Get More Than Your Fill

"When they saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, 'Master, when did you come here?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, I say to you, you look for me, not because you have seen the signs, but because you ate bread and were satisfied. Work then, not for perishable food, but for the lasting food which gives eternal life. This is the food that the Son of Man gives to you, for the Father's seal has been put on him.'" - John 6:24-27

A lot of people look for Jesus. A lot of people go out of their way to try to find Him, but why is it that you and I are looking for Him? During this reading in John, Jesus had miraculously multiplied the loaves of bread for the hungry people. He then walked on water to cross to the other side. The crowds that were present when Jesus multiplied the loaves went out to look for Him again and when they found Him, Jesus gave them a warning that we need to consider in our own lives. Jesus performed miracles so that we could believe in the Son of God and in the rewards of eternal life. Unfortunately, some people went out searching for Jesus to get their fill of the bread He offered. How many of us look for God only for our own earthly survival? We look for Jesus fervently to get ourselves out of a bind, to help us find the money we need to pay off a bill, to help us through difficulties in a relationship… but once we've gotten our fill, once Jesus feeds us with what we needed, what do we do next? So many of these people left Jesus and wanted to come back only to eat again. Yes, God can take care of your needs on earth, and you should ask Him for help in everything, but never stop at just fast food. Let the Lord be your steady diet. As Jesus said, don't go to great lengths to find Him to obtain perishable things, things you will leave behind one day. Go through the effort of finding Jesus to find the source of life for your entire being, the one and only thing that I guarantee will fill you… God Himself.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You're my safety net when I need help, but help me grow so that my life becomes a prayer instead of picking You up and dropping You off when I need something. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Holy Week

"He humbled Himself by being obedient to death, death on the cross. That is why God exalted Him and gave Him the Name which outshines all names, so that at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend." - Philippians 2:8-10

When we were younger, we attended Mass during Holy Week and it was an obligation. The dressing up, the sitting and standing, and the long readings were tedious. This week, as we begin to observe Holy Week, we must recognize that we are no longer children, and approach the upcoming days with reverence and adult faith. This week, we meditate on the fact that being God, Christ chose to lay down His life for our sins. This isn't just a story or something that happened a very long time ago, but it's the very core of our lives and our salvation. If as an adult, you have decided that you believe in Jesus Christ, then observe this week in respect and reverence. God always extends an invitation to follow Him, but use this week to meditate on our own lives, our own sinfulness and the way Jesus came to Earth to serve us. Don't go through this week following the routine, but ask the Lord to let this week come alive for you. Think about the way the Human Jesus must have felt entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, knowing He would be put to death. His peers were about to condemn Him and His friends about to betray Him. And at the end of all this, He would resurrect, breaking the hold death had on us for so long. For the price Jesus paid, we no longer need to fear dying because He gained for us a much bigger reward with the Father in Heaven.

As adults, I ask all of you to please let your faith come alive this week. Attend the Masses, go to confession and reconcile with God, read the bible, meditate on Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection. We are no longer children, but adults that should know that our salvation is a very personal matter. It is our duty to make the time to show respect to the Lord who has given us life.

Today's Prayer:
My God, in the Name of Your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, I ask You to reveal Yourself to us during this Holy Week. Let those most in need of Your mercy come to reverence the passion, death, and resurrection of Your son, so that we may never die. In Your Name we pray, amen.

While In The World

"For everything in the world - the craving of the flesh, the greed of the eyes and people boasting of their superiority - all this belongs to the world, not to the Father. The world passes away with all its craving but those who do the will of God remain forever." - 1st John 2:16-17

Being young, it is so easy to get carried away by the things around us. We always admire those with status, those who drive nice cars and can buy expensive things. There's certainly nothing wrong with these things, but never let them define who you are. The person you are should have nothing to do with wealth or how fly your kicks are… one day you will leave all these things behind. Instead, focus on what truly defines who you are - your faith, your values, your morals, and these all come from God. While you're young, have fun and get to know all you can, but remember these things never last long. A wise person builds up what's inside and what can be carried over when this life is over.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, in my youth, help me to appreciate and get to know the world around me, but please never let it define who I am or be central to my life. Help me build on my faith so that I can grow in You. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Do Not Cheat God

"I, Yahweh, have not changed in anything; just as you, children of Jacob, are always the same. Since the day of your ancestors you stray from my ordinances and do not practice them. Return to me and I will return to you, says Yahweh of hosts. But you ask: 'Why do we have to return?' Can a man deceive God? Yet you cheat me and morever ask: 'How did we cheat you?'" - Malachi 3:6-9

God is not an option in your life. I come across way too many people who pick Him up and put Him down when it is convenient for them. When things are good, or they're busy planning out their lives with no concern for the will of God for them, they forget Him and ignore what they have been taught. Then when they need something, they immediately start praying and supplicating for God to listen to them. Even getting mad if the answer takes time. But it is as God says here to Malachi, He does not change the way He is with you, so why do you dedicate such little time to Him and not listen to His Word, His commandments? You cheat Him and then have the audacity to think you're getting away with it but you're not. God sees all things and knows what in the depth of your soul. If you really want to live a good, happy and successful life, put God first. Follow His commandments for your life always and He will take care of You. Don't cheat Him, or just try Him out to see how things go because you will fail. There is no real life away from God; all you will find is sadness and emptiness. Return to Him with all your heart and He will return to you. Remain in Him and He will remain in you.

Today's Prayer:
God, I am evil and stray from You although You are always there when I need You. I don't want to cheat You my Lord so please give me the strength to perservere out of love for You. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Either You Are Lost Or You Are Saved

"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but may have eternal life." - John 3:16

Lately I've been asking myself what to say when someone asks me why they should follow God and this verse answers that question for two reasons. First of all, God loves you. In Genesis it says He created us in His image. We are a part of Him and we owe all we are to Him. In fact, He went a step further and sacrificed His only son for our sins, something He even spared Abraham from doing to Isaac. And secondly, notice how the verse shows only two options - either we are lost without God or we have eternal life in God. Since we were created by God, without Him we are lost. Your life may be all sweet and dandy now, but even the happiest people out there feel that God shaped hole in their hearts whenever they are alone. Lost to God also means that we don't get to share in His glory in Heaven. This may be so far off to you right now while you're mapping out your plans for this weekend, but you can't guarantee you'll be here tomorrow so eternal life might only be a few hours away. It's either you have God or you don't. It's either you are lost or you will have eternal life. I don't know if I'll die tomorrow or in 50 years but death is coming for me and for you, so if you need a reason why you should follow God, it's because Jesus already died so that you can be in eternal glory instead of eternally lost.

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, open my eyes and help me to see Your salvation. Help me to fully understand that this life means nothing and is gone in a flash. You, my Lord, are eternal and have the power to give me eternal life. Please don't let me take the sacrifice of Your son in vain but be saved through His blood. In Your Name we pray, Amen.