Move On with God

        This is what the Holy Spirit taught me today during prayer after Mass.

        Never look back.  Never let the past snare you, hang on to you, or slow you down.  Never ever start thinking "I should have..."  The past is gone, so move on.  Start every moment with a clean slate.  Know that the Lord God is ever with you and around you.  In fact, he dwells within you (the Holy Trinity all present).  And God is our Bright Hope, shining and leading us on, so focus upon him alone and follow. 

        Do not follow your own whims or desires, even though it may appear harmless.  Seek God's approval first always.  Also, God does not send gloom into our hearts, only peace and joy; so, open your heart to only what comes from the Lord. 

        Note: The above was not made up to make you feel good; it was heartfelt and  truthful sharing.     

Jesus Is Our Test

        Jesus has come, revealed himself, demonstrated his love, and has done his part. He never showed himself off nor threatened us; he merely presented himself as the truth.  Whether we accept or reject him is all up to us.  We can never accuse him of coercing us in any way.  Therefore, he is a completely fair test for us.  We alone are responsible for our choice.             

The Proud Will Not See God

        The Gospel reading today is from Mark 3.  The Pharisees were so intent on finding a way to accuse Jesus and their hearts so hardened that even after witnessing the instant healing of a man's withered hand, they went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians to put him to death.  They had already made up their mind and closed their eyes.  We still have plenty of people like that today.  It only shows that the proud will never find God.     

Christians' Blessings

        In today's reading from Mark 2, Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.  It's a great consolation to know that we are made for God.  As Christians, we also know why we are here and where we are going.  What great blessings!  

Another "Revelation"

        A disclaimer first.  When I use the word "revelation," it does not mean that I hear or receive something directly from God ~ I simply realize something clearly in my mind, although I do believe that it's the Holy Spirit continuing teaching me.  This can happen to anyone receptive to the Spirit. 

        As I was trying to fall asleep last night, this was what I suddenly realized.  We should believe in God, trust in him, be open to him, etc. ~ I already knew all that. Then if I become one with him, I no longer have to be concerned about these requirements anymore because they will be automatically met!!!  Therefore, aiming for union with God is the way to go. 
        As I have mentioned before, the greatest (and indispensable) help in this process is the Holy Eucharist.  Jesus instituted this Sacrament not just to remind us of him, but to give us the means to achieve true union with him.  It is the bread from heaven, the Lord himself.  Anyone who receives it lightly is a fool and anyone who does not believe in it blasphemes.  Being the source of all grace, it is the way to total union with God.

Love the Lord with Passion

        I saw the TV program Growing Bolder on PBS yesterday.  It showed how a number of older people worked hard with a passion to pursue a business, project, or something less consequential and succeeded, despite their advancing age.  These are pretty inspiring stories.  But for those of us who love Christ, it would be wiser to love and serve the Lord with more passion as we age.  Our success will then be assured in the next life.   

Jesus Makes Me Whole

        Earlier this month (Jan. 3), I felt that Jesus completes my life.  Today I feel that he makes me whole ~ it is really saying the same thing in a different way.  I feel that I was fractured and had many missing pieces in life and he came and restored me to a state of grace, making me whole before God.       

Giving Your Heart to God

        The heart is the key to entering the Lord's heart.  If we can give our heart totally to God, then becoming detached to our own family and all things of the world and giving our possesions away when we are called to do will no longer be any problem.  The heart is the most precious thing to us.  If God can have it, then surely he can have everything else.  

        Once God has your heart, he'll put whatever pleases him in it and you'll be transormed into a beautiful, new creature before him.  

The Teacher-Disciple Relationship

        What I sensed today after receiving Holy Communion was the beauty and sweetness of the teacher-disciple relationship between the Lord and us.  Receiving him sealed that relationship.

Will Over Emotion

        True loving requires applying the will to override emotion.  An illustration of will vs. emotion.  Suppose you get the news that you have just won a million dollars and you jump up and down and start to scream with excitement, then this is raw emotion will no will involved.  But if you realize that the money belongs to God and you are going to put it to good use for God's glory and thus remain calm and collected, then you have overridden emotion with will.  In loving others, it's also not so much oohing and aahing at what you see, but showing your pity and compassion by doing what's required of you.    

        A note of caution.  Since you are now detached from people (and things of the world), you could seem to be cold or somewhat inhumane to others.  And if you show your love for your enemies, you may even be thought of as being stupid or weird. This should not deter you, for you aim is to please God and not others.

        (All the above I wrote for myself too, as there are many others I see around who are more loving than I am.)

Living Secretly in Christ

        This means staying hidden in Christ.  You no longer seek self-glory nor promote yourself in any way.  Self-importance is out.  Don't even let the right hand know what your left hand is doing.  You hide behind the Lord, following him every step of the way.  The objective is to let others see only Christ and not you.  And you'll be rewarded with his peace and joy.

Getting to Know Jesus

        In the midst of watching a good movie on EWTN, I came to realize the following.

        "To really get to know Jesus, you must get inside him, possess him, and become one with him.  Then you will know that he is absolutely the truth and your fulfillment for all eternity.  Standing on the sideline and watching will not get you anywhere.  Capturing such a priceless treasure surely deserves giving all of yourself to him." 

The Need for God

        It's so easy to live our life as we please without thinking about God.  If you don't believe in him, that's one thing; but if you deliberately ignore him, that's quite another and far worse.  Of course, no one can possibly run away from God ~ sooner or later, we shall have to face him.  Perhaps many of us do finally turn our thoughts to him during the last moments of our like.  If that's the case, then death is a blessing.

        If you look around, the need for God is right now.  When natural disasters strike around the world, you need him.  When wars flare up among nations, you need him. When tradedy befalls someone (could be you), you need him.  In fact, anytime you are bothered by  anything that makes you unhappy, you need him.  The list is endless.  I am not even talkinig about the other half, the good things he can give you.  We need God more than anything else.                  

Humility, a Must-Have

        On my way home from Mass, Jesus' saying "The last will be first and the first will be last" surfaced in my mind.  This reminded me to never look down on anyone, no matter how sinful, repugnant, or obnoxious the person may be.  Again, humility is a must-have for following Christ.

The Holy Eucharist Is Holy

        I attended morning Mass at a different church today and it turned out that the priest had such a heavy foreign accent that I did not understand much of what he said.  No problem ~ I was drawn even more to focus on the Holy Eucharist, the center of  worship.  Being the true body and blood of the Lord, the Holy Eucharist is being viciously attacked by Satan more than ever nowadays.  Atheists and others ridicule us, mock us, laugh at us, or accuse us of being idolatrous.  They can do all they want and the truth remains the same.  I really feel sorry for them for not knowing what they're doing.  May God forgive them.       

        The Holy Eucharist is the bread of heaven, our spiritual food.  It is out of God's mercy that the bread and wine do not look like real flesh and blood.  Nevertheless, the effect is the same.  We must believe in the word of the Lord and not go by what we see or feel.  The Holy Eucharist sustains our very existence in God.  I now treasure it more than ever.     

God Is Transcendent!!!

        God is eternal; therefore, he transcends both time and space.  He is ever present everywhere.  Jesus came, to us a long time ago and in a distant land, but he is ever present everywhere too.  At Mass, it's just like being at the Last Supper.  You hear the Gospel read, it's just like hearing him actually speaking to us.  Time and space do not separate us from God at all.  Any separation we feel is an illusion!  He is here and we are in his holy presence at all times.  When we sin, we sin right before his eyes.  His light is always shining upon us.  If we don't see it, it is us who are blind or playing the ostrich.  So, wake up and shape up, for the Lord is present.

Easy to Be Holy?

        Is it easy or hard to be holy?  That depends upon how you approach it.  Let's say that you go on a long trip which you really don't want to do and you are all by yourself.  Being unhappy, you feel that the trip is just taking so long and wish that you have not started it in the first place.  Now, let's say that this time you take the same trip  and you have some friends to talk to along the way and you rather enjoy the conversation and company.  Before you know, the trip is almost over and you wish that it isn't yet.  These two examples just illustrate how one's view can directly affect the outcome.      

        When it comes to wanting to be holy, you could focus on you own sinful state and tell yourself that you'll never make it and give up, or concentrate upon God's mercy and power and ask for his help.  When you really mean it, he will reach down to make it easy for you to fulfill your wish.  (Always save your own energy and tap God's power.)

Do You Want the Lord?

        Do you want him in your life?  If your "yes" is based upon theory ~ in other words, you believe that you should want him ~ then the answer may not mean much.  But if you want him from the heart, then it means something or maybe even a lot more.
        (In theory, you should want the Lord in your life more than anything else.)

"Serving God" Is Beautiful

        I've been talking about the many beautiful things ~ "serving the Lord" belongs on that list too.  When you serve God, it's no longer self-serving ~ you glorify him.  This is more honorable and meritorious than doing anything for yourself.  Essentially, you gladden God's heart and accumulate treasure in heaven.           

How to Gain Peace

        I have come to see that the reason we don't have peace in the heart is because there is still so much we want to do on our own.  The I in me is still unstilled, making a lot of noise.  Check yourself to see how many of your thoughts start out with "I".  To gain peace, we need to silence (forget about) ourselves and listen for God's voice.        

God's Great Mercy

        Today at morning Mass, the Lord impressed upon my mind his great mercy.  I can be in any state of sin and if I just go to him with repentance and ask for forgiveness ~ in fact, even before I ask, he already knew ~ he's ready to make me pure and clean again. What great mercy!!!

To Know God Directly

        Today's Alleluia verse from Mass reads: "Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God."  The more you listen to the word of God, the more you come to know God.  Of course, the direct way to know God is to go straight to Jesus.  Read about him in the Gospels and pray to him unceasingly.  Most and best of all, receive him reverently in the Holy Eucharist.  Once you achieve deep union with him, you will know that you know him.  You and God are now one. 

God Is...

infinite, everlasting, what he claims to be: "I am," and then some.  To complete the picture, we must not forget that he is also Love. 

Obedience Is Beautiful

        God is beautiful and it follows that following him is also beautiful.  The best way to carry this out is to be obedient to him. 

        In today's reading from Hebrew 1, Paul tells us that God spoke to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe.  This is a complete turnabout from his early days during which he persecuted Christians relentlessly.  Then Jesus called and he obeyed.  Again, in the Gospel reading from Mark 1, Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John to become fishers of men and they obey him by dropping everything right there and then to follow him.  

        Obedience to God leads to eternal life, while rebellion against him brings on eternal separation from him.  Learn to say yes the moment God calls and he'll fill your heart with joy and peace.

Self-Consciousness Is Self-Centeredness

        Earlier today I said something quite normal (nothing extraordinary) in the presence of others and was self-conscious about it; immediately afterwards, I realized that I was still self-centered because I cared about what others thought of me.  I should be solely concerned about what God alone thinks of me.  If doing his will causes others to misunderstand or even laugh at me, so be it.  The self must decrease to nothing before God. 

        Later, the homily at today's Mass (Feast of the Baptism of the Lord) confirmed this.  The priest emphasized that "we are not to fall into the trap of always thinking what I can do, but to concentrate on our relationship with God."  We must get our priorities right.

God Fills "Nothing"

        An afterthought to the last post.  To be nothing before God makes us empty, and we are ready to let God wipe out our sins and fill us with his love and graces. 

"Nothing" Is Beautiful

        We are merely instruments in God's scheme and are nothing before him.  All glory should go to God alone.  Many in our world seek fame and fight for recognition; they love to bask in the honor and glory bestowed upon them by other worldlings.  By contrast, to be able to humble oneself to become "nothing" before God is downright refreshing and truly beautiful before him. 

An Ego Test

        If you feel hurt or get upset when someone misunderstands or blames you and you really haven't done anything wrong, then you still have some of that ego in you. Here's a chance to ask God to crush it for you to remain peaceful.

Planned Parenthood Exposed

        At http://www.UnplannedWebcast.com, you can register to hear Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director, talk about her new book "Unplanned."  The webcast has been scheduled for next Monday, Jan. 10 at 9 PM Eastern (8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific) and the book is coming out the following day.  She is going to reveal the shocking details of what she saw inside the abortion business...and why she resigned her job and joined the pro-life movement.  This should be a huge event.  Watch it if you can and tell others about the webcast and the book too.

Doing God's Will

        This thought came to me today.  I could very well do only what I feel like doing, take control of my life and be just myself.  I may even achieve something in this world, making a name for myself and even benefiting others as a result.  I could really enjoy my own "freedom," even though I may have to fight many battles along the way on my own.  Well, I used to think and live that way.  Now I see clearly that if I were to go through all my life like that and do not change to become a holier person before God, then I shall have wasted all my time on earth.  In other words, I busy myself all life and end up being still the same old me (or possibly a lot worse).  

        Doing one small will of God is infinitely more meaningful and meritorious than doing one million wills of my own.  I am happy that by God's grace, I had come to realize this truth. 

The Depth of God

        I had sensed the great beauty and sheer perfection of God in the past.  Today at Mass I sensed the awesome depth of God.  I would like to remain deep in him, learn from him, and draw all I need from this depth.  I believe that if I continue searching and exploring in it, I'll discover even more treasures, wonders, and be amazed.  There is unlimited power in this depth for us to tap.  God is all we need, more than sufficient for us.  I could even say that God is too much of a good thing for us.  Thanks be to Jesus for revealing the Father to us. 

Distributing God's Love

        This is kind of a sequel to the last post.  Since God loved us first, we can think of ourselves as empty vessels, continuously filled to the brim with God's love, as we distribute this love to others as needed.  This should help us remember that we are not the source of this love, but merely channels of it.

God First Loved Us

        St. John reminds us today that we love God because he first loved us (1 John 4.19).  It's easy to think that we do his will because we love him, whereas the right reason for doing his will is because he loves us.  It's his love that makes us love him back and love others. 

Connect or Reconnect to God

        We adults forget most of the things that happened to us in life when we were at a very young age, but certain things do stick in our mind.  I still remember vividly when I was perhaps around six, the time I went over to a person sitting in a chair in the kitchen at home ~ she's not even a member of the family, but she was very endearing to me.  I walked over to her, sat on the edge of the seat between her legs, and leaned back on her.  She  didn't even try to hold me, but I felt so good and secure just being with her, touching her ~ there was definitely a connection there.

        This was how I felt this morning during prayer before Mass.  Now I have God the Father holding me close to him, letting me know that I am his and I belong to him. This was such a rock-solid, good feeling that only God can provide.  What the world needs is love and the sense of belonging ~ there are so many lonely and lost souls out there. They need to connect or reconnect to God, so that they'll know where to go and to belong.

Do You Really Know Jesus?

        At the Last Supper, when Philip asked Jesus to show them (the disciples) the Father, Jesus responded, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?  Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.  How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

        This makes me think that we could be a follower of Jesus for a long time, hear him preached every Sunday at church, read many books about him, participate in parish activities, and still do not know him or the Father.  To avoid this pitfall, seek total union with the Lord.

Small Pain, Big Gain

        Today's Communion verse, Matthew 19.29: "Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."
        This greatly helps me in giving up certain things in life.

St. John on Love

        I love St. John, the Apostle.  His writings are simple, clear, and to the point.  In today's Mass reading from 1 John 4, he makes it clear that

        (1) we have not seen God, but if we love one another, God remains in us,

        (2) God has given us his Holy Spirit so that we know that we remain in him and he in us,

        (3) God is love and this love is brought to perfection among us who remain in him,

        (4) love and fear are mutually exclusive.  One who fears is not yet perfect in love. 

        St. John here gives us much food for thought.  To those who are still afraid of the physical death, let me say that nothing can match the power of God's love.  Let this love fill you to leave no room for any fear.

God Can Do It!

        First of all, nothing is impossible with God; and if God is love, he must be reasonable always.  I think we can all agree to that, unless you are an atheist. 

        It's clear that Jesus wants us to be holy, humble, the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and as loving as he is ~ this has to be totally possible or he would not have asked (demanded) of us.  If you say "I cannot do it," you are right; but God can do it!  With this all settled in your mind, steam full speed ahead with your spiritual growth.

I Shall Live Forever!

        The Communion verse at today's Mass is John 6.51: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."  What's stated is crystal clear (unless you don't listen or just try to figure out what you think it should mean).  I know I am going to live forever, not because I am extra holy or arrogant in any way, but because I trust in what Jesus had said plainly.  I believe that the bread he had given us in the Holy Eucharist is his flesh and I do eat this bread at Mass every time.  Therefore, I shall live forever as he had promised.   

We Have a Shepherd!

        Today's Gospel is from Mark on the feeding of the five thousand.  At the beginning, when Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.  We who know the Lord are so fortuante because we have a shepherd, a most trustworthy one at that.  He is absolutely reliable, our greatest teacher, and most powerful advocate.  He is everything that's good for us.  Yes, our guide, our rock, and our savior.  His sheep know his voice ~ a great gift from the Father.  We know why we are here and where we are going, for the Lord has come, swept away all confusion, and made the way to him straight for us.  Alleluia!

God's Love

        At today's Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. John talks about love in his first Epistle.  I don't mean to rehash the subject one more time, but you just can't get around the fact that God is love and love is the solution to all of our problems.  Jesus demonstrated this love by laying down his own life for us.  Let's go to the extreme case to show that love is the way we should live.  If every single person in the world is willing to die for others, imagine what a beautiful, peaceful world we would have!  It is the way commanded and demonstrated by God and the way to gaining true freedom and eternal life.  There is not another better way, period.   

        

                   

Jesus Completes Me

        What I felt during prayer today after Mass was that "I am not complete until I have Jesus."  Without him, I would be lost, incomplete for sure.  Jesus was the missing piece in my life.  Now he completes me and I am full and fulfilled. 

Imitate Jesus Alone

        We talk about role models a lot.  If a sports hero gets caught doing something shameful, he is dropped by sponsors of his commercials.  Parents want their children to look up to someone famous, wealthy. or talented.  So many in the higher classes are followed and "worshipped" by so many in the populace.  This is sad as no one is worth following except Christ alone.  Following any mortal can easily lead one astray.  Only Jesus can lead you to eternal happiness.  Imitating him may be a lot harder, but it's only proper and necessary.

Giving Ourselves to God

        This post modifies the last one somewhat.  One-way giving is true in the sense that we can never match what God can give us.  Yet, we can give God ourselves ~ this is really all we have and the best we can do.  He made us in the first place out of love, so we are most precious to him.  All the more we should take care of our own body and soul. It follows that there is nothing better than giving ourselves, the most precious to both him and us. 

God's One-Way Giving

        The thought came to me after Communion at Vigil Mass (Epiphany of the Lord). 

        God really does not expect us to give him anything.  First of all, we really have nothing to give as all (including ourselves) came from him in the first place.  We are poor and he has all the riches.  All he wants is that we open our hearts to him and he is going to pour his love into them and pile graces on us ~ it's pretty much one-way giving after we give him permission.  Such good fortune for us!   

Achieving Union with God

        Surrendering to God is difficult, but once you get started, it becomes easier and easier.  That's because when you open up to God, the Holy Spirit is able to start working on you.  (It's back to "Say OK to God and he'll take care of the rest.")  As time goes on, you sense more of God's beauty, taste more of his sweetness, and you open up even more.  Eventually, you will want all of God, desiring full union with him.  (The Holy Eucharist, God's greatest gift of himself and the treasure of the Church, is absolutely necessary to achieve full union.) 

        Basically, don't struggle on your own; just be open and passive. Remember that God is love and he is mighty. 

Ultimate Surprises

        Did you ever wonder why God wanted to take the human form?  The human life is miserable relative to what it's like in heaven, yet Jesus became one of us.  This is the ultimate surprise!  Why?  Here's the second ultimate surprise: He did it because he loves us. 

Everything We Do Matters

        When Mary said yes to God, Jesus came to us through her.  When the president of our previous regime decided to enter Iraq, lives of millions of people were affected, for better or worse.  We may not think that each of us ordinary souls can produce any big effect, but remember that every single thought, word, or deed of ours affects God and that's all it matters.  This is the compelling reason for us to become holy.            

     

One Chance Before Facing God

        2010 came and is gone.  It'll be the same with us on earth, then we meet the Lord in person.  How we love him in this life determines our eternal destiny.  The encounter with him after this life will be strictly one-on-one with no other souls around being able to help or defend you in any way.  Therefore, don't blow your chance.

        (This may be a message on the grim side for a new year, but I think that it's a lot more meaningful than saying Happy New Year.)   

Blessed Is Mary Our Mother

        Today fittingly on this first day of the year of our Lord 2011, it's the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, that's celebrated.  I joyfully went to Mass. If anyone has trouble approaching God directly, just ask Mary our Mother to pray for you first and you'll find your trouble going away.  She always leads everyone to her divine Son ~ you can count on that.  She's our greatest ally in heaven.  I love her because Jesus loves her and she helps me love Jesus.