My Heart of the Matter

The Absolute Truth In A Divided World

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This morning at Mass the Gospel Acclamation(“Alleluia”) was from John 17:17. This is a confirmation from the Lord about this writing!

17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

49 “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

In Luke 12:49-53, Jesus proclaims that He has come not to bring peace, but division. His baptism—His suffering and death—will divide even the closest families: father against son, mother against daughter. This is the cost of discipleship. Those who follow Him must be willing to endure the separation and hostility that comes from radical allegiance to Christ. You realize heading in the right direction when not yielding to the ways of the world. His radical calling demands that we prioritize Him and trusting Him to leave all earthly bonds.

Finding Peace

Finding peace in this world is not possible. Why? Because Jesus proclaimed it in verse 51: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” How we choose to interpret this Scripture determines whether we fully understand the absolute truth. His radical calling is simple: follow Him and let Him lead you, even when that path brings conflict and separation from those we love.

Division In Families

We all have encountered adversity within our bloodline. When we fully commit our lives to Christ, it causes conflict with our loved ones. Sometimes it’s a political aspect when our opinions are not aligned with theirs. Jesus warned about these spiritual divisions. Nevertheless, without thinking, I find myself in the middle of the fighting arena, polarized by my beliefs, with the opponent attempting to dissuade my moral understanding of Scripture. This is when spiritual maturity takes over—I choose prayer. We should never allow ourselves to be in a vulnerable position. Never take the toxic bait to engage in a pointless argument. The battle belongs to the Lord.

Absolute Truth

The Word of God never changes. When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, He wrote them in stone—a foundation that still holds firm amid the chaos of the world. Here is the irony: anyone with a logical mind can recognize what truth is. But worldly influences tell a different story. And when that false story is repeated enough times, even a non-believer will accept it as truth.

With election day approaching, how should Christians vote? For me, it’s straightforward: I support candidates who vote pro-life, who defend the sanctity of marriage, and who protect our children.

15 Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

My Grandparents’ Journey

My maternal grandparents were from the states of Zacatecas and Aguascalientes in Mexico. They crossed the border into California in the 1920s. My entire life, I suspected they had crossed illegally.
My oldest cousin, Delia, still has her father’s greencard. After confirming Delia’s information with Tía María (recently passed), the matriarch of our family, she told me the truth: both of my grandparents came into this country legally. Their purpose was simple: to make a better life for their family.

A Model of Integrity

What is remarkable about my grandparents is that they both became American citizens. They never took a penny from the government. They paid their taxes because they obeyed the laws of their new land. My grandfather was self-employed—the owner of a barber shop. He built his livelihood through honest work and perseverance.

This is the model that matters: legal entry, citizenship, self-reliance, and respect for law. It is the immigrant story America honors, and it is the one my family lived.

 Loving Your Neighbors

We are called to love our immigrant neighbors. This love must be both generous and wise. There must be a balance of fairness in the distribution of  aid. Not only local parishes but the diocese and the community.

We want to welcome the immigrants but first ensure our system remains strong enough to help. Sanctuary City misguide the immigrant into believing that at all cost they will be cared for.

We need borders so that other countries will not take advantage of our benevolence.

Voting

Having several friends who share the same political views is helpful because dialog is important. We can discuss the pros and cons without any strife.    I share not to persuade you to vote as I do, but to call you to vote according to conscience and the unchanging truths of Christ.

2 When the just flourish, the people rejoice;
    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

We bear responsibility for the direction of our nation through our votes and our witness. We will answer for how we steward this responsibility. Choose wisely.

12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

The Truth

No matter the gravity of a lie, truth will always supersede it—not because it’s merely a “law of nature,” but because truth is grounded in God Himself. Christ declares: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Truth is not a principle floating in nature; it is a Person and His name is Jesus Christ.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, please commission all the saints named in our beautiful state of California to intercede in our behalf. That this election will be quick and fair. Expose any fraud before election day and give us back our state as You intended it to be. Amen

 

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My Heart of the Matter

Fourth Quarter: Trusting God As We Age

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Rosie and me

How does God help us as we get older?

Fourth Quarter

When you are well into your seventies, you realize this could be the fourth quarter of your life. I look to the saints to help me navigate all the various trials the world has thrown my way. Age brings its small humiliations—sandals that pinch, eyes that sting—but these are not what I want to write about. I want to share the Gospel and how it has sustained me through every season of this life.

How does God help us as we get older?

Saint Faustina

If you ever need direction on trusting God, Saint Faustina is your guide. On February 22, 1931, Jesus appeared to this simple Polish nun and revealed to her the depth of His mercy. He asked her to bring the message of Divine Mercy to the world—a message so profound that Catholics have woven it into their daily prayer. God does not complicate His revelations; He simply calls us to trust.

When I visited Krakow, Poland, I purchased a beautiful Divine Mercy image. But I could not keep it. The same weevils that infested my antique dining set had also attacked the wooden frame. When I treated the furniture, I did not realize the weevils had wings—they had already spread to the image. I had to discard it.

Yet this loss taught me something. The Diary of Saint Faustina has given me profound spiritual insight into what it means to surrender—not just possessions, but control itself. It is truly an act of love from our Lord.

The Diary of Saint Faustina has given me so much spiritual insight. It is truly an act of love from our Lord.

Jesus, I Trust In You

With all the challenges of this world, we have no other choice but to turn to the Lord. Through every trial, I have never faltered in trusting Him. There are moments when I feel abandoned, yet I return always to this truth: He has been with me at every step. He speaks to me in visions, in dreams, through His Holy Word, and through the words of others.

The Lotto

The Lord spoke to me the other day about trusting Him for everything. Did I listen? Not really. Whenever the Lotto reaches over 300 million, I get excited and fall into the world’s delusions. “Lord, I don’t want the big prize, but I do want second place. I promise you I will give generously to ministries and to my parish.” So what happened the last time I bought a ticket? I lost my ATM card. That was my last purchase. What an inconvenience—having to reorder through online banking. I never win, and when I do, it’s only two dollars. I was sick to learn that Mega Millions now costs five dollars. What a waste.

Yet this morning, driving past the 7-11 after Mass, I saw the bold red sign: 600 million. For a moment, temptation flickered. But I bowed my head and thanked God for delivering me from this unhealthy habit.

Seventy-Four Years Young

Your mind tells you how you feel, regardless of age. There is something sacred about people who attend regular Mass; we remain under God’s protection. Did you know that volunteering adds years to your life? When you give of yourself—especially in service at church—you discover purpose. God is trusting you to guide others to Him.

I have watched young people lose their faith in secular environments. Imagine the spiritual and psychological harm done when they are taught to doubt God. So I pray daily that God will prepare my heart and mind to show my students who He truly is. I will never mislead them. With all my heart, I cannot.

With my recent fall, I depend on others for transportation. My left shoulder is in a sling. But neither will keep me from teaching catechism. He is my strength.

So at my age, I will continue to offer my services in teaching and guiding young people to the Lord. I will do this as long as God permits.

Japheth

Years ago I taught Christian Release Time, a Protestant Bible study program for fourth- and fifth-grade students in public schools. One student whose name is Japheth captured my heart immediately—though not for the reason you might think.

When he first told me his name, I answered, “Ja what?” I had never heard of this name before. It took me half the school year to pronounce it correctly. But by then, this young man held a special place in my heart.

 

Japheth and Shem holding up the cloak with their back to Noah,  Artist James Tissot, Jewish Museum, Manhattan, New York

 

A few years ago, Japheth recognized me at Mass. It was a beautiful reunion. His mother, Rosalva, and I are Eucharistic ministers at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, and we share a deep spiritual connection. I knew Japheth had recently become engaged, and I rejoiced with him.

Rosalva is a traditional Catholic woman who wears a beautiful lace veil. Her family usually sits directly behind Mike and me. One Sunday, Rosalva tapped my shoulder and said, “Japheth is getting married on August 16th. We would love to invite you to the service.” Of course I said yes. I have already begun praying for their nuptials, and I know it will be a beautiful wedding.

It took me a while to realize that Japheth’s name comes from Scripture. Japheth was one of Noah’s sons, mentioned in Genesis three times (Genesis 6:9-10, 6:32, and 9:18). He and his brothers played a crucial role in the story of the Great Flood and its aftermath. Japheth, along with his brothers Shem and Ham and their wives, are ancestors of all humanity.

After the flood, Noah became drunk. Japheth and his brother Shem acted with respectful discretion, covering their father’s nakedness without looking upon him. Because Japheth displayed such reverence, Noah blessed him and prophesied that God would enlarge his descendants. The name Japheth means “may he extend,” reflecting this prophecy of his descendants spreading across the earth. Read the full narrative in Genesis 9:20-27.

Now I understand why Rosalva named her son Japheth.

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My Heart of the Matter

Falling Toward Grace

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Sonja taking care of her mom

The First Fall

It was in the Holy City of Jerusalem when I took a terrible fall. Craving locally baked bread sprinkled with sesame seeds, I turned around with the pretzel in hand when a bollard took me down. It was a hard fall. Moses, our tour guide, quickly came to my aid. “Don’t get up—wait a minute to assess the injury.” This was an important lesson which I took to heart.

Striving toward sainthood, the path is not always clear. Especially for someone who likes to take daily walks. Last Wednesday, on our ordinary walk around our neighborhood, an uneven segment of the sidewalk caught the toe of my walking shoe and down I went. Mike was there and actually broke the fall; catching my face with his leg saved me from a face injury. The right knee and shoulder did not fare well in the fall. As much as Mike wanted to help me up, I remembered the Jerusalem lesson and waited, using my right hand to move toward a decorative brick barrier. I pulled myself up.

Sonja

Our daughter Sonja works for a local hospital. She suggested that I come to the emergency room as soon as possible. Sonja arranged for triage as soon as I arrived. X-rays of both my shoulder and knee were ordered. Praising the good Lord, the x-rays came back negative of any breaks, but my right shoulder is out of alignment and there is a possible tear in the tendons. Before leaving the hospital, Sonja arranged an appointment with one of the best orthopedic surgeons. So on Tuesday, an MRI will determine the severity of the injury. Praying that no surgery will be needed. Our daughter is an angel.

Deductive Reasoning

It started nine years ago with a hammer toe that required surgery. Instead of a joint replacement for the useless toe, I opted for a rod. Though the toe looks normal and my feet are anatomically correct, the suffering from the botched surgery has caused me to trip on a daily basis. With this last fall and the injury to my shoulder and right knee, I have cause to question why this is constant. I need to address the real concern, which is the useless toe.

Our Spiritual Falls

In the same way as a physical fall, we must look for the reason why we fall short in our spiritual walk. Like everything in life, we must take a good look around to make sure that an uneven spiritual sidewalk will not cause us to fall. When making a full dedication to serve God, the enemy is there to distract our walk. We cannot take our eyes off the Lord, or we will end up in the water like Peter.

Peter’s fall is the perfect example of spiritual deception. He was walking toward Christ across the water—moving toward the very source of salvation—yet he lost faith in Christ’s power while walking toward Him. That paradox is the nature of spiritual manipulation: the deceiver often poses as a guide to God while actually pulling away from Him. Peter cried out, and Christ caught him. But how many fall and have no one to cry out to—or worse, cry out to the very person pulling them under? As soon as Peter took his eyes off God, down he went. But he was saved because he recognized his error and called out to the Lord.

I find that with more spiritual growth comes more distractions to cause us to fall. So if the first Pope can take his eyes off God, we are no different.

Search Deep

Seeking God when things don’t always go our way is the perfect start. God wants our attention to be on Him. The guidance that our Lord has for us is there for the asking. “Why does this keep happening to me? What am I doing wrong?” Remember, we serve an awesome God who only wants the best for us. There is nothing He will keep from you—just ask.

One of the readings at Mass this week:

9 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Falling Into Darkness: Wrong Counsel

Without knowing, the Enemy can put someone in your life who is trustworthy and is always available to help. Be very wary of these wolves that come in sheep’s clothing, because they have an agenda: to secure a place where they can manipulate. There are therapist who have a good connection with the Catholic Church, but are giving wrong counsel. Sadly, until the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to the persons being counseled, the therapist will continue to keep them under the spell of deception.

This danger is especially delicate when a therapist withholds accountability from their clients, never acknowledging the client’s role in their own struggles, and refuses to counsel forgiveness. When the therapist maintains control over their subjects in this way, they blindly lead the clients into a dark place where no Godly light can shine.

Imagine a broken spirit in the hands of someone so dangerous as this. It happens, and until the scales are removed from the eyes of the clients, all we can do is pray. When someone is hurting, we pray and guide them to the Lord. But in the case of a therapist who exploits vulnerability, the person is guided back to the therapist themselves, continuing the cycle of manipulation. The motivation may be friendship and connection, monetary gain, or both—but the result is spiritual captivity.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for always guiding my steps in life. Today I ask for myself that no surgery will be required to correct my shoulder. Jesus, I trust in You!

 

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