Be a saint!

Mummy Maria, all the Angels and Saints, pray for me that I may love Lord Jesus more ardently.

With all the pains, and sorrows in those years, I am so glad to bear my cross which Lord Jesus gave me in my birth, because I know this is the way I learn how to become a saint together with Immaculate Heart of Mummy Mary, after the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Like Saint Dominic Savio who said, "If I do not become a saint I am doing nothing", if I do not become the saint, then there is no point for me to invest all my heart, mind and strength in the Most Holy Trinity, Only One God. If I tell you that I want to be the saint, it is because Lord Jesus asked me to be holy and perfect in virtues as God Himself is totally holy and perfect. Why must I suffer all the difficulties and trials those years? It is because Blessed Mummy Mary, all the Angels and Saints intercede for me to have long life on the earth so that with the graces of God I can work hard to become perfect in virtues and holiness. God wants the hardworking children who are able to love Him wholeheartedly. Not the spoilt brats who fail to appreciate everything. But now, I am very happy and have nothing to complain because I already have intimate relationship with God as He Himself came into me sacramentally through Holy Communion. Saint Augustine said, "Why are we so sad? Why do we blame God? Evils abound in the world so that the world will fail to seduce us into loving it." We learn the three virtues: love, faith and hope. But Love is really the greatest virtue because it just keeps growing and growing as if there is no limit. It transcends above everything for God Himself is Love. Faith gives way to our eternal life, which our Catholic Church taught. Hope gives way to the vision of our belief in God. My physical deafness is nothing much because God already healed and restored my hearing ability so that I could hear Him through the Holy Scriptures and Gospels. I was once blind but now I can see His ever Great Divine Love more clearly. Importantly I can see His Presence on the Eucharistic Host in the Holy Mass daily. Recently God made me cry my heart out of the joy through Holy Communion. I am forever grateful to Him for having found me and I have found Him. I have not forgotten the visions when Lord Jesus appeared to me. My brothers and sisters, why don't we aim for the sainthood together? Find your own vocations in the deepest desire of your hearts. In short, what do you really want? :) Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori said, "God wishes everyone to be a saint, but in accordance with their own state in life- the religious as religious, the person in the world as a person in the world, the priest as a priest, a married person as a married person, a soldier as a soldier, and so on for every other way of life."

"Be Holy, for I, Yahweh your God, am Holy." (Leviticus 19:2)

"You must ... be perfect just as your Heavenly Father is perfect." - Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:48)

"You cannot be half a saint. You must be a whole saint or no saint at all. Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon heaven, the only one goal of our labors." - Saint Therese of Lisieux

"Jesus is the Teacher of Holiness. I go to Him because I want Him to teach me how to become a Saint. Of what use to me is all I learn in school if I do not become holy?" - Saint Francis de Sales

A new beginning

Epiphany

Yesterday was the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany is the manifestation of the Incarnation of the Christ. Christmastide is still not over yet. Back to the topic, I am grateful for the new year: the gift of life and new beginning. They come as the consolation from God to strengthen my faith and nourish my spiritual life. Although I persevered in the faith those days, I felt as if I was experiencing the dryness. Perhaps I was very moody and weary. Not long ago, when I was spending time in the adoration room, I decided to pray the Rosary together with Blessed Mummy Maria, all the Saints and Angels. While meditating on the mystery of the Nativity of Most Holy Infant Iesu, suddenly one nun appeared in my mind. It was Saint Therese of Lisieux who sat there together with Infant Iesu in the hay, and smiled at me, soothing my heart ache. My love for her had been rekindled at that moment. I was reminded of the importance of the simplicity and complete surrender of the heart as Saint Therese said, "Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity."

Prior to the first day of new year, I spent the last moments with the Lord in the adoration room. Suddenly a thought came to me that everyone celebrated the new year in the homes while Lord and Mummy Maria were left alone in the room. Then I made a small request of mine to give Them a proper hug as the consolation for Them. I felt the sensation of being hugged over there as I saw Them embrace me in my mind.

Yesterday, I was walking to the Church when I noticed the beauty of the clear sunny blue sky. My heart danced with joy and praise for the Lord God, the Most High. During the Holy Mass, I read the part of the Holy Gospel: "The sight of the star filled them (three magi) with delight, and going into the house they saw the Child with His Mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did Him homage." (Matthew 2:11) Then, I heard one question in Homily: "As three magi sacrificed all their fortunes in order to find the True Christ, then have we really sacrificed everything for the Lord God?" I remembered the quote of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori: "God wishes everyone to be a saint, but in accordance with their own state in life- the religious as religious, the person in the world as a person in the world, the priest as a priest, a married person as a married person, a soldier as a soldier, and so on for every other way of life." At that moment, I was simply nodding my head. During the Holy Communion, I kneed before the Eternal King in the Most Holy Host, and received Him into my heart. When I had returned to my seat, I was expressing my gratitude and praises to God who enthroned my heart, and then suddenly there was a great stirring of emotions down in my heart as I was being blown away. Back then, I did not really think of anything except God. Despite my much effort to stay cool and control myself, I cried my heart out. Thankfully, no one had seen my embarrassing state. In the evening, with my friend I visited the adoration room in another Church for a short moment, and still cried upon seeing the Hidden God in the Most Blessed Sacrament. 

"We believe in the love of God for us. To believe in love is everything. It is not enough to believe in the Truth. We must believe in Love and Love is our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. That is the faith that makes our Lord loved. Ask for this pure and simple faith in the Eucharist. Men will teach you; but only Jesus will give yo the grace to believe in Him. You have the Eucharist. What more do you want?" - Saint Peter Julian Eymard

God is really good all the time. I am forever grateful to Him for having saved my soul, and His gifts of the Sacraments. Praise the Lord, my soul. All my being, praise His Most Holy Name and never forget how Kind He is! Alleluia! Amen!

My greatest gift of Christmas

Holy Family

Christmas was over, and I suddenly lost my eagerness in my daily life. Where did this desolation come from? I did receive some presents, but still I did not find the joy in them. Nevertheless, I had good times though my energy battery was at its limit almost daily during those months. Work suddenly became a part of my life without any notice, and made it almost impossible for me to catch up with because it took up much of my time. Thankfully, there are God, Mummy Mary and all my Friends, helping me in my difficult times. Sometimes, God sent me the unexpected miracles and my beloved ones to soothe my weary body which strangely lost all its strength and power. But after some reflections, I was glad to become frail and powerless because I could surrender everything to God and Mummy Mary. Without Iesu et Maria, I do not know where to go. Right now, I am laughing at my stupidity because not long ago I nearly messed up a date with a wonderful person. I guess miscommunication  is always and has been the part of my life. But at least she had her own happiness in her life. Despite being disappointed slightly, I was happy for her."Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) 

I confess that I am disappointed over my too little time for prayers and spiritual readings, but God has reminded me that He is there, watching my every move and accompanying me all the time because He knows that I need Him. Recently, I was at the extraordinary Mass. I remembered feeling my heart tingling with eagerness and excitement as the priest elevated the Most Holy Body, and Most Precious Blood of the Lamb. When I received the Host into my heart, my eyes gently drew the darkness onto my vision as they closed their lids. There, I saw a glowing crucifix. My mind proclaimed that it was a true treasure of my life. I guess I feel happy at that moment. Now, I understand the joy of Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Joseph when they received the Holy Infant Iesu into their lives.

It does not matter whether I am blind, deaf, handicapped, immobilized, or stupid. This is my greatest gift of Christmas: a complete surrender to God who has enthroned my heart as His Holy Temple. Praise the Lord, my soul. All my being, praise His Holy Name, and never forget how kind He is. 

"Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity." - Saint Therese of Lisieux

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving soon? Thanksgiving is the holiday in America on 22nd November. 

Today's Gospel was about the ten lepers healed by Lord Jesus (Luke 17:11-19). Only one of them realized and returned to Lord Jesus to express his gratitudes. Not just that, but he also praised God at the top of his voice. Lord Jesus said, "Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner." (Luke 17:17-18) Has it touched you? 

For me, yes, God truly spoke to me through this Gospel. Everyone in the world is the child of God whether baptized or not, since Catholics believe that God made Heaven and earth, of all that is visible and invisible. That's why God healed all the ten lepers even though one of them was the foreigner. So no one was excluded. I was once the foreigner too and even the naughtiest child in the school and family. Yet God did not turn me away but He kept calling me. 

Like the lepers, I was healed fully. Not in physical sense, but the very real ability to hear His Voice in the Gospel and Scriptures, which I had mentioned before. Even in the future, I will repeat this testimony of His works. Like always, He gave me the responses that caught me off-guarded. Long time ago, I started to appreciate everything He gave me. Even today, I will still praise Him. I had written this before, but I will repeat: If you are not interested in prayer, it is because you fail to appreciate the Saviour who died on the piece of wood for you so as to enable you to go to Heaven! 

Why don't you take the opportunity to go for the Holy Mass daily as your thanksgiving to God? Do you really love God that you prefer Him to everything you have? Remember, we come to this world with nothing and we will leave this world with nothing. If you think you have too little, then consider the grateful leper who also had nothing when he was healed and returned to Lord Jesus, but he gave the praise to God. Saint Peter of Alcantara said, "He does much in the sight of God who does his best, be it ever so little." I think that Lord Jesus was really touched by this little gesture as He gave him the blessing, "Your faith has saved you." (Luke 17:19)

My friend wrote her thought in facebook: it is good to give thanksgiving, but it is best to give thanksliving! It is quite true because it helps us to stand faithful to God every moment of life. Oh, praise the Lord, my soul! All my being, praise His Holy Name! And never forget how Kind He is! Remember to give thanks to God for everything.

I end this post with Lord's Prayer, Angelical Salutation, Gloria Patri, and my favourite song!

   

Work in progress

Familiar with this gesture? Don't tell me that you are thinking of 

Gangnam Style! This is known as "work" sign in the common sign language

Being a typical adult, I found myself in the working world. Craving for adventure, I took up the job at some logistic company and experienced what it was like. Over the time period, I had a twirling mixture of emotions. Although I never like the job in the beginning, I had to stay for some reasons, and strangely developed the sentimental feeling over it. I kept myself taciturn and very focused in work as I offered up all my deeds to God in prayer. Perhaps it was best period that God blessed me so as to develop my humility, perseverance, scrupulousness, and temperance. I still remembered the quote of Saint Teresa of Avila: "The saints rejoiced at injuries and persecutions, because in forgiving them, they had something to present to God when they prayed to Him." Little wonder I felt as if I was drunk from overindulgence in happiness most of time. Recently, God gave me a miracle to turn my table around that I did not see any essentialness to stay in my job. Because of that miracle, I really felt so relieved as if my long time burden had been lifted from my shoulders. Most Holy Trinity has never failed my faith! Benedicamus Domino. Deo Gratias! Alleluia! So I resigned and am now waiting for the interview at new job. But I never feel any fear because I know God is with me. Right now, I should worry whether I am on the side of God or not. But I will still praise and love Him no matter what. I also thank Blessed Mummy and all my patrons for their intercessions. Gloria Patri, Gloria Fili, Gloria Spiritus Sancti! Amen.

At this point, I learnt that holiness could be attained in work achievements. Both holiness and love are inseparable. Because of love, Abba Father sent His only Beloved Son to redeem us, and teach us how to be holy and perfect like Him. In the past, everything was filled with misery, sorrow and fear. But now, the Lion of Judah has conquered all! Alleluia! Indeed, perfect love drives out all the fears. No wonder Lord Jesus, Blessed Mummy and all the Saints were so valorous in proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

I am content with what I have now. Even now, I am still having difficulties and trials. But nothing disturbs me because I am holding the Hands of Lord Jesus and Blessed Mummy everyday with  my watchful guardians.

Pater, in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum. Deo Gratias!

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me? Have you thought God is asking you this question right now?

Today's Gospel is about the healing of deaf man by Jesus. It is not about the physical healing to some degree, for we all are called to carry our crosses and follow Jesus. My deafness possesses the big part of my cross which I am so glad to have in my life. Yet I already recognized that Lord Jesus had already healed me out of my deafness years ago. No, I am not talking about my hearing sense (I still have difficulties hearing the sounds in spite of the assistance of my hearing devices), but rather the listening ability to God through prayers. In the past, I could not hear Him well, but now I can hear Him more clearly.

In the Gospel, the deaf man began to speak well as he got his hearing sense restored. Wow, I could not imagine the same for myself. Do you expect me to speak so fluently if I can hear, because I do not have much trainings since my birth? Likewise, can you expect the blind man to know everything he sees when he gets his sight back? It will take a while to master the new ability, unless God gives you special graces to improve instantly! Okay, let's cut to the point now. When I began to hear or rather listen to God, the transformation took place within me over time being. Oh no, I was not transforming into the superman. I just noticed some differences in myself despite some old habits still stayed back. My tongue was once venomous, but now it becomes reserved for God's Ears only, and acts as His instrument of faith, love and peace. 

Thank You, Abba Father for healing my ears so that I can hear Thee and Thy Word more clearly. Thank you, Lord for healing my tongue who was once poisonous so that I can speak of Thy great love and peace. Let it be an instrument of faith, love and peace. Gloria Patri, Gloria Filio, Gloria Spiritui Sancto! Alleluia! Amen!

"Some say it is unreasonable to be courteous and gentle with a reckless person who insults you for no reason at all. I have made a pact with my tongue; not to speak when my heart is disturbed." 

- Saint Francis de Sales 

"Conquering the tongue is better than fasting on bread and water." 

- Saint John of the Cross 

Happy birthday, Blessed Mummy Mary!

See how pretty She is! Ave Maria!

Happy blessed birthday, Blessed Mummy Mary! Today is the feast day of Her Nativity. Today, I feel as if my gratitude to Her has taken to new level, because She has been assisting us with Her constant yet powerful prayers of intercession for us daily since two thousands years ago. She is the outstanding model of faith so we should learn from Her how to trust in God completely. Should we dive into despair, we can go to Her for help. But importantly we should ask Her to inspire our trust in God in our difficult times rather than asking for miracles through Her perpetual succour. She had endured the most difficult times during Her lifetime, which we cannot contemplate easily. Yet She continued to remain faithful till today. Little wonder She is the perfect disciple of Christ. Through Her, I come to know Her beloved Son, Lord Jesus and love Him more ardently. 

Are we grateful to Her? Why don't we start praying the rosary to honor Her now? Do you know when we complete one rosary, we make a beautiful crown of roses for Her. When you say one Paster Noster, you make one red rose, and when you say Angelic Salutation, you make one white rose.

Following song, it is my favourite song that never fails to make my day!