You Can Not Possibly...

over-love, over-obey, or over-trust God.        

All His

        Communion experience. I am now all his, so he's going to fight all the battles for me.

Stupid Sinners

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 28, the guards assigned to watch at the tomb of Jesus were shaken with fear when they saw him raised from the dead. Some of them went and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests gave a large sum of money to the soldiers and told them to say that Jesus' disciples had come and stolen the body at night. The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. It seems that lying to cover up the truth is such a stupid act. As a matter of fact, committing any sin is being stupid because you think you can fool God. 

Let Joy Be Our Lord!

        With the Resurrection of Jesus giving us so much joy, how can we possibly even think of sinning? Let this joy pervade all areas of our life so that we may remain holy!

Union, a Two-Way Thing

        On this Easter Sunday, I want to enter the infinite space of the Lord entirely to dwell in him, then he lets me see that I must let him enter to occupy me fully by receiving him in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.        

Easter Hope

          Tomorrow is Easter, but my anticipated joy is preceded by sorrow when I watch the world news today. The Mideast has been embroiled in turmoil involving various government troops, rebels, militias, warlords, religious extremists, foreign volunteers, Sunni and Shia Muslims ~ too numerous to mention. Civilians continue to suffer ~ they get slaughtered, kidnapped, raped, robbed, and displaced. I believe this has to be one of the greatest humanitarian crises in history with no end in sight. One headline today: "Iraq Tikrit: looting and lawlessness follow recapture." The picture that accompanies the story shows Iraqi Shia militia, who helped recapture Tikrit from Islamic State, jubilantly displaying the V sign with raised arms. I just wonder what's really there to be happy about. Do all people think this way? Don't people ever feel sorry anymore? I suppose no one expects us to be remorseful nowadays. What is the world coming to? Has it painted itself into a corner? I hope not. The tragedy is that those who do not believe that Christ is the Savior are the ones who need him the most! This is the time to heed the Lord's warning in Mark 4.25: "To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." My fervent hope is that the world will see that hope for all of us is ever present, since Christ is ever present.

Be Extraordinary Now

        Looking back in history, countless humans have come and gone. Where are they now? If we don't do anything different, we'll be like most of them ~ attached to the world, following the world's way, and disappearing into the oblivion. What we should do is something extraordinary. We need to be lifted out of this world, break free of this life, and set our eternal destiny. This is where Christ the Lord comes in. He has already died for our sins and shown us the way, the truth, and the light. There is only one true God and we only have one window in this life to seize him. Do not wait.

Pleasure of Pleasures

        At noon on this Good Friday, I prayed the Stations of the Cross with the congregation at my church. At Station XVI, we recited John 16.22: "I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you." The joy of Christ is indeed our greatest pleasure, which the world cannot give. Once you have this joy, no pleasure of the world will ever be able to satisfy you, plus you'll be able to discern if a pleasure is beneficial or harmful to you. 

The All-Knowing Lord

        I am happy that Jesus knows all about me so that he may mold and shape me as he sees fit, lift me up when I am down, strengthen me when I am weak, and shield me from all evil. 

The Offering Way

        Here is a way to help free yourself to get through life. Offer God your every thought, word, and action. Whatever you must do, pleasant or otherwise, offer it to God. Offer yourself to him as well. In other words, do everything unselfishly for his sake. This will not only free you from being burdened, but also turn you into a saint.  

Sinking in Sin

        It is Holy Thursday. At Evening Mass of the Last Supper, the washing of disciples' feet will be reenacted to show that we are to do for others as the Lord has done for us. This morning the Lord made me see how beautiful the world would be if we didn't sin, for it is sin that has caused today's miseries, pains, and sufferings among us all. The need for surrendering to Christ is greater than ever; would that the whole world senses this urgency! 

Beautiful Way of Finding God

        Read the Gospels and meditate upon the Lord. Let what you read speak directly to your heart. See how amazing, how beautiful, how refreshing he is. Marvel at his intentions, words, and deeds. Then believe in him, follow him, fall in love and give yourself entirely to him. You now know you've been chosen and are on your way home to him, your Father and creator. Peace, joy, and freedom sustain you the rest of your life on earth.

Need for Prayer

        We need to pray to God to praise him, thank him, to show that we love and trust him. Another reason more practical is this. Since everything works through God and nothing can happen without his knowledge and permission, to make good things happen, we need to go straight to his heart with our requests, and prayer directly links our heart to his.

First Things First

        Before we ask the Lord to have mercy on us, we should repent our sins and be ready to be merciful to our brothers and sisters.       

         Before we ask the Lord to grant us peace, we must be willing to do his will.

Following God's Example

        This morning's Entrance Antiphon at Mass taken from Philippians 2 reads: At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, for the Lord became obedient to death, death on a cross: therefore Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is such a profound statement. We have the Lord obedient to himself for his own glory! It shows that God will go to any length to accomplish what his love demands. Naturally, he alone deserves to be glorified. What's proper for us to follow is to also let love motivate everything we do to the glory of God our Father.

Sins, Premeditated vs Spontaneous

        In the first part of today's Gospel reading from John 13, Judas' betrayal of Jesus is announced. At the Last Supper, when the disciples asked who the betrayer is, Jesus dipped and handed a morsel to Judas to indicate that he would be the one. In verse 27, we heard read, "After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him." Satan becomes a partner in crime when one premeditates committing a sin, and that sin will be serious.       

        In the last part of the Gospel, Peter's denial of Jesus is predicted. Jesus told Peter that the cock would not crow before he denied him three times. Peter's denial stemmed from fear and came out spontaneously, not premeditated as in Judas' case, and he repented right afterwards. This is the difference. The goal of union of God is that we don't even commit spontaneous sins.  

Stunning Truth

        Today's Communion antiphon based upon Romans 8.32: God did not spare his own son, but handed him over for us all. This incredible truth still amazes me today. Let it wipe out any negative thoughts or feelings you might have toward God.

Where Heaven Is

        Without God, we are on our own. If someone hits me, naturally I want to hit him back. Then we go after each other perpetually with attacks and counterattacks. This is our world today. With the God of Christ, we get clear guidance to follow. Love becomes our prime motive ~ the only way to break the vicious cycle we are in. Naturally, we must be prepared to suffer if necessary. This is made possible by our God-given faith and vision of everlasting life. Since heaven is where God dwells, there is no heaven on earth except in the hearts of those who are with Christ.

Whom to Pray For

        You know people who turn you off, make you angry, or are plain unattractive. They are the ones whom you want to avoid, love to hate, or feel are hopeless cases or losers. Prayers are called for. Pray first for yourself, then pray for God's blessing on every one of them from your heart. And Jesus in turn will bless you.

Final Judgment Imminent

        It's knowing that we'll be judged by God one day that matters, not when it'll happen. In truth, God already knows everything we've done so far; only the time of pronouncing our sentence has not arrived yet. 

Good and Evil in Contrast

        Holy Week has begun. In today's Gospel reading of John 12.1-11 at morning Mass, I saw the sharp contrast between good and evil. Six days before Passover, Jesus came to the house of Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointed the feet of Jesus with a liter of costly perfumed oil. Judas the Iscariot questioned why the oil was not sold and given to the poor. He said it because he held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. Jesus merely said, "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." What's good about Jesus was that he knew well that Judas was going to betray him, yet God's will must be done and he never reproached or tried to stop him. By contrast, the chief priests were so bad that they not only plotted to kill Jesus, but also Lazarus just because the fact that he was raised from the dead by Jesus had led many to turn away and believe in Jesus. The world is still the same today.

Tragic Reality

          One may not believe that there is a personal, loving God, but everyone knows that he is a sinner and would need help to get out of that state. Many have found Christ to be the perfect solution for them. We only need to humble ourselves and be receptive to the gospel ~ the process can't be simpler. God has made it easy, yet we still remain closed, not willing to yield. It's taking the easy way out only to find out that it's no way out!

Linked to God

        Communion thoughts. It is still incredible to me that in receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, the finite and the infinite merge together physically and spiritually into one. This is made possible only through God's mercy and love. It's so very, very special!

Sinners Cast in the Same Mold

        I attended the Vigil Mass today for Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. The Gospel reading, Mark 14.1 through 15.47, covers The Conspiracy against Jesus, The anointing at Bethany, The Betrayal by Judas, Preparations for the Passover, The Betrayer, The Lord's Supper, Peter's Denial Foretold, The Agony in the Garden, The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus, Jesus before the Sanhedrin, Peter's Denial of Jesus, Jesus before Pilate, The Sentence of Death, Mockery by the Soldiers, The Way of the Cross, The Crucifixion, The Death of Jesus, and The Burial of Jesus. The kind of sins people committed then were exactly the kind people today are committing. For example, plotting to kill someone out of envy; betraying someone good for money; losing faith and denying God; not vigilant enough to keep watch; resorting to physical violence; running away from God out of fear; giving false witness against others; falsely accusing someone of blasphemy; insulting, mocking, and bullying anyone under your power; denying the Lord in various ways; stirring up the mob to achieve your objective; sentencing the innocent to death; being cruel to those who appear weak to you; being sarcastic and abusive... The reading was long but most moving. Hearing it gave me great strength, thanks be to God!

Soul's Highest Attainment

        The Holy Eucharist makes it possible for us to establish the most intimate relationship with God, which is union with God. This is a nearly perfect relationship because God is perfect love and we are not yet perfect. Nevertheless, it is the highest attainment of the human soul. 

Our Safe Haven

        Never bow to evil ~ that is, never let evil cause you to sin. In today's reading of Psalm 18 at Mass, the psalmist calls upon the Lord in his distress, exclaiming "My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of may salvation, my stronghold!" If we remain in God, we are safe from our enemies and no evil can possibly touch us. 

Consequences of Consequence

(1) If you do not stop sinning, you risk hearing the Lord say, "I never knew you" after you die. 

(2) Make yourself god and you lose the only living God.  

(3) Have your way now and you won't have any say later.

(4) Choose to receive all your rewards in this life and there won't be any left for you in the next.

(5) Aim to gain the whole world now and risk losing your soul for ever.

(6) Reject Christ now and he'll reject you later.

Be Humble and Mighty

        After hearing the Gospel (John 8.51-59), read at morning Mass, I came to realize that our God is mighty because he is humble. Among humans too, the humble are mightier than the proud, for they have God as their rock and refuge while the proud have only themselves to rely upon. Besides, Jesus has said, "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23.11-12.)

Faith Unlimited

        Jesus has come and revealed how much God loves us and wants to save us. Whether he came 2000 years ago or two million years ago, or is actually with us today is immaterial, for faith is timeless. A limited faith is no faith at all. It is this kind of unlimited faith that makes life worth living, for the reward will be great when you finally face the Lord.

To Be Strong in God

        The Lord made me see today that being strong is not being puffed-up, feeling that you can conquer anything coming your way. Rather, being strong in God is to remain calm, not being upset by anything. You place your trust in God and focus upon him alone. It's only when you get bothered that you become weak.

Obedience of a True Servant

        Communion time thoughts. If we are with Christ, then we have no choice but to obey him in all things, for this marks being a true servant of the Lord. If you haven't always been obedient, let the Holy Eucharist be your game-changer.

The Cure the World Needs

        Today we celebrated the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord at morning Mass. The readings advised us to do the will of God. In the Gospel reading from Luke 1, the angel Gabriel came to Mary to announce her conception of Christ. Before the angel departed, Mary's final response was: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Disobedience to God is precisely what has made our world so disordered. Only obedience to him can restore our sanity (and lead us to sanctity).

Mutual Knowing

        In John 10.27, Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they know me." I feel that the Lord and I know each other so well that I only need to call out "Jesus" and he already knew what's on my mind and in my heart. This trust simplifies the relationship. What Jesus said in the next verse completely solidifies that relationship: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand." Imagine!

Viewing Life Right

        If you view your life as a journey of wandering off on your own, then admit it ~ your are lost. Life makes sense and becomes meaningful only if you see it as a journey to God.  

The Missing Puzzle Piece

        Communion experience. I saw Jesus as the perfect missing piece that completed the puzzle of my life.

Time to Ask for Help

        John 12.32 is today's Communion antiphon: When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to myself. If the Resurrection of Jesus does not draw you to him, then you urgently need to go to him directly for help.

Dying Right in Sinful State

        In today's Gospel reading from John 8, Jesus said to the Pharisees that they would die in their sins for belonging to the world and not believing in him. It is chilling to hear the words "dying in your sins." We must make sure that we shall die in our sins forgiven! 

Truth Summarized

        Today's Gospel acclamation at Mass: The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.

No Seasons in Heaven

        Spring officially began four days ago. Trees and other plants have turned fresh green, the dreary winter-scape already fading from memory. And after a rainfall, the clear blue sky is always a welcome sight. We go through seasons and cycles in this life. Then I realize that there will be no seasonal changes or life cycles in heaven ~ we just enjoy bliss perpetually in God.

How We Need God!

        So many so often forget that they are finite and need God. The realization comes when their security, status quo, or life are threatened, and learn that they are not invincible and being your own little god is useless. This is a wake-up call. The bottom line is that we cannot escape from God and survive. It's either the Lord or eternal banishment.

Our Only Calling

        Communion experience. No matter what happens, we simply go deeper and deeper into the Lord ~ this is our only calling: to be one with him.

How the Lord Spoke to Me

        It came to me that I should pray hard for God's mercy on the whole world and myself. During this Lent, I have been persecuted by an enemy and began to feel a tiny fraction of what the Lord must have felt as he underwent his agonies prior to his Crucifixion. Everything I heard at today's Mass was most edifying. 

        First, the entrance antiphon, Psalm 56.2, read: Have mercy on me, O God, for people assail me; they fight me all day long and oppose me. 

        In the first reading that followed from Daniel 13, we heard how two wicked, old judges falsely testified against Susanna and sentenced her to death and Daniel was able to unearth the truth and convict the two of perjury and save Susanna. 

       Next, the response to Psalm 23 was familiar: Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side. 

        Now, the Gospel acclamation, based upon Ezekiel 33,11: I take not pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live. 

        Finally, the Gospel reading from John 8 was about the woman caught in adultery. When the scribes and the Pharisees, testing Jesus, asked him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" Jesus said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." In response, they went away one by one. Then Jesus asked the women, "Where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more." In fact, today's Communion antiphon was made up from these last two verses: Have no one condemned you, woman? No one, Lord. Neither shall I condemn you. From now on, sin no more. This is the powerful mercy of our God ~ beautiful beyond words! 

        After hearing all this, it's as if the Lord had spoken to me personally. I was right in knowing that I should pray for God's mercy in my case. 

Communion of Saints

        When I arrived at church for morning Mass a bit early today, only half a dozen or so parishioners were already present. Eventually, attendance grew to about 40. Among them, many had been humble and faithful servants of the Lord for a long time. I did not know all of them well, but it didn't matter. What I knew was that we were already one in Christ and one day we'd all be with the Lord in heaven. This is Communion of Saints. 

Amazing Intimacy

        After being a Catholic for over half a century, I am still amazed at how intimately I can get to know God. This is the Lord who has saved and renewed me; feeds me himself daily at Mass and dwells within me. It's a relationship only he can produce via his Son Jesus. There is no other religion through which you can get this close to God. Personally, I do not even consider Catholicism a religion because it's simply the truth.    

The Worst & Best in Us

        In both today's Reading 1 and Responsorial Psalm at morning Mass, we heard about the wicked and the just. Two people can appear to be equally OK, then in a test, one shows his worst and the other, his best. The wicked one might attack others with malice, while the just one seeks strength to endure and forgive in God. Naturally, the Lord already knows the hearts, so it would be wise for the wicked one to change his heart before he dies. 

On Seeking a Sign

        Sometimes I wish the Lord would make me feel something after I prayed to him. Then I remember he said (in Matthew) that only an evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign ~ so I know I should just remain faithful and not expect anything special from him. (Of course, should he decide to surprise me, that would be fine too.)

Complete Helplessness

        Today's Communion experience during the celebration I mentioned in the last post. I felt my complete helplessness without the Lord and total dependence upon him. 

Birth of Jesus Within Us

        Today I attended a special celebration of the Solemnity of St. Joseph at the local Mount St. Joseph Seminary. The Gospel reading at Mass from Matthew 1 tells how the birth of Jesus came about. I saw our spiritual transformation as the birth of the Lord in us. When he is born in us, we are born again too. Our new creature goes with the new Lord. And we should take care of the Lord in us as if he were a new born baby.  

Why us?

        Jesus came down from heaven to become precisely one of us because we are God's favorites and need salvation.  

The Christian Outlook

        For the Christian, it's the final victory that counts. Knowing that the Father has chosen you to return to him to be with him forever completely changes your outlook on life. Setbacks, sufferings, persecutions . . . all these things no longer affect you seriously. As long as there is God, the Christian sees hope ahead.