Becoming More Perfect

        Communion experience. God entering you to make you holier! It was most gratifying ~ thanks be to God. 

Illustrious Company

        The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all in each other. Do you know that when you are in union with God, you join the company of the triune God?

Getting Along With God

        Also in today's Gospel reading, Jesus said, "If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." So don't expect that you can get along with God if you cannot even get along with your brother or sister. It follows that thinking you alone are favored by God and all others are despicable has to be most abhorrent to the Lord.

Impossible God Makes It Possible

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus warns that whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, whoever says, "You fool," will be liable to fiery Gehenna, etc. Then how can we possibly avoid punishment? Recall that after Jesus said to his disciples, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God," they asked him who then can be saved. And Jesus looked to them and said, "For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible." So the Lord's rigorous demand for our perfection above must be balanced by his infinite mercy.

Union Privileges

1. Certainty of God's existence.
2. Being aware of his constant presence within you.
3. Absence of tendencies to sin.

God Uplifts Us

        First thought at Mass this morning was that God uplifts our heart, drawing us heavenward. The feeling was absolutely refreshing! The Lord has "spoiled" his children, for without him, nothing else uplifts their spirit. When sin disturbs them, they run straight to him to have their peace restored.  

*Sins Before God

        Communion experience. I, still a sinner, was going to receive the holy body of Christ. My first quick thought was that I don't wish to contaminate the Lord. Then I realized that God is impervious to sin. We are sinners only because we shield our sins from God. If we expose them to him, they lose their hold on us. I received the Lord with gratitude and joy.

Simplifying Life

        Jesus told his disciples not to worry or be anxious about tomorrow, life, or anything else. In fact, he wants to simplify our lives by letting love alone guide us in all that we do. While sin complicates and destroys lives, love simplifies them and builds them up. Simply love all others as Christ loves us and we are heaven bound!  

To Be Like God

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5 at Mass, Jesus says, "Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven." We probably have totally different ideas about how to be least or greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Indeed, God's thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are our ways his ways (Isaiah 55.8). We and God hold different views simply because God is holy and we are sinners. But we can submit ourselves to God and have him take away our tendencies to sin so that we and God might think the same thoughts and hold identical ways. This will be perfect reconciliation, us becoming one in perfect harmony with God.

Key to Freedom

       Once you know God intimately, he opens up your heart, revealing to you what's in it. Once you see that as he sees it, you are set free. Self-understanding does lead to freedom.

Being Carefree

        We were carefree when we were young because we thought we would live forever. Now that we have grown old, we can still be carefree in God, which is being realistic and wise, what we should have been from the very beginning. 

How to Stop Complaining

        Those who are unholy have no right to complain to God who is holy. Be holy first, then complaining will cease.

Made for God

       St. Augustine said that "God has made us so that our heart is restless until it finds its rest in him." The following are all corollaries.

        (1) We have no inner peace until we reconcile ourselves to God.

        (2) Our heart is not free until it surrenders to God.        

        (3) Our joy is not complete until the joy of Christ is in us.

        (4) Life is empty until Christ enters to fill the void.
        (5) You feel lost until Christ shows you the way.
        (6) You feel unloved or dislike yourself until you find out that God died for you.

Avoiding Making Mistakes

        We learn from mistakes continuously throughout life, but this is helpful only if we face the same situation again. Normally, once the mistake is made, the damage is done and irreversible. Looking back, I can trace the cause of my many past mistakes to my pride. What I have learned is that we should consult the Lord who knows all things, in all things we contemplate doing. This may not be easy, depending upon your relationship with him. For example, if it's clear that you would need a new car, then you ask him to reveal to your heart what kind of car you should get, putting aside all your own preferences which he already knows. The Lord always help us choose wisely and sensibly, for he wants us to preserve our peace.

Touching the Soul

       As you know, I love piano music, but it no longer obsesses me. All beautiful things come from God, and it's him alone that we should be obsessed with. Yesterday I watched Arie Vardi's TV show Intermezzo with Arik on YouTube. This time, Arie, the renowned Israel conductor, pianist, and teacher, interviews Yeol Eum Son, the South Korea pianist who has won many prestigious prizes. Yeol Eum's prodigious talent is most impressive. When she plays, her entire concentration is upon making the music sing. The expressive result for the listener and, I am sure, herself too, touches almost the human soul.

       For most of us, we are not that talented in any way, but I realize that we can reach the level of touching the human soul too. Indeed, we don't even need to practice hard as most pianists have to; we only need to abandon ourselves in God for him to make everything beautiful for us. The resulting union not only touches our soul, but also moves God's heart. This state is infinitely more satisfying than being able to play music beautifully, as your own soul is also liberated!

       In case you are interested in watching the video, I am posting it below. Two recorded clips of her playing on this video aside, Yeol Eum plays three pieces. In Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze, starting around 6:45, the playing was most introspective. Later in the performance of Feinberg's transcription of the scherzo from Tchaikovsky's Pathétique symphony, at around 14:55, her technique takes flight. (The last piece, around 26:45, is just a fun piece.)

Joy of Certainty

        Among many of the joys that come from God, this one is special. It is the joy that comes from being absolutely certain that you know the Lord.

Know Your Shepherd

        Today is Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From Luke 2, we heard read the finding of the boy Jesus in the temple. The Holy Family went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover when Jesus was twelve years old. As they were returning, Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents thought that he was in the caravan. Later, not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him and found him in the temple in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him being astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his mother saw and asked him why he had done this to them, Jesus answered, "Did you know that I must be in my Father's house?" I found Jesus' answer astounding for knowing that God is his Father. Likewise, we who have been called by Christ must also know that he is our shepherd.

*To Be Like God*

        We get perturbed so often, unhappy each time when things don't go our way. God is not perturbed by anything except when we sin against him. Then he deals with his sadness with love. We should be just like that too, remaining unperturbed and dealing with sadness with love. Seeking union with him will get us there. Then we can be like him.

Heart Over Head

        You can love the Lord with your head or with your heart. Using studying the Bible as an example, let me illustrate the difference between the two approaches. (1) With you head first. You pick up a study guide with or without a video. There are guides out there on a single Gospel hundreds of pages thick, giving commentary on virtually every single verse. You learn a lot about history, pick up much background information . . . the amount of knowledge you can gain is most impressive. But after you learn all that, can you say that you have come to appreciate the Lord more personally? I am not sure. (2) Now with the heart. You go straight to a Gospel. Read the verses and place yourself in the scene with Jesus. Observe and listen. How does it affect your heart? Is Jesus speaking to you? The whole approach is contemplative in nature. You open your heart to let the Lord speak to it. This is the approach I prefer because it's getting to know him intimately. So use the heart always to know the Lord, but use the head only if you want to know more about him. I want Jesus to be my most intimate friend, not just a casual acquaintance. 

Offering the Heart

        Communion thoughts. On this Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, it's fitting that I again offer my heart to him, which is basically letting him enter to occupy my heart.

Love Incredible

        Today is Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. From reading 2 from Romans 5, verse 6 struck me: For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. How incredible that God would die for the ungodly! Of course, that's because God is love.

Christians Already Know

        You cannot find out what it's like after you die until you die yourself. Then the Christians have no need of knowing that in advance because the Lord has already revealed to them all they need to know.

Ready for God?

        Not willing to listen to other people is a sign that you are not humble enough to submit yourself to God yet.

On Overcoming Temptation

        Once on a trip to Medjugorje, a young man in my group confided in me the relationship he was having with a woman. Apparently, his conscience bothered him and wanted me to hear about it. He was getting so much pleasure out of this improper relationship that he felt helpless to sever it. I understand how one can fall into such a situation and feel the tug of war between God and Satan. As long as you hope in God, you will be freed by him, but it can take time and a lot of your resolve to turn around. Always hold onto what you know is right, as Satan loves to sow confusion in us. Once your burden is lifted, you'll experience peace and freedom as never before. 

*Best Gift for God

        When your heart is pure and clean, you have inner peace. Therefore, give your heart to God, the only one who can make your heart pure and clean. This is the best gift you can possibly give to God. Now, follow your heart and you'll find your Father there ~ a most beautiful relationship!

Why No Inner Peace

          You will have inner peace only if you have completely reconciled with God. If you do not have inner peace, you are still rebelling against him. (This is the wonderful way God has made us.)

A Very Clear Picture

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 12, Jesus gave us the two greatest commandments, on the basis of which all other commandments rest. The first one: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. We all carry the original sin. Having difficulty in following the second commandment is proof that we are sinners. But God so loved us that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish and might have eternal life (John 3.16). The way is now clear for us to return to God our Father; all we need to do to complete our heaven bound journey is to believe in Christ.   

Don't Omit Sin of Omission

        Sins of omission are easy to commit. Not doing anything bad is not good enough because we are not doing anything good. God wishes us to be either cold or hot, not lukewarm (Revelation 3.15). When Jesus asked Peter repeatedly if he loved him, Peter responded affirmatively each time and Jesus asked him to feed my lambs, tend my sheep, or feed my sheep. If we love the Lord, we must work diligently and bear fruit.

Not a Pretty Picture

        Increasingly you read about in the news children murdering their own parents, and vice versa ~ this is evil at its best (worst). I envision a picture of billions of souls immersed in a vast sea, many of them still frolicking and having fun, not realizing that one day the sea will rage and take their life forever. Jesus is right there above them, but they don't see him. How I wish that they would know that all it takes is to raise an arm, signaling to the Lord for help and he will pull them right out of the treacherous sea to safety!

Prayer Shapes Us

        Praying to God is praying for yourself, since it shapes you.

God's Mission

        Is God around just to answer your prayers? What does he want from you? Know that God is with us to work on our souls. Everything he does to you, he does it to make your soul pure for your sake, so that you might have everlasting life. It is love working. So, be open and passive to let him prepare your soul for entering heaven. It is a most joyful, exhilarating process. 

*Knowing the Truth

        It is my personal conviction that Christ is absolutely the only one you can believe in and be saved for all eternity. How can I be sure? When you are one with him, you just know the truth in your heart. As simple as that. 

Putting Vulnerability Aside

        I hurt my shoulder joint and became instantly "disabled," for now I cannot lift my arm too high without feeling the pain, resulting in not being able to do many of the things I used to do with ease. We are vulnerable to so many things ~ something we don't think about when everything is fine. Of course, in some of the war zones today, you can get blown up by bombs or mines anytime. Natural disasters such as tornadoes and floods are destroying lives right now in some of the states. My greatest concern for all is whether we know where we go after we die. If we know that we are going to be with God in heaven, our present vulnerability will no longer be a matter of great concern. 

Divergent Paths

        A Catholic could do everything with love for God, thus storing up treasures in heaven, or keep on sinning, never thinking about going to confession. There can be no two paths more divergent.         

Focusing on One

        Communion experience. Jesus, the Only One.

No Entitlement

        Almost everyone in today's world feels that he is entitled to receive whatever benefits within his reach. The Christian thinks differently. A Christian realizes that all things beneficial come from God, and if he receives some of them, it's not because he deserves them but because God is generous. When we only accept what comes freely from God, we are free.

Proof That Jesus Is Truth

        When I believe in every word Jesus says, he makes me see and understand everything. That is, there is no contradiction in him ~ he makes complete sense to me.

God Provides Meaning

        On this Memorial Day, we commemorate the dead members of the armed forces of all the wars. I am thinking that when we sing our national anthem and pledge our allegiance to our country, what does that really mean? What if we live under a government that's totally oppressive or in a society whose members are all secular and morally corrupt? Wouldn't pledging allegiance in such circumstances seem rather foolish? How can one express loyalty to anything he is not proud of? Governments come and go, regimes rise and fall, but God alone remains constant and trustworthy. My observation is that pledging allegiance to God is always appropriate and meaningful. Leaving him out of the picture and we miss the true meaning of life.  

Certainty vs. Nebulousness

        This morning at Mass, I just knew that, anchored solidly to the triune God, I couldn't possibly go wrong. With God, everything is certain. Without him, all become nebulous. 

Why I Love Mary

1. She is the mother of our beloved Lord.
2. She is the greatest and most beautiful among all the saints.
3. From the cross, Jesus made her our mother.
4. She prays for us always, leading us to her Son.
5. She is the gentlest and most loving of all the mothers.                

Treasures in Heaven

          Jesus said in Matthew 6, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal." Every time we do God's will with love, we build up treasures in heaven, and whatever is there remains with God forever. It's like you are already buying up properties up there, and that's where you'll settle after this life.

Communion Leads to Union

        I attended Vigil Mass today on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Communion antiphon, John 6.56, reads: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him, says the Lord. This is all about union with God!

How Far or Close Is God?

        If you are deeply immersed in the world, you wouldn't even know that God exists. But for anyone who is in union with Christ, God dwells within his or her heart. How far or close God is depends entirely upon you. 

*Wake Up, World!

        Today's headline: 'Mass rape' video on social media shocks Brazil. This involves 36 men suspected of raping a teen age girl of 16. Why should that concern us? The great saints are acutely aware of their sins and are determined not to offend God in the slightest. On the contrary, today most people live only for their own pleasure, following their own desires, and still think that they are OK. People in this category place their soul in great danger and will be in for a rude awakening one day. They who offend God seriously have muddied their conscience, not aware that their souls are in far worse shape than they realize. If bad news shocks you, it's time to go holy before it's too late.    

*What Delights God the Most

        God delights in all his creations, but most of all, he delights in those of us, his children, who do his will.

Reciprocating God's Love

        God loves us unconditionally. The best way for us to love him back is to follow his will. The only way to achieve that is to seek and attain union with God first.

Awesome Responsibility

        I have posted many times: it all boils down to "It's between you and God." Since God does not change, it further boils down to "It's all up to you." That is, you alone are responsible for your destiny! 

*How Not to Turn God Off

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 11, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders asked Jesus by what authority was he doing all the things. Jesus asked them a question and said, "Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things." They did not know the answer. Jesus said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things." What I learned here is that we must soften our hearts before approaching the Lord, for by his nature, he can not be open to anyone who approaches him without humility.

Yours for the Asking

        Since God's love for you is infinite and his riches inexhaustible. Be confident that he will give you whatever you need for achieving union with him if you ask for it.

Contentment in Christ

        People in general wish that they were more like someone else or have what others possess. They may feel inferior (or superior) to others. Knowing Jesus changes all that, for he and you take delight in each other and nothing can affect your contentment anymore. The peace of Christ now reigns in your heart.