I was watching a popular personality on TV who's Catholic, seeking advice from a well-known priest on her case of obtaining an annulment of her marriage. Now, marriage is a sacrament. According to Christ, what God has joined together, no one should try to break it up. In real life, many marriages do go wrong, and annulment from the Church is sought by the couple. My thoughts for Christians are in any situation we're compelled to take action, we need to examine my intention first. Obeying the Lord must take top priority. Maybe the marriage can be saved, but if we don't care and are determined to void it, that'd be following our own intention, not God's anymore. This is the important point. It's "Thy will be done," not ours, always.
Friday, August 29, 2025
**God Playing Defense**
The Lord God is merciful. He's always patiently waiting for us to turn to him to acknowledge that he loves us, and accept this love from him, while we continue sinning against him. It's like he's always playing defense against us. While we can never match his love, it'd be so good for us to try loving him back as much as we can.
**Cause of Godlessness**
The world is such a godless shape. That's because not all it's people know and follow Christ yet. If they did, we'd be living in a peaceful world with only love for each other.
**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.
Thursday, August 28, 2025
***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.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
***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.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
**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?
Monday, August 25, 2025
**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.)
Sunday, August 24, 2025
***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.
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