***To Be with God Forever!***

         Communion experience. The Lord let me know that my union with him is forever. What a great joy!  

**How to Become Perfect

        In the second reading from reading from 1 John 2, John wrote, "Whoever keeps his [Jesus'] word, the love of God is truly perfected in him." Our spiritual growth is a process of perfecting God's love. Keep the word of Christ and we'll be perfect like him.

**God's Greatness

        In today's first reading from Acts 3, Peter said to the people, "The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses. Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer. Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away." First of all, Peter was right in calling Christ the author of life, the Resurrection being the proof. To rise again from the dead would be impossible unless you are the author of life. Secondly, it is noteworthy that Christ suffered and died so that those who played a part in putting him to death could still repent and be saved. Such is God's great mercy.

**No Fear in Jesus!*

            In today's Gospel reading from John 6, the disciples of Jesus was crossing the sea to Capernaum. It was evening and had grown dark. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid." Remember this and trust in him to lose all your fears.

**Are Funerals Necessary?

        Royal Prince Philip of Britain recently passed away and many people enjoyed watching his funeral accompanied by the usual pomp and circumstance. Here are my honest thoughts about any funeral. If I die and go to heaven, I wouldn't care much about whether I get a funeral or not. The most good it can do is to shorten my stay in purgatory. A big funeral is always a waste of time and money. One the other hand, if I were not heaven bound, a funeral would be an utter waste of time and money. But since you don't know, you may want to offer a Mass for me. Anyway, funerals are mostly held for the living to witness. To want to have a showy funeral for yourself is definitely being foolish and vain. 

**How Often with the Lord?*

        In the Old Testament, we read about the various prophets serving and attending to the Lord day and night. Psalm 1:2—Blessed is the man who meditates on the law of the LORD day and night. In the New Testament, we learned that the early disciples of Christ served the Lord and prayed to him day and night. So the question is "How often do we even think of the Lord during the day?" To force yourself to think about the Lord continuously when you don't feel like it would be both painful and meaningless. Let the Holy Spirit draw you into it and it becomes effortless and a joy. Again, it comes down to being open to the Lord to know him first. Attaining union with God will take care of all such spiritual problems. 

*Proof of Disobedience to God

        Again, looking at the extreme scenario clarifies things. If every one of us obeys God, we'll have instance peace in the whole world. The fact that we do not have peace in the world shows that many of us are rebelling against God.   

Difference Between Know and No

        Know God and you become wise. No God and you remain a fool.

**Suffering Dishonor for God

        In today's reading from Acts 5, the Apostles rejoiced that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name Jesus. Is there something odd here because we normally don't want to be shamed at all. But the power of God's love is so great that they didn't even care whether others understood them or not; they were simply elated in doing the Lord's will. They'd look odd only to those who do mot know the love of God, which is most intoxicating. Drunk with that love and you feel you no longer belong to the world! The world is the foolish one because it does not know the love of God.

*Prayer Power

        Messages from heaven have always asked us to pray, pray, and pray. This shows that prayer can move God to shape our future. Since God loves us so much, of course he'll listens to us. How many of us earthly fathers would ignore our children when they sincerely want to communicate with us? To pray shows that you obey and trust your Father, and he'll do great things for you. 

**Our Ideal family

          My relationship with my father was never close. I was pretty much brought up by my grandfather, I know many of you may not even have a father around. But don't worry, for we have the best Father in heaven, the ideal father, who loves you dearly and understands you perfectly. He has filled all my voids in life. I was deprived of intimacy with my mother much of the time too. The Holy Mother has turned out to be ideal for me. The Lord gave her to be our mother just before he expired, knowing that we'd need a good mother She's always with us, helping us do the will of the Father. All the saints make ideal brothers and sisters. God truly wants us to belong to his family in heaven.

****The Lord Our Enlightener

          When I see so many people do so many foolish things, I realize that Christ is truly the enlightener we need. For once you know him, you see all things in the right light. You see the true reality, the consequences of our actions, the spiritual war that's going on fighting for our souls, where we are heading, etc. God makes you see and understanding everything so clearly. Get to know the Lord well to be totally enlightened by him. Then life is no longer a dream, an unknown, or a puzzle. 

**Sin of Omission

         This sin is very easy to commit. I can be good all day, not committing any sin, but forget to do some of the good I could or should have done. To be truly holy, we must seek to do as much good as possible. Not doing anything bad is not always good enough. You are more than being lukewarm, but you are hot enough yet. When Jesus asked us to be perfect, he meant it. It is possible for us, for nothing is impossible for him.

**Only One Comfortable Way

        To see things clearly, I look at the extreme cases. I can live without Christ and remain living in the unknown, while heading deeper and deeper into the unknown. Or I can know Christ, follow him, and never ever worry about getting lost. When you know the Lord, you know the way and then some. 

To Live for God Means . . .

 simply doing his will.         

*Healing of the Soul

        The Lord is our greatest healer. He may not always heal our physical ailments for good reason, but he'll always heal our soul if you ask. First, have him take away your sins, for he is the only one who has the power to do that. Then ask him to heal you soul. Once that's done, your heart and your mind are healed as well. Now you are a whole person.

**Why People Don't Believe

        The Gospel reading comes from John 3: God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Perhaps the world just doesn't get it, for its people only want to focus upon living their life and keep their "freedom" on earth. Surely they should know that life on earth will end, that God wants to give them life after death, and that once saved, you are truly set free. John gave the verdict later in the same reading: people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil. I think he nailed it on the head.

*****God's Transforming Power (Great News)

        Today's first reading came from Acts 5. Let me quote the first two verses, 17 and 18: "The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail." As I read, I stopped at the word "jealousy" because it seemed to be somewhat a strange word. Then I realized that it was because I hadn't felt jealousy for quite some time now. A chain of realizations ensued. The Lord has changed me. He has taken away all the sinful feelings offensive to him. That's why I feel so much peace in my heart. He has fundamentally transformed me! God is truly amazing! Yes, he can make any one of us anew if you would cooperate with him. I want the whole world to know him so that everyone may experience freedom, peace, and joy. This is no fantasy, it's the almighty, loving God woking!

***God's Will Be Done

        Hearing the Lord speaking to me in my heart gives me great joy. Yesterday I was very happy because the Lord gave me quite a number of thoughts to blog. As I was walking outside this morning again, I thought it'd be nice to hear more thoughts from him again. Then instantly I realized that I was expressing my wish and it may not be his. What I read in yesterday's Gospel reading from John 3 came to my mind. Explaining how one is born of the Spirit to Nicodemus, Jesus said to him, "The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes, so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." So it happens as the Spirit wills. The Lord may wish to give me a hundred thoughts or zero thought according to his will. The joy coming from the Holy Spirit I can never anticipate either. God is free to do whatever whenever he wishes. We may ask humbly for favors, but not wish foolishly for any.

Losing Fear of Death

        No one can be sure that there is no God. In that case, I would be afraid to die, for I don't know what'll happen to me after I die. Since I know without a doubt that God exists and that he even loves me, I lose all fear of death. All very logical.

*Prioritizing. Our Needs

        We have our material needs. They may be necessary, but they are always temporary and may even be sinful.  Anyhow, we should always put our spiritual needs ahead of all other needs, for fulfilling these needs will get us into heaven. 

**We Let God Down

         Often we share Christ with others and no one shows any interest and we feel the letdown and a loneliness in this world. I realize how the Lord must feel when great multitudes of people have already deserted him. All the more we need to appreciate and love him to counter this imbalance.

*Being Truly Childlike

        When we were kids and didn't like what our parents told us to do, we asked why we had to do it. Many parent did not bother to reason with us; our father or mother simply answered "Because I said so." But God is nor ordinary parent, for he always knows what's best for us. So we can unquestionably obey him in all things. This is being truly childlike.

***Know, Treasure, and Rejoice In . . .

the fact that Jesus' ultimate death has gained for us ultimate freedom from sin. 

Our Relationship with God

        Since there are many Christians, we must examine our relationship with the Lord. Those who are weakly attached to him risk losing him altogether when the Devil attacks. Only those strongly linked to the Lord will survive all attacks and come through unscathed at the end. Be in union with God for maximum security. Just common sense. 

Inspired by Christ

        Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Today as I prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries, I was inspired by the Lord carrying his own cross all the way to Calvary. 

***Going Against God

        Jesus advised us to store up treasures in heaven so that we may want to go there. Many of us are doing the exact opposite on earth, which is accumulating material possessions. But I have something in mind even better (or worse), that is, "piling up sins on earth." 

***Dying for the Lord?

        Jesus has loved us so much that he willingly died for us. If we love him, should we die for him? Know that he died for us so that we may live. So we should focus upon living for him. If death is called for in the process, then so be it. The Lord desires love from us the most, not death.

***Learning from God Directly*

        I have stressed the advantage of going to the Lord directly. All the prophets, great saints, visionaries . . . learn from the Lord directly, and I don't ever recall Jesus asking us to go through someone else first. He is open directly to anyone! This is why I advocate seeking union with the Lord, for there is no more direct approach than that. Imagine hearing the Lord speaking to you in your heart! You needn't listen to another voice anymore. 

****Close to Death

         We may have two more years to live or 50 more to live. Is "50 years" that much longer that two years? Next to eternity, even 100 millions years is nothing. So no matter how much longer we live, we are close to death. This means that we are close to heaven or to hell too. Most of all, we are close to God, for he is all yours if you desire him. I would definitely take advantage of that. But God can be so far away should you choose to reject him, even when he wants to be as close to you as possible. Think about that.

*****God Is Pure Delight!*****

        The Lord is pure delight! Knowing him is a delight, hearing him speak to my heart is a delight, learning from him is a delight. having him guide me is a delight, and his constant companionship is absolutely delightful! Of course, I want to go to him. But if I must remain longer in this world, that'd be fine too, for I get to enjoy him longer in this world.  

***Must Life Be a Tragedy?

         I know that Jesus is the Son of God and is God. He is also our one and only Savior. We'll have to pass through him after we die, for he is our final judge too. I am as certain about all this as the eleven Apostles who saw him, touched him, witnessed all the miracles he performed and his ascending into heaven after he rose from the dead. You see, when you get to know the Lord intimately so that you become one with him, he personally affirms such truths in you.  
        Then so many people still don't believe in him. Even though they can, they choose not to because they are full of pride and wish to remain as their own lord. At times like these, the Lord is urgently calling us to convert and pray, but people still go about their business as usual. Unknowingly, each of them is playing the role of the protagonist is a tragedy about their own life.

***Teaching Christ to Others*

         The Church has failed to teach our children. Parents should take on the responsibility of providing religious educating to their own children if they are able to. In talking to both of my sons, I realize that I had made the mistake of believing that they would learn all they needed to know by attending CCD classes at church. Today my older son told me that he was always told to do this or that, but was never given the reason, and that turned him off. As for my second son who's quite a bit younger, I recently found the book that was used when he was being prepared for receiving First Communion. I was appalled that not one word was said about the Real Presence of the Lord in the Holy Eucharist. No wonder a large percentage of the young today do not believe that the consecrated bread and wine are the body and blood of the Lord anymore. This has to be an epic failure. About one confirmation class I was involved in at one church, the kids were taught how to behave and act before the bishop when he showed up, not a word about expecting the Holy Spirit to touch you when you're being confirmed. Once at yet another church I hinted that I could share with the kids that we can experience God with a CCD teacher, she showed total disinterest. So you have people who do not know God well teaching about God. As a result, you don't get drawn any closer to him. God is not to be taught like any other secular subject and church committee meetings are not to be run like business meetings at some company. Getting to know Christ first must be our No. 1 priority.  

**All Passes except . . .

        The weather was perfect as I was walking outside this morning. It was cool and clear, but I knew that in a few months, it would be scorching. So everything in this world passes. Where are some of the mighty kingdoms and dynasties of the past?  Where are the world-conquering rulers and heroes who were here? What about some of the big-name, much admired entertainers of our generation? Many are already gone. I am now really looking ahead... As he world is preparing for the arrival of the Anti-Christ, there will be more warnings and chastisements. At the end, we'll have the Second Coming of Christ. Again, all these things will pass except those who have been saved by Christ and are destined to live with the Lord forever. Dwell on him now and not the passing world. 

*Blessing of Knowing Christ

        The thought came to me that Christians are so blessed to have Christ as their shepherd and guide. The people who came before Christ had prophets to follow. Today there are so many people who still do not know the Lord yet. Of course, we'll all be judged by him differently but always fairly. Knowing Christ definitely makes the path to holiness and salvation precise and clear for us. 

**Responsible for Our Own Sins!

        We are completely responsible for our own sins—we cannot blame anyone for causing us to sin, as we are not supposed to sin. Each one of us will have to face God alone for we've done. The account is to be settled between you and God, not between you and someone else. So mind your own business.

Consider Your Eternal Future Now

         People just don't think about death, especially when everything seems to be going alright for them. But I want you to think ahead early. No matter how things are going with you, ask yourself if you are ready to leave this world? Asking more realistically, are you ready to meet the Lord to be judged by him? If you are not thinking about it at all, you are ignoring your entire eternal future. Face and resolve the issue now so that you may have peace of mind. 

*To Be Freed from Sin

             We easily fall into the clutches of sin and and become helpless. It is such a common problem. God is the only one who can free you from such enslavement if you'd ask for his help. That is, you submit yourself to him to allow his power to flow into you. It all comes down to whether you let the Lord be your Lord or not. There is absolutely no need to worry about what the Evil One might do. Turn away from him and to God, and he becomes powerless. Let God take care of the rest and you are freed from the clutches of sin for good.

**"The Lord Is with Us"

        The last thing Jesus told the eleven disciples according to Matthew 18:20 was "Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Since the Lord knows everything about each one of us, of course he is with us. Even if we do not see him, we can be sure that he is more present than all others whom we know and see. In fact, after you receive Holy Communion, he even dwells in us. This is faith at its best.

***Christ, Trustworthy and Ever Present

        Today's Gospel reading, the first 14 verses of John, tells Jesus' third appearance to his disciples after being raised from the dead. The description was so beautiful that I broke down and cried as I read the verses. I learned the following. The disciples had been fishing in the Sea of Tiberias and by night still caught nothing. When it was already dawn, they saw Jesus standing on the shore, but did not recognize him. Then Jesus said to them to cast the net over the right side of the boat and they would find something. They cast it and weren't able to pull it in because of the number of fish. Then they realized that "It is the Lord!" So we should always trust in the Lord, never wonder what might or might not happen, and listen to him, for he is with us, watches over us, and will guide us. Every moment is an it's-the-Lord moment, for he is ever present. Again, I strongly recommend that you seek to attain union with him so that you may live a life carefree in this turbulent world.

***Rejoicing in the Lord!

        I am struck by verse 24 of Psalm 118, today's Gospel acclamation: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. I look at today and see that the Lord loves me so much that he even died for me; that I am a  sinner, but he can easily make me pure and clean; that I can trust him with my soul; and that he is waiting or me to be with him for eternity. How can you possibly not rejoice when you are aware that you are being loved so much by such a great Lord? 

**Mary's Loving Messages

          Gisella Cardia of Italy began receiving messages from the Blessed Mother in 2016. In September of 2019, Mary foretold her about the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic from China. She is now known as the prophet of the end times. The main thing God desires from us has always been conversion and prayer, and Gisella hasn't added anything new. It only shows that how urgent it is for us to turn to God, repent, and obey him. I've found a couple of Gisella's messages dated April 18 and April 28, 2020, respecyively. I'll post them below, for they are encouraging and worth reading. 

            Beloved children, thank you for being in prayer and for having listened to my call in your hearts. Dear children, fight for your freedom: you are about to be enslaved by evil dictators. Beware of vaccines and all obligations, because they will not come from God, but from Satan who wants to govern your lives and minds. My beloved, earthquakes will be heard all over the world: I have touched the earth to warn my children, so that they can be ready for the terrible times that will arrive. Children, use discernment, for this is the time when there will be many false prophets. Pray much and continually, have faith in God alone and continue to read the Holy Scriptures. Beloved children, only faith can save you, never forget this. My Angels and Archangels will always be by your side: do not be lukewarm. Now I bless you in the name of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

          Dear children, thank you for being united in prayer and for having accepted my call in your hearts. Beloved children, the powerful have planned everything, not taking God into account. It is useless for them to plan their escape before what will happen, because my safe havens will be prayer, sacrifice, penance and what God has already prepared for you. Rejoice, children, because you will see Jesus descending just as He went away [cf. Acts 1:11]. Beloved children, my Lord is suffering so much because He died for you and your sins, but the world is still acting in savagery. Shepherds are not taking care of the faithful: the churches are closing and soon the Eucharist will be taken away from you once again. What is to come will cause death. But you still do not understand! I have been sent to warn you, but many do not even appreciate my presence. Pray, children! Pray beneath the Cross of my Son, because the earth is full of demons. Man will lash out against man and from there war will begin. My beloveds, entrust everything to my Lord. Now I bless you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

**Opposite Visions of Life

        Here's what the Lord made me see this morning. Most people do not believe in Christ because they want to remain free on their own, falsely thinking that being able to do whatever they wish will make them free. Of course, only God who's greater than us can set us free. Following yourself is exactly what lost souls do. On the contrary, believers in the Lord see that life in this sinful world is full of trials, setbacks, sufferings, and hardships. But God watches over them, so they willingly endure all and wait for the day they'll be with him forever. In sum, nonbelievers live myopically for the present and believers wisely set their eyes on the everlasting future.

*Soul-Shakng Moments

         To be excited about Christ, you need a wake-up experience. Many cradle Catholics may be devout, but they don't show show much enthusiasm outwardly. I think it's because they were brought up as Catholics and never had a "wake-up" moment. I am a covert to Catholicism. One wake-up moment I remember was the time I realized that I was truly a sinner and needed Christ to make me new—the realization shook me to the core and I broke down! Afterwards, I was a different person. It was an encounter with the Lord, you might say. We all need such moments and can desire and be open to them. God is to be experienced!          

*Simple Step to Clinch Eternal life

        To have eternal life, you only need to acknowledge that Jesus is your Savior and believe in him. It's a simple step to take. You are not even required to become a holy saint. Of course, once you get to know the Lord intimately, you may very well want to be as holy as possible to pease him.

***Key to Recognizing the Lord

         In today's Gospel reading from Luke 24, we read about how the risen Lord appeared to two of his disciples on their way to Emmaus. They did not recognize him until they saw him took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them at the table that evening. If you receive Holy Communion, fully aware that the Lord is present in the Eucharist, you will recognize his presence at all times.

**Eternal Life Is OK

        To want to have eternal life is not being self-centered. It is nice, but I want to have it because God wants me to have it! Our first priority is to obey God. Should he want to punish me for my wrongdoings, that'd be fine too. 

***Two Ways of Growing Old

        People become enlightened and wise or bitter and more stubborn than ever as they grow old. Let's look at the latter case first. The worst example would be someone who complains about everything and blames others always and never himself. He's set in his ways because he believes that's how God has made him. Of course, I am describing an extreme case, but I've known people more or less like that. On the other hand, he one who grows wiser realizes that he must depend upon God more as he grows older and weaker. This is a true blessing as he finally sees the reality. Now, abandoning yourself to God doesn't mean that you no longer ask God for favors. In fact, you are now free to ask for all the blessings you need. Only how the Lord is going to respond does not concern you anymore. You've been enlightened!

**Effect of a Change of Heart

        John 3.16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. The statement is so clear and simple. Yet we just have a hard time believing the Apostle John. This is because as sinners, we are still rebelling against God—the same perpetual old story. Only the wise recognize this reality that a change of our heart can send us to heaven instead of hell. 

**Sad State of Man (Ultimate Stupidity)*

        The Church does not obligate us to believe in any of the various prophecies and warnings that have been coming to us from heaven. The gist of all such messages has been that we must turn to God, repent, and pray hard if we are to avoid damnation. This is practically common sense, yet so few people care or pay serious attention. Having lost all humility, man is now so lost that it no longer listens to or think reason. Not seeing that pride is our downfall is ultimate stupidity.