Love, yes, it is a wonderful word. How good are we in using it? To begin with, it does not mean the same thing for all of us. In a way, we all have our own definition that defines our character and determines our attitude. Yet, without the ingredient of love, we will not acquire an attitude that makes us a better person.

The Apostle Paul called it, "the fruit of the Spirit"(Gal.5: 22). I would like to think of it as being "my attitude." It is particularly my attitude toward behavior. In fact, my behavior is the fruit of my attitude. It makes public what is within me and within everyone of us. I am not looking for the obvious or the glaring but a little "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These things are not magical or mystical that God only can bestow. Rather, these things we all can adapt and practice on our journey through life. We do need to practice these things to be better persons. I shall deal with each one of these necessary characteristics of behavior in my series. To begin with, however, I would like to share my latest experience on the influence of attitude on behavior. It is with the intent to test my attitude and invite you to do likewise.

The Apostle Paul called it, "the fruit of the Spirit"(Gal.5: 22). I would like to think of it as being "my attitude." It is particularly my attitude toward behavior. In fact, my behavior is the fruit of my attitude. It makes public what is within me and within everyone of us. I am not looking for the obvious or the glaring but a little "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These things are not magical or mystical that God only can bestow. Rather, these things we all can adapt and practice on our journey through life. We do need to practice these things to be better persons. I shall deal with each one of these necessary characteristics of behavior in my series. To begin with, however, I would like to share my latest experience on the influence of attitude on behavior. It is with the intent to test my attitude and invite you to do likewise.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," Jesus told me. Again, I am John, the disciple Jesus loved and I was privileged to see who Jesus really was and what He had done for humanity. What He had begun on earth continues in far greater glory in heaven. The more He would be opposed on earth, the more He would conquer the hearts of men and women, young and old. Whenever a people will close one door, He will open another among another people. Hell will not prevail against His Church or Kingdom because they are as eternal as He is. His followers shall celebrate Mass on earth and in heaven. Even God, the Father, has bestowed the highest honor on the Son.

I am Saul of Tarsus. Yes, I am the one that guarded the clothes of those that stoned Stephen, that persecuted the followers of Jesus and that met the Lord on the road to Damascus. My Lord Jesus had to make a special appearance to halt me from my zeal to persecute His followers. I was zealous for the traditions of our fathers and used the law to enforce them. I disobeyed the counsel of my teacher Gamaliel who cautioned us to wait and see whether Jesus was of God. I took it for granted that God was on our side. There were more than five hundred witnesses that would have disagreed with me, but I believed our false leaders and misrepresentatives of our sacred writings. I had to be blinded with a beam of light from heaven to bring me to my senses. That is why I was the last and the least of the apostles to receive mercy from my Lord Jesus, the Christ.