Confidence in Jesus

        In today's Gospel's reading from Matthew 15, Jesus healed many people: he made the lame walk, the blind see, the deformed whole, and the mute speak. Then he multiplied seven loaves of bread and a few fish more than enough to feed over four thousand people. For me, this is certainly the Lord who can also take away all my sins just as easily.  

*All I Need to Know

        Today's entrance antiphon from Habakkuk 2: The Lord will come and he will not delay. He will illumine what is hidden in darkness and reveal himself to all the nations. I personally am completely satisfied with what Jesus has revealed to us that to know him is to know God the Father and that we can have eternal life if we believe and follow him. 

On Taking up the Cross

        Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Naturally, anyone who does not go after Jesus is not obligated to deny himself. Nevertheless, he still has crosses created by other sinners and himself. But for those who are in union with the Lord, they only need to deal with the crosses created by others because they no longer go against God's will, and all crosses become light and even joyous to carry.

***What You Should Know & Focus On

        I feel the weight in my heart when I see how evil has infiltrated governments, societies, companies, organizations, businesses, news media, entertainment industry, academic institutions, and yes, even churches, all around the world. Corruption is widespread. I lament the fact that the public is generally not aware of the fierce spiritual warfare the evil one is waging against God to snatch souls away from him, and that many Christians no longer show zeal in following Christ. So I am happy to have found Fr. Mark Goring's short video "Demon Over Patient's Bed." He puts the points across better than I ever can. There are many other good talks by Fr. Mark online you can check out.

We Are in the Know

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 10, Jesus said, "All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." So the Father and the Son know each other, and the Son reveals the Father to his chosen ones. As a result, we also get to know the Son. It is through Jesus that we get to know both God the Father and God the Son.

*Joy of Belonging

        Communion experience. The Lord makes me his – how can I not possibly rejoice that I now belong to him entirely?

**In God's Great Intimacy

        Today is the Memorial of St. Francis Xavier. The Communion antiphon (Matthew 10.27) reads: What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the rooftops, says the Lord. I feel particularly the intimacy with the Lord – he speaks to our hearts quietly in private and what we hear is so endearing and compelling that it would be impossible for us not to want to proclaim what we hear aloud to the world. This is the fire the Holy Spirit ignites in us. The Lord now live within us.

***The Gaze of Christ

        If I keep looking at you, you would certainly feel uncomfortable. But if you let Christ gaze at you all he wants and you'll be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Wellbeing of the Church

        This is determined by how much her children obey Christ their Lord. Seek union with the Lord is the best way to get to know him intimately. Once you attain union, obedience becomes a nonissue.         

How God Blesses the Faithful

        Communion experience. I attended Vigil Mass today. The Lord made me see that if we believe in him with all our heart, he would bless us by letting wonder things happen interiorly to us. 

Not Ready to Die Yet

       Most people are not ready to die yet. If you are a Christian and do not wish to die yet because you still want to take care some unfinished business or see some event happen in your lifetime, you don't have a good reason. For death is God calling you. If you do not wish to die yet because you are afraid, that is an honest good reason. Now is the time to make amends for all the sins you have committed against God and get ready to face the Lord in peace.

*Warning to the World Asleep

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus said to his disciples, "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." Like death, facing the Lord is unavoidable, but most of the people in the world are still not fully awake. Sadly, many would wish that they had not been born when that day arrives.

Sign You Need God

        Avoiding God in any way indicates that you need him. The more you avoid him, the more foolish you are and the more you need him.

**Detachment Principle

        We all seem to be aware that we are not free because we are attached to many people and things in this world. So how can we become free? Well, normally, we regard ourselves to be more important than everyone or everything else. Therefore, if we can get detached from ourselves, we'll be detached from all other things too. This happens when we abandon ourselves to God and become attached to him alone. 

Offering to God

        Communion experience. I have nothing to offer him except myself, so I just ask him to take whatever he wants from me, myself included.

***Talking About Jesus***

        If Jesus is truly a joy in your heart, you will want to talk about him as much as you can, because talking about him would be a joy in itself. If you truly know Jesus, it would be impossible not to think about him all the time, for he is that beautiful and exciting to know. If he is your life, you will want to talk about him more than anything else. If he has done wonders to you, you will want to share that with everyone. Everything passes except him. Know him well to let him become your greatest joy.

**Highest Possible Honor*

        Today is Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle. When Jesus saw him and his brother Peter fishing at the Sea of Galilee, he said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. When we are called to follow Christ, we are receiving the highest possible honor. Being called by the Lord is proof that he loves you. He is letting you know that your name is written in heaven. If you remain faithful, your reward will be nothing short of eternal happiness.

**Seeking Spiritual Advice

       At a small group gathering at church yesterday, the subject of finding a spiritual director came up. True that there are times we are not sure how to proceed spiritually, so having a director to give you advice can be helpful. But to find a director who is wise, knowledgeable, and just right for you is not always easy. Now I do think that having a personal spiritual director is a luxury. The best way is to go straight to Jesus, who is most holy and knows everything about you. The Apostles had only Jesus to guide them. If you seek union with him, you will hear him speaking directly to you in your heart. 

**Surrender Is Freedom

        As long as you have not opened yourself up completely to let God in, you are not free.     

*Catholicism Is Judaism

        I know that many of you have watched the video I posted on 11/8/18. Roy Schoeman, a Jewish Harvard professor, tells how he became a Catholic. I listened to some of his other talks on YouTube and realized that Catholicism is really the modern form of Judaism. You see, when a Jew recognizes that Christ is the true Messiah as prophesied, he is fulfilled or completed, not having to give up anything he learned before. So spiritually, I can now say that I belong to Judaism too.

Forms of Persecution

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus tells about the coming persecution. He says, "They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives." We might not face persecutions as severe as those mentioned by Jesus above, but we do suffer and carry the various crosses of life in serving  him – these are forms of persecution because of his name too. May we persevere till the very end, for our reward will be great in heaven.  

We're All Perfectionists

        Some people want to get all things done perfectly and others are a lot sloppier in whatever they do. You can say that not everyone is a perfectionist. But I do see that God has made us all perfectionists in this way – we can never be completely happy until we can be happy forever.

Only God Knows It All

        As you know, God's ways are high above our ways and his thoughts high above ours. We live a very limited time and see only what's happening at the moment, whereas the Lord knows all of the past and the future, and things have been evolving according to his plan since our creation. When we see someone dies unexpectedly at a relatively young age, we see it as a tragedy. What if the soul of the deceased goes directly to heaven? And when we see someone who has lived to a ripe old age and is still going strong, we envy him and consider him lucky. What if later he dies and does not make heaven? Only God knows what is going on. We need to focus upon following the Lord alone and not dwell upon things we do not really know.

Heavenly Contentment

        Communion joy. When I received the Eucharist, I felt totally fulfilled and satisfied. Truly there is nothing I lack, for my most beloved had entered me to be one with me.

*Reminder

        If you cannot repent your sins to God, you are not humble enough. Just remember that a big ego cannot get through the narrow gate to heaven.

*Advice

        You may dislike a lot of people, but still love them, for you must never alienate the Lord your God.

Cooperation Between God and Us

        Both "Only God can change us" and "Only we can change ourselves" are correct. "Only we can change ourselves" means we are the only ones who can initiate the change by permitting God to enter us. From this point on, God is now the only one who can make and complete the change in us.

Mixed Feelings

        I get mixed feelings about Jesus' Second Coming. Of course, for the sheep Jesus will take with him, we shall naturally rejoice. Then what about the goats that's going to be left behind forever? You can't help feeling sad about them, but again, they were the ones who made the Lord sad for not loving him. So I believe that our joy would overwhelm any sadness we feel. After all, that's the time the Lord will wipe every tear from our eyes.

*Not Any Lord

        Communion experience. Jesus is absolutely my most intimate Lord.

Intention Matters Most

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into treasury and a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." Again, the intention behind our action is what counts. It boils down how much we truly love the Lord.

How God Leads Us

        Each one of us is a unique creature of God. We all have different dispositions, temperaments, talents, upbringings, etc. The Lord, knowing it all, puts us who love him on different paths to perform tasks for our maximum spiritual benefit and his greatest glory. Whether we are poor or rich, erudite or uneducated, adroit or clumsy, shy or outgoing, mystical or not . . . the Lord knows exactly how to lead us on. In my own case, I have a pretty simple mind, always trying to simplify things to go straight to the point. God, accordingly, makes everything simple for me to understand and follow. Whoever and wherever you are, serve the Lord faithfully with patience as he leads you through life. 

Our Hope Eternal

        Communion experience. I see Christ as our brightest hope. Since he exists forever, I shall never stop hoping in him. Therefore, I shall never stop praying for all the souls until his Second Coming, whether I am still living in this world or not.

Greatest Revelation or Stumbling Block

       Today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In the second reading from Revelation 1, the Lord God says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty." For those who already follow Jesus, this must have been their greatest awakening or revelation. But for others, especially those who are power hungry and proud, it remains their greatest stumbling block. The world divides because of the Lord.

False Freedom

        People do not want Christ in their lives because they want to feel free to do whatever they want to do. Unknowingly and foolishly, they instantly lock themselves inside a cage they have built for themselves. Meanwhile, those who follow Christ is enjoying complete freedom in his infinite space, doing exactly what they wish to do, the will of God.

*God Our Great Healer

        Going through life, we all get emotionally hurt or suppressed from time to time. And when we can't take it anymore, we get angry or out of control in some way. Certainly, talking to someone or getting counseling somewhere can help, but none has the power to heal himself or anyone else. The only one who can heal all our wounds and hurts is the Lord God our creator. Naturally, you must ask for help from him first to let him enter before he can heal you. Unfortunately, many with too much pride just do not believe in the Lord, and they continue to suffer. 

To Die for Jesus?

        Are you willing to die for Jesus who has died for you? If to die means to let your old self die by letting the Lord make you anew, the answer should certainly be yes.

Reverse Déjà Vu

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 19, we read that while Jesus was teaching in the temple area every day, the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were seeking to put him to death. This scene is familiar today when you see politicians of one party seeking to bring down the leader of their opposition party no matter how much good he or she is doing.

Be Good for God

        When Jesus shows up unexpected upon his Second Coming, would you like to be caught thinking about how you dislike someone, or speaking unkindly to a member of your family, or checking out an impure website online? If your answer is no, no, no, then be holy and do not sin in thoughts, words, or deeds.

***God Not Doing Anything?

        We wonder why God does not crush all evil and bring peace to the world. Let us remember two things. First, God has already done his part paving the way to salvation for us. Now it's time for us to respond. Don't you see that if we all turn to the Lord and obey him, there will be instant peace in the world? Secondly, read this response from Jesus to Pontius Pilate during his trial: "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. Bt as it is, my kingdom is not here." You get the idea. The Lord's chief wish is to have us join his kingdom so as to have life eternal. Any peace he can bring to us on earth who do not change our hearts will be short-lived and imperfect. 

Heavenly Bond

        Communion experience. It's bonding with Jesus in heaven! 

***Perfect Union Now

        Christ loves us so much that he wants to possess all of us. Our perfect reaction should be to want to possess all of him. In practice, we would just let him possess all of us and he becomes ours in the process. Now we have perfect union this side of heaven!

Key Step to Salvation

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus cleansed ten lepers and only one of the ten returned, fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. Jesus told him that his faith had saved him. In many other cases of healing, Jesus had said the same thing. It strikes me that to have faith in the Lord is the most important step we can take. There are many others things we need to do afterwards, but to have faith in him is the key step to take to be saved.

Thankful for Most Patient Father

        On this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful that I'll get to eat turkey, ham, yams, etc., but I am most thankful that we have a Heavenly Father who is infinitely patient with us. We parents know exactly how we feel when our children do not love us anymore, rebel against us, or leave us, wanting to have nothing to do with us. When we cannot handle it anymore, we just cut off our relationships with them. Now, our Father loves us more than any of us could possibly love our children, and billions of us ignore him, but he still patiently waits, never wanting to punish us and hoping that we'll turn to him like the prodigal son one day. This is the loving, patient Father I am thankful for.

*God Our Ultimate Quest

        These thoughts came to me this morning as I was having some breakfast. It would be enjoyable to sip coffee or tea and listen to some nice music in the background. Certainly, there are numerous other nice things to enjoy in life. This in fact is exactly what everyone in the world is seeking in order to live a happier life. The shocking realization is that all these things are passing, ourselves included, and we absolutely cannot build anything solid upon any of them. The only rock we can build and depend upon is the eternal Lord God. It is only in him that we'll find happiness, satisfaction, and enjoyment that never end. Again, he has made us this way. Discover the Lord and you discover yourself as well.

*Why Christianity Is the Truth

        Looking at the other major religions other than Christianity, I see the following. At one extreme we have a religion that's easygoing – it does not pressure you in any way, which means you can join or leave freely at any time. And at the other extreme, we have one that forces you to join and would not tolerate anyone who disagrees with its teachings. As for Christianity (which I won't call another religion, for it is the truth to me) it respects our free will and never forces it teachings on us. It simply proclaims the truth and spells out the commitment you need to make for the sake of your salvation. The decision is entirely up to you. When you voluntarily decide to follow Christ, your faith truly becomes a meaningful thing. I see the perfect balance and fairness to us here. That is why I see Christianity to be the truth.

**God's Higher Thoughts and Ways

        Why don't people believe in Jesus readily? I find the answer in Isaiah 55. It's because God's thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are his ways ours; and as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways higher than our ways and his thoughts higher than our thoughts. This is the natural gap between the creator and his creatures. So the fact that people have difficulty accepting Jesus only bolsters the reality that he is God.  

*Another Reason Not to Sin

        When Catholics go to confession, depending upon the nature of the sin, they can feel embarrassed confessing it before the priest. This is good, for the next time they are tempted to commit a sin they know would make them feel embarrassed in confession, they can stop right there and then from committing that sin.

*God Our Sole Judge

        Communion experience. I loved it when the Lord let me see all my faults. It's good to see what he sees, to know his thoughts, and to learn his ways. One particular insight worth mentioning is that he made me see that he alone is the judge all things. Therefore, we need to be 100% humble and can remain in peace, knowing that God will set everyone and everything in its right place at judgment time.

***Pure God

        Looking at the various non-Christian religions, I notice the following: (1) People conjure up various gods, (2) a human being started a religion with all teachings originating from him, or (3) a human being claimed that he knew God so that we must follow him. In all cases, God remains unknown to us or his image has been tainted by a human being. All you need to do is to look at how God was presented to us: predictable, with God thinking and acting like many of us. Now, how refreshing it is to look at Christ. He revealed God to be love. To demonstrate that, he came into the world and died, carrying all our sins so that we might be saved. And he is mighty while being meek and humble. No one could have expected God to be like that! So here is God, revealing purely himself as only he can. This has to be the true God, the one to be trusted!

**Do You Know?

        You can avoid Christ by trying not to even think about him, but do you know that you can also let him embrace you, set you free, give you inner peace, fill you with joy now and forever? And, by the way, there is no limit as to how deep you can enter his space and enjoy his love. It's all up to you.