*Time on Earth Most Precious

        The time we have on earth is precious, for we only have so much time to repent to God and get our eternal destiny settled. Jesus descended to earth for the living only. After we die, repentance will no longer do us any good.

***Most Urgent Reminder

        Today's Entrance contains the verse from Psalm 13: Give light to my eyes lest I fall asleep in death. It struck me that for those who do not know Christ, they are in no better shape than those who did not know him and had died, unless they seek his light now. If we do not see the light of Christ in this life, we may not see him for all eternity! 

*It's Our Choice

        Communion thoughts. If we live and die for Christ, we shall have secured my eternal life. It's so simple, but we can make it as easy or as hard as we wish. I am happy that the Lord has given us sinners the free will (power) to choose our destiny, making our existence meaningful. It seems that if we have no say, God would have to save or punish us all, or choose us arbitrarily or by some means we don't understand, thus rendering his mercy pointless. 

*Beautiful Living*

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 6, Jesus said to his disciples, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." There is a principle here. Today if we show mercy to others, they may not reciprocate. Anyway, we are to be merciful for God's sake, then God will be merciful to us. This is beautiful living that can be summed up as "God and us doing everything for each other."

What to Do About Sins

        Granted, not all consciences are equally sharp with some muddier than others, but we all know that we have sinned when we have sinned. The next question is what we are to do about our sins. Putting off facing God is putting off our chance to repent and beg for forgiveness, while severe consequences still await us as sinners with unremoved sins. 

Burning Love

        Communion experience. As I was consuming the Lord, his fire melted my heart. It is union taking place. The only way to be transformed by him is to submit ourselves to his burning love.

Same Old Game

        As I have said, the conflict between God and us stems from our desire to play God. Even when people look for God, they look for someone to their liking. It's like they are on the selection committee, playing the same old self-serving game. No wonder that they do not find God.

Greatest Relief of Life

        Communion experience. When I received the Lord, I realized that man rebelled against God, Jesus came and paid the price, and we who have become obedient are now back in grace before the Father. The circle is fully complete.

**How to Be Perfect

        Today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5 is where Jesus asked his disciples to be perfect, just as their heavenly Father is perfect. We cannot accomplish this on our own, but with the help of God it becomes possible. Therefore, we must seek union with God in order that the Lord may have complete freedom in helping us. Yes, by giving our freedom to God, we actually become free – another one of those beautiful paradoxes. 

God's Wisdom

        The wisdom of God has nothing to do with IQ or street smarts. Those who have received this wisdom simply know how to live a life that's most beneficial to themselves and others and at the same time most pleasing to God.       

Most Extraordinary Man

        Unlike any of us, Jesus was a most extraordinary man. Like us he did experience sorrow, agony, and physical pains, but he was always fearless, never showed anxiety, and knew exactly what to do in each situation. Hence his advice to us was to trust in him and not be afraid of or to worry about anything.

God Made Us This Way

        You may not believe in God, but know that since you were made in his image, you have the ability to comprehend who he is.

Living a Joy-Filled Life

       Fill your heart with love for God before you do anything, and you'll live a joyful life.

Accepting God's Blesing

        Communion experience. Jesus entered me and I knew it was a tremendous blessing. Then, of course, I should embrace this blessing with all my mind, all my heart, and all my soul. 

*Effective Evangelization

        Effective evangelization is not telling others what they should do, but rather telling them how God can transform us through our own experience.

*Matching High Standards

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus set high standards in what we should or should not do. For example, he said, "Whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment," "Whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna," and "If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, go first and be reconciled with your brother, then come and offer your gift." Since the mercy of God is infinite (also set at the highest standard), he has the perfect right to ask us to be perfect to match his mercy.

Our Choice

        Today's Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 130: If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? If the Lord, who alone can take away our sins, proclaims that we are guilty, then we are guilty indeed. The Communion antiphon that came later from Ezekiel 33.11: As I live, says the Lord, I do not desire the death of the sinner, but rather that he turn back and live. We see that all we need to do is to turn back to the Lord and we shall live. We can choose to remain in our sinful state or have God take away our sins.

*God Most Lovable

        Today is Friday and I prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Realizing how much Jesus suffered for loving us made me love him even more. Once you realize that God is love, you won't be able to help but fall in love with him. There is nothing more lovable than love itself.

Only Perfect One

        Communion thoughts. On earth we look for a soulmate to marry and live with, and it rarely works out perfectly. To find someone to live with in harmony forever, there is only one candidate – Christ our Lord and God, who alone is perfect.

Act of Love and Humility

        At Mass, when the bread and wine changed into the flesh and blood of the Lord, he made me see that it was truly one greatest act of love and humility. 

Hint to Finding God

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 7, Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." May I suggest that if you look for God, by assuming that he is real and exists, ask, seek, and knock will help you find him a lot quicker.

*Most Understood Person

        Those who have come to know the living Christ have found him most loving and could not possibly live without him. I believe those who are afraid of facing Christ are basically afraid of facing themselves for what they would look to him. All fears of God are instilled in us by ourselves, not by God. The Lord has to be the most misunderstood person of all. 

*Infinite Joy

        Communion experience. The joy of Christ penetrates our mind, heart, and soul. It is most satisfying, yet it creates in us even more yearning for him. This has to be an infinite joy!

*Our Greatest Gift

        Christ is God's greatest gift to us, for it is through him that we can attain union with God forever, beginning right this moment.         

Wisest Soul

        This is one who focuses upon Christ in all things at all times. God will make sure that he or she will live the right life.   

Jesus Our Sign

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 11, Jesus told the people who gathered in the crowd that he was the greatest sign to their generation. Indeed, if we do not believe him to be our God and Savor, we won't find another in his place. 

**Heart-to-Heart With God

        God is all over the universe at the same time. Therefore, when you pray, enter your own heart and speak to him there in your heart. You want to be in greatest possible intimacy with your Father, so make it heart-to-heart in your heart!

God Desires Our Surrender

        In today's Gospel from Matthew 6, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray: the Our Father. Do you realize that when you say this prayer, to really mean what you say you must surrender yourself to God?

Planning for Remaining Years

        Life is short, so some people would cram in as many enjoyable activities as possible, while others might turn to God exclusively in their remaining time. I think the sensible, balanced plan is to establish priorities. Serving God must not be put off, while all other things can be attended to at the proper, appointed time.

Learning From the Turkeys

        This morning as I drove to my church for Mass on a countryish road, a surprise awaited me. Right as I was about to hit a peak in the road, I saw on the other side three wild turkeys in my lane. If I had driven a bit faster and/or the birds were just a few yards closer, I would not have been able to stop in time to avoid a collision. Both the turkeys and my car would have been damaged for sure. And I would have missed Mass too. By the way, these three were just separated from the rest of the flock which I spotted in the front yard of the house to the left. What I learned was that life is full of surprises which could turn nasty, and I must expect and not be surprised by them. (These turkeys with spread tails were quite beautiful – I was glad that none of them got hurt this morning.) 

Stern Reality to Face

         Do you know that you are not perfect and have sinned in words, thoughts, and deeds? Do you know that you would have trouble entering heaven as you are? Do you want to go to heaven? If your answer is yes to all three questions, then you must turn to Christ for salvation, for there are no clear alternatives out there. Dismissing Christ is equivalent to believing that he had come and died for nothing and that he was basically a phony.

***In Complete Sync

        Communion experience. Even if you have attained union with God, you still won't be content until you get to heaven and attain complete spiritual union with him. This is how God has made us. Attaining union with him on earth is just the first stage. Because God is so beautiful, you won't be satisfied until he is completely yours. In the same way, God loves us so much that he won't be satisfied until we are completely his. In heaven, both God and you will be completely happy together.

Intention Plays the Part

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 25, Jesus foretold the judgment of the nations to his disciples. On that day, those who showed love for others in need are blessed by the Father and will inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world (wow!), while those who didn't will be sent off into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angles (ouch!). Of course, since none of us can love perfectly in this world, how do we know that we'll pass the test? It won't be like taking a test to make sure that we score higher than some preset passing mark. I believe here's where our intention plays the big part. Our intention should always be to love for the sake of God. Just follow it and not be concerned about how well we'll succeed.

Love Is God

        In today's first reading from Leviticus 19, the Lord instructed Moses to tell the whole Israelite community that they should love their neighbor as themselves. God was, is, and will always be love. Christ came and confirmed that for us. It is love that can overcome all problems, achieve peace in our world as well as in our hearts, and lead us back to our creator in heaven. Love is our weapon to vanquish evil and the secret to eternal life. All because love is the true God.      

Reasons for Rejoicing

        Think about it. We have God our loving Father awaiting us in heaven, Jesus our Lord and brother guiding us through this life, and Mary the mother of Christ and our mother praying for us incessantly. How can we not rejoice?!

Great Life Attitude

       Truly believing that nothing is impossible with God will bring you courage, hope, and peace to your life. And God will see your faith and reward you.

*Enjoying God

        Your cannot enjoy God while being egotistic. You can enjoy God fully only if your ego is absent.     

Formula for Having Life

        In resisting the devil during his temptation, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8.3: "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'" This is also today's Gospel acclamation. We are to hang on to every word Jesus says, then we'll not only live, but live forever with God.

*Fear of Union With God

        In today's first reading at Mass from Genesis 2, the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being. God is the great creator. He is love and also has the power to transform us. I've been spreading the message that the Lord wants to draw all to union with him through the Holy Eucharist ever since he made it clear to me more than 6 years ago. Looking at the pageviews number on my blog, I can't really claim that I have been very successful, but what's successful in God's eyes is different from how we see it. It does appear that many among Catholics are just not ready to respond to such a call yet. After all, facing up to God is never easy for anyone, and seeking union requires presenting yourself to him squarely. Nevertheless, this is what the Lord desires the most from us, for out of love he longs for the greatest possible intimacy with us! Therefore, any fear or hesitation you feel is unhealthy and should not be justified. In fact, in seeking union with him, you'll experience amazing progress in spiritual growth with increasing peace, freedom, and joy. His transforming power will displace any struggle on your part! It'll truly make living your Christian life exhilarating and exciting!

Delightful Lord

        Communion experience. Jesus was pure delight I wished to keep forever!

Living the Christian Life

        Living the Christian life must be heartfelt, not to be babbled about. Let Christ the Lord be at your center first. Seek union with him and all things that come forth from your heart will be right.

*On Loving Sinners

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 5, Jesus said in reply to the Pharisees and their scribes who complained about Jesus eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners, "Those who are healthy do no need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners." Hearing this from Jesus makes me see the beauty of loving the unlovely, those who normally turn us off. It teaches us never to judge to anyone. It saddens me to see that politicians lie about and condemn their opponents in any way they can. Even their so-called Christian supporters picture whomever they do not like already doomed to hell. God being love is such a simple truth, yet so difficult for so many to grasp! What gives? 

Taking Care of the Soul

        Since I made it clear in my last post that our soul is our most precious possession, we should take the best care of it by keeping it pure, as sin defiles and rots the soul. Happy is the one who lets the Lord take away his sins and make his soul whole and clean! Everyone should try this at least once, then you will never want to return to your old filthy state again. Anyone who neglects his soul is in my book being foolish to the extreme.

*Preparing for the Worst*

        The wisest always prepare for the worst, and the worst that could possibly happen to us is losing our soul. Properties, material possessions, fame, health, friendship, etc., are nothing compared to the soul, for they all pass, while the soul lasts for eternity. If you know your are dying and repent to God in the last second, you may still be saved, but what about losing your life suddenly and unexpectedly, which happens often enough to many? The Lord wants us to settle our eternal destiny first and not worry about living the earthly life, and we should wise up to this most beneficial, loving piece of counsel. 

*Responding to God Properly

        God is to be worshipped, for he is holy. God is to be adored, for he is gorgeous. God is to be praised, for he is perfect. To worship, adore, and praise him, we need to submit ourselves to him without reservation with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our soul. 

The Jesus Effect

        Communion experience. Jesus is holy, perfect, and beautiful. In union with him, we progress in becoming holy, perfect, and beautiful.

Another If Only

        If only we'd do everything to honor God and not ourselves, we'll have a lot more peace in our hearts and in the world.        

If Only

        Nowadays, people of all ages spend so much time texting each other and using social media to communicate with others. If only we would spend just much time sharing our thoughts with our Lord and our God, then we'll surely have a drastically better and more peaceful world to live in!

Joy of Having Jesus

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 9, when the disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus why his disciples did not fast as they and the Pharisees fasted much, Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast." Since the Risen Christ did promise his disciples that he would be with them always, and those in union with him do sense his invisible presence in their heart, anyone who is one with Christ can only experience unadulterated joy with no mourning. 

*No Reason Not to Believe*

        I think we are all familiar with the story of the woman caught in adultery from John 8. When the scribes and the Pharisees thought she should be stoned according to the law of Moses, Jesus said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Jesus was being completely logical! If any of you do not believe that Jesus is your Lord and your God and are as holy as he is, then maybe you have the right not to believe in him – I am being logical too. Of course, you still have to deal with all the miracles he performed and the Passion he went through, which I did not bring up.