Opposite States of Existence

        Surrendering to God lifts one to the highest, most wholesome, and realistic state of existence.  At the opposite end, one lives in a transitory, "dream" world, lost and without real hope.  Today's economic woes are our number one concern; but even if every single citizen makes a million dollars a year, as long as we exclude God and remain immoral, we will not be happier nor have peace in our hearts.  

How to Love the Lord

        If you yearn for God, then you must love him.  The way to let the Lord know that you love him is to love others.  You must conquer yourself first so that you become fit to love.  Start practicing with your own family or others close to you.

Union with God Best

        At Mass this morning, the Lord made me see that every moment we live without being aware of him is a moment lost forever.  We should cling to God for dear life because our lives are truly in danger without him.  The best solution is to seek union with him, then we'll be safe and secure in his hands now and forever.

Why I'm Catholic, Steve Ray's Website

        I lost my link list and am unable to start another one using the gadget.  I suspect (not believe) that it's because I have Internet Explorer 9 as my browser and Google is forcing us to switch to Chrome.  Anyway, a website I'd like to recommend is Steve Ray's: http://whyiamcatholic.com/.  I read Steve's book Crossing the Tiber a few years back and have enjoyed watching his presentations Footprints of God on EWTN.  Yesterday I saw him on Marcus Grodi's Journey Home, also on EWTN ~ he was a joy to watch as he was articulate, fluent, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and filled with joy.  So I went on his website Why I'm Catholic and found it to be full of beautiful conversion stories ~ a site as articulate and joyful as Steve himself.

Accepting God's Invitation to Be Chosen

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 22, Jesus told the parable of The Wedding Banquet and pointed out at the end: "Many are invited, but few are chosen."  It starts out beautifully, but ends on a rather sad note. Good questions to ask ourselves are: "Am I invited?" and "If so, am I chosen?"  I want to be a chosen one in the hope of changing the statement to "Many are invited and many are chosen" so as to give more joy to the Lord.   

Presence of Jesus Felt

        There was Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction after Mass this morning.  Again, I became aware of the presence of Jesus.  Seeing the consecrated host had the same effect on me as seeing Christ in person. 

Awareness of God Experienced

        There is a beautiful, carved statue of the Blesses Mother in the chapel where I attend daily Mass.  Noticing her beautifully carved hands this morning brought to my mind the wonderful design of the human hand with fingers of various sizes and lengths, working perfectly together.  Then the hand is just one of zillions of other designs.  In a flash, I was made aware of the existence of God.  Furthermore, I realized that, besides being a marvelous creator of physical designs, God also has an abstract dimension to him ~ love.  We, besides being physical, have an extra dimension too ~ we sense right from wrong, feel the beauty of nature, yearn for something greater than ourselves...

Follow God Perfectly

        When you are one with the Lord, you and he think alike and you do exactly what he would do ~ that is, you follow him perfectly (in theory).  There will be no leading nor falling behind him.  God often takes his time ~ see how long it took Jesus to begin his ministry.  By following him, we learn to be patient and calm.  The world rushes ahead on its own, no wonder it's in such trouble.  Follow God alone and not the world.

***Amazing Relationship

        St. John the Baptist said that he's not even worthy to carry Jesus' sandals, yet Jesus asked him to baptize him.  Jesus is the Lord of all, yet he washed the feet of his disciples.  He is my God, yet I can talk to him as if he's my brother.  He is all holy and mighty and I am a wretched sinner, yet he offers himself to me daily in the Holy Eucharist.  The Most Worthy died for the unworthy to save them ~ it just gets more and more amazing.

The Best Unity

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 11, Jesus said, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house."  A divided nation will not have peace and a family disunited falls apart.  It's very clear that strength comes from unity.  Therefore, unite with the very best and mightiest and you'll have both strength and stability.  How about union with the Lord?

A Joyful Situation

        At morning Mass, I felt joyful that I may freely turn to God at any time and that God may freely draw me close to him at any time.

A Better View on Life

       Again, I watched some of the videos on Steve Jobs online.  One is titled "Death is life's best invention" (according to Jobs).  His view was that since death is unavoidable, the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work and the only way to do great work is to love what you do.  This view worked well for him, but will not satisfy a true Christian because it does not offer hope, is somewhat vague and self-centered, and sounds more like a temporary fix.  I might subscribe to his view if I didn't know of a loving God.  Now I know that there is life after death and true satisfaction comes only from serving God selflessly.      

Why Reject Jesus?

        After sensing that Jesus is the life (read my last post), I realize that he can also forgive your sins, make you pure, heal all your interior wounds, help you kick all your bad habits, replace your worries and anxieties with freedom and peace ~ basically, transforming you into a brand new creature.  If you still do not accept him, yet cannot say that he is all false, then you owe it to yourself to search your soul hard to find out why.

Jesus as the Life

        Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life."  Today as I received the Lord in Holy Communion, I particularly sensed him as the life.  He's not only sustaining my present life, but also breathing new life into me, preparing me for the eternal life.  The Lord creates, rejuvenates and resurrects life. 

Life Without God

        I still recall the time when I lived just for myself and had some great times.  Now I see that one instant of joy received from the Lord is better than a whole lifetime of good times enjoyed without him.  In a nutshell: Life without God is ultimately empty.

Being Great Before God

        Yesterday Steve Jobs of Apple died at the age of 56 and as expected, it was big news.  Jobs was a gifted man with vision, one of the greats in the eyes of the world.  His creative and innovative ideas had resulted in material products that benefit the world in many ways.         

        I started to ask God what is great in his eyes and how he measures successes.  The answer I received was quite simple.  We are great to God when we are humble and he measures our successes by how much we love him and others. 

Our Wake-up Call

        As I watched the news on TV this morning a little bit, I saw continuous reports on shooting, murder, court trial, government cover-up and scandals, Wall Street greed...  All this should serve as a big wake-up call for us, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6.23).

Making Surrender Easier

        Rather than thinking that you must surrender first in order to have more of God, see that it's basically you desire more of God first, you remain open and God then draws you to him until you are all his.        

The Greatest Revelation

        That God is love and we are the objects of his love.  How big is this love?  John 3.16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life."  The answer is both incredible and shocking.  Let's respond to this revelation appropriately. 

Get the Real Life

        At morning Mass, the priest started the Eucharistic Prayer with "In memory of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup."  I was instantly hit by the two adjectives, "life-giving" and "saving."  Indeed, the Holy Eucharist, if properly understood and believed in, has the saving power and can give us the real life.  This is not our present life in the world, but life everlasting with God in heaven.   

Our Place Before God Ignored

        The first verse from today's Entrance Antiphon from Esther: "O Lord, you have given everything its place in the world, and no one can make it otherwise."  In the Gospel from Luke 11, Jesus gave us the Lord's Prayer ~ this is the prayer that precisely defines our place before the Lord.  It's sad that mankind in general today is ignorant of its God-given place and asserts its own independence apart from God, resulting in sinful thoughts, words, and deeds.

The Love Journey

        The Communion verse at Mass, Lamentation 3.25: "The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to those who are searching for his love." 

        Looking for God is really a journey in search for love.  There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of.  At the end, you'll find love waiting for you.  The reward is so great that you forget all the hardships and difficulties of your trip.

A Picture of Contrast

        Just before Mass started this morning, this picture appeared in my mind.  God is light and this light fills the whole universe.  But those who do not know the Lord do not see the light because they are all blindfolded.  They bump into each other and into walls as they move about and try vainly to lead others also blindfolded.  In sum, they don't know what they are doing!  Then those who know the Lord, basking in his glorious light, know exactly what they are doing as they go about doing God's will.

Heed God's Warning Now

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 21, Jesus tells the Parable of the Tenants to the chief priests and the elders of the people.  At the end he says to them, "The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit."  This is a warning to all who do not take the Lord seriously.  It's so easy to go to bed and expect to wake up the next morning for another day, not at all thinking about God or your eternal destination; but there's always the probability that you may not see tomorrow.  It's true that God's mercy is unlimited, but our lifetime is not.  Heed the warning while we still can!

To Be like St. Therese

        Today is the Memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.  She is my beloved saint.  I first read her The Story of a Soul and was deeply moved by her simple love and trust in Jesus.  There's great joy in her childlike faith.  Her Little Way shows that we can all be saints ~ this was eye-opening for me.  I truly admire her.

        At today's Mass, the Alleluia verse from Matthew 11: "Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom."  And the Communion verse from Matthew 18: "Unless we change and become like little children, says the Lord, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."

        I am thinking of the ambitious, the well-educated, the sophisticated, the self-centered, the self-reliant, and the proud of today.  How hard it would be for them to turn and become like little children!  Then, of course, nothing is impossible for God.  

Good to Be Humble

        There are many people full of pride.  They may be Catholics, other Christians, especially those who attack the Catholic Church, or atheists.  Anyway, the more pride they have, the harder they'll fall in the end.  As for the humble, they don't have this problem because they are already at the bottom and there's no place to go but up and the Lord will see to it that this happens in the end. 

Our Role in God's Plan

        In the overall scheme of things, with God included in the picture, of course, we are to serve the Lord and not rule over anyone.  (Leaders are different from rulers as they do not lord it over others.  And we need leaders to lead people to God.)  We are all equals before God and to serve the only Lord, our God.  This is the way God has intended, guaranteeing the salvation of all.    

Truly, God Loves Us

        "God is love" or "God loves us" ~ we hear it so much that it sounds like a cliche.  What's critical is whether we are truly aware of this truth.  It's undeniably clear that the world desperately needs this love and our awareness can change lives and give hope to the world. Pray to the Holy Spirit that this "cliche" will become a lightning bolt, jolting us into action.  

Sweet Word from God

        We eat ordinary food to live.  It can be satisfying, but eating too much and you lose your appetite and even get uncomfortable.  From Scriptures, we learn that "one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”  How true it is!  This morning at Mass, I particularly sensed that every saying from Jesus was food for the soul, deeply satisfying and forever sweet and fragrant.   

Going All the Way

        During and after Holy Communion, I asked Jesus to fill me with all that pleased him to give me, to take over all of me, to bless me amply, and to draw me into him as deeply as possible.  Such is the joy of knowing the Lord!  

Duty Becomes Joy

        This happens when what God wishes us to do coincides with what we love to do.

Resolution in Doing God's Will

        Today is the Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul.  In the Gospel reading from Luke 9, as Jesus knew that he was to be taken from this world, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.  This made me ask: once we know the will of God clearly, do we resolutely proceed to accomplishing it?  To be obedient is to do God's will without delay.  

Finding God the Right Way

        The answer to the brainteaser given in the last post is nothing.  What I mean is that the word "nothing" fills the bill.  This teaser is like one of those mathematics puzzles and problems that can be very difficult to solve if you don't start out in the right direction, but whose answers are almost obvious if you happen to approach the problem from the right angle.  This made me think of our search for God.  I know of people who searched for God hard by going through all the religions and came up with nothing.  Know that God is not to be revealed by you ~ on the contrary, you are to be open to let him reveal himself to you!  The quick and effective approach is to go to Jesus directly with an open mind and you'll find God, your solution.

A Brainteaser

        Can you guess the word? The following are seven clues.

        (1) The word has seven letters.

        (2) It precedes God.

        (3) It is greater than God.

        (4) It is more evil than the Devil.

        (5) All poor people have it.

        (6) Wealthy people need it.

        (7) If you eat it, you will die.

The Holy Eucharist to Be Taken Seriously

        As I had stated, the goal of this blog is to draw all to union with God through the Holy Eucharist.  After receiving Holy Communion this morning, I thought of the many Catholics who do not take the Holy Eucharist seriously enough.  It's like having the most precious pearl in the world in your home and you don't put it in a nice case nor pay much attention to it.  Worse yet, you don't even miss it if it got lost. 

        The Holy Eucharist, the giving of the Lord himself by himself, if received with the greatest possible reverence and gratitude, is exactly what we need for the complete transformation of us into saintly creatures.  Take it seriously and God will draw you deep into him, leading to union.

        (Way above all the honors and achievements of the world, union with God is the highest possible attainment of the human soul.)

Be Aware of Sins

        When we are sick or burdened in any way, either physically or mentally, we are quite natural in turning to God for help and relief.  But let's be aware that sins are also sicknesses and burdens ~ sicknesses at the spiritual level and burdens to the soul.  Since they endanger the soul, it's even more urgent for us to turn to God for removing them.         

Sign of Spiritual Progress

        If you have fallen in love with the Lord, you'll want him to be present with you at all times.  Most activities and events that take place in the world are not intended for God's glory; therefore, as you don't sense his presence, they are no longer attractive or can even be downright boring or nauseating to you.  Since you are still in the world and must love all others, this can be quite a cross to bear if your attendance is unavoidable.  You should still rejoice though, as you've spiritually advanced.  Now, like the Lord, you are no longer of the world.

The Gospel Is Now Clear

        In the Gospel today from Luke 9, Jesus informed his disciples that he was to be handed over to men, but they did not understand his saying.  I just thought how fortunate we were when the message of salvation had already been laid out clearly in the open.  What was once veiled in mystery is now awesomely displayed before our eyes.  There's no excuse for us to pretend that it's still unclear anymore.

Peace of God Needed

        In Philippians 4, Paul talks about the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.  This is a gift from the true God to his disciples.  You won't find it from any other source nor receive it if you don't follow the Lord with all your heart.  It is interior and does not depend upon exterior factors.  God means for us to experience him and his peace.  In today's chaotic, disorderly world, we need this peace more than ever.

A Way to Remain Humble

        One way to remain humble is to never compare yourself with anyone else.  Whether you are superior or inferior in any way is not to be considered at all.  This also keeps us from judging others.  Only how we appear to God matters.    

Advice for the Unhappy

        Since I felt that my cup overflowed this morning, I thought of any of you out there who are still unhappy.  Perhaps you feel that your life is empty, meaningless, with no joy in it.  Of course, it needn't be so.  This was precisely why Jesus came among us ~ to seek and to save the lost!  The good news has been around for 2,000 years, so where have you been?

        If you really don't know about the good news, my advice is to find out all about Jesus.  Read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in the Bible.  If you find Jesus to be the truth, your life can get completely turned around as has happened to countless others, myself included.  Then you can read about the early Church and the Catholic faith.  Should you not find the truth here, you're no worse than before.

        If you've already heard about the good news, then why haven't you made any move?  Are you playing deaf?  Are you being stubborn?  Is it because you have a lot of pride?  So much so that you wouldn't even yield before God?  My urgent but loving advice to you is: Don't miss the chance of not only turning this life around, but also gaining eternal life afterwards! 

       

Power of the Holy Eucharist Again

        As I received the Lord in Holy Communion this morning, I knew that it was no empty gesture ~ I was actually receiving the living bread of heaven, the Lord Jesus himself, who has the power of transforming a pebble into a living saint!  My cup overflowed.

Infinite Mercy Deserves Full Trust

        Thought before Mass this morning.  We don't want to trust in a god if his mercy is finite.  Since the mercy of our Lord is infinite, we can trust in him fully.  (So "pray and trust," not "pray and worry.")

Foothold Secured

        Thought I had during Mass.  I haven't gone to heaven yet, but I've got a foot in the door already and I don't think the Lord will ever slam the door to hurt me if I remain on good behavior. 

Heeding God's Call

        In the Gospel today from Matthew 9, Jesus saw Matthew sitting at the custom post.  He said to him "Follow me."  And he got up and followed him.

        First of all, how good it is to hear the voice of the Lord calling us!  He calls because he loves us and needs us.  

        Secondly, he still calls us today.  We may not actually hear him audibly, but he does speak to our hearts.  

        Any call from the Lord is to be welcomed, embraced, and treasured, for it's the highest of all calls, intended for his glory and our spiritual good.  "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

The Lord for Oneness

        Today is the Feast of St. Matthew.  In Reading 1 from Ephesians 4, Paul points out the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  It's clear to me that the Lord wants one Church, not myriad denominations.  Most of all, he wants one union with him, not setting ourselves up separately as individual, little gods.

On Following the Lord

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 8, Jesus temporarily ignored his mother and brothers and told the crowd, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."  This is consistent with what he proclaimed later, "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."  He made it so clear that following him wholeheartedly is required of us.  Again, this is consistent with the fact that he is Lord!    

Going Straight Back to God

        Before Mass started this morning, I became aware that I was on my journey home to my God.  Before Jesus came on the scene, John the Baptist first appeared to proclaim to all to make straight the way of the Lord.  So I asked Jesus to make my journey back to him also straight by keeping me on my path, always following his will.  The Holy Eucharist would be my guide and protector.  Today's Responsorial line "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord" echoed my sentiment.

Lineage Doesn't Matter

        As I was receiving Holy Communion today, I had the following thoughts.  People are interested in genealogy and they get excited when they discover that one of their ancestors was someone illustrious.  I don't care if I am a descendant of a king or even a saint, I am now directly entering union with the Almighty God ~ you can't possibly beat that connection (if you can consider union a connection)!

Be Pure and Beautiful First

        Today's Gospel reading is from Luke 8.  Jesus wants us to display his light for all to see.  Let this wonderful light shine upon us first to dispel all darkness so that we become pure and beautiful before God, and we'll experience the most wonderful feeling only God can bestow.  (Life is definitely worth living!)