Today is the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena. As I received the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, I felt his calling for me to be one with him. It seemed unthinkable that we would receive this greatest gift of heaven, but not want to give more of ourselves to him!
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Love of Enemies
The Beatitudes Jesus proclaimed in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew include this one: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." It follows that if we are to make peace, we must pray for the conversion of our enemies, not their destruction. Indeed, later Jesus did teach, "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
More Ave Maria Videos
I have posted Ave Maria by 4 different composers (listed under Good Sites, Blogs, Web Pages... in the right margin). I am now replacing the Bach/Gounod video in the list with this version featuring Deborah Sasson, also with Andre Rieu. I think Sasson sounds a little bit more musical and polished than Skota.
I am adding this Schubert's Ave Maria sung by Mirusia Louwerse, again with Andre Rieu. Barbara Bonney, already listed, may be more pure, but Louwerse is more expressive.
Love Bridges the Gap
Communion experience. I felt totally unworthy to receive the Lord, for he is holy in heaven and I am sinful on earth. Then I saw the sun whose light and warmth still reach us even though it is almost 93 million miles away. In Jesus' case, his great love for us has bridged the gap.
Superior Spiritual Life
Repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation, since sin can only be forgiven through repentance before God. Surrender lifts one out of the ordinary pathway and makes one holy, thus greatly reducing the need for repentance. Therefore, repent but aim for surrender to live the superior spiritual life.
Comforting Words
In today's Gospel reading from John 10, Jesus said to the Jews, "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one." Since the words of Jesus will not pass away, even when heaven and earth pass away (Matthew 23, Mark 13, Luke 21), these words were a great comfort to hear again at morning Mass.
Why God Wants Us to Be Holy
Perhaps the post should have preceded the last one. There is no doubt that God wants to be one with us because he loves us. And this is why he wants us to be holy, for if we are filthy and soiled, how would it be possible for him to dwell within us?
Letting God Make Us Holy
God wants us to be holy and that's a high goal indeed, but no worry. Since he sets the goal, all we need to do is say yes to him and he'll make us holy without the need to crawl and struggle on our own ~ it's all up to us and all up to him, again with him doing the work. Note that all miracles are performed by God and surrendering to him makes us see miracles.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Ready to Follow Jesus?
In Matthew 4, we read that as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Peter and Andrew casting a net into the sea. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men" and they at once left their nets and followed him. Then he saw the two brothers James and John in a boat with their father, mending their nets. He called them too and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. A good test for us to see how willingly we are to follow the Lord is to ask ourselves how we would respond should he ask us to leave the world to go to him. Would we hesitate or comply instantly?
Giving Up the World Easy
To give up the world and embrace God ~ it just seems so hard to accomplish. The smart way is to embrace God first. Then once you find how attractive he is, the world just fades away without your having to detach yourself from it. It's a win-win situation to let the Lord do the work for you
Christ Our Only Hope
Two most saddening incidents occurred. First, a 27-year-old Afghan woman named Farkhunda was brutally beaten to death near a shrine by a mob of men after being falsely accused of burning the Koran. Then in Pakistan, Sabeen Mehmud, a leading female human rights activist was targeted and killed in a drive-by shooting. Jesus must be shedding tears now while we should weep for ourselves. All the more I see the bright, shining light of Christ as our only hope, who alone wants to save us by dying for us, murderers included.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Growing in Faith and Trust
Faith and trust do not miraculously increase; they are gained through experience. When you let the Lord draw you close to him, he uses every experience of yours, pleasant or painful, to help you grow in faith and trust. And you know it when it's happening.
My Sins Removed
Communion experience. Again, it was crystal clear to me that Jesus could take away the sins of the world and he was taking away mine.
Jesus Speaking Unequivocally
It seems that what I read in the Gospels now takes on new meaning for me. In today's reading from John 10, Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father." Of course, I have read these verses or heard them read many times before, but today I heard them and just knew that it's unequivocally the Lord God speaking ~ there were no other possibilities.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Hardened Hearts
Horrible, terrible headlines! Two days ago, Chile's Calbuco volcano suddenly erupted, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people. Today, Nepal just had its deadliest earthquake in more than 80 years, killing already over 1,000. I see loud and clear that both are signs among numerous others that God wants us to turn to him. If you don't believe it, then you probably wouldn't believe that God is calling you even if you received a personal email from him. I suppose hardened hearts do not soften; they only break.
Making Salvation Easy
God's mercy is constant and he has set the same rules for all ~ Jesus spelled out clearly in the Gospels how one can be saved. Therefore, how easy it's done would depend much upon that person's response. Sometimes though, it can turn out that salvation is harder than you think. Take the Protestant who believes that once saved, he is saved forever. Recall that Jesus warned that "not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7.21). So we have simplistic thinking here. Now take the Catholic who thinks that he is a pretty decent person and should have no trouble getting into heaven, yet he does not see all his imperfections. This reminds of the Pharisee who thanked God, telling him how good he had been and ended up going home not justified by God (Luke 18). Respond to God's calling and never exalt yourself, then you should do OK.
Feeling "Lucky"
Communion experience. I felt rich, full, and content because I have Christ. As Psalm 23 reads: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack." I can honestly say that I am the luckiest person in the whole world. But, of course, there is no luck involved; it's all by God's mercy.
Suffering for Christ
The Crucifixion of Jesus teaches us to accept unavoidable sufferings that come our way. In doing so, we are united with the Lord and gain merit which we can offer to him for the salvation of souls. Seen this way, suffering is not only to be reconciled to, but also welcomed, for suffering for the sake of Christ does glorify God.
Hearing Jesus
If you try hard to figure out what the Lord is saying to you, then you are too busy to hear him. The heart needs to remain still and receptive. When the message arrives, it's there, not even with a whisper. The Lord usually speaks to us this way to shape and form us so that we'll know what his will is and follow it.
Treating Jesus
Today is the Feast of St. Mark. The Communion antiphon from Matthew 28.20 reads: Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, says the Lord. I believe in this, so I treat Jesus as my Lord and my God and as someone who is present with me (and in me) at all times, even if I do not see him. This is all real to me, since the Gospels show that Jesus as a man could only have existed as God.
Entering Jesus
To have Jesus, you must enter him. And entering requires your willingness to surrender to him. The deeper you enter, the more beauty and perfection you discover and the greater are your joy and freedom. Now that you know what you'll miss if you remain on the outside, enter him so that he may be yours! Since God never looks down on us, when you let him possess you, you possess him.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Another Wake-Up Call
What's inevitable is that one day soon, we will see ourselves as God sees us. The wise thing is to ask him to help us see it now so that we can amend ourselves to avoid being shocked later.
Not a Fairy Tale
Fullest living is following Christ in everything and in every way, because he is Lord. When you surrender to him, you decide to go home to your Father, no longer a rebel on the run. Then after you get home, the Father and you live happily ever after.
Must-Have for Your Defense
The foremost defense you need against evil is a clear conscience. Whatever measure you take to defend yourself should be guided by this conscience. When the truth is on your side, rest assured that God will bless and protect you.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Cause of Emotional Imbalance
I see attachment to people (our own family members included), material goods, pets, or anything else in the world as the main cause of our emotional imbalance. Detachment is the only cure, and only God can administer that. Bond yourself to God alone and automatically you become free, as you lose your attachment to the world. This is what spiritual growth is all about. Remember that we are just passing through on our way home.
Helplessness Most Helpful
If you want to get intimate with God, you must acknowledge your utter helplessness without him. If you choose to manage all things on your own, then you're essentially saying to the Lord that you do not need him. On the other hand, to seek union with the Lord is to express your desire to be inseparable from him.
Don't Pass Up God's Mercy!
So many lose their lives under tragic circumstances. Recently, an overloaded boat of Mediterranean migrants capsized and hundreds died. In today's news, a CIA drone strike against al-Qaeda in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan also killed the two hostages held, an American and an Italian. Not to mention those killed by terrorist suicide bombers. The point is that we are here now, but maybe gone the next moment. Therefore, it is imperative that we go to God, repent and make amends for our sins while we are still alive, for this window may close when you least expect it. To not do so is to reject God's greatest gift for us, his mercy!
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
The World in Coma
This is the world that does not see the light of Christ, thus not realizing that it's drowning in sin and heading toward condemnation. When you do not know Christ, you are in darkness and thereby do not see the severity of your sinful state. It's in the light of Christ that your true spiritual condition is revealed.
Unique Christian Joy
Today's Gospel acclamation at Mass, John 6.40, reads: Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day, says the Lord. This is enough to make the Christian feel joyful. Many Christians don't realize that God wants to give us his joy! He wants us to be happy! If we live for Christ, this joy becomes our strength, overcoming all our sorrows. This gift from God is pure; it frees us, wipes out all self-pity and self-centeredness, and makes us compassionate toward others. After all, the Lord himself is our greatest joy. Enjoy him and we'll be joyful.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
The Die-and-Live Sequence
Today's Communion antiphon, Romans 6.8, reads: If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Christ. First, Christ died for our sins, then he rose from the dead and lived again. Next, in response to his love, we died with him and lived in him. Later, we shall die and live with him forever. In sum, Jesus died once so that we may live forever!
Unique Christianity
The unique revelation of Christianity has to be what the Apostle John wrote in 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." Essentially, a doomed sinner can believe in Christ and end up being adopted by God as a son or daughter. Furthermore, through receiving the body and blood of Christ, one can even attain union with God in this life. Such is God's amazing transforming power.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Hastening the Lord's Coming
Jesus is Lord! Do we live up to what we proclaim? If everyone is meek, humble, willing to serve, and full of compassion like the Lord, no question we'll have instant peace on earth. And there would be no point for him to delay his Second Coming anymore. Let's start making him truly our Lord in our life to hasten his coming.
Receiving Is Giving
Is it always better to give than to receive? Today the Lord made me see that the best way for us to give to him is to remain open and passive so that we may receive all that he has to give us. What he has for us are his word, teachings, graces, and a desire to be one with him ~ all for making us holy and perfect. It is lopsided love!
Simple Reasoning & Solution
The Resurrection of Jesus shows that there has to be life after death for us. It follows that there have to be heaven and hell for the soul to go to. And it only makes sense if heaven and hell are for all eternity. Then how can we have eternal life with God? Today's Gospel reading from John 6 at morning Mass provided an answer: Jesus told the crowd to work for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man would give them, by believing in him, the one God sent.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
God's Plan Unfolding
In today's Gospel reading from Luke 24 at Mass, the resurrected Lord appeared to his disciples and told them that everything written about him in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled. And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day." Jesus came and fulfilled the numerous prophecies concerning the promised Messiah. It is clear that God's plan can take millennia to unfold. But we can be certain that the unfolding is continuing and Jesus' Second Coming will be here in time.
Handling Sorrows
A Christian shares the same joys and the same sorrows with Christ. The sorrows all have to do with sin ~ he is sorry that both he and the world offend Christ. If someone offends him out of malice, he sees that person basically offending Christ. United with the Lord in his suffering, he offers all his sorrows up to him.
Hope Ever Present
Since a Christian can always have his sins forgiven when he repents to Christ, hope is ever present for him.
Ultimate Rest
Yesterday's Communion experience. I savored my ultimate rest in Jesus, my refuge, from whom I hold back nothing and to whom I let go of everything. How I wish that everyone would experience this rest.
Reason Christ Not Accepted
Jesus has redeemed us by his blood so that we might be delivered from sin and have eternal life. I don't recall hearing people directly objecting to this message, because I believe that they basically know that they are sinners. If they haven't accepted the message yet, it's because they are not ready to give up their sins yet.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Know Your Blessings
Everything that draws you closer to God, no matter how painful or distasteful, is a blessing from God. Cherish it.
God's Time
Everything is God's. So is time. Every second you spend is his time. Therefore, don't waste any of it and spend it for his glory, and your life will be beautiful in his sight.
Be Bold in God
We need to be bold in God and with God. After all, he is our loving Father. If you need help, ask him with all your heart. If you love him, don't hesitate to shout it out. Pussyfooting around him is just as bad as hiding from him.
Crying to Mary
The prayer Hail Holy Queen we say in concluding the Rosary contains these two lines: "To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears!" The other day after reading all the tragic news happening around the world, I finally felt those two lines as I cried to my Mother from my heart.
Jesus Beautifies
Communion time thought. We mind our physical appearance; but if we want our soul to look beautiful, Jesus is the one to go to.
Most Special Death
People die. Some die and we say "So what?" because we don't know a thing about them. Some we feel sorry for even if we don't know them. And we are grateful to those who have died for our country. Then Jesus has also died, moving many of us to the point of even willing to die for him in return! Apparently, his death has awakened us to God's love for us and our need for salvation. Therefore, the death of Jesus is unique, most special, earthshaking, even celebratory, because it greatly glorifies God.
For the Sake of His Name
In today's 1st reading from Acts 5 at morning Mass, a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin had the Apostles flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. The Apostles rejoiced that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. To suffer dishonor and feel worthy and even rejoice . . . I don't think any cause other than for the sake of the name of Jesus could possibly have made it happen. It only shows that God can truly win our heart and our soul.
Highest State for Us
The best state for us to exist in is to be one with Christ. If you love the Lord and want to be holy, this must be your goal, your end. Aiming for anything less is not good enough for him or even for you. Go directly to him to tell of this desire for rapid progress. I'd like to recommend the spiritual classic He and I by Gabrielle Bossis again in case you did not read about it in my posts of 2013. The book reveals intimately how God desires to be one with us.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Jesus Most Satisfying
Communion experience. I felt the intense, burning love of Christ. Nothing else could possibly have made me feel so peaceful and content. I was grateful, but right off couldn't think of something special I'd like to offer him, so I continued enjoying him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)