The Everlasting Soul

        I might have caught something, so I haven't been feeling too energetic. Earlier today I lied in bed to rest a little bit. I looked out the window and saw the tall trees and the blue sky. I saw everything in the world passing ~ the trees, the blue sky, the clouds, etc. Passing to me means no more, and I saw that we are not really passing. We grow old and die, but our soul exists forever! In fact, I can't think of anything God has created for this world that has an everlasting soul. That being the case, our major concern should be to make sure that we end up with everlasting happiness.

Going Home to God

        Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. At Mass the Lord made me see simply that we all came from him and we would only have peace when we are with him. God has created us out of love and neither he nor us can be happy if we don't return to him. He has already shown us the way to home through Christ. Personally, I am looking forward to the happiest event of my life ~ my reunion with the Heavenly Father (and see the Blessed Mother in person).

Universal Emptiness

        The world looks bustling and busy, but I see emptiness in the hearts of people all around. Facebook has over a billion members. In today's news, a study has shown that many Facebook users are lonely people and they feel even worse each time after using it. People keep busy just to forget or cover up their emptiness; they drift through life. Not being concerned about not knowing where they are heading is sad. Not knowing that Christ can completely fill their emptiness and change their lives is tragic.

Our Only Vocation

        Normally, a Catholic is expected to discern if he or she is called to the religious vocation or the vocation of marriage. But there is really only one vocation ~ that of following Christ, the vocation of loving your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. All other vocations are merely subdivisions. 

Be Grateful for Everything

         We go through life with many disappointments, unhappy about this or that, wishing things to be different. First of all, this world is not perfect; we are not meant to live in this sinful place forever. Secondly, God wants the best for us. If every single thing that happens to us is exactly what we've wanted, we would be so spoiled and not think about God anymore. What we experience is exactly what's needed for us to learn, to find God, and to grow spiritually ~ it cannot possibly get worse anymore. So let's be grateful for what God has given us.

       A footnote. Of course, you could ask about those who are truly in dire misery. I believe that if they know God, they would agree with my understanding. This is why we need to evangelize the world, starting with those close to us.

Of Jesus Forever

        On July 17, I mentioned that signs of glaucoma had been detected in my right eye. Today I had my eye pressure checked ~ it had come down into a safe range. Anyway, I ask myself: "What if I do go blind?" Answer: "I'll be OK, since I already have Jesus." It follows that I can lose my sight, hearing, touch, etc., and still be OK. Then, what if I lose my mind? Answer: "No Problem ~ Jesus will always have his clear mind." Conclusion: Once you have Jesus, you are securely his forever.     

Spiritual Progression in Christ

        Being aware of one's own sinful state > repenting before God > reconciling with God > experiencing his love > starting to fall in love with God > increasing yearning for him > surrendering fully to him > union achieved > enjoying God every moment in peace and freedom > (life in heaven)         

           Any progression that leads one away from God forever is unthinkable!

The Perfect Moment

        If you acknowledge that you are a sinner, and desire to be transformed, this is the perfect moment to let God step in to fulfill your desire.

To See the Beauty of God

        Remain meek and humble and you'll discover the beauty of God.        

To Be like Christ

        Communion experience. After I received the Holy Eucharist, I heard myself asking myself, "How dare you not want to be like Christ the Lord?" Again, I saw to be meek and humble being the key to imitating him. Here, to want to be like Jesus is not prompted by pride, but by humility! 

To Be Meek and Humble

        The word I received from the Lord for today is humility. The Gospel acclamation at Mass came from Matthew 11.29: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart. If God remains meek and humble, how dare we to be immodest and prideful? To those who have not found God yet, may I suggest that you assume that he exists and loves you, and you remain meek and humble, then he will find you. To be meek and humble is to be like God!

"Not Me, But You"

        This expression floated into my mind earlier this morning. This is how it should be when we stand in the presence of God. We acknowledge that we can do nothing without him. We need to remain passive and let him take us to wherever he wants us to go. We vanish so that only he exists in us. This is what it's all about.         

Greatest Intimacy with God

        Communion time thought. Receiving the Holy Eucharist within the Church is receiving the true body and blood of the Lord. By no other means and nowhere else can you attain such intimacy with God! Indeed, blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. 

Again, There Are No Accidents

        Today's Gospel reading at Mass came from Matthew 17. To find the money to pay the temple tax, Jesus asked Peter to go to the sea, drop in a hook, take the first fish that comes up, open its mouth, and find a coin worth twice the temple tax. If something like this happens to us, we would probably think that it's pure chance. The lesson here is that truly nothing can happen without God's knowledge or approval. Again, there are no accidents.

Suffering cherished

        When I am suffering mentally or physically, I just fling myself into the arms of Jesus, calling out his Holy Name and begging for his mercy with all my heart. He is the one who died for me, loves me, knows me the most, and hears me. I cherish such opportunities suffering provides because I get to enjoy my greatest intimacy with the Lord. 

Carrying out Good Intentions

        Just having good intentions is not good enough. I've learned that I should put all good intentions through the humility filter before carrying them out. Otherwise, my good intentions can easily be misunderstood. You cannot go wrong with humility. 

On Changing the Heart

        The human heart does not easily change. We usually do not do what we know to be the right thing to do. Only a fundamental change of heart can correct this. If you feel this way, then an encounter with God is needed to bring about a breakthrough. More surrendering is in order. Know that Christ is our only hope and that hope is always present for us. 

Beauty of the Church

        To see the true beauty of the Church, we should look at Jesus, how he built his church upon Peter, the apostolic succession and the teachings of Christ safeguarded to this day, and the transformation of so many souls into great saints. People err by noticing only the sins of her imperfect members, but this is a matter of human failure and does not in any way indicate that the Church is less beautiful.