Be Chosen by God

        Today is the Memorial of St. Bernard. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 22, Jesus told the parable of the Wedding Feast. A king invited many to a wedding feast he's giving for his son. He caught one guest there not dressed in a wedding garment, was displeased, and ordered his attendants to cast him into the darkness outside. The parable illustrated Jesus' point that "many are invited, but few are chosen." To attend Mass to receive the Holy Eucharist is truly attending a heavenly banquet to sup with the Lord. If you receive the Lord not in a state of grace, you risk being cast out. To attend Mass out of obligation with no intention of worshipping God, you risk being cast out. Never try to fool God so that you may be chosen.

Showing True Love

        To love someone, you must love the soul of that person. Your concern must go beyond just concern for his or her wellbeing on earth. Hell is such a terrible place that if you love God, you would not want anyone to end up there. Avoiding going to hell is infinitely more important than avoiding a head-on collision when you are driving. Jesus loves us and came down from heaven to save our souls ~ we should intend likewise. 

Zeroing In on God's Love

        "God loves you" sounds trite but true, and knowing its truth can change your life. How much you accept, like, or respect yourself measures how much you know this truth. If you know it well, you would feel so good that whether anyone else loves you or not becomes unimportant and would want to love God back by loving all others. To discover this powerful love, get to know Jesus, the embodiment of love. 

God Is Fair

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 20, Jesus told his disciples the parable of The Workers in the Vineyard. From it, I learned the following. (1) When God calls us, he is hiring us to work for him and we become his employees. If we work hard, we'll be paid (rewarded) by him at the end. (2) After finishing telling the parable, Jesus said, "Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." This is telling us how God rewards us is none of our business, what matters is that we work faithfully and receive our just rewards at the end, and jealousy has no place in our hearts. For example, I accepted Christ as my Savior decades ago and now someone comes along and gets saved just before he dies, should I be jealous of him and claim that God is unfair? Of course not! I should instead rejoice that God is glorified by one more person. Never compare ourselves with others is a good rule to follow.

Glory for Us

        When God displays his glory, it's always for our sake, for we need to be edified.  

God's Holiness

          Before I received Communion, I sensed the overwhelming beauty and power of God's holiness. I basked in it, letting it "sanitize" and soothe my spirit. After I received Communion, I saw that no matter what happens in life, love for God must not diminish. I'd endure a little while longer on earth as eternal joy awaits. 

What to Give Up

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 19, Peter asked Jesus for all the disciples, "We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?" Jesus answered, "Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life." Father S in his homily mentioned giving up our free will too ~ I saw that would take care of all of what we should give up, for when there's no more need to exercise our free will, we have chosen to go with God all the way.

Becoming Rich

        Jesus is rich because he is completely self-sufficient. We become rich when we possess him and inherit all that the Father has for us later. Enter the kingdom of God and we are rich! 

We the Culprits

        God suffers because we sin against him. We suffer, also because we sin against him. 

Always Hope in God

        If we continue to sin, we lose our inner peace and remain unhappy. The strategy to fight this is to always hope in God as we keep going. With persistence, we can even rise to new heights. Hope and trust in God stubbornly through this brief life of ours and we'll end up resting in God later for all eternally. 

Way of Being One With God

        At Mass this morning, the Lord showed me that the gift of free will from him gives each of us our unique, individual identity. But if we want to be in him as one with him, the only way is to submit ourselves to him.

Abortion, Not a Casual Thing

      Chris Christie, the New Jersey governor who is now running for President as a Republican, said that he used to be pro-choice by default, but became pro-life after he heard his daughter's strong fetal heartbeat during a prenatal visit when his wife was 13 weeks pregnant. This is a beautiful story. Most pro-choice people have never thought about their position carefully. (I know because I used to want to appear tolerant and progressive, seeing nothing wrong with abortion.) What I pity the most are those legalistic people, including many court judges, who would rule that the unborn are not yet persons and therefore have no rights to life ~ what infantile, barbarous thinking! Separation between church and state must never be keeping God out of our conscience. To terminate a human life God has created is a grave sin. And to terminate one that's born out of our sin has to be even graver!

The Living Bread

        John 6.51-58 was the Gospel reading at Sunday Mass. Reading these verses as if you're reading them for the very first time with an open mind, you would not get the impression that Jesus meant eating his flesh and drinking his blood in some symbolic way, for the Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" In this whole passage, Jesus could have added the word "symbolically" in any of the at least five spots, but he didn't. If he did, he probably would've had to explain what that meant and wouldn't likely have said "For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink" later, further confusing the issue. Arguing that the consecrated elements of the Holy Eucharist are not the true body and blood of the Lord is deliberately overlooking John 6 with the intent of saying that the Church got it wrong. It is also my personal belief that this sacrament is God's gift to the Church to keep the gates of the netherworld from prevailing against it.

Enjoying God's Joy

        I attended the Vigil Mass yesterday. The entrance song we sang was "City of God." The refrain of the song goes like this: "Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!" I felt overwhelmed by the sweet love of Jesus ~ he is indeed the fountain of pure joy. And I realized that when we live by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God, we get to enjoy his joy too!

Simple Truth

        I see this life providing us with time to prepare ourselves for the next with Jesus as the perfect guide. If you listen to and follow him, he'll surely lead you to heaven. If not, you are just lost, to be blunt about it. I may seem to simplify things a bit, but the truth is always simple ~ not grasping it is then our problem.

Urgent Question

        On this Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, I'd like to ask this question: Is Jesus truly our Savior or not? We'll find out for sure after we die, but why wait till then when it'll be too late? He is so prominent that we must answer this question for ourselves now while we're still alive! Another reason why time on earth is so precious.

Settling in God

        Communion experience on this memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe. It was the settling of the heart in God, letting God envelop you completely to heal your heart and soul ~ an experience only God can give. If everyone experiences Christ thus, there would be universal peace. Indeed, the Messiah is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9.6).

Love's Challenge

        From Matthew 25.40: Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did it for me. It's not just "my brothers," but "the least of my brothers." It just shows that we are to love all with no exceptions. This is our challenge: to love unconditionally and non-discriminatorily. 

How Awake We Are

        If there were a scale indicating how awake we are, those who love and trust in God the most must appear at the very top end of the scale.   

Covering Forgiving Others

        In today's reading from Matthew 18 at Mass, Jesus used a parable to teach Peter to keep forgiving a brother who has sinned against him. The lesson is that we should forgive others as God forgives us. In essence, always treat others the way we expect God to treat us. The ultimate goal is then to save all souls by loving them because God loves us all. Mark 8.35, Jesus saying "Whoever loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it" ties in well.   

Communion Desire

        Communion experience. It sounds selfish, but it's not: I desired to absorb the Lord completely into my soul.

Be Open to God

        We are finite and powerless to raise ourselves, but if we remain open to God, he will stoop low to lift us up. To be closed to God is to banish ourselves altogether. So, be open to God to let him exalt you to great new heights! 

Reading the Gospels Right

        The Gospels are to be read as if you are reading them for the very first time. If you assume you already know them because you've heard them read many times before, then you'll miss seeing the wonders of the Lord's life and what he teaches. God remains forever new!

Perfect Relationship

        It's such a beautiful thing to go through life with Jesus ~ you share the same joys and sorrows, going through both happy and hard times together. Through thick and thin, you bond with your God and friend. There's nothing more perfect than beginning your intimate, eternal relationship with God right now on earth!   

Ultimate Rest

        Communion experience on this memorial of St. Claire. Receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist is the perfect time to abandon myself in him, for he enters me to be one with me! He has already died for me out of pure love ~ can you possibly imagine that he is now holding back in wanting to help me? No, that's impossible. I look forward to receiving my Lord, for in him I find true rest, fulfilling the purpose with which he has created me.

Heavely Joy vs Worldly Pleasure

        To know whether doing something is right or wrong, just see what would happen if everyone does it. To see if certain worldly pleasure is good for you or not, just see how you would feel if you get to "enjoy" it nonstop day after day. Take eating as an example. If I eat something enjoyable nonstop, sooner or later I would get sick of it and might even vomit it all out. Heavenly joy is totally different. More of it would delight and elate your spirit and make you want even more. Imagine how you would feel in heaven with God! This explains why worldly pleasures become distasteful to those who have experienced the joy of Christ. For those who do not know the Lord yet, detaching themselves from the world is virtually impossible. The only "easy" way for them is to know Christ, who is our liberator, first.

Following Jesus, the Only Way

        In the last verse of today's Gospel reading, Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be." To gain life, we are not able to lead ourselves since we do not know the way. Our only way is to follow Jesus, who alone can fulfill our desire for life. It's either Jesus or nothing for us.

Death Precedes Rebirth

        Today is the Feast of St. Lawrence. In the Gospel reading from John 12, Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." Before Mass began, I actually desired to die and rest in peace in the Holy Spirit. I sensed this to be necessary for resolving our destiny of ascent to God. It is death that provides rebirth.

Partnering With God

        Have the desire to serve the Lord and let him provide the means.

In Greater Intimacy

        In today's Gospel reading from John 6, Jesus declared, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever." Once you have received the Lord in the Holy Eucharist in a state of grace, you must keep yourself as pure as possible in order to make his dwelling in you as comfortable as possible. Then you can talk to him and consult him within in great intimacy.

The Genuine Christian

        In today's homily by Fr. M, he points out that people tend to act differently when they see that he has his collar on. We all act in a situation to make ourselves look good, but the Christian is to follow Jesus always. Therefore, he must always be his genuine self at all times ~ no acting ~ and being aware that God is present. 

The Effortless Way

        In today's second reading from Ephesians 4 at Mass, Paul spells out some new rules for the new life, "All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ." These rules would be most difficult to follow if you try to do it by your own effort. Again, the secret of success is to let God accomplish all things for you in you. Surrender and Trust is the effortless way.

Praising the Known God

        I got back home last night. On the way, I drove by what seemed to be a barn with the large words "Praise God" painted on its end wall. I don't believe this would mean much to anyone who doesn't personally know God. But since I already know Jesus, I already know God, and I praise him for allowing me to see that signage.  

Another Liberating Feeling

        What we would feel when we are able to override all self-serving desires to please God.

That Clean Feeling

        The other day when my heart was pure, I got that unbeatable, free, clean feeling, knowing that God was with me and in me. This verified the Beatitude of Jesus "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God." Indeed, this is how he had made us, 

Joy of Feeling Free

        Today I realize that I don't have any desire to want to be like anyone else except Jesus. I recall that way back, I used to want to conform to what my peers were doing, or wished that I was in someone else's shoes or like that person. No more. I don't even think about winning any lottery unless all winnings can go help a good cause. In other words, Christ has set me free, and I rejoice in that.

It's Either You or God

        God is to be embraced, enjoyed, and loved. If you still do not believe in Jesus yet, you must ask yourself why. As you know, Jesus has to be either truly God or a totally false person. If you cannot prove that he is false, then you have no choice but to accept him as Lord and God. If you cannot do it yet, then it has to be because you still want to be your own little god.

God Our Must-Have

        I attended Vigil Mass today at Holy Rosary Cathedral in this city I am staying at. These are my thoughts today. God is infinite and holy. No matter how holy I become, I am still a wretched sinner before him, as I am finite. This is precisely why all the more I need the Lord.

Complete Integration

       A Catholic must completely let Jesus into his life ~ just believing in him is not enough. Only by being completely open to him as the Lord will he see that accepting all the teachings of the Church is inseparable from believing in Christ.  

Common Courtesy

        Before talking to or petitioning the Lord, always repent and ask him to forgive you any sin you are aware of first. This is to show that you respect him as your Lord and appreciate his great love for you.  

Only Eternity Counts

        It was Jesus who said, "The last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20.16.) How can this be fair? Though life truly seems unfair, eternal life and eternal condemnation will set everything straight in the end. The short span of our earthly life is nothing (zero) when compared to timeless eternity. In heaven, all sufferings we endured on earth will have been forgotten. In hell, all pleasures we enjoyed on earth will have meant nothing. Be wise and live for eternity, never for our earthly life.

Know Satan

        When Satan tempts you to sin, he couldn't care less about you, for his goal is to attack the Lord. Therefore, if you cooperate with Satan, you are his accomplice! 

What the World Lacks

        Compassion, which is the love of God.        

A Most Beautiful Thing

        It's Christ drawing you to him. So, be ready to go to him.  

Only Jesus

        Communion experience. Jesus is my beginning and my end. With him, everything except for enjoying him can be forgotten.

Greatest Lesson

        The Apostles followed Jesus, saw the wonderful, miraculous works he did, and believed in him as the Messiah. Then they watched him being killed mercilessly ~ it must have come as a terrific blow. With their hopes all dashed, they must be completely at a loss. Then Resurrection took place and reversed everything. The Church was born. 

Beauty of Christ

        Since I am on the road again, I won't be able to attend daily Mass regularly and posting on this blog will necessarily be sporadic too. Yesterday I attended Sunday Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in a little city where I spent the previous night. It was a beautiful church and I felt right at home. I sensed the overwhelming beauty of Christ and felt pity for those who are not aware of it. My first prayer was that the Lord would be worshiped, praised, treasured, and loved by all.     

Praising God

        Today I feel blessed and elated that among all God's creations, I as a human being was made in his image so that I may return to him in the end. God is to be praised! 

Yearning for the Lord

        Communion experience. The Holy Eucharist only intensified my yearning for the Lord further. I wished to be aware of his existence only and not my own. I suppose this would only be possible when you are in heaven.

Deaf-Blind Generation

        The current big scandal is that Planned Parenthood has been caught selling aborted babies' body parts. The crowd in today's Gospel reading from Matthew 13 reminded me of those PP people. The disciples asked Jesus why he speaks to the crowd in parables, he answered, "This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand." This pretty much describes our generation and I am sure that we've all personally known people like that.