to save you for all eternity if you believe in him—shouldn't you rejoice and make him your best friend too? 

**Best Way to Defeat Satan**

        Remain in union with Christ and ignore the Evil One completely. 

**Making God Praise You**

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 23, Jesus continued to denounce the scribes and Pharisees for being hypocrites. He said "Woe to you" at least three times to them. You don't ever want to hear the Lord say that to you, for if he judges you to be wrong, you are done for. Instead, remain faithful to him always to hear him say at the end of your service: Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master's joy. (See Matthew 25:21.)

***Consequences of Sin***

         When you sin, no matter how much pleasure you get out of it, you will lose your inner peace and hate yourself for it, let alone make the Lord feel sorry for you. Now you are in urgent need of God's mercy.

**Sweetest Dwelling

         Communion experience. In Christ, all our pains dissolve. Thus he is our sweetest dwelling.

***Basic Principles***

        Only God can fundamentally change us for the better. To initiate that process, we need to submit ourselves to him.  

***First Key to Salvation***

        The gate to heaven is narrow to those who have a lot of pride. To the most humble, it's wide open. I've just given you the first key to salvation. To have zero pride is hard, but if your pride causes you to reject Christ as your Savior, you are going overboard.

**Be Last to Be First**

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 13, Jesus talked about the narrow door, salvation and rejection. He revealed that many who think that they are good enough to be saved may end up being cast out of God's kingdom instead. Then he added, "Behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." It's clear that if we see ourselves to be poor sinners needing all the help from God to get into heaven, we will be saved. Heaven has no room for pride.

*****Encountering the Lord Head-On*****

        From today's entrance antiphon based upon Psalms 86:1-3, we have the verse Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. Have you ever cried to the Lord? I recommend that you do that from time to time. Find a time and place you can be alone, then cry to God straight from your heart, telling him everything you want him to know. You can even beg for his mercy the whole time. When you are this open with him, he'll absolutely be open with you. If you've never done this before, it could very well turn out to be a most exhilarating experience! I was prompted by the Holy Spirit recently to do this one morning after I woke up in bed and ended up shedding many tears of joy and feeling completely relieved and free! This is encountering the Lord head-on. When God listens to you, you are healed spiritually!