Call to Persist in Prayer

        After hearing the parable of the persistent widow read from Luke 18 at morning Mass, I was encouraged to ask the Lord to keep this nation from sliding into worsening immorality, corruption, hypocrisy, suppression of religious freedom, and disrespect for the sanctify of human life for the sake of those who are faithful, righteous, and laboring hard for his glory. I ask you to join me in this prayer if you feel so prompted by the Holy Spirit.

Way to Salvation

        I see living in Jesus, with Jesus, and for Jesus as the only certain way to salvation.        

*Whom You Live For

        The severity of sin is proportional to how much you live for yourself. To hope to be saved, you must at least live for God more than for yourself.

Act of Will

        Jesus said to Thomas, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." We can also be sure that Jesus will bless those who do not feel like praying and still pray or do not feel like helping someone they don't like and still help. It's the act of will that matters.

Thinking Like the Holy Spirit

        Keep the motivation pure and always have compassion for others.

Two Union Effects

        In union with God, you no longer need God to lead you on, since you are already with him, resting in him. And you do not derive strength from yourself, but through your intimate trust in God. 

Filled by God

        Communion experience. The Lord has completely filled the void of my life.

A Warning to Heed

        Today is the Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus, Doctor of the Church. In the Gospel reading from Luke 12, Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God." What Jesus had said here should be alarming to both believers and nonbelievers, but is fair and square, for he spoke as God. 

Two Fundamental Questions

        Are you truly aware that God loves you? If so, do you respond appropriately to him?

World in Darkness

        As I woke up from sleep this morning, I saw Jesus alone as the light of the world, brightening my day, for the world was enveloped in darkness. The world will brighten up instantly if every one of its inhabitants starts to repent and beg for mercy from the Lord.

Putting Selves Aside

       We ourselves are always the greatest obstacles between us and God. Therefore, great things do not happen to us interiorly until after we hand ourselves and all other things over to God. Hereby is revealed the secret of joy and freedom.

Great Moment of Life

        Communion experience. It was God and I alone together in union ~ the most private and intimate moment of life.

Giving-Back Time

        During the liturgy of the Eucharist at Mass today, I saw that Jesus had given himself to unite with us by instituting the Holy Eucharist. Of course, he was going to complete his giving by dying on the cross for us later. If we do believe that we are created in the image of God, it is time now to give ourselves completely back to him.

Amazing God-Man

        Jesus as God is amazing when you examine the many wonderful miracles he performed and how death had no power over him. Today I see that Jesus as man is equally amazing. His mercy, compassion, humility, and teaching has inspired so many of us to become holy and willing to live and die for him with joy. 

Just What We Need

        Communion experience. How good and blessed it is to be loved by a God who died for me in order to save me. This God of infinite mercy is just what every one of us needs to complete and perfect our life.

Our Awesome Responsibility

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 11, we continued to hear Jesus denounce the Pharisees and scholars of the law for their evil deeds. The thought came to me that we essentially determine our own destiny, depending upon whether we hear and obey God or not.  

Total Commitment

        If we truly love Jesus, believing that he is the life, the truth, and the way, then we must follow his commands and live a holy life, not concerned about how foolish we might look in the eyes of the world. And our reward will be great in heaven.

Truth Over Feelings

        Somehow, we came into being and wonder what life is all about. And we start to search for answers. If you just look for something you feel comfortable with, most likely you would skip over Christianity. But if you want to find the truth, putting aside all subjective feelings, then Christianity has to be the select choice.