***Simplest and Cleanest Bucket List**

        Many people keep a bucket list showing the things they'd like to do in this life. I've found that many older folks are taking this matter quite seriously, for they know that if they wait too long, they won't be able or have the time to complete doing those things that are still on their list. I used to have a list like that in my younger days, but not anymore. Once you know Christ the Lord well, doing his will simply becomes the the most enjoyable and satisfying thing of all. 

**Settling the Big Question*

         We'll all face Jesus after we die or at his Second Coming, whichever comes first. At that tine, we'll find out if the gate to heaven is open for us or not. Wouldn't it be nice if we can know that ahead of time? We certainly can. By believing in and following Christ now, we can be sure that the gate will be open for us!

***Guard Your . . .

most personal and intimate relationship with the Lord as your most precious treasure. 

**Our Biggest Tumbling Block

         It is our pride which governs if we get to know God or not. Full of pride and we'll never get to know him. Full of humility and we can know him instantly. Our battle comes down to ridding ourselves of our pride. Jesus is exalted to the highest place because he remains most humble and meek.

**To Be Genuinely Catholic*

         As a Catholic, if you just perform all the external acts without putting your heart in it, then you are no better than the Pharisees and scribes whom Jesus called hypocrites. We are to love God with all our heart, right? So do everything genuinely from your heart and you'll receive mercy and peace from the Lord.

**To Think As God Thinks**

         Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from sin so that we might be saved. How do you feel about this? I believe it's easy to feel sorry that he suffered so much for us and then we thank him for that. I'll always remember what Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16 (also in Mark 8). After he showed to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised, Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." The Lord turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." When Jesus gave himself for us, he's following the will of the Father perfectly. So we should not stand in the way but rejoice and praise God. We must think as God thinks!

***Christ Our Best Companion***

        Christ is the one you want to be with for all eternity. While it's virtually impossible for us to get along with anyone else perfectly for any period of time, the Lord understands us thoroughly and can perfect us to get along with him fully. It is through him that we become holy.

***Special Christian Joys***

        I'd like to end blogging of this first month of 2026 on a happy note. A Christian enjoy many special joys. Here are a few major ones: (1) discovering that Christ can truly transform you into a new creature, (2) experiencing total spiritual freedom, (3) becoming fearless of death and everything else, and (4) knowing that the very best is yet to come. God bless you all!

***Greatest Possible Return***

         Communion experience: By giving all of myself to Christ, I gain all of him!

**Smart Thinking 2*

        Today's Communion Antiphon based upon Mt 24: 46-47—Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen, I say to you: He will put that servant in charge of all his property. So generally, we need to trust in the Lord to earn his trust, as the measure with which we measure will be measured out to us. While there's still time, the wise make sure that they'll be ready for anything.

**Smart Thinking*

         In heaven, we'll be completely abandoning ourselves to God. So why not start practicing it right now? Putting it off until your last moment on earth is taking a huge risk, for you don't know when and how you're going to die. Be fully prepared now so that your entry into heaven my go without a hitch. Being wise always pays off.

**Secret to Happiness**

        Today's Psalm 51 response: Create a clean heart in me, O Lord. Our heart is most dear to us. When it's clean, we feel new; when it's unclean, we lose our peace. So let the Lord take total care of your heart and you'll be happy always.

**Our Huge Flaw*

         In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus showed to his disciples that even wind and sea obey him by calming a storm at sea. We are really the only creatures on earth who can choose to disobey the Lord. Shame on us! If we did obey the Lord and do his will always, eternal happiness would be our just reward.

**What Gives?

        We readily believe in the many fake stories broadcast or posted online, yet we have trouble believing in the one greatest true story recored by the four Gospels. Could it be because the latter is really true?

**The Smart Christian**

         We are not smart when we just live everyday doing what we'd like to do for the day, not thinking much ahead. The smart one make each move as if he's playing chess. He thinks ahead, anticipating what might happen and planning his moves accordingly. The smart Christian simply secures his eternal life first—you can't think further ahead than that. In this case, what he anticipates is also something that will definitely come true.

**Humility Called For**

         We human beings think we are pretty smart. But let's realize that God is infinitely more intelligent than us. The Lord can create anything he wishes instantly, while we try hard and are only able to make something out of his created things for our benefit. To think that we are smart enough not to need the Lord God is sheer folly, tantamount to insulting him. 

**Caution Against Sinning**

        Today's Psalm 51 Response: Be merciful, O Lord. for we have sinned. When we sin, we hurt ourselves, and often others too. But ultimately, it comes down to hurting the Lord that matters the most, for he is the one who truly loves us and will have the final say in determining our final destination. I hope that being aware of this will give you second thoughts anytime you are tempted to commit a sin.

**To Be a Christian Extraordinaire**

        A Christian who remains static is at best a lukewarm one. To be a dynamic Christian, one must remain open to the Lord to learn to become more perfect unceasingly. Surrender yourself to him so that you may glorify him to the max. This is living the most fulfilling and rewarding life on earth.