Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Search "beatitudes" in the internet and you'll find this definition: a state of supreme happiness. I don't think that there is an event in our lives when we felt "supreme" or "utmost" happiness.  But Jesus tagged beatitudes to the meek and humble, the poor, sorrowing, and persecuted, and not to those who grew rich by luck or hard work, or to the powerful and influential. I think there is more more than outcasting the rich and the powerful and exulting the poor.  After all, who is the really rich and powerful in this world except those who are blessed in the sight of God. The beatitudes teach us a valuable lesson on choosing the real wealth, peace, and happiness.  For even in sorrowing, the Christian is consoled; even in pain the Christian feels peace.  Even in death, the Christian has life. Only God in Christ could give the Christian real and everlasting happiness.

The kingdom of God may be seen after our lives here on earth; but the kingdom of God resides in each of us right now. Our life stories could be the unfolding of the kingdom of God right here on earth.  If we make sure that our every decision would lead others to life and give glory to God, heaven would be right here on earth.

I believe the Lord doesn't ask us for anything less.  Because he has given everything of Himself, let it be upon us to give Him what He deserves - our whole lives. there is a saying that caught my attention of a priest who said, "Magis" taken from the Jesuits' "All for the greater glory of God".  It means more, be more, give more, use more.  "Lubos, buhos, ubos". Let it be the same for us in our devotion, love, and service to our Divine Lord.

I believe that far beyond any good work, moral living, or any accomplishment that is worthy in the sight of men are the words from the book of Hebrews 7:25-8:6: "Jesus is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through him." Have we realized the implications of this sentence?  It is Jesus, only Jesus throughout our lives.  Jesus who is the cause of all life; Jesus who is living forever to intercede for all who come to God through him.  It is only through Jesus that we can come to the Father.  It is only through Jesus that life can be possible.  It is only through Jesus. In today's world where people are dreaming of a better life, of wanting to earn more, to be more, to have more,  it is only through Jesus that all these can be possible and much more besides.  Because if we possess the very heart of Christ, none of these would be as important that what is to come - the gift of Jesus himself and his everlasting love. If we still yearn ...

God gives a hundredfold for those who do His will. Let's just persevere because God's love is overwhelming. What happened to us?  Why did we turn negative or pessimistic?  The pharisees here become symbolic of those who do not want to see the success of others or blessings abound. The question in all of our decisions is "Who is ending up fruitful?"  When we focus on our self-interests, we are fruitful only to ourselves, but empty to others. Every decision reaches horizontally, vertically, and now in front and at the back of us.  Every small decision affects all others, the littlest of children; our decision affects the past and the future till the next generations.  That is our accountability before God - unlimited time, space, and eternity.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Can we still be holy?  how do we go back to the holiness that once was? The answer is we couldn't.  But God initiated everything.  It is God's own doing that we go back along the path of holiness.  All it takes is for us to thank God for everything: for the Immaculate Conception and for his son Jesus. God wishes us to be freed from any stain of sin.  God wishes us to be like him in holiness.  That's is the mystery of the Immaculate Conception, even a tinge of holiness, unblemished state can heal the darkness of our lives.  We just need to go to that direction. Could we still be holy?  The answer is "yes!" Even the little things we do, sanctifying all things redounds to proclaiming God's greater glory and honor.  We could do the following: 1. Fill ourselves with holy things each day.  Only our adherence to Jesus can make us holy.  He causes us to be holy through the sacraments and throug...

How could Andrew and Peter immediately leave everything behind to follow Jesus, and so too with James and John?  If Jesus were to call us, would our response be the same? It takes a while to say "yes" to Jesus and to follow him.  We would need an important component - a lively faith - the ability to leave everything behind for Jesus.  But how could we have a lively faith unless we are fully convinced who Jesus is for us?  St. Paul said, "If you confess Jesus is Lord, you are already saved."  But at the second paragraph, St. Paul wrote, "But they will not ask his help unless they believe in him, and they will not believe in him unless they have heard of him, and they will not hear of him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent, but as scripture says: The footsteps of those who bring good news are a welcome sound.  Faith is the response, but before faith is listening, or being preached to by the One who sent. An...