Happy Mother's Day to Mary

        Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I'd like to say something on behalf of our Holy Mother Mary.  I entered the Church as a Protestant and I did experience some difficulty in approaching Mary at the beginning.  (Read my conversion story which started this blog.)  I think it's because as a Protestant, I always prayed to God or Jesus.  Praying to Mary was unthinkable because it would make me feel that I am giving away part of my allegiance to Jesus. 

        Another problem is that Protestants and Catholics understand the word "pray" differently.  They both pray to God... which is fine.  When Catholics pray to Mary or an angel or any other saint, they just talk to them, much like talking to someone over the phone.  Somehow when that someone is already in heaven, the word "talk" gets substituted by the word "pray."  Also, in the Catholic view, all saints in heaven and on earth form one big family.  Asking Mary to pray for us is just like asking another brother or sister in Christ on earth to pray for us.  (God alone, not Mary or anyone else, we worship.)  

        Mother Mary always points out her Son to us, never drawing any attention to herself.  She prays unceasingly for all of us.  She is my partner in doing God's will.  The more I love her, the more I love Jesus.  Mary and Jesus are inseparable and we are inseparable from their love, God's love for us.  So, Happy Mother's Day, Dearest Mom.         

Celebrating Death

        I am talking about the death of one's old self.  This death is to be celebrated as it brings great joy to God. 

Asking God to Be Thorough

        Today at Communion time, I asked Jesus to take away not only my sins, but also my tendencies to sin.  I want God to be thorough with me.

The Indwelling Holy Trinity

        I don't see God, but I know that he fills the entire universe.
        I don't see Jesus, but I sense his love for all souls.

        I don't see the Holy Spirit, but I can tell that he is constantly teaching me.

        I know that the Holy Trinity dwells within me.

What We Need in Life

        Wouldn't you like to have someone who can protect and shield you from all evil and is totally trustworthy?

        Wouldn't you like to have a great friend who will always listen to what's on your mind and in your heart with patience and understanding and then help you?  

        Wouldn't you like to have a most wise teacher who can advise you, guide you, and teach you how to live happily in freedom?

        If you answer yes all three times, then look no further.  Our God in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is exactly what you need.

Jesus Takes Away Sins

        Just before receiving Holy Communion this morning, I really felt that Jesus was going to take away all my sins and I was ready to go to him.  Great mercy from him and great freedom for me.

God Is Always Ahead

        In today's Gospel reading from John 6, we read that a large crowd was coming to Jesus.  And he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" to test him, knowing well what he was going to do.  The multiplication of five barley loaves and two fish followed and there was more than enough to feed the five thousand. 

        A good lesson for us here.  The Lord does test us from time to time, but we can handle that knowing that he already knows what he is going to do with us.  This is just too good to be true.  Our part is to trust and wait.     

Suffering for the Sake of Jesus

        From Reading 1 from Acts 5 at Mass: "The Apostles rejoiced that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name of Jesus."  If we are not willing to suffer a little bit for the sake of Jesus, who willingly gave up his own life for our sake, then what are we?  To suffer for Jesus is an honor and should bring great joy. 

Real Presence Is Real!

        Today's Entrance verses from Revelation 5: "By your blood, O Lord, you have redeemed us from every tribe and tongue, from every nation and people..."  This made me think that Jesus had let his real body be nailed to a cross and his real blood flow to redeem us, but instituted Holy Communion at the Last Supper using bread and wine as mere symbolic representations of his body and blood with no real presence... no way!  Jesus broke the bread and actually said, "This is my body" and took the cup of wine and said, "This is the cup of my blood" to his disciples.  Protestants, you don't know what you are missing!

Be Detached to Others

        The following thought just surfaced in my mind.  Someone close to me will be moving away from me soon and I felt a tinge of sadness.  Then I realized that if that person (or anyone for that matter) is moving away from Jesus, I would feel even sadder.  I'd rather have everyone stay close to him than me.  Again, I must be attached to the Lord alone and detached to all others. 

How to Shine in the World

        To be a shining light in this dark world as Christ had commanded, let everything you do be motivated by the love of Christ.  (If you are already in love with him, then you must already be doing it.) 

In Love with God

        When you are in love with God, you become attached to him alone; you think of him constantly; and you care foremost what makes him happy or sad.  This is an elevated state of living.



To Be Open and Honest to God

        Today's Gospel reading from John 3 again reminds us that Jesus is the light that came into the world.  Whoever lives the truth goes toward the light so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.  Having not done wicked things, he can confidently lay his heart open before the light, making a full disclosure.  This is the basis for forming a good, honest relationship with God ~ nothing hidden and everything shared.    



Seeking Refuge in God

        In general, people turn to God when they face crises.  But it would be so much better to do it every time your interior peace is disturbed.  This would provide plenty of opportunities for us to show our trust and to get close to him.  This is truly seeking refuge in the Lord.   

To Be Wanted or Not

        Bin Laden was finally killed.  A lot of people are joyful and many consider this to be a great victory for this country.  I am not going to comment on this.  I am only concerned about if the Lord is happy about this or not.  I remember the ten commandments he gave us, and how he loves all of us.  I know how the whole heaven rejoices when one sinner returns to the Father and saddens if one single soul is lost. 

        Bin Laden had been the most wanted man.  No one would want to be in that position.  Then I think of the unborn unwanted by so many ~ they are in an even worse position.  Perhaps the best position to be in is to remain unnoticed in this world.  Well, we are all most wanted by God ~ let's not forget.  This puts us in the luckiest position. 

Lord, What Do You Want to Do with Me?

        This is the key question that matters.  I believe that the Lord wants us to please him alone.  Despite our inadequacies, born deficiencies, and any other disadvantages, let the Lord prune our imperfections, spiritual flaws, and all that's not desirable to him from us.  Let his will be done to us.

Inadequacy Is OK

        Today my own inadequacy in a certain situation showed up.  I realized that only God is perfect and there were no doubt many others who could have done a much job better than I in the same situation.  I am glad that pride was not able to intrude upon me.

To Have Jesus Is to Have Everything

        Since I won't be able to attend Mass tomorrow morning, I went to today's Vigil Mass.  This was a thought I had during Mass, which is fitting on this last day of April: "There is nothing I can claim to be mine except Jesus.  Once I have him, then I have everything as well." 

God Is Dependable

      In these last couple of days, I've been especially sensing that God knows exactly what he is doing and that he is a perfect guide to us.  Therefore, I can totally depend upon him and let myself go in following him.

Jesus Offers Himself

        Thought during Communion.  When Jesus offered himself to me during the  Eucharistic Prayer, he was literally saying, "I am yours."  

Be Detached from the World Now

        Had these thoughts this morning.  If you're already in heaven and look back on your life on earth, I am positive that you will see that all the things to which you were attached on earth were burdens and will not ever want them again.  So the time to be detached from them is now, on earth, just to lighten the baggage on your way to heaven.   

It's All About Love

        At Holy Communion time at Mass, I realized that it's all about love.  God enters me because he loves me; I receive him because I love him.  When you live for love and live in love, sin cannot exist.  Where God shines, darkness cannot be.  Bask in God's love and enjoy it to the fullest.

Only One Extraordinary God

        Since I am already a believer, all things about Jesus ~ the early prophecies, the coming of the Lord, his life, the fulfillment of the prophecies, how he transforms others... ~ fit together perfectly.  If you are not a believer yet, I dare say that if you remain objective and open, you will find that Jesus is the true God.  If you think that some of the things about him are incredible, that's because he is an incredible God!  Would you rather look for an ordinary God? 

What We Are to Fulfill

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 24, Jesus showed up in the midst of his disciples after his Resurrection, showed them his hands and feet and pointed out that everything written about him in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.  He had pointed out earlier again and again that he came to fulfill what is written.  While our mission may not be as specific as the Lord's, it is totally clear that we should do God's will always.  Let us remember that this is what we are here to fulfill.

The Eucharist Refreshes the Soul

        I took a shower before going to Mass, so I felt clean and freshened, still feeling the tingle from the shower water at Mass.  Then I knew that now the Holy Spirit was going to cleanse and refresh my soul as well. 

Surrender, a Good Word

         The word "surrender" can have unpleasant connotations.  You think of surrendering to your enemy, loosing your freedom, etc.  But this is being unfair to the word.  Think of surrendering to God.  Now you have reconciled to your maker, you are home, you experience true freedom, you have secured eternal life, and much more.  Here, surrendering leads to all the good things. 

Humility for Finding God

        To be able to "see" or understand God, humility is absolutely necessary.  It's like having the right password when you want to get on a website.  Otherwise, you can have eyes but still do not see; a mind but still do not comprehend.  That's why many who possess knowledge of the world and/or want to be masters on their own do not let themselves go; instead they keep doubting, questioning... and never get to know or come closer to God.  They make it hard for themselves.   

Receiving Jesus Again

        At Mass today, the thought that Jesus was going to enter me again overwhelmed me.  He had already filled me to the brim and showered me with graces.  His love had been crushing and I remained unworthy.  It all seemed so lopsided.  Nevertheless, how could I possibly turn  him away?  I had gone beyond the point of no-return, with great joy. 

The Bottom Line

        Watched part of a TV program on Bible study.  The thought that came to me was that studying the Scriptures can help one understand and appreciate his faith, but if all that knowledge does not make him love Christ, then it's all wasted effort.  As Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 13: "If I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge... but don't have love, I am nothing."  The bottom line is that loving the Lord must come before all else.

How to Stop Complaining

        Again, know God.  (Obviously, God is the answer to all our problems.) 

How to Refresh the Soul

        Know God.       

Feelings of Contentment

        Before receiving Holy Communion, I saw that God's love alone is sufficient for us.  In desiring anything beyond that, we become greedy.  After receiving Holy Communion, I felt so content that my soul was free to leave my body. 

Transcendental Living

        No, this has nothing to do with the cult Transcendental Meditation.  The thought came to me after the last post, in which I pointed out that God is transcendental.  That is, he is not limited by time nor space.  God is "I AM," the Alpha and Omega.  He is eternal, infinite, and the same forever.  With such a view, then we should not see the coming of Christ into the world 2,000 years ago as just an event in the past, for he is just as present with us today.  And we can follow him just as the Apostles did and enjoy the same intimacy and joys the saint had in their lives.  Our experience with the Lord can be live!  So, believe and live as if Jesus is right now with you in the world, because he is!  This is what I mean by transcendental living ~ it is real living.  The reward is great.

The Joy of Resurrection

        In today's Gospel from Matthew 28, after Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were told by an angel at the tomb that Jesus had been raised from the dead, they were overjoyed.  This is the joy of Resurrection!  If we love Jesus as both Marys did, we should be overjoyed too.  Since Jesus transcends both time and space, so do all his gifts.  We can feel today exactly how his early followers felt.  What a great blessing!  

Know Our Place Before God

        Today's Communion verse at Mass, Romans 6.9: "We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him."  The fact is that nothing, nothing ever had or can have power over God, since he is the source of all power.  This means that we'd better be aware of our own place before him.  Some may think that they have a lot of power in this world, but the truth is that they have only temporary, limited power over those in the lower echelons, while their own destinies lie completely in God's hands.

        Do you realize that we are the only creatures in this world who have rebelled against God and gone astray?  It has happened precisely because we've forgotten our proper place before God.  We are the problem, not God.  May this realization make us relinquish our "power" and submit ourselves to the all-powerful (but most loving) Father. 

Curing Nosiness

        Why is it that people love to criticize or judge others?  Why is it that they don't see any big faults of their own, yet notice the small imperfections in others?  Why do they spend so much time reading or talking about other people?  Why are they so interested in other people's businesses or personal affairs?  Could it be because their minds are so occupied that they do not experience peace in their hearts anymore?

        Be interested and get curious about God first is the remedy for this spiritual shortcoming.

Easter Brings Joy!

        What a beautiful Easter day!  A perfect day for us to renew ourselves spiritually.  By trusting in the Risen Lord, our eternal life is assured.  The sun may or may not rise tomorrow morning, but God's word is absolutely certain.  When Mary of Magdala, Peter, and John first discovered the empty tomb, they were not sure what had happened before they finally understood.  If you today believe without a doubt that Jesus is risen, then you should realize that it's such a big blessing and rejoice extra about that. 

Hiding Humbly in Christ

        It is clear that we live in a crazy, troubled world that's mostly secular, materialistic, and self-serving, with violence, misery, suffering everywhere around the globe.  I dare say that sin is the biggest cause of this deplorable condition.  Christians of weak faith sin much like nonbelievers.  So what are true followers of Christ to do?  To help fight the spiritual battle, God wants us to "hide humbly in Christ."  This is because anyone who has pride becomes an easy target for the Evil One.  By hiding in Christ, he gains even more humility.  In this state, he is secure and the Evil One is powerless to touch him.   

On Establishing Relationships

           I've seen too many cases of people who establish relationships with others, either out of loneliness or other needs, and end up unhappy.  I believe that a good relationship with God must be established first, then we'll have a foundation upon which to base all other relationships.  With God, there cannot be unhappy endings (and I am not even thinking of eternal life).  

God's Love, Our Best Gift

        It is sweet, gentle, not self-seeking but life-transforming, permanent, and ever present ~ a gift deserving our total trust and full embrace.

Easter Offers Hope

        Yesterday morning I started feeling sick ~ it was like all the energy had been drained out of my body and I felt so tired.  A mild fever developed later too.  I had no choice but to go to bed.  In this state, I became sharply aware of the fact that the physical life is totally at the mercy of our physical health.  When the body goes, this life ends.  But as long as my soul is secure in the Lord, this undeniable fact should not cause any major concern.  Besides, I think some suffering during this Holy Week is appropriate and edifying, considering how much Christ underwent for us.  I feel much better today.  Easter offers new hope to all. 

How to Respond to God?

        Today's Communion verse, Matthew 20.28: "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."  I am thinking that if someone donates an organ for me to live, I would be most grateful.  And if another actually saves my life from danger, we probably will be bonded for life.  Here we have God giving his own life to rescue us, what is our response?

Christ Dispels Gloom

        As I drove to Mass this morning, I could see that it's a gloomy day with grey clouds covering the entire sky.  Then I thought of my heart in which Christ dwells ~ there just won't be any gloom.  With his light shining, the heart won't ever get tarnished either. 

Holy Spirit, the Housecleaner

        The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Where the Holy Spirit dwells, the Father and the Son are there too.  To make sure that the Lord will reside comfortably within us, it is good to let the Holy Spirit be in charge of directing us in our thoughts, words, and deeds so as to keep the temple clean. 

Abandonment Leads to Union

        This is what I saw during prayer before Mass.  If we abandon ourselves to God, then we do not need to struggle on our own anymore.  We leave all to God.  We are in his hands and he will take care of everything.  We trust and do only what he calls us to do.  Thus we trust the Father as Jesus did and we become like him ~ union is then attained.

Reason for Union

        The reason for seeking union is not to gain peace, joy, and freedom, although these may be granted by God along the way; the reason is to serve and love the Lord to perfection as we should.       

Knowing Jesus

        Today during Mass, I felt that I really knew Jesus better than anybody else I ever knew in this life, even though I had never seen him.  Of course, he already knows everything about me.  When I see him face to face, my yearning will cease as our union reaches perfection. 

Only One Correct Love

        There is really only one "correct" love, God's love.  Not knowing God, the human love is self-centered and can become possessive and jealous.  Strictly speaking, this is not even love.  On the other hand, the love of God is liberating ~ it frees you because you are now motivated by the Holy Spirit to love for the sheer joy of loving God, not expecting any reward.

Are You Fearless?

        If one has a clean conscience and pure heart and loves the Lord, there is really nothing for him to fear.  He is ready for the Lord to come at any time.  Psalm 27,  today's Responsorial Psalm at Mass, starts out: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?  The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?"

        Now, consider those in the world who are powerful, famous, wealthy, and influential.  They appear to be fearless, but will they not cringe when they face the Lord?  This is the true test.

        If you want to be truly fearless, get the Lord on your side first. 

Shocking Good News

        More thoughts on Palm Sunday.  Jesus has come and brought us the good news.  I say "shocking" because it's too good to be true and too good for those who believe.  God loves us and through Jesus, we learn what our Father is like.  Jesus has revealed the whole truth to us for our salvation.  There is just no more news as good as the gospel.