**Joyful Yearning and Thirsting**

         Today is the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus. The antiphon taken from Psalm 42 reads, "Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God; my soul is thirsting for God, the living God." Before I know God, I yearned and thirsted for something to fill the void of my life. That was yearning and thirsting in gloom. Then I got to know the Lord God through his Son Jesus and my void was filled. Now I yearn and thirst for God the Father in joy!

****A Reminder Warning****

        This month, quite a few members of my family celebrate their birthdays, and we recall the years when they were still kids. The years went by quickly. Then I see that our life on earth is really short when compared to the coming next life which will last forever. Instead of reminiscing about the past on earth, we should really think about the coming next life. If it's going to be a miserable one, will we be able to stand it? The time to fix that is now!

***Levels of Certainty*

        Here's an image of mankind. We are all hanging from a cliff for the time being and the day will come when we can no longer hold on anymore. Those who follow Christ faithfully already have a safety line tied around them and are no longer concerned about ever falling off the cliff. Those who reject Christ will have the shock of their life on that day. And those who do not know or believe in Christ due to no fault of their own can go either way, the Lord alone knowing what they justly deserve.  

**Blinded by Pride**

        Trump's big Mideast peace deal is the current big news. Looking at all the past wars and conflicts, they all eventually ended after much destruction, human suffering, and great loss of lives. The current war between Russia and Ukraine is no exception. So why do we ever start a war? And if one has started, why do we have to wait until many lives are lost and properties destroyed before seeking peace? How can we be so blind and stupid? Of course, the cause of it all is our pride! Jesus declared in the Sermon of the Mount: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Alas, we've fallen so far away from God!

***Much About the Ego**

        Whenever we feel insecure, our ego comes out. A world full of egos may be more interesting, but it will definitely lack peace. If you pay attention, you can sense egos all around. Now, ego begets greed, especially greed for money. If money is the root of all evil, then ego is fundamentally even more so. Ego projects a fake image of you. Let's remember what Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 5.37: "Let your 'Yes’'mean ‘Yes,’ and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one." Humility is the cure for the ego. Be humble enough to let the Lord occupy you fully and your ego will be ousted.

***Astounding Revelation***

       When we love someone or something, it's because that object gratifies our physical or intellectual desires. Then God loved us so much that he sacrificed his only Son to save us from eternal death—such a selfless, unconditional pure love is eye-opening, actually mind-blowing! It has made many of us fall in love with the Lord and had our lives transformed!  

**To All Who Are Aging:

        Most of us deal with the problems and affairs in this secular world daily. As we age, it would be wise for us to spend more time dealing with any issues we have with the Lord God before time runs out. Ideally, it'd be best to establish our good relationship with God from the very beginning before dealing with everything else. 

**Cause of Unrest**

         The world is not at peace because we hearts are not at peace. They are not because we disobey the God of Christ. Straighten out our relationship with the Lord and we will have peace. 

***Are You Keeping God Waiting?

         Communion experience. It's so good to receive the Lord, body and blood in both species. No one can possibly take him away from me! To all of you who have not accepted Christ yet, how much longer are you going to make him wait?  He's waiting for you to turn to him, but your time could run out. He loves you greatly. If you fall in love with him, you'll live the most rewarding life now and forever! 

**Key That Opens the Gate to Heaven**

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus cleansed ten lepers and only one of them returned to thank him. Jesus said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." We cannot be saved without faith of any kind, and faith in Christ the Savior absolutely secures our salvation. This faith is the key that opens the gate to heaven for us. 

**Worth Dying For**

        Truth is for us to live for, but it's also worth dying for. Since Christ is the truth, he is worth dying for. 

****Most Righteous Goal****

        To want to be a saint is not for self-glory. In fact, it's being humbly obedient to God's No. 1 will for us—to get us into heaven! If you do not accept this love from him, you basically have no true love for others.

*****Smartest, Life-Changing, & Most Rewarding Move**

        It is the prodigal-son move: You realize that you are a sinner and need God's help, and you proceed to reconcile yourself with the Lord. This is a huge move that will make heaven rejoice!

**Ask for Mercy from God and . . .

you'll receive peace from him.

**How to Make God Bless You*

        Today's Gospel reading from Luke 11: While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." You see how simple and easy it can be to get blessed by God!

**No Less Important than Prophets*

         A prophet is essentially someone who has been chosen by God to speak for him. For all of us who follow Christ, we have essentially been chosen by God to serve him in some way that suits us. If we assume our roles seriously, we are no less important than the prophets. 

**God Is Most Enjoyable When . . .**

you have your heart enkindled by the Holy Spirit.

**Christ Is Our Light**

        From today's reading 1 from Joel 1: The day of the Lord is coming, a day of darkness and of gloom. This is true for those who do not repent, but for all who have been born anew in Christ, it'll be a day of brightness and of great joy!