To Do What You Want to Do

        Without God, you are free to do what you want to do on your own, and your happiness hinges upon whether you succeed or fail. With God, what you want to do is his will, so the Lord accomplishes all through you, and you are content always.

Dumbfounded

        Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in central Mexico in 1531, and because of Juan Diego's faithfulness, millions of native Aztecs were brought to the faith. My Communion experience: The beauty and perfection of God rendered me speechless; I simply longed for him, knowing that this desire will be fulfilled only after I get to heaven. 

Second Coming

        The sense of urgency to ready ourselves for the Second Coming is ever present, irrespective of when it will happen, because it shall happen. Whether this is something you anticipate, dismiss, or rather not think about, it would definitely be the most exciting and unforgettable event for all of us.

God's Invitation

        Communion thoughts. The submitting of one to God is the freeing of oneself ~ a key breakthrough for the Christian. This is the invitation from the Lord when he enters the person through receiving the Holy Eucharist.

Unbelieving Generation

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 11, what Jesus said about his generation is still true today. People in general are full of opinions about everything because they are already set in what they accept and reject. Essentially, they live in a closed, self-centered world, not paying attention to their own limitations. They easily laugh off any miracles reported and go so far as to say that God is a Christian invention. This is still a they-know-not-what-they-do generation.  

Mixed Feelings

        Communion experience. While it was a great joy to receive the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, I also felt great sorrow for all those who do not know Christ yet. This calls for praying for all such souls until the Second Coming of the Lord. We can continue praying for them even after we get to heaven as the angels and saints are praying for us on earth now.  

Making it easy

        To sin is easy ~ it's like sliding downhill, practically effortless. To be holy is easy too, if you let God do all the work. But to make this happen, you must surrender yourself to God first, which may be the only sticky part here. Anyhow, you can have it easy either way.

Jesus Is God

        From Mark 4 and Matthew 8, we learned how Jesus calmed the storm and the sea. And all four Gospels recorded the Resurrection of Jesus. Just these two events of the numerous others are sufficient to show that Jesus has full control of both nature and life, leaving no doubt that he is the Lord and creator of all things. 

Jesus' Promise

        Communion thought. In John 6, Jesus said, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day." I was there to claim and fulfill Jesus' promise. Awesome experience!

Blessing of Heaven

        The blessing of heaven is no small thing. To want to get to heaven is to please God, for it is his wish that we'd be united with him for all eternity. Start seeking union with him now on earth to get a head start. There's no need to feel guilty about wanting to go to heaven if you desire it for God's sake. Surely, you want to go visit and stay with your Father.

Be Dependent!

        It is the Lord who takes away my sins to make me clean. It is his love that made me love him. It is he who draws me close to him, preparing me for returning to him. Yes, I am completely dependent upon my God. I am his, just enjoying him now. Acknowledge your dependence upon him for a great life.

Feeling Clean

        Communion experience. Such a great feeling to know that my soul was clean. I was rewarded with consolation and joy.

God, Joy of the Soul

        Today's entrance antiphon from Isaiah 61: I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul....   God is our joy because he is holy, and holiness uplifts the heart. God is our joy also because he is love, and this love gladdens the soul. God is pure joy.

"Couldn't Care Less"

        Today is Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blesses Virgin Mary, a holy day. At Mass, the Annunciation of the birth of Jesus from Luke 1 was read. Before the angel Gabriel departed, Mary said to him, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."  

        The public image is very important to many politicians, pop stars, people who are famous in general. One the other hand, a faithful Christian couldn't care less about what other people think, as only what God thinks of him or her matters. But if you are really with God, single-mindedly following his every will like Mary above, you know you are OK and don't even need to be concerned about what God thinks of you.

Yours Without Asking

        In Matthew 6, Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?' Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and these things will be given you besides." Similarly, once in union with God, you don't need to "worry" about what to ask from God anymore, for he knows and will give you exactly what you need.

Patience Required

        Jesus is God Incarnate, yet on earth he lived like the rest, not making anything easier for himself. His mother Mary did not receive any special treatment either ~ she still faced the hardships of her life. Then I thought of our spiritual life lived in Christ. It's not at all that all our problems vanish after we follow the Lord. On the contrary, we may face even greater challenges. The changes we experience are all internal ~ more courage, greater inner strength, peace, hope, spiritual joy and freedom, and naturally, greater compassion for all fellow humans. It seems redundant to say that life will become truly heavenly only after we get to heaven.

A "Mathematical" Principle

        How much we get out of (receive from) God is directly proportional to how much we surrender ourselves to him.

Going After God

        I watched a movie on TV yesterday. The story was intriguing and the acting good. It did draw the audience's attention as the plot unfolded. Somehow, at the end I only felt that it was just an interesting story, for there's nothing that uplifted me in any way. So I got to thinking about the different "levels" of living. I could live (1) a life in which I fall away from God daily, (2) a life that's interesting but remains on the same level like that movie, or (3) a life that's inspired by God, making me want to advance toward him. Clearly, number 3 is the choice. Number 2 is only mediocre, not good enough for God. To not waste any time of our life, we should go after God, relentlessly if possible.

Beautiful Journey

        Always follow Jesus, asking him to take you everywhere he goes and hanging onto every word he speaks, then your life journey will be beautiful, as you are following the embodiment of beauty.

Helpful Awareness

        Jesus taught us not to judge. Being aware that we are naturally all imperfect creatures can help us not to judge others so quickly.

Truly Our Savior

        Only the God of Christ can take away our sins; only his love can "tame" our rebellious nature; and only he can free us from the grip of death. Wow is all I can say, followed by rejoicing.

Receiving and Giving

        In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 9, Jesus sent out his Twelve disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of heaven at hand, cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. His last instruction was "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." It is true that everything we have received have come from God; we are just empty channels through which to pass on whatever we have received. Getting ourselves attached to anything along the way will surely bog down the giving part of the process. We are only free when we do not hold onto anything that passes through us.

Serious Humor

        Whenever there is a chance to spread the good news of salvation, I tell my non-Christian friends about Christ. Most of them are younger than I now, so I am in a good position to tell them at parting time again to believe and that I'll be waiting for them to show up in heaven. This is said with humor, but at the same time I am dead serious. 

The Reality of God

        If you ask me how I know that God who is Christ is real, all I can say is that the Lord God himself lets me feel his unquestionable presence in my heart (the Holy Eucharist effect?). I know that this kind of answer will not satisfy anyone who has not experienced it him- or herself, but that's the best I can do. God cannot be explained; he is to be trusted and enjoyed. By the way, the Lord did not brainwash me.     

Secularization

        President Obama lit the Christmas tree at the White House and wished everyone Happy Holidays. If you want to be politically correct, you do not say Merry Christmas anymore. Don't people see that it's the celebration of Christmas that first brought forth the holidays? At least a Christmas tree is still called a Christmas tree.

Union Simplifies Asking

        I mentioned the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in a recent post, which are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and holy fear. When you are in union with God, you rarely need to ask for any specific gift because the Holy Spirit freely gives you everything you need to remain in union with him. Whatever you desire for God's glory, it's yours.

To Not Trust in God Is ...

to starve ourselves spiritually.

Freedom of Offering Prayers

        As you know, Southern California just had a mass shooting with 14 dead and 21 injured. Some Republican politicians offered prayers for the victims and their families, then the more liberal Democrats "shamed" them by criticizing the appropriateness of offering prayers and suggested that the "thoughts" should be about taking steps to stop such massacre. This is getting ridiculous. The critics do not see that it's because we have left God out that such tragedies occur. Exclude God and we are doomed. 

Entering Union With God

        Here's the quick way to attain union with God. Be completely open to God so that he doesn't even have to knock to enter you. Let him dwell in your heart and do as he pleases. You listen and do what he tells you. You have entered the most beautiful state of your existence.

Last Barrier

        Sometimes I misconceive someone based upon what I already knew about the person. Then I meet the person, get to know him or her more and realize that I had been wrong because the person's just fine. I believe that many people are not attracted to Jesus because they have also misconceived him. Objectively, I see all the goodness in Jesus and absolutely nothing about him that could harm anyone. Then why are there those who know all about him but still stay away? It's clear that there is still that last barrier ~ they prefer to play the role of god, not second fiddle to God. Touche?

Ungrateful Generation

        After Jesus was nailed to the cross, he prayed, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." The people today still need that prayer. Jesus only wants to save us, for he loves us. He'd be pleased even if we just glance at him, but instead we "crucify" him again and again. How can we be so myopic, hardheaded, and hardhearted? Without Christ the Savior, what is there to live for? Remain a fool now and you'll be one for all eternity! To be saved, you only need to crack open the hard shell you have built around yourself, step forward, and prostrate humbly before the Lord to let him take a good look at you. Your total submission will remove all barriers between you and his mercy, and you are on your way to gaining eternal life. This is all good and true.       

Our Future Life Experience

        Communion time thoughts. We experience fear, anger, stress, anxieties, uneasiness, guilt . . .  ~ all these things we feel both mentally and physically in this life. And they are all caused by our selfcenteredness. After we die, shed our physical body, and are with God, such negative emotions would be gone entirely. Then we'll be only sharing the sweet joys and sorrows of our loving Father.

On Terrorist Attacks

        Our top government leaders believe that by showing serious concern about climate change (global warming), we also show ISIS that we are not intimated by them. I admit that I have to think hard to make some kind of a connection. It might do some good if ISIS gets the message, but they are probably laughing hard at us right now. Recently, a mad person has killed three and wounded nine in a shooting rampage at the Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic that performs abortions, and the government is quick to compare the attack to the recent Paris terrorist attack. Of course, all such attacks are to be condemned, yet our government fails to see that the most gruesome terrorist attack of all is the killing of over a million innocent, defenseless, unborn children each year! It's this total disregard of the sanctity of human life that's at the the root of all violence. 

*Glorifying the Holy Spirit

        I have started praying a novena to the Holy Spirit and come to appreciate him, the third person of the Blessed Trinity, even more. He really touched my heart this morning. He made me see that he is the active working agent of God, our guide, inspiration, and comforter. His seven gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and holy fear are all ours for the asking. He's the one who sets our hearts on fire and fills them with heavenly joy. Cry to him and he will comfort you. Here's the Lord you can completely trust. Pray that he will infiltrate your heart completely so that you may experience the love and peace of God. Pray to him as often a possible. To be a "slave" of the Holy Spirit is infinitely better than being the lord of the whole world. Glory be to the Holy Spirit!     

Yearning for the Lord

        Today is Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle.  After receiving Holy Communion, I felt like calling "Jesus" at the top of my lungs; but of course, I was in a church, not in a wilderness. So I settled for calling him from my heart. He would understand.

Appreciating Hard Times

        There are times when we need help and there is no one to turn to except God. They are certainly difficult times, but personally I treasure the chance to let faith take over and shine. The close bonding with the Lord that results is worth whatever trouble you may have to go through.

Conflicting Contrast

        Jesus sacrificed himself for the purpose of saving everyone. Today suicide bombers have sacrificed themselves to kill others who do not accept their faith so that they themselves might get to heaven. Both Jesus and the suicide bombers supposedly have followed the will of God. You figure that out. 

A Beautiful Moment

        I have a big maple tree outside my bedroom window. Just a week ago, the leaves turned into a beautiful red color before they gradually fell off the tree, getting ready for renewal in the spring. This symbolizes to me that we are beautiful when we are about to give ourselves up to God to be born again as new creatures in Christ. I did not photograph the richly-colored red leaves in the sun when they were still all on the tree; but a year ago, I did capture this image of a leaf in more subdued red, stuck on one bedroom window screen on a wet, windy morning.

*We Can Know God

       We can, because God the Father is real, Jesus the Son is real, and the Holy Spirit is real. If you are closed to God, then of course, it'd be impossible to know him. But if you are open completely and desire to know him well, he will let you know of his existence and presence. So it all depends upon you. Seeking union with God is the best way of knowing him intimately. In union, the Lord lets you feel and experience him in your heart, and anything the heart receives becomes part of you. Once you know God, you know him for ever.

       A note. There is the so-called dark night of the soul some saints experience. During such a period, you no longer sense the presence of God ~ it's as if God has withdrawn altogether. This does not mean that you no longer know the Lord. To illustrate, you can have an intimate human friend with whom you are no longer able to communicate, but of course, you still know him well. Anyway, beginning seekers of God will not experience dark night of the soul and may never experience it. God grants it only to advanced souls for specific reasons.

Joyful and Peaceful State

        In the state of union with God, you do not do any work for God ~ it is he who does all the work through you. Naturally, you don't ever worry for the Lord, for he takes care of all things. You merely remain open and be out of the way. That's why union is such a joyful and peaceful state.

Great Intimacy

        Communion experience. I experienced an intimacy with God that's out of this world, literally.

First Thing(s) First

        In life, we must set priorities. For the Christian, making Christ number one must be the top priority, overriding all other considerations. After that, nothing else matters much. You must settle the question if Jesus is your Lord in truth or in name only. In Matthew 6.33, Jesus confirms this priority: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."

A Union Advantage

        One big advantage (a joy) of being in union with God is that your conscience becomes so clear and sharp that you are instantly aware of any sin you have committed. 

Exhortation to Be Vigilant

        In today's Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus told his disciples to stay awake and be alert. He said, "That day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." If you believe in Jesus, you must take what he said seriously. A Christian must be ready for death and judgment, the two things that can catch you by surprise like a trap (Jesus' words). Obviously, the world in general which does not pay Jesus much attention is in for the biggest shock ever. The least we can do is to pray for all souls (living and deceased) unceasingly.

Start Living in Heaven

        If we aim for getting to heaven, we should starting living as if we're already there now. In heaven, we shall fully enjoy the Lord, praise him, worship him, pray for the world, and be completely his. Attain union with God and we can do all these things. Then when we arrive in heaven, we won't face much of a change in routine, except that everything would be made easier.

Jesus in Your Life

        If you believe in Jesus, is he (1) in your life at all, (2) just part of your life, or (3) all of your life?

On Loving Yourself

        Anyone who knows and loves God, even though he realizes his own wretchedness, still loves himself because he knows that he is precious to him. Therefore, anyone who hates himself cannot possibly know God well. One can be happy only if he loves God and is happy with himself.

Forever With God

        God exists forever. He will love us forever. He wishes us to be with him in heaven forever. His words will remain with us forever. God will remain faithful to us forever, but we only have a short lifetime in which to decide whether we want to be with God forever.

Required for Salvation

        In the Gospels, Jesus has said to many after he had healed or forgiven them, "Your faith has saved you." It seems that believing that Jesus can help us is the minimum requirement for our salvation.

Extreme Opposites

        You are in union with God, one heart and one mind, and understand everything the Lord says. You do not know God; you are lost and what comes out your mouth is venomous, divorced from any truth.