Becoming One with God

        Jesus the Son and God the Father are in each other, so they are one. This is the model for us to follow when we seek union with God. Through the Holy Eucharist, Jesus enters us so we may enter him. Then we become one.      

Life Is Precarious

        Jesus has taught us to stay awake, for we do not know the day on which the Lord will come. We also do not know when we shall meet the Lord. I serve on the team of visiting the elderly at their homes or care facilities in our parish. One person I visited for the first time a week ago unexpectedly passed away yesterday. Life fleets! Everyone, especially the young in busily pursuing their worldly careers, need to be awakened to this fact. And we must help all by bringing the good news of Christ to them. Life is slippery and precarious until we have settled safely in the hands of the loving God.  

How Can You?

        At fraction of the Bread at Mass, before receiving Communion, we asked Jesus to have mercy on us and grant us peace. God is the source of inexhaustible mercy. We sin a thousand times and he forgives a thousand times if we repent. He does not condemn us; only wants to save us. How blessed we are to have such a merciful God! He wishes peace to be with us. This peace is ours if we believe in him and ask for it. How fortunate we are to be so favored! Salvation is ours for the taking. If you are aware that you're a sinner, how can you not embrace the love of God? How can you?    

Mary's Love for Her Son

        On April 18, I posted about Rachmaninov's Prelude in D, Op. 23, No. 4. Now, here's the one in E flat, Op. 23, No. 6. This beautiful piece expresses for me the love our Blessed Mother has for her Son and for all of us. Sergio Fiorentino plays faster than most other pianists, but his playing "sings" the sweet melody best.

Key to Union

      Today's Communion experience. Jesus made me see that total surrender to him is the only way to completely enter him, to fully belong to him, to become one with him. 

Prayer Should Include All

        There are other religions whose followers wish to wipe out the Christians, but we must not be like that. Jesus wants us to love our enemies and pray for those who have most need of his mercy. I am disappointed that during Prayer of the Faithful at Mass, petitions on behalf of our enemies and those who suffer the most in the world are not heard. For example, shouldn't we pray for all those contemplating suicide bombing, the innocent victims of all bombing attacks, and even the recent surviving Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev? Praying for them is not being unpatriotic; on the contrary, not praying for them is ignoring the compassion of our God for all.

Hell Not to Be Ignored

        In Matthew 16:26, Jesus asked his disciples, "What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?" St. Faustina was led by an Angel to the chasms of hell. She saw these kinds of tortures: (1) loss of God, (2) perpetual remorse of conscience, (3) constancy's of one's condition, (4) terrible suffering caused by a spiritual fire penetrating the soul without destroying it, (5) continual darkness and a terrible suffocating smell, (6) the constant company of Satan, (7) horrible despair and hatred of God. There are other more special tortures too. (For a complete description, read her Diary, 741.) To me, the worst part is suffering not for a finite period of time, but for all eternity! Those who believe in God need not worry about hell, for they will end up in his company; but those who don' believe that hell exists had better be concerned about God, for they could easily end up in hell.

Start Loving God Now!

        The need for loving God is urgent because everything is passing! Every living moment provides opportunities for us to serve the Lord; do not let time pass by without showing his love for us to others. Save as many souls as possible by seeking union with God or whatever means he provides you. Do not delay loving him, for time is fleeting! God will ultimately ask each one of us how good and faithful a servant we have been. Live a life to glorify God and he will glorify you later ~ this is his promise you can count on. 

Ultimate Freedom

        Communion experience. I wished to die in Christ, with Christ, and for Christ so that I would have nothing of myself left and be free of myself. Imagine your freedom when you are no longer aware of your own existence but that of God!  

The Peace of God

        On earth you may experience peace when you relax on a beautiful beach, sipping your favorite drink and listening to your favorite music, with the surrounding temperature and cool breeze being just about perfect and you temporarily forgetting all your troubles in life. The peace of God is different. It seats deep in your heart and tastes sweet to the soul, unaffected by anything external. In Philippians 4, Paul tells us that the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus is a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is so because it is placed in our hearts by God.  

Priorities of Life

        Following Christ is both peaceful and exciting. But if you don't let God be the most important person in your life, you will not experience peace. Anytime you see someone upset, that would be the case. The proper order of our priorities: God, our family, ourselves.

Confession Pride

        Even after I have made a good confession, I still came away going over in my mind what I had said, wondering whether I looked good or bad before the priest. This is still pride and should not exist. Make my honest confession, hiding nothing, get forgiven, thank God, walk out, feel good, never look back, and resume serving the Lord ~ this is how it should be.

Our Spiritual Connection

         Do you wish you can touch God like holding his hand? Or hear him speak to you? Do you know that we are spiritually connected to him even more intimately than any physical or mental contact? The Lord has chosen us and nothing can take us out of his hands; we are God's adopted children and Jesus is our brother; and we will inherit his kingdom and live with him forever ~ these are all God's promises! Yes, we are indeed connected to God, alleluia.        

Humility Practice

        Regard everyone to be holier than yourself and you no longer judge or look down upon anyone ~ a great way to practice humility and retain interior peace. 

Gospel Remains Fresh

        In the early days of Christianity, the gospel was new. People either accept or reject it, and the persecutions of Christians were severe. Today 20 centuries later, the gospel is no longer news, so people have become indifferent. They need to go back into those early days to snap out of their tepidity. Know that truth remains forever the same and the gospel always fresh.

Being Secured for Eternity

        Luke 9.62: "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." Jesus was referring to how we should follow him. Looking back upon our past, no matter how pleasant our memories, stops us right in our track from following him. For us, the best is yet to come, so there's no point in going back into the past. The good disciple doesn't wonder about the future either because he is already with Jesus, his future. Staying with him every step of the way is being secured for all eternity.

A Right Time for Everything

         I read John 7 last night. When his brothers asked Jesus to go to Judea to do the works for his disciples there to see, for the feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus said to them, "My time is not yet here, but the time is always right for you." Later, Jesus did go up to the feast, went to the temple area and began to teach. The Jews tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him because his hour had not yet come (John 7:30). This shows that there is a time (hour) for everything we do and everything that happens to us. Doing whatever we feel like doing or rushing ahead of the Holy Spirit is easy, so is wasting time. Following the Lord with discipline, patience, and calm puts our time to its best use.   

Form Without Substance

        As a photographer in the past, I often saw images that had form with no substance. One well-known photographer exhibited superb craftsmanship, topnotch print quality, but the image was always "dead" making no emotional connection with me. Perhaps this is analogous to any Christian who is outwardly pious but is devoid of Christ in his interior.   

One and Only Relationship with God

        Just think that we and Lord God can become one! Union with God through receiving him in the Holy Eucharist: this extra special relationship does not exist in any other world religion or anywhere else in this whole universe. 

Living for God Alone

        We sin to escape God, but this attempt is doomed from the start. If we cannot escape God, we might as well learn to face him. What I want to say is that we really should live for God alone. This is made easy if we are aware of his holy presence at all times. Therefore, pray that he'll grant you this favor after receiving him in the Holy Eucharist each time.

Seeking Our Own Perfection

        At morning Mass, I simply wanted to be in Jesus, to become like him. I believe God has placed in us the desire to be perfect even though we'll never be perfect. To sin is to be imperfect. Since we do not ever find peace in sinning, the quest for our own perfection begins. This is how searching for God begins. This is also what seeking union with God is all about. 

God Alone Perfect

        Today is the Feast of Sts. Philip and James, Apostles. At morning Mass I saw the perfection of God's love. Jesus has demonstrated this love to us with his own life and death ~ it just cannot possibly get any greater! I turned to the world to see if there is anything that can be regarded as perfect ~ I failed to find any. It looks like perfection belongs to God alone.

Purpose of Living Long

        Many wish to live long ~ they admire and marvel at old folks still in good health. If you wish so too, what is your purpose? Think before you respond, for the answer generally reflects how much you love the Lord. What do you think the best answer should be?

Christian Life Easy

        Since God can make all things new, he can make all things easy. When that happens, following Jesus becomes easy. (Hint: Think Union with God.)

Passive Praying

        In praying the Holy Rosary after Mass, the Holy Spirit inspired me to remain passive even in prayer. In other words, I was to put all my trust in God and not in my words.

True Fulfillment

        Before receiving Holy Communion today, I knew I had been invited to the supper of the Lamb. If I were invited to go to heaven to dine with God the Most Holy One, I would be so overwhelmed that I would want to become holy for his sake. Receiving the Holy Eucharist on earth is no different. In fact, what is being served is even more special, the Lord's own body and blood! When he enters me, his light will dispel all darkness in me ~ this is true fulfillment!     

The Right Approach

        To remain in God's love, we need to go inside the Lord. Therefore, seeking union with God is the right approach.

Remaining in God's Love

        In today's Gospel reading from John 15 at Mass, Jesus asked his disciples to remain in his love as he remains in his Father's love. Today roughly half of the marriages in America end in divorce ~ where is love? To be married to someone for life is definitely a beautiful thing. To remain in God's love for all eternity has to be the most beautiful of all.

Jesus Not to Be Dismissed

        In Reading 1 from Acts 15 at Mass this morning, we heard that Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. Paul and Barnabas were eyewitnesses. Then we have the numerous signs and wonders Jesus performed and his Transfiguration, Resurrection, and Ascension, all recorded in the Gospels. To reject Jesus is to reject all these signs and wonders only God could have worked! Jesus must be taken seriously, not dismissed lightly.  

We Are All Guilty

        BBC shows this video online today: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22368598.  It was beautifully done, but sad. It shows how the war against the drug cartels in Mexico has destroyed many small villages. The villagers got shot; their houses destroyed, burned, and abandoned. One picture shows a small church with only a Divine Mercy image of Jesus hanging on the wall intact ~ this is what sin has brought. Then I realize that we are guilty too. Our government has not done enough to educate and warn the people of the danger (evil) of drugs. The drug addicts do not realize that they are the cause of these tragedies. And we bystanders do not live a life holy enough to bring others to Christ. Evil cannot be stopped if we are not holy ~ we sinners are all in it together. 

Most Carefree Moment

        Communion experience today. After I received the Lord, I let myself go in him and I was the most carefree person in the world!

Power of God's Love

        Since we were created in the image of God, his love can transform each one of us into a god like him, achieving its goal of union with us.

God's Love Unique

        God's love is meant for us. We are the only creatures who need to be saved, so this love is directed at us alone. Consequently, we are the only earth creatures who can discover this love and come to understand it. If you understand it, then it's only fitting that you should accept this unique gift.    

Love, God's Attraction

        The Lord never forces his love on anyone; he simply shows his love for us and the rest is up to us. I have never forced myself to love him either ~ it is his love alone that draws me to him. Once you taste this love, you'll know it's what you need. To reject this love is to reject yourself.  

Most Selfless Offer

        Again, during today's Eucharistic Prayer at Mass, Jesus asks us to eat of his body which will be given up for us and drink the chalice of his blood which will be poured out for us for the forgiveness of sins ~ are we to refuse this offer of the greatest gift from God, the Lord himself? Are we? Are we?

Fast and Serious

        At morning Mass, Father Paul mentioned that he was in Southern California last weekend and learned that the sex abuse scandal cost the Los Angeles archdiocese $660 million. He pointed out that such was the wages of sin. But worse than the loss of money is the loss of our soul which, once lost, is irretrievable. Paul said in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. A couple of days ago, the Lord made me see the beauty of putting our faith in the true God. In the second half of the same verse, Paul said that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ. What a huge difference from sin to faith...from death to life ~ all can happen in a split second!

On Receiving the Eucharist

        A church without the Holy Eucharist in it is like an empty cross with no Jesus on it. Since the Holy Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ, we should never touch it if we are in a state of serious sin. When we receive this most holy sacrament, we should not only let Christ enter to dwell within us, but also ask him to become an integral part of us so that we may become like him. The saying "You are what you eat" has now a new meaning. 

After We Sin...

        Realization at morning Mass today, the Memorial of St. Catherine of Sienna. Having offended God, we feel sad; but there are joys to be realized too: (1) Despite our failure, God's love for us remains undiminished, (2) He is still there for us to love, (3) We're given the realization that we need to change, (4) We have repenting our sin and being welcomed home again to look forward to. 

Humility Scrutinized

        I've found that it's more challenging to remain humble with your family at home than with outsiders, especially if you happen to be the head of the family. I believe it's because your family already knows you well and your feel comfortable remaining the same you. While with others, wanting to make a good impression on them helps motivating you to appear more humble. In either case, we fall short of being truly humble. To remedy this, we need the Holy Spirit to fill us with compassion for all, family members or non-family members. 

Union via Obedience to the Spirit

        Yesterday the retired bishop of the diocese celebrated Mass at my church for the confirmation of 65 young people. He gave a beautiful homily centered upon the Holy Spirit, which made me sense the beauty of obeying the Spirit. If I could do that at all times, I'd be in union with God at all times. Then I would have constant peace because in obedience to the Spirit, one on longer offends God.   

God's Contrary Ways

        God's ways are not our ways. God wants us to be weak in him so that we may become strong; to surrender to him to become free; to die in him to bear fruit; to remain passive to get close to him; to be lowly to get exalted; to serve others to become great; to forget about ourselves to be noticed by him; to give up all to gain him who is everything... 

News to Rejoice In

        In the same reading from Revelation 21 I brought up in my last post, John also heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away."

        My only comment is a recommendation: Read these verses and be thankful and rejoice in the news!

To Be Adorned for God

        Reading 2 for today's Mass comes from Revelation 21. In his vision, John saw a new heaven and a new earth. He saw a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Now, a bride adorns herself solely to please the husband. If we wish to please God, we need to adorn ourselves as best we can too, and that means seeking union with God so that we can become like him. At the end of the reading, John heard the One who sat on the throne say, "Behold, I make all things new." Things definitely are going to work out for us!

Moment of Abandonment

        Communion experience. It's a moment of abandoning myself in God, letting him perfect me.

We Reap What We Sow

        What we receive in our next life depends not upon how much we succeed or fail in this world nor how hard or easy a life we lead in this world, but solely upon how much we love God in this world.

Living the Private Life

        Jesus' sheep recognize only his voice and follow him alone. Under his care they live for him and not for the world. This privacy shields them from all evil and ensures that they will not be lost. It is living the private life in God. 

Jesus Exposes Darkness

        The more you know Jesus, the more you see darkness in the world. Those who do not know Jesus do not see darkness in the world, for they walk in darkness and no longer know where they are going. (Read 1 John 2:11.)

God's Mercy Extends to All

        Today's tragic news is the collapse of a Bangladeshi garment factory, killing at least 273 people. It's believed that neglect and lack of regulation led to the disaster. Since over 90% of the population of Bangladesh are Muslim, it's safe to assume that most of the victims did not know Jesus. So, are they saved or not? Jesus did say, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). I believe that good people can be saved through Christ without their knowing it. It'd be unthinkable that they are condemned due to no fault of their own by God whose mercy is infinite. To think otherwise is to judge others. If you still have doubts, read the first eight Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-10).

Jesus Is the One

        Communion experience. Jesus completes me. Having him, I lack nothing. He's the one to live and die for with joy.

Being with God Forever

        The Gospel reading at Mass was from John 14. At the Last Supper, Jesus said to his disciples, "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be." How good it is to hear that the Lord wants us to be where he is! By receiving him in the Holy Eucharist, we've already become inseparable from him.