the one thing lacking despite obedience // 2022.01.28

 Jesus tells the rich man who has followed all the commandments since youth that the one thing lacking is for him to sell what he has and give to the poor. Mortification, to subdue ones desires, ensures God is number one in our life. If we can't let go of our favorite things, then God can't fill us with joy. It's not because God is selfish. There is nothing we can do or give that will add to Him. It is because we need Him, and He wants to fill us with His presence. The beauty is that it is His grace that will allow us to let go. Have an attachment you can't let go? Lift it up to Him with trust and obedience, and realize how that is nothing compared to what He offers.

prayer and fasting against road rage and more // 2022.02.21

The spirit of gentleness is far from roadragers like me. I guess that's my sign that I have a loooong way to go to becoming a saint. It's a scary thought actually, since St. James tells us that these come from not-so-friendly devils. Extra scary to think that the devils in me are partying for a long time already. Thankfully, Jesus assures us in St. Mark's Gospel that prayer and fasting can kick out even the persistent ones. Admittedly, I am not praying enough, and by the looks of what I see in the mirror, I'm doing quite the opposite in the eating department. What to do is obvious. How about you? Any persistent devils? How's your prayer and fasting from the things of the world going?

working out the not-so-impossible // 2022.02.18

Faith without works is dead! These words pierce me every time, aware that I fall short of what I believe in, much more of what I speak of. I love what Jordan Peterson said... when we say we believe, our mind and body have to show it. If you're like me, you know that's next to impossible. But that's the only way. The world is nothing compared to a life in Christ. So, let us persevere, and like the saints, prove that nothing is impossible with God's grace.

maybe you need to ask, too // 2022.02.11

Hush hush! We read many instances when Jesus asks people to keep quiet about Him healing them. Almost all the time, they couldn't keep quiet. That's what His love can do. It's hard not to share it. Silent about God? Maybe you need to be like the man in today's Gospel, and ask God that you may hear and speak. He did say, ask and you shall receive.

the scrap that's better than anything else // 2022.02.10

Imagine Jesus calling you a dog, and probably a stray dog at that. The Syrophoenician woman in today's Gospel (Mk 7:25-30) got it for real, but she did get more than an extravagant meal with how she responded. Jesus challenged her faith and humility, and she passed with flying colors. Many Christians fail to receive God's grace, not only because they are asking for the wrong things, but more because they think God owes them. Friends, we may be getting it the other way around. It is us who owe God, and honestly, there is nothing we have or nothing we can do to turn that around. Fortunately, our God who favors the humble, gives to them without limit. Let us, like the Syrophoenician, rejoice in knowing that even "scraps" from God is infinitely more than what this world can offer.

peer pressured to the wrong decision // 2022.02.04

Head on a platter usually means a serious intent to commit crime. Yet Herod was quite unsure when he ordered his men to execute John the Baptist. What happened? How could a man who view John as good man, suddenly asked for his head on a platter? He put the people's opinion first, rather than putting what is right first. I propose that majority of our wrong decisions are results of us prioritizing how people will see us, versus how God will see us. You know what's right or wrong. Choose the right one.

the pandemic of our spirit // 2022.02.01

Many people are afraid to die. That's why COVID was a serious business, especially at its beginning. Thankfully, it's starting to slow down. But I've never heard of people declaring a pandemic over spiritual sickness. People have significantly lowered the morality bar, and more people are ignoring God. How ironic that we literally ignore the pandemic of our spirit, when it is more important than anything else? Declaration or none, it remains a serious threat. Have yourself vaccinated... go to the sacraments, pray, and deepen your relationship with Him.