Going Deep into God

        Life is our testing ground to see if we can make heaven after we die. It is also a time for those who choose God to prepare themselves for going there. In the meantime, how do we deal with all the problems we face on earth? We can pray to God, but problems don't usually vanish instantly like magic. I see only one way: to go even deeper into the Lord, making him truly our rock and refuge. Any other way without him will be lost effort. God may not promise us happiness in this world (as he told St. Bernadette through our Holy Mother), but he'll definitely give us the strength and courage to endure any trials and tribulations and keep us safe from all evil if we dwell in him.    

Surrender to Freedom

        Our own life is normally the most important thing to us, followed by our family and last, my material possessions. Therefore, if we can hand our own life over to God, then everything else will follow. That's why surrender to God brings so much freedom. 

Amazing Mysteries

        Today Wednesday I recited the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. I felt that the Sorrowful Mysteries were the most amazing of all the Mysteries of the Rosary, because they could not be taken for granted ~ Jesus actually underwent suffering and death to redeem us. His love truly shines forth as we meditate upon these mysteries. 

God Is Hope

        Today's Communion experience. I, a sinner, actually received the Sinless One ~ I was filled with hope.

Love Through and Through

        Communion experience. It was the Lord who entered me. This was no mere encounter; it was union! It was consistent with his giving of self. It marked the culmination in drawing us into his love ~ no more reverting to my former ways.

Ego Must Go

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 9, Jesus said to the Twelve, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." The Lord made it clear that ego has no place in anyone who wishes to follow him.

Freedoms in Union

        When you are in union with God, your will and God's will are in perfect harmony; therefore, you are free to do whatever you want. Today's Response to Psalm 55: Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you. When you are in union with God, you automatically throw all your cares on the Lord. Today's Gospel Acclamation (Galatians 6.14): May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. When you are in union with God, you can boast all you want.

How to Receive the Lord?

        Communion experience. The Most Holy One, the Perfect One, entered me. How should I respond? What an opportunity to welcome him, to tell him that I adore him, worship him, love him, and want to belong to him forever! What a perfect time to let go in him, offering my heart and all to him! As much as possible, I enjoyed the greatest intimacy with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! It's truly "there is nothing I lack."

Jesus Completes Our Life

        Liken a life unfulfilled to a picture puzzle with an important piece missing, then Jesus is that missing piece. Naturally, to complete the puzzle you must fit that piece into the empty spot. Likewise, you must seek union with Christ to live a completely fulfilled life. 

God's Intention Revealed

        Before Mass began this morning, the Lord let me see that we human beings have been created with the potential of being good, that is, holy. Then he must have intended that we be holy.

Reward of Surrender to God

        One of the rewards you receive after surrendering to the Lord is the discovery of his great beauty.

The Holiness Process

        Jesus established his Church on earth to guide us. The teachings of the Church can inspire us and her sacraments provide us with the grace to become holy. But if we do not have the desire to become holy, the Lord can't do much. In a word, we have the final say. Therefore, holiness starts with a yes to God from us and the Holy Spirit does the rest.      

Speaking of Crosses

        What makes a cross? Most crosses we endure and suffer are caused by our lack of perfection ~ we distrust and disobey God, are selfish and not loving enough. God does not want us to be afraid or anxious so that we may have peace, but we don't listen and make everything (including ourselves) even more complicated, worsening our burden. The rest of the crosses are those inflict upon us or given to us by God ~ here we must see them as blessings that can benefit us spiritually. It's in our willingness to carry our cross and follow Jesus that we receive strength and joy. In conclusion, all self-created crosses can be eliminated and the rest, lightly carried with God's help.  

On Facing Jesus

        Today's Gospel reading from Mark 8 at Mass truly challenges us. Jesus said to the crowd and his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.... Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." These are hard words we must face or dismiss. They are either truth or rubbish. Ignoring them does not make them go away. 

Peace Is Born...

as Jesus becomes more and more important and all other things, with the exception of loving others, become less and less important in one's life. 

God Values Us

        Jesus wants us to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect and to think as God does. Apparently, he thinks highly of us, his creation. How do we regard ourselves? We can feel sorry for or even hate ourselves, we can brush aside God and go on our own way, we can halfheartedly follow him ... all these options are wrong because they disappoint God by ignoring the potential he sees in us. As a matter of fact, it is sinful to not believe that God can transform us. We should thank the Lord for wanting to make us holy so that we may enter union with him and be joyful forever from this life on. Therefore, think about not yourself, but what God thinks of you.  

Low to High via God

        Nothing is impossible with God. No matter how hopeless you feel, God can fill your life with hope. No matter how low you have sunk, he can lift you up high. We've seen examples in the lives of many, not all of them saints. I can testify to you that the highest points in my spiritual life followed some of the lowest points. "Never give up" can be foolish, unrealistic advice, but it works perfectly when you involve God, for he loves to help those in low spirits. 

A Humbling Experience

        Today's Communion experience. In the world one can experience highs by riding a roller coaster, winning the lottery, or taking drugs; but the high you get after receiving the Lord is in an entirely different realm, touching the soul deeply. I got the incredible, humbling feeling today after the Lord entered me, putting me in place; he let me know that he is God and I was receiving the greatest possible favor from him. He humbles those whom he loves.