God's Merciful Heart

        Communion experience. Again I heard the familiar words of Jesus during consecration of the bread and wine: "Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body which will be given up for you" and "Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me." These struck me as words from someone with a most selfless, tender, and merciful heart. 

Falling in Love with God

        In this world we view a couple in love as the luckiest two people ~ they are aware of only each other, ecstatic in each other, so happy that they love everyone else too. Exactly the same thing happens when you are in love with God, albeit the feelings are on the spiritual level. So, be open and let the immense ocean of God's love sweep you off your feet.

Letting God Transform Us

        Continuing reading Houselander's A Rocking Horse Catholic, I find that some of her experiences resonate with mine. We both experienced the healing power of the Blessed Sacrament. She was healed of her psychological suffering. We both agree that at the "touch of God," an unhappy person incapable of living fully can recover to live gloriously. Her description of surrendering to God for the saint was quite beautiful: "...a tremendous fling of the heart, comparable to a leap into the fire of eternal Love, to burn with its heat, to take the radiance of its light..." We also concur that once the soul (my word) is healed, we can begin to enjoy life and everything (I would say "enjoy God"). I like her pointing out that this change is as secret and as real as the Body and Blood of Christ; no one sees any change, but what happens is the work of God. Let union with God be his work in us.

Forgotten Commandments

        This morning one BBC news story on lethal weapons was titled "Robot warriors: Lethal machines coming of age." The era of fighting wars with killer robots is approaching. This made me realize how far we had forgotten about the Commandment "You shall not kill." I looked at the list of all Ten Commandments and it came somewhat as a shock to see that the other nine were equally ignored by most of the world. 

Understanding God's Mercy

         The great mercy of God was made amply clear by Jesus in the parable of the lost (prodigal) son. In the true story of the woman caught in adultery, the infinite mercy of God was again clear. When the scribes and Pharisees brought the woman to Jesus to test him by asking what he says to Moses' commandment  that such woman be stoned according to the law, Jesus said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." In response, one by one they went away. Jesus, left alone with the women, asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, from now on do not sin any more." 

        We see that no matter how sinful we may be, Jesus is not ready to condemn us yet until we've had every chance for repentance and reform. (This is one reason why we should not judge anyone, period.) Since we don't know how long we are going to live nor how we are going to die, it would be wise for us to repent and reform right after sinning each time. Repentance is the key to avoiding final condemnation.

Honesty of the Evangelists

        Caryll Houselander was a prolific, popular, Catholic, English writer the first half of the last century. I am reading her A Rocking Horse Catholic, an account of her early life. When she was still a little girl, an adult lawyer friend of hers named Smoky tried to convince her mother that if Jesus Christ was really God and if he did found a Church, that Church had to be the Roman Catholic Church. One  piece of evidence he presented was the integrity of the witnesses, the four Evangelists. He said that only absolutely honest witnesses determined to give the facts would have recorded the words of Christ on the Cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ~ words which could easily have cast doubt on the divinity of Christ. I think he made a good point here.

Most Fitting Name

        In today's first reading from Exodus 3 at Mass, the Lord revealed to Moses that his name was "I AM." To me, this had to be God speaking, proving that he is eternal, for no one else can fit that name. 

Death Our Wake-Up Call

        Most recently, a friend passed away because of failing health; one church member died unexpectedly of a heart attack; and another person I knew died under more tragic circumstances. After hearing the news each time, the generally feeling was that "there's nothing we can do about it." But, we can do a lot before we are gone! Jesus has already shown us the way to eternal life; so for ourselves, we can take full advantage of that. For others, we can help by spreading the good news and living a holy life. Then whenever death sneaks up on us, we are prepared and ready.

Satisfied with God

        If God is still a mystery to me, that's because I am a finite creature. But God, being infinite, already knows everything about me ~ this is good enough for me.

The Real God

        Early this morning, I saw the grayish sky filled with somewhat hideous-looking black clouds. The dramatic view probably would have inspired a poet to write a poem or a artist to do a painting. Then I knew that no matter how talented the poet or painter may be, the work produced can never match the vivid, original scene imprinted on my mind. Similarly, man-made colors can never match the colors of real flowers. I thought of the real God and knew that no matter how great our imagination, we can never grasp the beauty and glory of the real God (for the time being anyway).      

Continued Alienation from God

        The Apostle John already talked about the many antichrists that had appeared in his first Epistle. He regarded anyone who denies the Father and the Son to be the antichrist. Polycarp, the early Apostolic Father, called anyone who preached false doctrine an antichrist. If that's the understanding, then today our world is certainly overwhelmingly populated by antichrists. 

       President Obama came out again today voicing his support for gay marriage in California. By the way, in 2004 he opposed same-sex marriage based on his religious faith. So where is that faith now? If he'd changed his view because he saw the trend changing, then he is an opportunist. According to BBC, there is a Clinton-era piece of US federal legislation called the Defense of Marriage Act that defines marriage as solely being between a man and a woman. The Obama administration has already stopped enforcing the law nor defending the legislation in court. I naively thought that only criminals ignore the law! 

        God created a man and a woman, not two men or two women, at the beginning. Yes, whatever we do, even under the guise of love, God's intention and design must never be violated. There cannot be true compassion in legalizing abortion because it ultimately hurts the mother (not to mention the unborn child). In the same way, legalizing same-sex marriage further cuts us off from God. Without the love of God, we won't know how to love.

"Where Is God?"

        People see sufferings all around and ask "Where is God?" Suppose that there are no sufferings at all, would they then ask the same question? I doubt it. God came two thousand years ago in person and not all believed in him. If he comes again today in person, would all then believe in him? I doubt it. So, don't ask "Where is God?" again.

The Greatest Possible Difference

        Today's Gospel reading at Mass came from Luke 16. It's the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. This is a terrifying story because when poor Lazarus died, he was carried away by angles to the bosom of Abraham, but the rich man died and descended to the netherworld where he suffered torment in flames. When the rich man cried out to Abraham for help, Abraham was powerless to help him, for a great chasm separated them. I can imagine that in such torment, the rich man wished that he had never been born. Eternal separation from God is so horrible that you wouldn't want anyone to experience that! On the other hand, dwelling in heaven with God for all eternity can be ours too. These are the only two choices we have. Believing in Jesus or not believing in Jesus absolutely can make the greatest possible difference to us.

Love Making Its Round

        Morning thought. We should relate to God exclusively and in private, and let all our actions flow from this relationship. When we are in union with God, all that flows out of us comes directly from him. We love others because we love him.  So love comes from the Lord and returns to him, completing its purpose.

Rewarding Prayer Experience

        This morning I joined some church groups in praying outside an abortion clinic, part of the 40 Days for Life vigil. I was honored to have a woman driving by, yelling something obscene at me. Jesus wanted his disciples to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, care for the ill, visit prisoners. I am sure that if the Lord were here today, he would have included "save the unborn." Praying together with other dedicated brothers and sisters in Christ out of pure love for the Lord to save lives and souls, risking possibly persecutions, discomfort, and humiliations is truly a rewarding experience, humbling and uplifting at the same time.  

God's Mercy Depicted

        I am thinking that God's mercy has to be infinite. If it is finite, then who can get to heaven? Where do you draw the line? It just does not work out. The God of Christ will forgive us an unlimited number of times as long as we repent. You may picture that the door of mercy is always open. When we sin, we disable ourselves and can't get to the door anymore. Then we repent and we are healed and can get going again. Basically, God wants to get all of us into heaven. With such mercy, you'll have to turn away from him and choose not to repent to get yourself condemned. Sadly, there are too many doing just that.

Let God Get to You First

        People do not think about God because the world has gotten to them first. Deeply immersed in the world, God is easily forgotten. One day their world is gone ~ for example, they suffer a heart attack or lose all their possessions ~ then they turn to God. To avoid wasting so much of your valuable lifetime, let God get to you first, then you'll be holding onto something permanent, stable, and dependable that will never go away. 

The Trapped World

        On the way back from morning Mass, I saw the modern world as a place full of traps. There is a trap in everything we hear, see, read, and encounter. I say "trap" because it aims to keep us away from God. This is reality as you can see trapped victims everywhere. But the situation is not hopeless, as the Lord is almighty. Once you have grounded yourself firmly in him. you will notice all the traps and be alert enough to bypass them. (Actually, this can be fun!)    

What Attracts Me to God

        After discovering the marvels of science, some scientists choose to believe in the existence of God, while others choose not to. Similarly, after learning about the holy God, some sinners are attracted to him, while others choose to hide from him. For me, what attracts me to God is his perfection in his love and every other way, beautiful beyond words. 

Dying for Each Other

        I used to live near a burger joint advertising that their burgers are so good that they are to die for. Since God has actually died for us out of love, certainly he is good enough for us to die for, be it the dying of the old self or our physical death. Two persons willing to die for each other shows the greatest love between them. When one of the two happens to be God, there'll be no sad ending ~ only glorious, eternal joy!   

Ultimate Transformation

        This morning at church before Mass began, I saw every one of us as an empty vessel. It remains useless as long as it is empty. But after God has filled it with himself (the Holy Spirit), it becomes his glorious vessel fit for heaven. With the Lord as the source, all good things (thoughts, words, deeds) flow outwardly from it. This is the ultimate transformation.

God Is with Us!

        Communion experience. I witnessed the Most High in the consecrated bread and wine elevated by the priest at the altar before distribution. The Lord is above us; the Lord is around us; the Lord is in us ~ God is with us! 

Seek Humility First

        Our pastor in his homily at Mass warned us to be aware of spiritual pride. It became clear to me that to be holy, we must seek humility first. Humility makes the strongest foundation for spiritual growth. And the Lord loves to exalt the humble.

God Following Our Example

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 6 at morning Mass, Jesus said to his disciples, "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you... For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." So if I do my best to help others enter heaven, the Lord will surely do his best to help me enter heaven. 

To Ignore or Not to Ignore Jesus

        Today's Gospel Acclamation is based upon parts of John 6:63c, 68c. I am of one mind with what Peter said to Jesus in 68c: "You have the words of everlasting life." This is another earth-shaking statement on which you must either agree or disagree with Peter. Jesus just cannot be ignored!  

The Ultimate Ignoramus

        Today's distressing world news includes a celebrity trying to explain away a crime he has obviously committed and another celebrity openly performing irreverent, offensive acts. I know that we are all sinners, but there is a difference. Most people end up sinning not because they want to sin, but because they are not strong enough to resist the temptation (they fail the test, so to speak). This is not the same as someone with a huge ego who deliberately ignores God, premeditates his sinful act, and never plans to repent. Ignoring the Lord makes him the ultimate ignoramus.   

The Governing Relationship

        It is common knowledge that if we are not happy in our personal life, we can't be happy at work either. If we are not getting along with others, it's just not possible to feel at peace with God either. In fact, Jesus wants us to reconcile with our brother who has anything against us before offering our gift at the altar (Matthew 5:24). Conversely, it follows that if we are at peace with God, then automatically we'll be at peace with all others. This was how I felt this morning before Mass began ~ there was zero rebelliousness in me against God and I felt absolutely nothing against anyone. It must be that when we get along with God, we receive the grace from him for us to get along with everybody else.

Growing Holy Is like Weeding

        I hand-weeded in my front yard a little bit this afternoon. A week ago, I pulled up pretty much every single weed, but today there were quite a bit of new weeds that had since germinated. I realized that it was a never-ending job and that I must be patient and keep doing what I can if I want to make the yard look neat. I see the similarity in living a spiritual life, as growing holier is also a never ending "job" and I must remain patient by trusting in God and doing my best always. The journey is not a short sprint but an endurance race. If we aim to win, we shall win our imperishable crown at the end (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

On How We Live This Life

        In this life, we have the free will to choose good or evil. The crossing over to the other side can be instant. In the next life, we either end up with or without God and the chasm between two worlds is unbridgeable for all eternity ~ think about it! By not choosing God in this life, you might say that we burn our bridges forever. Seen this way, it's clear that how we live this life is critically important to how we shall live our next life.

No Pain, but Big Gain

        Communion experience. After receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, I wished to be totally slain in the Lord. I realized that all I needed to do is to surrender to him by remaining passive. It struck me that the motto "No pain, no gain" does not work here ~ with God, it's "No pain, big gain." Another way of saying it: "The more we let go in God, the more we receive from him."

On Praying for Enemies

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5 at morning Mass, Jesus commanded his disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Sometimes I pray for my enemies with the hope that they will not give me trouble anymore, but I hear the Lord say that I must pray exclusively for their well-being. 

On Converting Souls

        You cannot win souls for Christ by pressuring or arguing with those you wish to convert. The only effective way is to live your own life by example. Then each word you say and each deed you perform will have the effect of sowing a little seed in those you come into contact. And the Lord will make those seeds grow in time. It is great teamwork as you sow and God reaps. 

Way of the Cross

        Today being Friday, the Way of the Cross was prayed after Mass in church. Many parts of the reading were truly beautiful that I wished I could stop and meditate on them, but with a large group we just went through all fourteen stations nonstop. I researched and found that the book Benedict XVI: Way of Cross had been considered by many to be the finest and most beautiful book on the subject. I am looking forward to embarking on this new exciting trip by praying the Way on my own so that I can take as much time as needed. I say "exciting" because the Holy Spirit is going to lead me and I'll be walking with Christ the whole time.

Why Is God Attractive?

        This morning before Mass, I saw God as the most refreshing, sweetest nectar for the soul to drink. Well, the secular world surely provides copious attractions, yet why am I drawn more to the invisible God? What special power does the Lord possess? I venture to say that the following contrasts may provide the answer.

         (1) God is eternal, while the world passes.

         (2) God is love, while the world is emptiness.

         (3) God is true, while the world lies.

         (4) God challenges us, while the world tolerates us.

      Here's an imperfect analogy using musical examples to show how God and the world attract in their different ways. God is to the world as Brahms's symphonies or Beethoven's last piano sonatas are to heavy metal.

Pathway to Freedom

        Today I see Jesus as the Savior who can get us out of any trouble ~ he is our gateway to freedom. The biggest trouble we can be in has to be our soul remaining in a state of serious sin. The only good thing I can say about sin is that it gets the Lord's attention and can get ours too. In Matthew 9, to show that he has authority to forgive the sins of the paralytic lying on a stretcher, Jesus ordered him to rise, pick up the stretcher, and go home. And rise and go home he did. So, first, get our sins forgiven by the Lord; then let him help us carry the rest of our burdens; and finally, freedom!

In a Precarious Position

          I am thinking that in heaven, we have the fallen angels rebelling against God. On earth, we are doing the same thing, except that we are given a chance to be reconciled to God. See this clearly so that you can take advantage of this opportunity to get out of your precarious position as your eternal destiny hinges on your decision.

God Is Wide Open

        Today's great Gospel reading came from Matthew 7. In it Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." This means that God is wide open to us. We should ask to know him, to experience him, to be filled with his love, to be healed, to be saved, and for joy, peace, freedom, union with him in this life and heavenly dwelling with him for all eternity in the next. Actually, all these things are already ours. Claim them while there is still time.

So Much Love!

        God is love, but it's easy to deny that when you are not happy. Find out first why you are not happy as it is impossible to know God and not be happy. Read the Gospels and you'll see love written all over Jesus ~ so many invitations, so many promises, so much mercy shown in the kind deeds he performed and so much suffering on his part for our sake. For me, a believer, I get to touch him and be united with him everyday in receiving the Holy Eucharist. That love is ours for the asking.       

Facing Each Day

        If we are unhappy in life, we normally don't feel good about getting out of bed to face another day each morning. I once was like that when I didn't like my job and nothing else "exciting" was happening in my life. But now, because I do have interior peace and the external world no longer has anything exciting for me, I actually look forward to waking up early to start the day with Mass. Today the thought came to me that if we are ready to die for Christ, then certainly we would welcome each new day and be ready for anything coming our way. 

True, Beautiful Living

        Jesus taught us to do good in secret, to pray in secret, so that only the Father sees us. Likewise, we should carry our cross in secret to show our willingness to follow him. Living a hidden life in Christ is true, beautiful living! 

In a Life-and-Death Struggle

        The International Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima is traveling through our area this month. At Fatima, the Blessed Mother warned that if people did not stop offending God, there would be wars, famines, persecution of the Church and annihilation of nations. All had come true. The big war was World War II. It seems that historically, God's warnings usually went unheeded. Why? It must be that people are too steeped in sin and/or they don't know the true God yet. What the world most urgently needs to do is to repent if it wishes to be saved. And it's just as urgent for those who know God to spread the good news. All of us are involved in a life-and-death struggle.

The Perfect Perfectionist

        Some people are very fussy and particular ~ they want everything they do come out right or perfect, or they would feel terrible. Others keep their material possessions in top shape, such as making sure that their cars are scratch-free and spotless. I had a friend once who kept all the original boxes the things he bought came in and placed all things exactly where he thought they should be ~ I was afraid to touch or move anything in his house. I really think all these people so afflicted are in fact imperfect. The perfect perfectionist is one who wants to be as perfect as possible before God and is not discouraged or disturbed if he turns to be not quite perfect ~ he or she simply accepts the fact and tries to do better.

Resting in God

        Communion experience. I am absolutely dependent upon God's love and mercy which will never vanish. Therefore, all I need to do is to rest in them in peace.

Glad God Knows What I need

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 6 at Mass, Jesus, before teaching his disciples how they were to pray, said, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." I am so happy that God reads our mind and our heart that I don't need to hide anything from him anymore, that he knows my needs, and that he will let me know what he wishes me to do, now that I have signed up as one of his followers.   

Measuring Our Love for God

        The more we realize how great God's love is, the more we forget that we have enemies. Therefore, how much we forgive our enemies measures how much we love God. 

Letting God Work on Us

        I feel that when we read or pray the psalm or other prayers devoutly, God listens to us and at the same time shapes and forms us. When we petition God for various needs sincerely, again he hears us and at the same time checks out what's in our hearts. Turning to the God is to let him work on us.

I Have the Lord!

        Communion experience. I have the Lord ~ so I have everything. There is nothing else I desire. I am full, complete, and content. I am at peace.

Revelation + Incredible Invitation

        Today's Communion antiphon at Mass, Matthew 25.40, 34: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did it for me, says the Lord. Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

        We first see that Jesus identified himself with every one of us. Serving others is serving him. The way to endear ourselves to the Lord is made clear here ~ it is a great revelation. Then I heard the second part read and I was virtually shaken ~ it was definitely an incredible, wow moment. To me, in extending such an invitation, the Lord truly showed his infinite mercy.

Holy Spirit the Guide We Need

        It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that Christ rose from the dead, that his Apostles and disciples were emboldened to spread the good news to the four corners of the world, and that sinners are transformed into saints. So surrender to this most gentle, loving spirit and he will lead you, inspire you, protect you, mold you, and draw you into full union with the glorious Holy Trinity. He is the guide we all need.   

Meant for Perfect Union

        At Mass today, I was drawn to the Holy Spirit. When I was involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the 70s, I simply asked the Holy Spirit to baptize me, and zap me he did. He made everything easy for me so that I progressed rapidly in a relatively short time. You could say that he carried me all the way. Eventually, the "honeymoon" ended. Today I have already surrendered to God the Holy Spirit, so I expect even greater things to happen. After receiving Communion, I submitted myself once again to the Holy Spirit and experienced his sweetness. Man and God are just meant for perfect union!