*Heaven on Earth for God

        Communion experience. The Lord entered me, so I became heaven on earth for God! How awe-inspiring!

**Quick Summary of Union with God*

        It is being one with God. His ways and thoughts are now yours too. You experience the same joys and sorrows as he. It is dwelling in the Lord in total freedom. You no longer struggle spiritually, for he is right in you and with you. You simply enjoy his delightful company. 

Discerning Promptings

        If you feel prompted to spread the good news of Christ in some specific way, should you go right ahead and do it? If the urge came from you, then hold off, for you do not want to rush ahead on your own. You will know that the prompting did come from God if you've been led to this point and feel no anxiety about it. Peace of mind is a good indicator.

**Aiming our Prayer

        If we pray that we may grow closer to God, we miss the mark. If we pray that we may become holy, we still fall short. If we pray that we may open ourselves up to let the Lord make us holy, we are on target.

**Christ, Only Teacher We Need

        The Apostles were all sinners. They followed the Lord and learned from him directly and became saints. Let them be our models. We can also follow Christ, learn from him directly, and become saints. Seek union with the Lord so that we may become like him. Then we'll understand everything.

**Sinner Responding to God

        If I were perfectly holy with no sins, I would not understand why Jesus came into the world to die for me. Since his Passion truly affected me and I feel so grateful for what he has done that I can't even help falling deeply in love with him, I know that I must be a sinner. In my case, a sinner who has found the perfect remedy. 

***Church Priorities Out of Order***

        Global warming is a controversial subject. Even if it is a fact, it certainly is not the most urgent issue we need to deal with right now. For Christians, saving souls has to be the foremost goal. After all, that was the primary goal of Jesus when he came to us to die for us. And the souls today in this evil world need salvation more than ever! I cannot possibly imagine that Jesus would talk about something like global warming more than about our sins and our need for salvation. We truly need to be concerned about Christ's Second Coming! Yet Pope Francis repeatedly warned us about global warning as if it's the most pressing issue today. I am truly disappointed. Meanwhile, the world and Church continue entering the evil's orbit. When the Church loses credibility, fighting spirit, or focus, myriad souls are lost! If we don't shape up, there is no point in begging for God's mercy.

*Our Only Gift for God

        Communion experience. I received what the Apostles received at the Last Supper. When we return fully to the Lord, everything he has is ours. Since we do not have anything except ourselves, all I could offer him was myself.

***Perfect Soulmate*

        I look at my brothers and sisters in Christ at Mass, we belong to the same Lord, but somehow we do not talk about him with each other very much outside church. My wife believes in the Lord too, but she and I do not share the same spirituality, so we end up not talking about Christ with each other as much as we should. This leads me to Christ the Lord himself. We can get to know him as intimately as we wish and he understands every one of us perfectly. You can share whatever with him all you want and he listens and communicates with your heart. Here is our perfect soulmate.

***Praying to Be Holy First!

        As long as we pray only for others, but not for ourselves to be holy, we'll never have true peace in the world! For peace must first start within our hearts and only being holy can bring us inner peace. If sinfulness is our first order of business, then holiness must be too.

God All-Knowing

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 4, people were astonished that Jesus spoke with authority and power. Even the best politicians or most learned pundits today stumble or make gaffes under questioning, but no one was ever able to trip, trick, or stymy the Lord, for he knows everything!

Absolute Fool

        In reading 1 from 1 Thessalonians 5 today, Paul wrote that the day of the Lord would come like a thief at night. Jesus himself said that of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angles of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone; and that we must be prepared, for at an hour we do not expect, he will come. Therefore, anyone who spends time trying to figure out when the Lord will come instead of staying alert and sober has to be an absolute fool, and there has been no shortage of them.

*Alone Before God

        We stand before the Lord alone. Even if someone has caused you to sin, you are still at fault. Playing the blame game doesn't work here. Just know that no one, with the possible exception of the Blessed Mother, can help you at judgment time.

Pity Our Faith!

        At this moment, the US East Coast is bracing itself for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian which had just pounded the Bahamas. In Mark 4, we read how Jesus calmed a storm at sea. He rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. If the Lord can totally command the wind and calm the sea, then we must see Hurricane Dorian as an intended sign for us. God is always telling us something; we are the ones who have no faith.

*Fundamental Motivation

        We love our family or good friends, that's because they are close to us and we know them well. But the fundamental motivation for loving them should be because God loves them. With this motivation, we'll be able to love those not close or even obnoxious to us, strangers, and even our enemies. Aim to please God alone and we can accomplish the impossible. Open up to let the Lord do great works through us.

***Sensing God's Presence

        It would be difficult to live a good spiritual life if you do not sense God's presence. Even a single brief encounter with God can make a difference. Catholics do have the advantage of receiving the Holy Eucharist, but the key requisite is that you remain open to the Lord. If you do, he will enter, as he is always knocking on the door of your heart. If you go all out to seek union with God, then in time he will let you know of his presence within you without the slightest doubt. Christ now becomes more real than anyone you can see or touch! As I've said, God is to be experienced, enjoyed, and savored. 

*All in God's Hands

        Yesterday the Lord popped one thought into my mind before Mass and nine more during Mass for me to blog. Today there has been only one so far, which shows that all is in God's hands, exactly what I want to post about. Since all is in God's hands, I realize that my future is in his hands too. Therefore, I must obey the Lord to insure that I shall have a bright future. Also, it would be stupid and a waste of time for me to go out and do whatever I wish to do, ignoring God's will. Knowing that you are in God's hands behooves you to live in his holy presence. 

***Living the Superior Spiritual Life***

        If you do not seek union with God and want to be holy, you have a ton of things to remember to follow . . . do this, do that, don't do this, don't do that . . . the list is endless. But if you seek and attain union with God, there is not one thing to remember, let alone struggle against. For now the Lord God does all the work for you, in you, and through you; you just keep him company.

***Freedom of the Soul

        Communion experience. I relish and cherish the Lord entering me. It's so good to live in my God and Father and not care about what the world thinks of me. This is what freedom is all about! It's freedom of the soul.

***Get Personal with God*

        Always go directly to God or at least to him first if you are still going to other human beings, for he is instantly accessible. Once you have established intimate contact with him, you hear and learn directly from him. This is the fast track that will save you so much time and effort in your quest for the Lord because it is exactly how you seek union with him.  

*Only Influence We Need

        Our feelings are greatly affected by what we encounter. We become unhappy when bad things happen to us. If we can only let God influence us, we can be sure that we'll always be happy, for God will shape us to become like him in dealing with problems and God can surely handle anything. I can testify to you that his theory has been proven experimentally to be correct time and again. 

*Contagious Holiness

        Do you know that sensing the awesome holiness of the Lord God can inspire you to become holy? Holiness is not a disease, but shall we say that it is also contagious? Therefore, meditate upon God's holiness to get inspired. I suppose this would be difficult for those who are deep in sin to respond. It only shows all the more that they need to become holy. 

**Side Benefit of Doing God's Will*

        The joy of knowing that you are pleasing the Lord. When you make God happy, how can you  possibly not feel happy? Another secret of happiness.

**Simple and Powerful Way to Live*

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 14, we learn from Jesus that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. What shall we do? My personal solution is to remain in union with God and not even be concerned about ourselves. A simple and most powerful way to live our life.

Food for the Soul

        We need to hear the words of Jesus spoken to us, for our soul needs to be fed and nourished. They are as important to the soul as food is to our body.

***What Catholics Need know Urgently!

        Number one is to know the Lord thoroughly. Seeking union with God is essential. Number two is to know their faith thoroughly, especially as regards the significance of the Holy Eucharist. Here the Church bears the full responsibility of teaching the faithful. 

*The Only One Trustworthy*

        When I accepted a job offer which I thought was the best one for me, it did not turn out that way. Last year I picked a painter among several to paint my house, I wished that I had picked a different contractor. I can say that anytime we make a choice in this life, we are taking a chance. But there is one exception! Choose Christ the Lord and you'll never be disappointed, for he is the only one who will not ever let you down.

**Pleasing Both You and God*

        If you ever have the slightest desire to be perfect (holy), know that it comes from the Lord. Rejoice, for it is his wish that you do become perfect (holy) and he can fulfill your desire completely. What a perfect opportunity to open up to the Lord to make both you and him very happy!

Good, Better, and Best

        We need to realize that we are sinners and need God to save us. Better, believe in him and we are saved. Best, attain union with the Lord and our salvation is secure.

How to Grow Rich

        Today we heard the parable of the talents read from Matthew 25. The lesson was that to everyone who has, more will be given and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. We must not be lazy, but work diligently to bear fruit for the Lord. This is a lesson for all, both the laity and the Church hierarchy.

***What We Should Be Aware of*

        The Lord God wants to form us, mold us, and shape us to make us holy and perfect! This is what he wishes and will make us experience freedom, peace, and great joy now and forever. And he is ever ready if we are.

Be Watchful and Ready

        Today's Gospel reading is the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25. The foolish ones who were not ready when the bridegroom arrived were locked out of the wedding feast. They knocked on the door to want to get in, but the Lord replied, "Amen, I say to you, I do not know you." It shows that there is no excuse for not taking God seriously. Either you pay attention or you don't. If you don't, do not expect that you'll get a second chance if you miss the boat. I wouldn't count on having the opportunity to repent of your sins just before you die either, for you could lose your mind before then, die unexpectedly, or die in sleep. Anyway, be ready now and at all times.

Special Relationship with God

        From today's entrance antiphon, Psalm 86, a prayer of David: Turn your ear, O Lord, and answer me; save the servant who trusts in you, my God. David considered himself to be the servant who trusted in the Lord. The Apostle John referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. As for me, I see myself as a little child whom the Lord loves to teach.

*Good People, but Foolish

        There is a nice short video on YouTube showing seven Chinese ladies who are good friends with each other. Even though they all have families, they decided to build a nice house for them to meet and dine and have tea together in order to enjoy each other's company. People everywhere want to do something nice for themselves. But I do feel sorry for all of them, for in their short sojourn on earth, they seek only temporary happiness for themselves, not finding the true God who alone can make them happy so much more and forever. We who know the Lord bear the responsibility of spreading the gospel as far and wide as possible.

***Easy to Be a Saint*

        People have always been smart and intelligent. The fact that we have advanced science and technology today does not mean that we are smarter – we simply have been taking advantage of all the knowledge acquired and discoveries made during all the past generations. Now, when it comes to becoming holy, we are not inferior to anyone of the past either. You do not need to depend upon the saints of the past to become saints. God is just as accessible today as he was yesterday. Anyone can attain union with God if he or she will open up to him. To be a saint,you only need God!

My Thorn in the Flesh

        About two years ago, I unexpectedly hurt my left shoulder when I was pressing some weight, the same amount I had been using for a long time, at a gym. And I have not fully recovered from that yet. I know that God can heal it instantly if he so wishes. But apparently, he wants me to let it be. Now I see this as a thorn in my flesh and intend to let this weakness make me rely on him even more. 

**Intimacy Cherished*

        I enjoy the Lord and savor every moment with him. I do not see him, but my heart hears and feels him at all times. 💖💖💖

*God Desires Union with You

        After John the Baptist learned that Jesus was also baptizing and everyone was going to him, he said to all, "He must increase; and I must decrease." Seek union with God so that Christ might increase to 100% and you decrease to zero. Then you'll be like him!  

*Purifying the Conscience

        Today is the memorial of St. John the Baptist. The Gospel reading came from Mark 6. Herod the king feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. He was also fascinated by John and liked to listen to him. Nevertheless, he had John beheaded because he did not want to break the oaths he made to his daughter before all the guests. Here is a case of shoving aside your conscience to do what makes you look good before others. I still remember how I did bad things to my sisters to hurt them when I was young. We need the Lord to clean up our consciences or we'll become more and more sinful. Seek union with God and he'll make your conscience razor sharp.

***Life Needn't Be Tragic*

        Léon Bloy, the French novelist and a fervent Catholic convert wrote, "The only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint." I think I understand this. Not to become a saint is a great tragedy because there is so much you can gain and have when you become a saint! Being a saint is to be in union with God. To be a saint is to enjoy freedom and peace in God and receive great joy from him. To be a saint is to be in perfect harmony with your loving Father and creator. To be a saint is to gain the Lord and everything he has becomes yours! Relatively speaking, falling short of becoming a saint is indeed tragic.

*How God Blessed Us

        On August 20, I posted "God's Surprise Response." Here it is in a shortened version.

         "Recently my wife underwent kidney stone surgery. She had a stent placed in her ureter to prevent any blockage of the urine flow. Five days later, she lost urinary control completely and developed a high fever accompanied by shaking chills. I rushed her to emergency and she was diagnosed with severe sepsis attributed to an infection. After 3 days, the illness was brought under control, but the stent was to remain in her for another 10-14 days. When a nurse's aid came to prepare her for discharge from the hospital, she discovered the string that's attached to the stent. Ignorant of what it was, she started pulling on it and the stent started coming out. Of course, the hospital staff were all alarmed, but the doctors had no choice but to have it pulled out completely. Unexpectedly, after it came out my wife instantly regained her urinary control. With temperature close to normal and continuing taking her antibiotic, she should be fine soon. I wouldn't be surprised if the stent had caused the infection in the first place. Anyhow, it seemed that the Lord allowed this mistake to happen and turned it into a blessing. A most pleasant surprise."

        Why do I repost this again? Well, I found out from my wife this morning that the name of the nurse's aid was Blessing!

Joy of Learning from the Lord

        Of course, my main purpose of attending daily Mass is to receive the Lord in the Holy Eucharist so that I might remain as one with him. Then my joy increases greatly when he also teaches me directly during Mass.  

*Overwhelmed and with Gratitude

        Communion experience. As the priest consecrated the bread and wine, I knew they were going to be transformed into the flesh and blood of our Lord. For me, this invisible mystical transformation is even more impactful than the visible stunning transfiguration of the Lord on Mt. Tabor. I was compelled to ask who am I that he should find worthy to receive him! 

*Only Essential Teacher

        Communion antiphon from Matthew 23: "You have but one teacher, the Christ." There are many teachers in the world, but no one knows everything nor can save your soul. This leaves Christ to be the only teacher you essentially need.

*Hypocrites Beautifully Portrayed

         In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 23, Jesus continued to denounce the scribes and Pharisees for being hypocrites. He said to them, "You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth." Ouch! The people of today are no different. Anytime you see someone who wants to appear beautiful on the outside in the eyes of the world, you can be sure that he or she is hiding something on the inside. 

*Letting God Search Us*

        Today's response from Psalm 139: You have searched me and you know me, Lord. It strikes me that it's absolutely necessary that we open ourselves to let the Lord enter to search us, our hearts. This shows our willingness to know him, absolutely necessary for our salvation. 

Remembering Saint Augustine

        Today is the memorial of St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church. When I first entered the Church many decades ago, I had to pick a patron saint or something and I chose St. Augustine. Not because I knew much about him, but because I was unfamiliar with all the saints and Augustine was the name I had heard of before. Subsequently, I read some of his books, including the best known Confessions. His most famous saying which I have quoted a number of time in the past on this blog is, of course, this one: "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee." During Communion, I really felt this to be true, as my heart rested peacefully in Christ. May this great saint continue to watch over and bless me.

***God and I (Ecstatic Feeling)***

        I have recommended the Book He and I a number of times because you can read all the beautiful messages Christ gave to Gabrielle Bossis the author, expressing his desire to be one with us. So the title makes sense. Today I feel that there's only God and I as one – I am alone in him but never lonely. It is most amazing that nothing in this world I can claim to be mine, yet I possess the Lord! By the way, I am also enjoying him every moment.

**I Became the Fruit*

        Communion experience. I wanted the Lord to completely slay my old self to make me new. He made me see that this was also bearing fruit for him, for I was that fruit. 

**Feeling Good About Yourself

        Make sure that God feels good about you, then you'll feel good about yourself too!