The Joy of God

        I have gone through suffering, pains, both physical and mental, many times. Then God gives me joy and all is forgotten as if nothing ever happened. Such is the joy of God that penetrates the soul.         

Perfect Prayer Is...

asking God to make you perfect because that is in accordance with his wish.

Thoughts on Envy

       Envy is not as bad as jealousy, but envying someone is still a sin. If you console yourself by thinking that you already have God that is better than anything the other person has, you are not really better off. But if you think that you already have God and there's truly nothing else you want, then you are OK.
        If you are envious of someone, chances are if you switch places with that person, you would look down on that person. Envy basically stems from the lack of humility.

Whatever You Do

         Whatever you do, make a point that no one knows about it, especially if you do something good. 

       Whatever you do, make a point that God knows about it, especially if you do something bad.        

Precious Moments of Life

        They are meaningful, memorable, fulfilling, and healing. These are the moments when and after you receive the Holy Eucharist. In them, God connects directly with the soul.

True Communication with God...

goes beyond words from the mouth and is always initiated by the heart.

Most Beautiful Faith

        There is a documentary out there titled "Hellbound?" with many pastors, ministers, authors of books, even an atheist, and others considered Christians joining in the debate about the existence and nature of hell. They all have strong views with much to say. It occurred to me the most beautiful faith is accepting Jesus with your whole being, with no questions to ask, and no curiosity about anything like whether hell exists or not. This is the childlike faith the Lord asks of us, the message of Divine Mercy, and what St. Teresa meant by "God alone suffices."

Important Questions

        After Mass this morning, still sitting in the pew, I noticed a beetle crawling on the concrete floor of the church at a considerable speed. I wondered if it knew where it's going and what made it change directions so often. This brought to my mind whether we know where we're going and what determines our path in our spiritual journey. Do we know better than a beetle?

Occupied by God

        When you are in union with God, you come to experience his love and beauty so that you stop judging others and lose interest in all things attractive to the world. It's equally correct to say that in union with God, your focus is always upon him so that there's no time for doing any ungodly thing.

Freedom Verified

        Accepting and believing in Jesus leads to the taking away of your sins and thus freedom, but it's in union with him that he verifies this freedom by letting you experience it.

Degrees of Knowing God

        If you know God in your mind only, it's superficial knowing. If you allow God to let you know him in your heart, then you have intimacy.

Being Alive in a New Way

        I attended the Pentecost Sunday Vigil Mass today. I was aware that the Holy Spirit dwells in me, keeping me alive in a new way. Alone, I merely stay alive now and shall die alone one day. With the indwelling Spirit, I am living in God and shall live with him forever. This is the big difference. 

Happy with Authority

        Spiritually, we need an authority to guide us. On our own, as many in the world are, it's easy to follow what we feel like or what everyone else is doing and not question our conscience, which most likely is already muddy or numb due to the lack of guidance. We basically become lost souls. I feel good that Christ and his Church has provided me with clear, authoritative teachings to guide me. The fact that they are hard for some to follow only bolsters their authenticity and truth. Of course, there are many others out there who claim that they have the truth and can guide us, but only Christ laid down his life for us and taught us to love even our enemies. Whoever has the greatest love is the authentic one to follow.

Taking Advantage of God

        I know a fellow Catholic who thinks small, does not trust others much, and always nitpicks or bargains in order to gain some advantage for himself. Most of you probably have run into that type. Once you find out what he is like, you just want to avoid dealing with him again if possible. My point is that God is the one we should take full advantage of, for he has the greatest riches and free gifts to give us. Suppose you want eternal happiness, go to him. How myopic it would is for a Christian to concentrate upon gaining the upper hand in small things and neglect turning to God to ask for what truly matters!  

Peter, Head of the Church

        Before Jesus left our world, he told Peter that he was going to build his church upon him and gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16). In today's Gospel reading from John 21, the Resurrected Lord asked Peter to feed his lambs, tend his sheep, and feed his sheep ~ further confirmation that Peter had been appointed to head the church.  

Goal of Living

         Today is the Memorial of St. Boniface. This was what the Holy Spirit laid in my heart as I listened to Father M's homily given at morning Mass.

           Our goal of living should be to defend the Lord, his honor and his glory, and not to follow our own ways at all.

Reason for Rejoicing

        In today's Gospel from John 17 at morning Mass, Jesus prayed for those whom the Father had given him. I rejoice for I have also been chosen by the Father to be protected by Christ and made one with him. My name is already written in the book of heaven that awaits me. Christ will be my joy for all eternity.  

Our Mistaken Cognition

        Do you ever think it is normal that God exists forever with no beginning or end and is infinite in every way? We came along when he created us. Being finite, we mistakenly believe that we are the norm and find it hard to perceive (deal with) God. It's high time we wake up and reverse our cognition. Then we'll find it easy (natural) to submit ourselves to the normal God.  

Benefit from Failure

        If you feel you have failed God in some way, do not be discouraged. Express your sorrow to him and let your failure humble you even more.  

Planning the Journey

        As we age, we are aware of the continuous change in our physical appearance and health over the years. It struck me that we should be even more aware of the status of our soul. If we have not grown spiritually to become a more loving person over the span of all our past years, then we risk heading toward a spiritual death. Living the life after Christ enables us to leave the body at the end as the soul heads straight toward God.

Suffering as a Measure

        How unafraid you are of suffering measures how much you trust in Christ. How willingly you are to suffer for him measures how much you love him.

Logical Thinking

        Thought at Mass this morning. Jesus laid down his life for me ~ how could he not possibly take care of me for a single moment and in all things?

Only Way to Live Eternally,

        I came to see clearly that Jesus had come to show us the only way to live eternally. In heaven, we'll be gladly doing his will for all eternity. By believing in him, listening to him, and starting to do his will in this life, we begin to live our eternal life. There is just not another one who can give us such an authentic message in such a clear and assuring way.   

God's Drawing Power

        Communion experience last Sunday. After receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, I wanted him to totally consume me with his love so that I exist no longer on my own but in him alone. Such is the drawing power of his love.  

Beauty in Letting Go

        Letting yourself go completely always yields the best results. Watch an artist perform and this becomes obvious. When we live for God, we also look the best to him when we completely let ourselves go, and we'll feel good ourselves too, knowing that God is pleased with us..

A Time to Cast Away

        Ecclesiastes 3.1: There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. But the right time to cast away anything that keeps us from approaching God is ever present. They include addictions, bad habits, and attachments to worldly things. Once you experience the new freedom and peace, you'll be glad that you've severed the tie. 

What We Must Realize

            I am away from home, so I won't be able to blog regularly for the next two weeks or so. These thoughts came to me three days ago. 

       Only God the creator is infinite. Even though his creative power is limitless, whatever he creates has to be finite, for there can only be one God, one creator. We cannot created anything ~ we simply discover, figure out, make use or take advantage of what has already been created by God. We can never be God and should never try to be him ~ this is what we must realize.  

God Will Let You Know

        Once you belong to God, he shapes, molds, nudges, and illuminates you to his heart's content continuously ~ you just know it and feel great joy.

Transcendental Living

        Jesus chooses us out of the world so that we no longer belong to the world. If you belong to the world, you'll always have that sinking feeling because the world is sinking. When we respond to God's call, he lifts us out of the world to live in freedom. This is transcendental living, for we have triumphed over the world.   

Jesus Is Peace

        Jesus is the way, the life, and the truth. He is also the light of the world. In essence, he is love. Then he is also our only hope and true joy. "Peace be with you" is what he said often to his disciples. Today at morning Mass, I realized that since he had given me so much peace, he is peace as well.  

Urgent Reminder

        Life is all about dealing with sins. We are living in a world drowning in sins ~ shocking daily news, family members not getting along, Christians being unforgiving . . . the list goes on and on. Since only God can forgive sins and make us holy, all the more we need to cling to him for life. If you do no feel the urgency, then you should wake up because your eternal survival is at stake.    

We Are Also Responsible

        If we are not 100% holy, then we are also partially responsible for all the evil existing in the world.

On Loving Our Enemies

        This image came to my mind during Mass. All of us were created by God the Father, so we are all siblings to each other in a big family. If there are those who have stepped out of line and become our enemies, we must not hate them but pray for them as our siblings.

Jesus' Challenging Claim

        In today's Gospel reading from John 6, what Jesus said to the crowds included this statement: "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day." He was making a huge claim. This saying challenges each of us to the core to believe that he either spoke the truth or didn't know what he's talking about. You decide.

Selfless Serving

        Sometimes I wonder if I have done anything important for God, then I realize that this thinking cannot have come from the Lord because it's still self-centered. What matters only is what's important to God, and whatever we do following his will is all he asks of us.

To Know God Is True

        Instead of looking at the many positive, wonderful things about Jesus and how he has changed so many lives for the better, nonbelievers, not knowing any truth, aim to discredit or dismiss him as if they know more than God. To know God, you must surrender to him first, then he'll let you know that he is true in every way. This is almost impossible for me to convey to anyone, but is the best witness I can possibly give.

Union the Straight Path

        In today's Gospel reading from John 6 at Mass, after Jesus had fed the five thousand men, the disciples saw him walking on the sea. The next day, the crowd went looking for Jesus and found him across the sea. Jesus said to them, "You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." Jesus teaches us to seek the kingdom of God first and all other things will be given us besides (Matthew 6.33). To put all this into practice, seek union with him first, then everything of life will assume its proper importance. Union takes one straight to God, bypassing all the obstacles and pitfalls of the ordinary spiritual journey.

Relating to the Father

        Today's is the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles. In the Gospel reading from John 14, Jesus said to Thomas, "If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to them, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show me the Father'?" Like Philip, we also want to know more, see more, and be assured more. The fact is that the Father is our creator ~ without him, we wouldn't be breathing now. Furthermore, nothing can happen without his permission and everything that happens to us is a calling from him to go closer to him. Therefore, never for a moment should we forget the Father's presence nor forget to relate ourselves, everything that happens to us, everything we do, to his love for us.

Fast Track to Holiness

        To improve our physical condition, we need to eat right and exercise. To improve our knowledge, we must study, read, and learn. To grow holier is a different matter because it involves God's doing. We initiate by prayer, reading the Gospel, doing penance, etc., but real changes can only be effected by God. In fact, the less we "struggle," the more God takes over. Hence, surrender and trust is the fastest way to holiness. 

Putting Free Will to Rest

        God gave us our free will to choose between good and evil, between obeying him and disobeying him. Once we decide to surrender to God, we put our free will to its best use. Now God's will and ours become one and we no longer need to exercise our free will anymore.

Superior Journey

        There are many seminars, workshops, conferences, etc., featuring upbeat, dynamic speakers who can encourage and inspire you or even set your heart on fire for God temporarily. This is all good, but nothing coming from outside of you can compare with what comes from within yourself. The superior journey is to seek union with God, then God will change you from the inside permanently with no more need for any outside boost.  

On Praying for Others

        We pray for loved ones who have died. If they are in purgatory, prayer and Mass offered can surely help. But the best time to pray for others is when they are still alive ~ taking preventive measure is always better than having to do the rescue later, if it's not already too late. Therefore, pray for your loved ones and all God's loved ones daily without ceasing for the greatest good.     

Easily Overlooked Warning

        This morning's Gospel reading at Mass came from John 3. He wrote: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God." I was struck by the last verse which I have italicized. It seems that not believing in Jesus as the Son of God is a serious sin, serious enough to be condemned. I can think of many who believe that they are basically good people, but do not take Jesus seriously and think nothing of it. They'd better read this verse and reconsider their position. 

Having God's Conscience

        I don't want to say that the Holy Spirit is God's conscience, for I may be treading on theological ground. But this I know: when one is filled with the Holy Spirit, God's conscience becomes his conscience.

All I Know

        In John 9, we read that Jesus opened the eyes of the man born blind. The Pharisees, disbelieving that he was blind, told him that Jesus was a sinner and kept questioning him. He then relied, "If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see." I like his response. Like the Pharisees the majority of the world do not believe in Christ and many even attack him and question his existence, but they do not affect me. All I know is that Jesus has set me free, filled my life with meaning, quenched my thirst, given me hope, joy, and peace, and shown me his love, beauty, and majesty! This is more than enough. To all those who disbelieve or discredit him: let Jesus open your eyes too.

Union Turns Life "Upside Down"

        Ordinarily, we find it difficult to remain holy as it's just too easy to sin. When you attain union with Christ, the reverse becomes true: remaining holy is now no work as God removes your desire to sin. 

God Our Transformer

        Today's the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena. After receiving the Holy Eucharist, I saw positively that the Lord could cleanse and purify us, transforming us into temples of the Holy Spirit. It was a glorious feeling. St. Catherine, pray for us.

Who Christ Is to the World

        A lot of bad news made headlines today. For example, "Syria blasts kill dozens in Homs," "Seized Nigerian girls 'taken abroad,'" "Severe weather threatens eastern US." But to me one sad piece of news came from Palermo, Italy. A two-meter tall statue of Christ of the Abyss will be placed underwater off the coast of Sicily to attract divers. The mayor of Palermo hopes that the attraction will stimulate tourism and signal a "new step forward" for the city's growth. Using Christ as a bait to attract tourists so that the city can earn more money? If that's the sole motive, then the idea borders on being sacrilegious!  

Finding Happiness Anyway

        At Lourdes, the Blesses Mother promised Bernadette happiness not in this world, but in the other. It is true that Jesus never promised that if we followed him, we would become rich, famous, and have an easy life. On the contrary, we're to deny ourselves and take up the cross. But while still in the world we can always find freedom, peace, and joy in God by seeking union with him.   

To Be Your Own God Is...

to be your own slave.