Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Saturday of the 4th week of Eastertide John 14:7-14 The Church's journey is not smooth-sailing.  Even St. Paul was persecuted in his time being subjected to ridicule and false accusations.  He had to go to the Gentiles to evangelize. A Church in conflict is farthest from our thoughts considering that it is a sacred institution rooted on Jesus himself, with the apostles as the foundation. Jesus as head of the this Church gives us teachings on how to go about being Church: be totally united with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He said, "He who as seen me has seen the Father." How do we see God in our lives then? First, learn from Jesus as the mirror to the Father.  Learn from his words and actions.  Detect God in action: the Holy Father kissing the sick and teaching about mercy and compassion are direct pictures of the Father. Second, in those who do the same work as Jesus.  Though we find hard to do this, but with God, nothing is impossible.  ...

An embracing God Mark 10:13-16 The basic architecture of the St. Peter's Basilica looks like a mother embracing all her children - not only Catholics but people of all races, creeds, and colors.  This is also the image of the Church that includes the whole of humanity, the very essence of the word "Catholic". In God's world, no one is cast aside.  In man's world, people are fond of compartmentalizing people. There is no such reality in heaven.  We will see a God who truly cares for all his children. We have witnessed the embracing image of God to all of us.  Though we are weak, small, insignificant human beings, he gave three huge things to us: He gave us creation He admonishes us to take care of them; He gave us free wills let us use them wisely to follow the Lord. He gave us love  that we might love him back as well as love one another, especially the unlovable. These are the effects of a God who embraces his children unconditionally. ...

An familiar mix Luke 11:37-41 The first reading calls us not in excessive observance of the external law but in following Christ.  In the gospel, Jesus also reprimands the Pharisees not because of their external practices, but what lies in their hearts. Then Jesus focuses of alms as manifestations of what lies in the heart.  No one can give alms unless there is mercy and compassion.  And no one elicits mercy and compassion unless his or her heart is filled with the presence of God who is love. For everything starts with interior conversion brought about by an authentic encounter of love. This is faith.  It opens us to God's world. Second, we cannot give to others what we don't have.  If we don't have love, we can never share it to others.  Faith converted to action is love.  God gives us his love.  Love is the measure of faith. Love is converted to many forms - service, compassion, generosity. Faith, love, service - in a welcome, fam...

Choose God! Matthew 11:16-19  The second week of Advent really compels us to choose God as the center point of our lives.  Christmas is not simply about joyous celebrations.  It actually opens us to the world where God rules and we follow him. Jesus warns us against dancing a different tune other than the one offered by Father.   “We played the pipes for you,  and you wouldn't dance ...  Yet wisdom has been proved right by her actions." Choosing to play Jesus' music entails giving in to what he desires;  it means knowing the advantages and disadvantages of following or not following him.  It is always advantageous to follow him.  A personal conversion will yield a communal conversion.  As people's hearts will change, so too will the entire human race. Pray to know, love, and serve Jesus this Christmas and for the rest of our lives. ch

When the idea is not right, GOD says "No" No - when the idea is not the best No - when the idea is absolutely wrong No - when 'though it may help you It could create problems for someone else When the time is not right, GOD says,"slow" What a catastrophe it would be If God answered every prayer at the snap of your fingers. Do you know what would happen? God would become your servant, not your master. Suddenly God would be working for you Instead of you working for God Remember: God's delay is not God's denials God's timing is perfect Patience is what we need in prayer When you are not right,GOD says,"Grow" The selfish person must grow in unselfishness The cautious person must grow in courage The timid person must grow in confidence The dominating person must grow in sensitivity The critical person must grow in tolerance The negative person must grow in positive attitudes The pleasure-seeking person must grow in compassion for suffering peop...