Surrender and Rest

        "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in you" ~ I have used this saying of St. Augustine a few times before on this blog. I found it to be true at Mass this morning as I experienced great peace resting in the Lord. Logically, St. Augustine is completely correct. From Scriptures also, we know that God provides us with rest. 

        To find rest in God, we must surrender to him first. This is simply the act we must make to free ourselves, the essential first step in seeking union with God. When you surrender, you break through the greatest barrier of your spiritual life. It opens wide the gate to let all the grace of God pour through, putting your spiritual progress on fast track with the Holy Spirit doing the work. If this sounds exciting, it's because it is. You will want to surrender unless you prefer to struggle with your sins all your life on your own.   

Unholiness Not Pretty

         I've witnessed people who are basically good people, not wicked or evil in any way, but are spoiled, impatient, hot-tempered, selfish, or inconsiderate. They don't clearly see this themselves because they are just being themselves, but what others see about them is definitely not pretty. If we look ugly to others, we look a lot worse in God's eyes, for God is holy. On the other hand, looking good to others does not necessarily translate into looking good to God, for God sees the heart. At any rate, to look truly good to all, seek holiness in God.

Change in the Right Direction

        We all change over our lifetime. We are certainly a different person every year. Think back if you are old enough and recall what you were like before. Now you are probably more mature, more poised, smoother, wiser... or perhaps more cynical, more self-centered, more impatient, more worldly.... The point is we are all subject to change, so why not let God change you in the right direction of becoming holier? This would absolutely be the best utilization of the rest of your lifetime. And an exciting adventure will it definitely be too.  

Joy of Christ

        The joy of Christ is most refreshing ~ it cleanses and frees the soul. It originates from within the heart where the Lord dwells, bursting forth like a spring and instantly permeating the whole soul. All in all, a most intoxicating experience.

Seek God First

        Jesus taught us to forgive and love our enemies, but people say it's too hard...impossible, so they just don't take it seriously. What they do not see is that nothing is impossible for God, and, with his help, all his teachings are within our reach. Always seek God first and he will make you holy. 

Time for Self-Examination

        It is a sad day to read about the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, resulting from the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen, by the police, and the beheading of the US journalist James Foley by the extreme Islamic group IS in Syria. We pray both Michael and James will find peace in the Lord and pray also for the salvation of all living souls in the world. The cause of all sinful acts is not knowing the true God. Therefore, instead of just focusing upon blaming those who have committed the sins, let's also examine ourselves to see if we know the Lord or not.     

Dependent on the Holy Spirit

        This is post no. 3876 since I started this blog with my conversion story in 2009. When the blog more or less took off in June of 2010, I was surprised and never thought that it would go on too long. Now it's clear that it's been the Holy Spirit all along, putting thoughts in my heart whenever he wishes, since I never have to think about what to post next. This is also confirmed by the fact that my interior life has been changing continuously. Anyway, it's absolutely marvelous and wonderful to have known God.

Love Overwhelming

        Communion experience. Jesus, most sweet to the soul, completely fulfilled me and filled me with his love. I was moved by the Holy Spirit to ask the following questions:

        (1) How can you possibly not forgive anyone?

        (2) How can you possibly want anyone to end up in hell?

        (3) How can you possibly not love God?

        (4) How can you possibly not want to go to heaven?                                    

A Proclamation

          There is nothing more beautiful than the love of God. I proclaim Jesus to be the delight of our soul!

Important Realization

        Since God's love for us never changes and is everlasting, everything that happens to us in life is intended by God to draw us closer to him, not to drive us away. Realizing this ensures spiritual progress.

Efficacy of Intensive Praying

        Two days ago I posted about being persistent and single-minded in petitioning God. Yesterday I actually had the opportunity to pray thus. I meant every word I uttered from my heart with sincerity and urgency and didn't stop praying for about an hour and a quarter. After I finished, I felt extra close to God and was able to trust in him in peace. What I asked for turned out fine later.       

Ultimate Test of Freedom

        Today's Gospel reading at Mass came from Matthew 19. A young man asked Jesus what good he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. The young man said he observed all of them and asked what he still lacked. And Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The young man heard it and went away sad, for he had many possessions. Here we have the ultimate test of freedom! It separates those who merely believe in the Lord from those who believe and follow him. You may not need to actually sell that you have ~ it's the willingness to be detached from all material things that matters. This detachment should also include detachment from your loved ones and yourself, for pure love has no room for attachment to anyone other than God.   

God's Perfect Timing

        The Lord speaks to me when he needs to shape me, or draw me ever closer to him. And this could happen any time. Having him teach you is such a joy. I especially marvel at his timing whenever I need his support. What I precisely need to hear would come spaced apart in stages so that the buildup is maximum when I need his help the most. Yes, our God knows and cares about us thoroughly.

Changed Attitude

        If you know you are heaven-bound, your whole attitude changes. You no longer care about a little suffering, a little inconvenience. So what, if your meals are not too tasty or your bed not that comfortable? You simply stop complaining, when you realize that love awaits you in heaven. What's a hundred bad years compared to everlasting happiness? God is to be praised!  

Thinking About Heaven

        Massenet's Meditation, written for the violin, has been a favorite of most well-known violinists. Listening to Nigel Kennedy playing it, I felt as if I'd been transported into heaven and sensed that the joy with God would be greater than anything I could possibly imagine. Of course, you may feel something different.       

Lesson on Faith

        In today's Gospel reading at Mass from Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman came to Jesus and pleaded with him to heal her daughter who was tormented by a demon. At first, Jesus did not respond to her. And his disciples wanted to send her away too. But the woman persisted. Then Jesus, to test her, gave reasons why he should not attend to her. She ignored all concerns and continued asking for help. Jesus finally gave in and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." The woman's daughter was healed from that hour. Fr. M in his homily made it clear that faith accompanied by persistence and single-mindedness gets God's attention. Note that worry does not play a part here. A good lesson for all.  

Recognizing Satan at Work

        There are many misguided people doing evil out there, but there are also those who deliberately do what they know is wrong to hurt us. Today God made me see that it's Satan who had manipulated the latter. Therefore, we need to ask the Lord (1) to shield us from Satan's attack first and (2) for mercy on the wrongdoers, and leave it at that. 

Recognizing God's Greatness

      With such a great and loving God we have, we should aim high. His infinite power and unlimited capabilities are always there; it's a matter of our recognizing and taking advantage of this fact. Do not be satisfied with you status quo, but ask him to empower you to become holy.