*God's Unsurpassable Gifts

        Communion experience. These are the three unsurpassable, most personal gifts of Christ: freedom, peace, and joy. They are beautiful and precious beyond words.

*It-Is-the-Lord Moment

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 24, the Risen Lord appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, a village seven miles from Jerusalem. He walked with them and conversed with them, even interpreting the Scriptures to them. Arriving at Emmaus, he agreed to stay with them. The whole time the two were prevented from recognizing him. Then when he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Every time we witness the breaking of the Bread at Mass, we have this it's-the-Lord moment. The apostle John recognized that it was the Lord about a hundred yards away from him at the Sea of Tiberias (John 21). It certainly is a blessed, joyous moment every Christian should experience. 

*In the Name of Jesus*

        In today's first reading from Acts 3, Peter cured a crippled beggar in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean. I believe that if we consciously do everything in the name of Jesus, we'll be walking with the Lord and make great spiritual progress.  

***Following Your Heart to Home

        Why some Christians do not feel anything about God, while others have their hearts set on fire by the Holy Spirit? It all has to do with how much you let God have your heart. When you give your heart completely to the Father, you belong to him and you are home!

Life After Death?

        Do we have life after death? If there were no God, it would be impossible for us to know. In fact, we might not even come up with this question, if God hadn't created us in his image. It is through spiritual experiences that we come to realize that there must be life after death, that life is worth living, and that God has made us this way. Witness the Resurrection of Christ! The atheists would disagree with me because they simply block out anything spiritual. Those who remain open to God can confirm without a doubt that there is life after death because God has made them see.   

Most Sweet Feeling

        Communion experience. That the Lord pities me and is merciful to me was a most sweet feeling. He forgives my sins and makes me clean – how can you possibly not love him or live without him?

Rejoicing in Order!

        In today's Gospel reading from John 20, the Risen Christ appeared to Mary of Magdala. After she recognized that it was the Lord, he said to her, "Go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." These words reveal that Christ is our brother, and he and we share the same Father and the same God – awesome news that should make our hearts leap for joy!

*Following Christ Has been . . .

a journey that's continuously exciting and satisfying, with absolutely the very best yet to come at the end! 

*Bonus Benefit

        On top of having revealed the good news of salvation to us, the Lord God also sets the mind of anyone who truly believes in him at ease amidst this tumultuous, sinful world of unrest and disorder we live in. 

***Spiritual Foot-dragging*

        Do you realize that not wishing to face Christ, not wanting to consider surrendering to him, and not being interested in seeking union with him are all forms of keeping the Lord at a distance? Do you also realize that the Father is patiently waiting for you to run toward him to be embraced by him!

Conquerors of Death

        Romans 6.9: today's Communion antiphon: We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. Following Christ, we Christians also die just once and live on forever. Hallelujah! 

Fools Abound

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 28, we heard read that after the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.'" Some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.' And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you our of trouble." 

           Instead of showing any interest in finding out exactly what had happened to Jesus, the chief priests and the elders were solely concerned about saving their own neck. They are being extremely foolish. Today news media spread fake news instead of reporting truth, and liars propagate falsehood on social media. As long as we have sinners, fools will abound.   

***God Working for Us!

        I've mentioned numerous times that when you are in union with God, he does all the hard work for you, and this is a huge advantage that makes your life exciting. Specifically, let him love all others through you for you. Essentially, if you obey the Lord, he honors your wishes. Thus, union is the greatest possible relationship with God our Father.

*Praising the Resurrected Christ*

        Christ is risen! Happy Easter to all! Without the Resurrection, we wouldn't be here today to pay much attention to him, let alone eagerly want to tell others about him. Honestly, Christ has absolutely made my life exciting and worth living. Without him, I'd rather die and become nothing. But this is not possible anymore, for I now belong to him forever! He is our Savior, the Savior for every one of us if you'll just let him. A simply yes from your heart will start your journey to heaven. Choose to trust and follow Christ; let him lead you every step of the way and you don't ever need to use your free will again. The more you abandon yourself to him, the smoother your journey becomes. He is our freedom, our peace, and our joy! 

The Entire Human History

        Here are the various stages. (1) God created Adam and Eve. (2) Adam and Eve disobeyed God, committing the original sin. (3) We inherited the original sin. (4) God the Father out of love sent his only Son Jesus into the world to let all know how they can have eternal life. (5) Some believe in this good news and others don't, with many in-between believing to various degrees. (6) Jesus alone who knows the heart will come again to judge and take us to heaven or leave us behind. 

          We are at stage 5 now.         

**Greatest Truth*

        Today is Good Friday. It was on this day that Jesus completed his mission on earth, to save us from sin. And the Resurrection that followed sealed our joy! This is the greatest truth relevant to our eternal existence, but how many of us realize it and take it seriously? This is the perfect day to meditate upon the Passion of Christ and thank the Lord for his love and mercy from our soul, and eternal salvation is assured.

**Of Critical Importance*

        God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not neglect to read and meditate upon the four Gospels. Examine the Lord closely and be amazed by everything about him. Dismissing him as merely someone who were on our earth briefly some 2,000 years ago would be a huge mistake! Assume that he is God and Savior and you'll see everything about him fitting beautifully together. This posting is prompted by my personal experience after participating in a small group discussion at my church. We look ahead at the readings for the Mass of the following Sunday. Believe me, knowing Christ truly makes the life-and-death difference to our life!

*Holiness Through Obedience

        It is easy to do what you feel like doing, especially when you see that there will be no harm done to anyone. But the Lord made me see that this is not good enough, that we need to do what he wants us to do. To follow our own is like giving in to temptation, while following the Lord is to be obedient. The fruit of obedience is holiness. Witness Jesus who was obedient even to death on a cross, and God the Father greatly exalted him. Last, being obedient becomes easy and joyous when you are one with the Lord, for now he empowers you in all that you do.

Double Standard?

        Communion thoughts. If someone dies for you in this life so that you might continue living the rest of your life, you would be most grateful to that person. Now, Jesus has died for you so that you might live on happily forever – how do you feel about it? 

*Powered by God

        John F. Kennedy at his presidential inauguration in 1961 is remembered for saying "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for you country." With God, we must shift the focus away from ourselves and onto God, for he is to be our empowerment. Therefore, we are not to tell ourselves we should do this or that for God, but to ask God what he wishes us to do and empower us to do it. This is abandonment in God!

Sharpened Conscience

        When you are in perfect union with God, committing the most minute sin makes you lose peace and following every will of God is a delight. This is just fine, for now deep down in your heart, you always have peace.

*Face of Jesus*

Selfless Act

        Serving God is different from any other act. When you serve God, you don't count the cost.

**Choosing the Right Fire*

        Let the fire of the Holy Spirit set your heart ablaze when you are still alive to avoid ever getting burned by the fire of hell after you die. (Never die with sins unforgiven!)

Weeping Time

        Today is Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. Reading 2 came from Philippians 2. Paul writes: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. It is pitiful that the world remains as if in a coma, oblivious to what God had undergone for the sake of saving us! Even as Christians, many if us live more or less a self-centered life. The Lenten season is a good time to weep for the whole world, preparing ourselves to be awakened and rejuvenated by the joy of Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday. 

**Learning From Abraham

        In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham by asking him to offer up his only son Issac as a burnt offering. Abraham obeyed. He built an altar, put wood on it, and bound Issac and put him on top of the wood on the altar. After Abraham reached out for his knife and was about to slaughter Issac, the Lord stopped him for not withholding his son from him. Now, many of us have children who have abandoned their faith in God and we parents are praying hard for them. Abraham's example should teach us to offer up our children to God also and trust that the Lord will save all of them in the end.   

***Getting to the Soul

        Today's Communion experience. We physically and mentally feel things in this world. When I receive Christ, he affects me both physically and mentally. Then John 4.24: God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth. Therefore, the Lord affects our soul on the spiritual level, working in the background, as it were. When I believe and submit myself to the Lord, he heals my soul and draws me into union with him, and this is revealed to the heart first. Through physical and mental means, let the Lord get to your soul to make it whole and perfect.

The Enthusiastic Christian

        Communion thoughts. God wants to give us all the blessings we need for our spiritual growth. As receivers, we should be the like the receiver in a football game, grab the ball, hold onto it, and head straight for the goal to score. This is how enthusiastic we should be about God's gifts. 

Hardened-Heart Danger

        In today's Gospel reading from John 10, the Jews tried to stone Jesus for blasphemy, for their hearts were so hardened that even all the good miraculous works they witnessed meant nothing to them. A hardened heart is a foolish one, while an open heart, a wise one. Being open-hearted does not risk losing your heart; it simply lets you discern right from wrong. If what you observe is truly false, you can always reject it. On the other hand, a hardened heart is a closed, judgmental heart, already set to dismiss what might be the truth. It becomes a danger to one's own soul.  

*God's Love Revealed to All

        Reading the Psalms, I realize that the psalmists truly loved the Lord, for they knew that he loved and was merciful to them. I now see that the coming of Christ into the world revealed to us that God not only loved the Jews, but also all the non-Jews as well.

**Christ Our Ever-Shining Light

        Everything of the world fades away. Citing one example, the vast number of PhD theses written by past brilliant scholars are now all stored away practically forgotten in college libraries. Well-known historical figures no longer seem so prominent as they were once. Christ is the only light that shall shine forever brightly before us, being the light that can dispel all darkness and transform us also into beings of light.  

Self-Giving Time

        Communion experience. Today's Communion antiphon, Romans 8.32: God did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Yes, God has given us all things. Communion time is the perfect time to once again give ourselves to God with thanksgiving.

**Two Ways of Approaching God*

        (1) Believer A prays hard and persistently; he asks but never abandons himself much to God. (2) By contrast, believer B yields and opens up his heart completely to God, not asking for much of anything. Which believer do you think will receive the most benefit? (Hint: The Lord seeks your abandonment and trust more than anything else.)

**Insuppressible Joy!*

        Once you have tasted Christ the Lord himself, you will want to shout as loud as you can to let the whole world know what a great joy he is! The Spirit of the Lord may be gentle, but let him kindle your heart and he will fill your heart with joy that's insuppressible! And the soul goes on a continuous joyride (not recklessly though).

**Day of Greatest Joy

        Today's entrance antiphon, Hebrews 9.15: Christ is mediator of a new covenant so that by means of his death, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. When we inherit something, it's not because we have earned it; we receive it because of our special relationship with the benefactor. When you respond to the call the heavenly Father, you become an adopted son or daughter of his, an heir! Thus, one day you will inherit all he has to give you. That will be a day of your greatest joy. Just thinking about it should expunge all the blues from your heart.

**Playing Chess With God

       I see everyone of us playing chess with God. God has already made his move and is waiting you to move against him. But in this game, after you move God simply retreats, for he has already decided to let you capture him to win. So make your move now before the time set runs out.

Personal Private Universe

        Communion experience. Let the Lord dwell within you and he creates a personal universe for you to live in, enjoying your union with him in great intimacy. 

*One True Freedom

        In today's Gospel reading from John 8, Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." "Freedom" sounds like a beautiful word, but not all freedoms are good. For example, freedom of speech invariably leads to disorder and freedom to chose abortion is purely evil. All these freedoms enslave us, for they allow us to sin. Therefore, the only freedom that truly sets us free is freedom from sin. Let Jesus take our sins away and we are free. Remain as one with him and we continue to remain free.

Overview of the Spiritual Warfare

        Some thoughts following the last post on the life-or-death situation we are in. The spiritual war goes on between God and Satan, but we are really engaged in a war with ourselves. One part of us tells us to follow God and the other part, to follow ourselves – this is the fundamental struggle that goes on within us. Although God will overcome the evil one in the end, the outcome of our personal battle directly affects God's success. To not help the Lord who is on our side is to help his enemy who is also our enemy.

*In a Life-or-Death Situation

      A dear friend's brother just passed away. He was a most devout Catholic to his last day, but none of his children today has any faith. It shows how divided our world is, how evil has infiltrated the world. Be aware that we are right in the middle of a fierce and ferocious warfare! Every single one of us is in the battlefield. If we do not choose God to fight against evil, we shall surely die. There is not a moment to waste. 

*Holy Communion to Be Cherished*

        Communion thoughts. There are life experiences we always remember and cherish. Receiving Christ in the Holy Eucharist should be such an experience. After the Lord has personally entered to be consumed by you, how can you possibly walk right out of Church after Mass and instantly revert yourself to the same old you? You have passed up the most intimate prayer time you can spend with the Lord! Let every Communion draw you closer to union with him to make you more perfect and beautiful. Take the Lord seriously so that he may take you seriously.

**Three Stages of Spiritual Life

        (1) You do not know God. (2) You find Christ and believe in him. (3) You submit yourself to himself totally and attain union with him. 

       You are saved when you reach stage 2, but I do believe that when you advance to stage 3, you definitely reduce or possibly eliminate your time in purgatory. 

*Horrible State to Avoid

        In today's Gospel reading from John 8, Jesus said to the Jews, "If you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins." "To die in one's sins" is a horrible thought! Sins are abhorrent to God, so to be in sin is to get repelled by God. Therefore, be sure to have the Lord cleanse you of your sins at all times, for you do not know the time of your death.

*Letting God Draw Us

        John 12.32: Jesus says, "When I am lifted up from the earth; I will draw everyone to myself." Because Jesus loves us, he wants to draw everyone to him. Certainly he would want to draw us all the way to be one with him, for the Lord is always thorough, committed, total, and complete. Let him draw you and you will also receive a bonus, eternal life in heaven.

Captured by God

        Communion experience. I felt uplifted and fulfilled, for the Lord had captured my heart.

Amazing and Inspiring

        Most amazing is how much the Most High God loves us. Most inspiring is how humble he is.

Knowing God 101

        St. Paul was a persecutor of early Christians before Jesus made him an apostle to the Gentles, and his calling came rather dramatically. For most of us, the calling is gentle and subtler. If we do not wish to turn to God, we just don't get to know him. But if we are sincere in wishing to know him, he never fails to reveal himself to us. Many converts came to know God after they pray "Lord, if you really exist, reveal yourself to me." Know that God is ever ready and eager to become one with you, so open your heart wide and he is yours!

Christ the Big Difference

        Humans beings can be loving and kind, but it is undeniable that they are also inclined to do evil to each other. Precisely why our world is so messed up. No doubt that without God, a lost world is doomed. Fortunately, we have the light of Christ, showing us the way to eternal life. This is  the hope the world needs. Now, those who believe in him will be saved forever. There is nothing else that can make such a big difference to us! 

**Healing of the Soul

        When we are physically ill and pray for healing, God may choose to heal us instantly, take his time, or leave us alone. In the last instance, we may recover naturally, remain ill, or even worsen. At any rate, God knows what's best for us. But when we are spiritually ill and pray for healing of the soul, the Lord does not delay. If you repent your sins, the cleansing is instant. Before receiving the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, all Catholics respond by saying "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." If you truly believe, your soul shall be healed! The soul is our Father's utmost concern. It's healing is so much more urgent than healing of the body. It would be good to have both a healthy body and a clean soul, but always pray for healing of the soul first. 

*To Truly Please God

        If you truly wish to please God the Father, you would want all the souls, including the worst sinners in the world and your own worst enemies, whom he all loves, to be saved. Naturally, you would want to forgive everyone and not to judge anyone anymore. Seek union with God to make your will his will.