I saw a Rick Steve travel video on PBS, showing changing of the guard at the palace in Monaco with tourists lining up on all three sides to watch the ceremony. It struck me that the guardsmen are just going through empty motions and watching empty motions is empty too. I don't mean to spoil people's fun; besides, you could argue that I was doing something empty by watching the video. What I really want to say is that we'd be so much better off if we all spend more time on storing up treasures in heaven as Jesus has taught.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Eliminating Spiritual Warfare
I see the spiritual warfare we're engaged in as a tug-of-war between God and Satan with us choosing the side we want to be on. If you choose right, there will be two winners and one loser; and if you choose wrongly, there will be one winner and two losers. (Note that if God wins, you win, and if he loses, you lose; while if Satan wins, you lose, and if he loses, you win ~ all this showing that God is always with us and Satan, always against us.) This contest exists only because we haven't made our choices yet ~ much like the undecided voters being sought after in an election. The smart thing to do is to choose God and stick with him at the outset, then there won't be any tug-of-war to be concerned about. When you are safe with God, as in union, you are beyond Satan's reach.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
An Obedience Test
In God's presence, before the tabernacle at church or in the dark of a quiet night, think of someone you have difficulty forgiving. Be totally open and not holding back anything, ask God to show you clearly the problem. If you were partly at fault, admit it. Putting all pride aside, ask God for the courage to bring about reconciliation. Then follow up! In the case you cannot contact the person anymore, at least pray for God's blessings on the person and forgive him or her from the bottom of your heart for the glory of God. If you experience great freedom and peace afterwards, then you'll know that you have passed this test of obedience. Rejoice because you have overcome yourself and greatly pleased God.
No Greater Mercy
The other day I heard on NPR an interview with a girl in Ireland who had an abortion. She felt so guilty about it and became afraid to face God. She's also worried that her fellow parishioners would harshly judge her should they find out. As a result, she stopped attending Mass altogether. It's such a sad story that I wish I could tell her that God's mercy is infinite. Today I've been made especially aware of this great mercy. God has indeed reached his limit, for there can be nothing greater than infinity. Our Heavenly Father is ready to forgive us, take us back, no matter how sinful we are, at any time! The door is wide open for us our whole lifetime. He is making it as easy as possible for us to return to him ~ any difficulty we have has to be placed there by us. It would be disastrous for us if God were just a tad less merciful. He has died in our place and is just waiting for us to accept him. I am not telling you anything new; I just want you to really think about it until you see it.
Beauty and Power of God
There are many videos by Fr. Barron posted on YouTube. You can also go on his website wordonfire.org to find lots more. After watching the five videos I just posted and a few others, Jesus became more "true" and awesome than ever. At morning Mass when I heard the Gospel read, it's like hearing the Lord speak in person to me. Then later I received Holy Communion and his loveliness so overwhelmed me that I simply wanted to serve him with all of me and that my soul was ready to ascend to him. Such is the beauty and power of God.
The Real Presence
Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist ~ all Christians should watch and listen to this video.
Who Is Jesus?
Fr. Barron says so much better what I have more or less said. These are great comments.
The Problem of Evil
Here's Fr. Barron's insightful observation of God, the tsunami, and the problem of evil.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Fr. Barron on Abortion
Many of you probably know about Father Robert Barron, the creator of the groundbreaking 10-part documentary Catholicism. He is a gifted speaker, knowledgeable, logical, and clear-thinking. I like his comments on various topics on YouTube. Here is one video on "Abortion: Shocking Numbers out of New York."
Surrender Deepens Peace
Today's Communion experience. After I received the Lord, I knew that the more I surrender to him, the deeper my peace will be.
The Yearning Process
When you start to yearn for the Lord, you are getting closer to him. It's interesting that when you are in union with him, your yearning becomes so great that you miss him terribly.
We Affect God
Everything we do affects the world. I wave my hand and the movement sets the surrounding air molecules into motion, causing them to collide with other neighboring molecules. In theory the whole universe is affected, although in this case the effect becomes infinitesimal moving a few feet away from the source of disturbance. Everything we do affects God too ~ he will feel either joy or sorrow. And whatever we've done will remain on the record until Judgment Day.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Continued Praying
Even though we follow Christ in peace, we still have the various crosses and burdens to carry. In fact, we feel them acutely because they are the crosses and burdens of Christ. However, with trust in the Lord, they no longer bother me. When people offend me, I don't take it personally either, as everything one does, one does it to the Lord. We are to continue praying for those who offend him, even after we get into heaven, as the saints are doing.
Following Christ in Peace
Followers of Christ are easily satisfied: they follow his will, trust in him, and leave it at that, knowing that the outcome is in his hands.
Heart Makes the Difference
Those whose hearts are pure are delighted by the Lord dwelling in them, while those whose hearts are unclean feel the misery because the Lord could not enter them.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Surrender Is the Word
Seeking union with God is what the Lord wants from us, so surrendering to him is called for. If you haven't done it yet, you'll always find yourself struggling to be holy. Good intentions alone are not enough because you have not let the Lord in to do the work for you yet. This is the message the Lord wants me to spread, the objective of this blog. Surrendering to the Lord opens up the gate to let all his grace through so that the exhilarating journey may begin. Get on the fast track and experience his love in this life. If this sounds like a commercial, it's because this good news is true and urgent.
Why I Feel Peaceful
Some of the reasons I feel peaceful in my God: (1) He has called me, (2) His love for me is forever, (3) I feel secure in his hands, for nothing can take me away, (4) I belong to him forever, (5) I shall be with him in heaven forever, (6) He has made my will his will, setting me free, (7) He shields me from all evil, (8) He has healed my soul, (9) He is with me at all times.
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