Anticipating Death

       When you are young, you don't think about death, even though you know well that it is inevitable. It is being farsighted and realistic to prepare for anything that's inevitable in coming. Therefore, it is wise to be ready early for facing your eventual death. 

Contagious Sin

        I shudder at the fact that when we don't believe in God, we can cause others to turn away from him too.

How Great Our God Is

       Communion experience. The moment we humbly surrender ourselves to God, he exalts us to his level.

Children of One Father

        On earth we all have our own family. But in heaven, all earthly relationships will be gone when we become all children of the Father. I hope that realizing this will help you attach yourself to God alone and love all the people on earth.

Dealing With Our Thorns

        In 2 Corinthians 12.7, Paul wrote, "That I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me." We don't know what that thorn was. In a way, we can see all the trials and tribulations and problems in life as thorns. Let these thorns keep us humble and help us not to get carried away by anything but to realize that only God is perfect.

Security of the Soul

        Communion experience. I hang my entire soul on Christ, for my soul shall be safe in him.

Most Precious Is . . .

the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding.        

To Pray Obediently

        To pray the Lord's Prayer, Our Father, is to wish to follow the Lord. Therefore, to pray it meaningfully requires total obedience to the Father.

***Most Serious Offense

        Not believing that Christ can help you is equivalent to believing that Christ has died in vain! 

Understanding Unhappiness

        Not to get into the details, I had been unhappy about something I had been doing for someone, for it did restrict my freedom. So I asked the Lord about this at morning Mass and he made me see quickly that it was a case of helping someone and creating some inconvenience for myself. And I was OK with that. The lesson is that understanding what your unhappiness is all about can help you see that your unhappiness may be unjustified.  

**Gateway to Freedom*

        I know that when Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me," we can find it hard to accept. When I first heard it, I asked myself: Does that mean that I cannot do what I want to do anymore? and that I would be burdened down and perhaps even head toward martyrdom? Of course, I overreacted as a sinful human. Now that I know the Lord well, I can say that all the fear and concern were unnecessary. He has made everything easy and a joy, and made me see that this is precisely the way to spiritual freedom, leading to eternal life. Truth: Christ is the gateway to eternal freedom!

***Union for God Alone

        We can achieve union with God through his mercy. With saints, we can only be in communion, for they are fellow creatures and have no power over our souls. The most intimate union is reserved for God alone. Revere and cherish the Holy Eucharist.

Destructive Living

        God's mercy is infinite – if you submit yourself to him, you are saved. What is tragic is that people live with no or little regard for his mercy. They live the way they want to live, and this is living destructively. For they not only risk losing eternal salvation, they destroy their own peace and physical health in the process. The good news is that God can always turn us around if we let him. 

*How God Operates

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus calmed a storm at sea. His disciples with him in the boat were filled with great awe when they saw even wind and sea obey him. Here is the difference between God and us. When we try to tame something, we try to figure out a way to do it, thinking in terms of a method, a plan, technology, the laws of physics and other sciences, etc. whereas God merely wishes and it is accomplished. Our thoughts dash around in uncertainty, while the Lord knows everything and does all without effort. Understanding this can helps us trust in God even more readily. 

The Only One I Need

        Communion experience. The primary point of attending Mass is to receive the Lord in the Holy Eucharist. And the primary goal of receiving him is to attain union with him. I love the Lord because he's the one who can perfect me. He is truly the only one I need!

**Experiencing the Lord

        If you want to experience the Lord, ask and you'll have it. When I questioned the Lord about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in me, I received the gift of tears. When I prayed for Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Holy Scriptures became alive, and I felt exhilarated for months. I open my heart wide to the Lord and he deposits his voice messages directly in my heart. Yes, ask for zeal, ask for fire, and they will be yours too. Living in the Lord is living, while living in the world is drifting at best.

*Specially Blessed

        Before Christ came into the world, there were the Jewish people who had always believed in their one God and other peoples who did not know God or believed in other gods and idols. I know that since God can see what's in our heart, he must have judged each one of those souls justly. Nevertheless, I feel blessed that I came into the world after Christ. Now, I know all about God, his love, and how to get saved. Of course, we'll still be judged by our heart. 

*Best Policy for Living

       When a loved one of ours departs from this world, we easily lose our peace if we are not sure if he or she is going to heaven. For that matter, numerous other things get us upset. This points to our need to trust in and attach ourselves to God alone.

***Who Is Your Family?

        At morning Mass today, I knew that my "true" family are God and all his saints and angels in heaven. My family on earth is merely a temporary one I need for my existence on earth and to which I would belong only briefly. If you don't believe in God, you'll be absolutely left alone after you die. Think about it. 

**God Makes Things Easy

        Communion experience. God first enters us to be one with us, then he makes everything easy for us. What a terrific blessing! 

Power of God

        Today is Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle. Paul, the most notorious persecutor of those who followed Jesus, heard Jesus calling him, changed his heart, and became an Apostle. Here's the last person you would expect to convert. To me also, Jesus is indeed the Son of God. 

Taking God Seriously

        Some of my regular readers must already know that I like piano music from reading my posts. I still attempt to play the piano, but with my weaker memory and bent finger joints, it has become quite a challenge (struggle). Anyway, I think of how a professional pianist would intensely prepare himself before going on stage to be sure that the audience will be moved by his performance. The pianist must practice hard to learn the music thoroughly beforehand and focus upon expressing himself and overcoming stage fear at the same time whiling performing. Then I think of how we approach God. Do we take it seriously? Do we have enough faith in the Lord? Do we pour out our hearts with the intention of moving his? Surely, pleasing God is a lot more important than pleasing an audience.

Holy and Happy

        One becomes holy when he completely dwells in the house of the Lord. And one is truly happy when he is completely happy in the Lord.

***Why Did Jesus Die?

        This is Episode 3 of the Alpha series, titled "Why Did Jesus Die?" You should watch it. If you have trouble forgiving others, definitely watch it. To forgive is to not judge – these two go hand in hand. So we should always forgive and never judge.

 

Getting Rid of Jealousy

        If you hear about someone you know who has gotten ahead of you say in wealth, popularity, or social standing, how do you feel interiorly? If your neighbor wins millions of dollars in a lottery, you congratulate him, but how do you really feel in your heart? If you still have a tinge of jealousy, then you are not completely happy with God yet. Jealousy is sneaky. Like ego, it can be deep-seated. Only God can remove it completely from you. Ask him to do that, so that you may enjoy peace.  

Discerning God's Thoughts and Ways

        This morning I realize that when we think that something is good, beautiful, or cool, God might think otherwise. Indeed, God's thoughts and ways are high above ours. For instance, some of those whom we regard as great heroes or leaders of the past might not even have made it to heaven. Therefore, whenever we are tempted to do anything, we must be sure that we won't go against God's will. It's a vigilance we need to practice in walking with the Lord.  

One Lifetime, One Eternal Destiny

        God is the fountain of life. How does he give us life? He creates us, sustain us while we are on earth, and gives us eternal life in heaven if we believe in him. How can we possibly brush aside this most wonderful offer and promise? If we destroy life such as that of the unborn on earth, we destroy our own eternal life. After we die, we'll have no more power to alter our course. We have only one limited lifetime to set our eternal destiny.

Our Nation's Horrendous Blemish

        Today is Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (45th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade). Abortion has been the black, soiled stain on the soul of this nation. The infamous Holocaust, ethnic cleansing that took place in Asia and Africa, mass slaughtering of civilians by various invading nations in past wars, killings done by terrorists in the name of their caliph . . . are horrible enough, but the destruction of lives that are totally defenseless and innocent has to take the cake! Abortion directly violates God's Commandment "You shall not kill." It wipes out life which the Lord God has created! We cannot possibly follow Christ and support abortion at the same time.  

**All About Us*

        March for Life begins this weekend nationwide. After morning Mass today, a bunch of us started pounding dozens of white crosses into the ground in front of the church to commemorate the aborted unborn. After all the crosses were up, while driving home I felt the great sorrow that the Lord feels for this horrendous sin our nation commits against him. In that moment, the Lord made me see that we are basically creatures with a good heart, but because of the original sin we inherited, we become sinners when we are subject to temptation. All we need to do is to have God shield us from all temptations for us to remain sinless. Of course, given our free will, we must want to ask the Lord to protect us, which means that we must yield ourselves to him first. This is at the crux of the whole matter. 

*Preparation for Departure

        It is not a good feeling to know that you are not ready to die yet. It shows that you are still tied to the world and yourself and that you are not spiritually free. The Lord is not going to drag you into heaven if you are reluctant to go there. Therefore, voluntarily detach yourself from the world and yourself so that you may freely soar to God when he calls you. It might turn out to be quite a battle, but it's a battle you must win and you can absolutely win with God's help. Think of it as preparing for taking the happiest trip you'll ever have, which, of course, is true.

***Unbelievable Intimacy

        Communion experience. Each time I attend Mass to receive Christ in the Holy Eucharist, I am dining at his table with him serving me, giving me himself to consume as nourishment and the promise of eternal life. It's unbelievable and unbeatable intimacy and union!  

***Know God Now!*

        Jesus makes it amply clear in the Gospels that if we see him, we have seen the Father, that if we know him, then we know the Father, and that he and the Father are one. Therefore, know Christ and you don't need to ask where God is or who he is anymore. We now learn from the Lord directly!

***Going Directly to God***

         You believe in God and want to do your very best, that is, to give 100% of your effort, to serve him; but you will not get far if you do not surrender yourself to God completely first. This is something people do not realize (or do not want to face). I am repeating the same message I have said before in various ways because it is important. If you want to go extreme with the Lord, then set aside your concern, you own effort, yourself, and go directly to him to receive power directly from him. I am making it as directly as possible to you again.

**Out of Your Mind for Christ

        Today's Gospel at Mass consisted of just two verses from Mark: Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." I can understand that because one time when I showed my great enthusiasm in Christ, one of my relatives also thought that I was out of my mind (although he didn't seize me). I suppose that if you seem to have gone overboard for something others do not understand, you look abnormal or odd to them. At one time I did visit a nearby prison regularly to assist a deacon in his prison ministry and a nonChristian friend of mine just couldn't understand why I should spend my time doing that. Decades back, when I first read about Mother Teresa who had gone to India to devote her life to serving the dying and the poor, I almost thought that she was out of her mind. Well, know Jesus and you'll understand everything.

Praying in accord with God's Will

        I mentioned yesterday in a post that sometimes the Lord has his plan and what we pray for may not happen if it does not accord with his plan. But praying for the salvation of those you love is totally in accord with his will, as our salvation is his foremost desire. Therefore, do not be discouraged. Persist in praying for them and believe that the Lord will answer your prayer as you wish.

Ultimate Contentment

        Communion experience. I knew I had found my rest, good for all eternity. 

**Ultimate Acceptance

        This morning I got the news that a dear friend, a fellow parishioner, passed away at a hospital. She had heart surgery and was placed under intensive care. For the last two weeks or so, she remained practically unconscious and had to be sustained by machine. Many of us had been praying so hard for her recovery and healing, until this morning. The news hit us hard. What can I make of it? There is no doubt that God hears us, but he has his plan and knows what's best for us. We sometimes can sway him, but not this time. Did our praying efforts prolong our friend's agony? I doubt it. We can pray for what we desire, but ultimately, it comes down to accepting God's will. What we need to do before our time is up is to ask for what we wish, but always seek his will. We are not free until we abandon ourselves totally to God. Another reminder for us.

**How We Hurt the Lord*

        Again, on this Friday I prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Jesus was hurt so much by those who falsely accused, scourged, ridiculed, insulted, and crucified him. Do you know that every time we sin, even though we do not hurt him physically, we likewise cause pain and agony to his heart? What basically hurt the Lord the most are ingratitude, not taking him seriously, hardened hearts, and disobedience. 

***Our Ideal Journey

        I see God as a wonderland for us to lose ourselves in, as it's an infinite space to explore, discover, and enjoy. Ideally, we should be aware of the Lord's dwelling in us and our dwelling in him and let the Holy Spirit initiate all our actions. Then everything will come forth from us naturally, following God's will. Of course, as humans, we always fall short. We fall asleep even as we pray or our thoughts wander even during Mass. Again, intention counts. I don't like to say that we should "strive" to be perfect, because the effective and right approach is to rest in the Lord even more, giving him the freedom to mold and shape us. This is taking advantage of the fact that nothing is impossible with him. Following Christ is truly exciting and relaxing at the same time. It's a unique journey.

*To Be Perfect

        Today's alternate Communion antiphon, Matthew 19.21: If you would be perfect, go, sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow me, says the Lord to the young man who wished to gain eternal life. If we do not actually do as advised by the Lord, we should at least be detached from all material goods to the point that we would be willing to give them up if need be. Again, intention comes into play.

Pitiful Generation

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 3, the Pharisees watched closely to see if Jesus would cure a man with a withered hand on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He asked them, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus restored the hand of the man. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. The generation today is like the Pharisees. Their hearts are hardened to the point that they no longer listen to reason. They act as if they are the righteous ones knowing more than God. How foolish can you be?

Intention, Not Words

        Jesus healed so many who were sick and disabled. None of them who asked to be healed used too many words; they just said, "Have pity on me," "I want to see," or something like that. It shows me that intention and faith count, not how many words we use. It's so good that the Lords knows our intention right away (all along). 

**Who Is Jesus?*

        Our church is running the Alpha program. It consists of 11 sessions. Each session starts with a video presentation, followed by discussion in small groups. Today's second video presentation "Who Is Jesus?" is quite powerful. In fact, one participant commented afterwards that it hit him like a ton of bricks! If you are still not convinced about Jesus, watch this video to be challenged intellectually. 

  

Our Return to God on Earth

         Communion thought. Receiving the Holy Eucharist and attaining union with God is reaching an endpoint in life. It ends our return to God on earth.

Our Heart's Concerns

        In today's reading 1 from 1 Samuel 16, God sent Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem to find the future king among his sons. The Lord told Samuel that while man judges from the appearance or lofty stature, he looks into the heart. While Samuel was impressed by the appearance of some of the seven sons present, the Lord did not chose any of them. Then Samuel had Jesse send for the youngest son, David, who was tending sheep. When he was brought to them, the Lord said to Samuel, "There – anoint him, for this is he!" Observations. First, God already knew whom to pick for what role. Secondly, God looked into the heart. Therefore, we must (1) trust in God's role for us and (2) make sure that our heart is presentable to him.

*What's Most Beautiful

        There are many beautiful sights to see and beautiful sounds to hear, but what's most beautiful is the love of God which can touch our innermost soul. 

***The God You Must Know***

       The love of God is crushing yet most sweet. And when you yield yourself totally to him, you experience the greatest possible freedom! This amazing God, the God of Christ, you must seek out, get to know, fall in love with, and hold onto forever!

No Room for Sins

      Communion experience. In receiving the Holy Eucharist, the Lord filled my soul to the full, dispelling all my sins. 

Good Enough to Know

        We do not understand many things well, the Lord God himself included, but it is good enough for us to know that the Lord God understands us and loves us.

God's Tireless Arms

        Here is another mental picture I see. God full of love has his arms tirelessly outstretched, waiting patiently for us to go to him to be embraced by him. Many of us couldn't care less and don't even glance his way. Again, it is us who resist or ignore God, the God of Christ. Do not blame Satan. For Satan is an opportunist and sees you as a target only when you make yourself noticeable to him. Let God embrace you and you become invisible to Satan. My advice: Run to God while you still can!