Love Letters to Lukewarm Souls

Most common instances people only remember to use God in their life: 1. Attend Sunday Mass or service for 1 hour or less 2. For Baptism or Dedication ceremonial rites for their child 3. Prayer before any party meals 4. For their wedding ceremonial rites 5. For the success of their school exams or licensure 6. For the success of their job and/or immigration application 7. For material needs/wants 8. Of course, if they get sick, in any trouble, dying or any near death-related experiences “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. " (Mark 10: 20-22) Who needs God when everything's good?

Last year, just out of curiosity, I whimsically tallied the number of attendance I invited people to our birthday party, house warming, and other social gatherings, and also tallied the number of attendance I invited people to church-related activities such as prayer meetings, recollections/retreats, Christian concerts and the like. Well, to no surprise, the percentage results are... (are you ready?) About 99.7% = attendance to birthday party and other social get-together invitations. As to attendance to church-related activities invitation? A peewee 17% . Huge and far contrast. Not even close, wait... not even half-close. Especially when you are already here in America (where time with God seems to be hidden somewhere in their kitchen cupboards). I have been to these "invitating" circumstances long enough to know that excuses would be coming (valid or invalid it may be). So it's not surprising. All of a sudden, somebody got sick, or all of a sudden somebody thr...

For more than 2000 years, human personalities are still the same as today. Although Jesus came down on earth to heal the sick, gave sight to the blind, took the pharisees to school and redeemed the world by dying on the cross to save our sins, mankind never learned, never listened. We still continue to do the same things all over again, no matter how the Catholic church, or the saints or your priest/pastor or your parents and Christian friends would preach, no matter how they evangelize, give alms to the poor, help the needy, comfort the brokenhearted, inspire the unmotivated, educate the spiritually illiterate, invite the un-church. Men and women remain indifferent, ashamed, cynical, critical, skeptical. They still mock, disobey, question, cherry-picks or modify the teachings of the church to suit to their own comfort and lifestyles the same way Jesus' crowds did 2000 years ago. Worldly affairs and views in this world they live in are enough for them until they die. The question...

Haven't anyone notice that when you go to church (assuming you are), the predominant congregation are in the geriatric age group? You could hear walkers screeching on the aisle. Grey hairs surrounding the pews like pompoms. Stooping postures lining up for communion. It's a sad reality, but unfortunately, many of the young and able treat God only as a vending machine. He is only needed when one is hungry and thirsty physically or emotionally or financially. Don't wait until you are old or sick or disabled, dying or poor then that's the moment you spend more time with Him. You feel you are good for now--no need to complicate life, just don't come looking for Him nor blame Him when your circumstances turn sour (humanly speaking). “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)  

Are you familiar with the late MJ's song, "Man in the Mirror"? If you are, hold that thought for a sec. Whenever you read or hear stuff from friends reminding you to prioritize spiritual life than work or leisure; whenever they invite you to attend prayer groups or other church-related activities; whenever you read various spiritual quotes and sayings on social media such as Facebook, Myspace, etc., instead of passing the buck back at them and judging them as hypocrites or holier-than-thou's, weird, geeks or religious nuts; instead of making up excuses to those persons who are trying to help you get to heaven together; why not give yourself a chance, why not "take a look at yourself", how are you doing in your spiritual practice and "make that change"? And see what happens. No matter how nice you think you are, whether you'll admit it or not, everybody has the tendency to hide their heads in the sand and be selfish about their time and talent...

There is one simple reason why a lot of people are not following what their faith teaches them to do; why a lot of people are questioning their faith; why a lot of people are dismissing the church's views as outdated, old-fashioned; why a lot of people acted as if they know better than the collective church philosophers, theologians and saints of the past 2000 years; why are people so indifferent, or proud and arrogant to question Christ and His followers of men and women without hesitation and effort to understand... Simple. We find the teachings of Christ and the church inconvenient for us, whether you admit it or not. So. Choose your priority. God or your comfort zone? “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me... What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose their own soul? " (Luke 9:23, 25)