Prayer Shapes Us

        Praying to God is praying for yourself, since it shapes you.

God's Mission

        Is God around just to answer your prayers? What does he want from you? Know that God is with us to work on our souls. Everything he does to you, he does it to make your soul pure for your sake, so that you might have everlasting life. It is love working. So, be open and passive to let him prepare your soul for entering heaven. It is a most joyful, exhilarating process. 

*Knowing the Truth

        It is my personal conviction that Christ is absolutely the only one you can believe in and be saved for all eternity. How can I be sure? When you are one with him, you just know the truth in your heart. As simple as that. 

Putting Vulnerability Aside

        I hurt my shoulder joint and became instantly "disabled," for now I cannot lift my arm too high without feeling the pain, resulting in not being able to do many of the things I used to do with ease. We are vulnerable to so many things ~ something we don't think about when everything is fine. Of course, in some of the war zones today, you can get blown up by bombs or mines anytime. Natural disasters such as tornadoes and floods are destroying lives right now in some of the states. My greatest concern for all is whether we know where we go after we die. If we know that we are going to be with God in heaven, our present vulnerability will no longer be a matter of great concern. 

Divergent Paths

        A Catholic could do everything with love for God, thus storing up treasures in heaven, or keep on sinning, never thinking about going to confession. There can be no two paths more divergent.         

Focusing on One

        Communion experience. Jesus, the Only One.

No Entitlement

        Almost everyone in today's world feels that he is entitled to receive whatever benefits within his reach. The Christian thinks differently. A Christian realizes that all things beneficial come from God, and if he receives some of them, it's not because he deserves them but because God is generous. When we only accept what comes freely from God, we are free.

Proof That Jesus Is Truth

        When I believe in every word Jesus says, he makes me see and understand everything. That is, there is no contradiction in him ~ he makes complete sense to me.

God Provides Meaning

        On this Memorial Day, we commemorate the dead members of the armed forces of all the wars. I am thinking that when we sing our national anthem and pledge our allegiance to our country, what does that really mean? What if we live under a government that's totally oppressive or in a society whose members are all secular and morally corrupt? Wouldn't pledging allegiance in such circumstances seem rather foolish? How can one express loyalty to anything he is not proud of? Governments come and go, regimes rise and fall, but God alone remains constant and trustworthy. My observation is that pledging allegiance to God is always appropriate and meaningful. Leaving him out of the picture and we miss the true meaning of life.  

Certainty vs. Nebulousness

        This morning at Mass, I just knew that, anchored solidly to the triune God, I couldn't possibly go wrong. With God, everything is certain. Without him, all become nebulous. 

Why I Love Mary

1. She is the mother of our beloved Lord.
2. She is the greatest and most beautiful among all the saints.
3. From the cross, Jesus made her our mother.
4. She prays for us always, leading us to her Son.
5. She is the gentlest and most loving of all the mothers.                

Treasures in Heaven

          Jesus said in Matthew 6, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal." Every time we do God's will with love, we build up treasures in heaven, and whatever is there remains with God forever. It's like you are already buying up properties up there, and that's where you'll settle after this life.

Communion Leads to Union

        I attended Vigil Mass today on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Communion antiphon, John 6.56, reads: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him, says the Lord. This is all about union with God!

How Far or Close Is God?

        If you are deeply immersed in the world, you wouldn't even know that God exists. But for anyone who is in union with Christ, God dwells within his or her heart. How far or close God is depends entirely upon you. 

*Wake Up, World!

        Today's headline: 'Mass rape' video on social media shocks Brazil. This involves 36 men suspected of raping a teen age girl of 16. Why should that concern us? The great saints are acutely aware of their sins and are determined not to offend God in the slightest. On the contrary, today most people live only for their own pleasure, following their own desires, and still think that they are OK. People in this category place their soul in great danger and will be in for a rude awakening one day. They who offend God seriously have muddied their conscience, not aware that their souls are in far worse shape than they realize. If bad news shocks you, it's time to go holy before it's too late.    

*What Delights God the Most

        God delights in all his creations, but most of all, he delights in those of us, his children, who do his will.

Reciprocating God's Love

        God loves us unconditionally. The best way for us to love him back is to follow his will. The only way to achieve that is to seek and attain union with God first.

Awesome Responsibility

        I have posted many times: it all boils down to "It's between you and God." Since God does not change, it further boils down to "It's all up to you." That is, you alone are responsible for your destiny!