Today's Gospel Acclamation, based upon Luke 24:46, 26, reads: "Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory." Each of us has our own cross to carry and must die in the Lord and rise again before entering into our glory.
Friday, May 15, 2026
**God Is with Us**
In today's First Reading from Acts 18, while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you." I believe that the Lord is with every one of us who works for him, even if he doesn't speak to us in a vision, for it's impossible that he would leave us alone or abandon us. First of all, the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, alone is enough to guide us through all our days on earth. Furthermore, by keeping his word, we remain in him already.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
***Most Beautiful Act***
In today's Gospel reading from John 15, Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love." "Remain in the Lord's love"—it is such a beautiful act and within our reach! The Lord is love. Obey him and you are one with him!
**Being Rich Can Be a Handicap**
In Matthew 19, Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Then we can assume that it will be easier for one who is poor to enter the kingdom of heaven. In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16), we learn that the rich man died, descended into the netherworld, and suffered torment, while Lazarus, who lay at the rich man's door covered with sores, was carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham. What can we make of all this? It seems that if we focus on satisfying ourselves physically and materially, we get our reward in this life. But if we endure suffering and hardships while trusting in God, he will reward us in the next. This aligns with Matthew 16:24: "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
**Logical Conclusion**
In today's First Reading from Acts 17, Paul tells the Athenians that the true God is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything, and that it is in him that we live and move and have our being. Indeed, God not only created us, but also sustains us, keeping our hearts beating and lungs breathing. If we see this clearly, we have no choice but to believe in and surrender ourselves to him.
****Good Reminder and Advice***
Everything in this life passes. In our next life, whether happy or sad, we shall remain the same forever. So, follow Christ now, live for our next life with him, and let the present life go.
Monday, May 11, 2026
***Another Realization (Ultimate Fulfillment)***
I am not alone at all! In fact, I have Christ, who loves me and understands me perfectly. He cleanses my heart and mind, making me fit for entering heaven. He totally fulfills all I need! When he is yours, you can let go of everything else—including yourself—and be totally free. Alleluia!
**Know Our Heavenly Mother**
This is Bishop Barron's Mother's Day message on Mother Mary. It should clear up any misunderstandings many non-Catholics hold about her. She is the greatest saint, God's most obedient daughter, and our Holy Mother in heaven!
***Power of the Cross***
Here is Bishop Barron's inspiring speech on the Cross (ends at 14:16, before the presenter's comments).
***Fundamental Realization**
While praying to the heavenly Father, I realized that he truly created me and is my Father! He is the dearest person to me, and I am now his forevermore! This has brought me immense comfort and unspeakable joy.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
***How to Know the Spirit Is in You***
In today's First Reading from Acts 8, when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God and been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, Peter and John went down and prayed for them. They laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel Reading from John 14, Jesus told his disciples that he would ask the Father to give them another Advocate to be with them always—the Spirit of truth. In the past, I asked the Lord how I would know that the Holy Spirit indeed dwelled in me. Now I can tell you that you will know when he is dwelling in you. Here are some of the telling signs: (1) You love and yearn for the Lord. (2) You wish salvation for all people. (3) You detest all sin to the extreme. (4) You know the Lord's will for you. Seek to attain union with God through the Holy Eucharist, and you are in union with the Spirit as well.
***Heavenly Grace**
Today's Gospel Acclamation is based on what Jesus said in John 14:23—"Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him." If we truly love Jesus, naturally we shall keep his word, for we want to do everything to please him. Then both the Father and he will come to dwell with us, and we get to know them intimately. What a heavenly grace!
**Serving the Lord*
In today's Second Reading from 1 Peter 3, I read: "For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil." So, as followers of Christ, we must always do good for God's glory and not be concerned about consequences.
***True Freedom**
While we have freedom of speech in America, many often abuse that privilege. This freedom often leads to the false belief that one can do whatever they like without accountability. The truth is that if you are not free from sin, you are not truly free! "Never die in sin" should be our motto, for the wages of sin is eternal enslavement.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
**To Whom Do You Belong?**
In today's Gospel reading from John 15, Jesus says to his disciples: "If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you." It is clear that if the world loves you, you belong to it. And it is also clear that if the world hates you, it is because Christ has chosen you!
**Source of Our Joy**
Here is today's Response from Psalm 100: "Let all the earth cry out to God with joy." Do you know that God is the source of boundless joy, and that this joy can set us free, completely transforming us? His joy is a heavenly gift that the Lord plants in our hearts, delighting the soul. Experiencing this joy alone is reason enough to entrust ourselves to Christ our Savior!
**Our Little Resurrection*
Today's Entrance Antiphon, Colossians 2:12, reads: "You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." Since we died and rose with Christ, we can now live to be like him.
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