Dictate of the Heart | Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 12:1-11
• Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
• 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
• Matthew 16:13-19

Today is the Solemn Feast of these two great Apostles, Peter and Paul.  They have changed history by their fidelity to Jesus.  St. Peter is the rock, and the keys to the Kingdom of heaven had been given to him by Jesus.  He was a leader of the Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem and Antioch and Rome.  He was the first Vicar of Christ on earth.   

Paul was the staunch follower of the Lord after his conversion.  He made history being a missionary for Christ to bring good news to the gentiles in Galatia and Athens and Thessalonica. He contributed to the propagation of Christian faith through his many epistles or letters included in the New Testament.   

I am convinced that these two Saints. Peter and Paul, are fittingly called the founding pillars of the Catholic Church despite Peter’s denials and human flaws and Saul, who was a great persecutor of early Christians. Both of them lived in their humanity and their participation in Christ’s Divinity, and they fell on their knees in order to receive redemptive love from Jesus, our Savior. They took upon themselves Christ’s life, death and resurrection, which finally brought them into Christ’s glory. 

The 1st reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, narrates the miraculous experience of Peter when he was about to be executed by King Herod because of his preaching about Jesus.  While in prison, an angel freed him from his chains. He was told by the angel to get up, get dressed and get out. Peter thought he was dreaming, but once he was out on the street, the angel left him to go and show himself to all those who had been praying for him.  This is how Peter was spared from his impending death because the Lord saved him. 

In the 2nd reading, a Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, we hear Paul’s writing about his journey in faith after his conversion.  He labored much for the propagation of faith, being a convert and being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.  He dedicated his whole life to Jesus, and in the midst of trials and difficulties, he kept the faith while boasting that the Lord stood by him and made him safe for his part in continuing to spread the Goodnews that all are saved by the goodness and mercy of God.  He said, “Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.” (Rom. 8:31-39) 

The gospel, taken from the evangelist, St. Matthew, presents signs for proof that Jesus is sent from God as the Messiah.  Jesus warns us that there have been clear signs and evidence which validate His claim.  Let us focus on this particular gospel pericope which interestingly revealed the very heart of Jesus.   

First, Jesus asks, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  And Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”  These questions must be taken in the context that Jesus asks His followers about who they think or believe Him to be.  The apostles, in particular Peter, attested to the fact that Jesus is more than just a prophet.  Peter professes the real presence of the Person of God made man.  Jesus is truly the Son of the Living God.  I believe that Peter was totally absorbed by the Holy Spirit with whom God worked on him with a change of mind and heart.   This is the highlight of the relationship between       Jesus and those whom He had called.  Jesus clearly is telling us that this act of belief comes, not from physical presentation of evidence, but as a gift from heaven; therefore, faith then is more than examination of evidence.   Faith is an ascent of the human will to God.   

Second, Jesus said to Simon, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.  For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my heavenly Father.”  Here, Jesus always breathing profoundly of that same Spirit has in turn bestowed a name change upon Simon.  “You are Peter,” Jesus said.  It is not only changing his name but informing him that his affirmation that “Jesus is Christ, the Son of the Living God,” is God’s gift.  Peter’s reaction on the basis of “flesh and blood” is not about his human capacities but through the revelation from God the Father.   

Third, Jesus says, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”  (Mt. 16:18) Peter was able to become a solid rock, though with human weakness, a stone along the path, a stone on which men can stumble which in Greek language means, “skandalon.”  We must be mindful that it was a gift that comes from the Lord and at the same time, a gift to take it with human capacities.   

It is a gift of affirmation and ordination that Peter was called the first Vicar of Christ on earth, a person called to take charge of the CHURCH, which is the gathering of people together because they have heard something special being called by Christ, you and me, together defined as the Church. 

As Peter, Paul and the other apostles were called, so is all that Jesus gives to Peter meant to continue the calling of Jesus, so that those who hear and follow will be called well.   Jesus never imposes anything on us because He is just an inviter.  The key given to Peter is not to lock us up but to keep safe the Truths and the Teachings of Jesus for our future with God. 

We are in one boat sailing together as Church during this Jubilee of Hope.  Let us be mindful of the great, abundant harvests of blessings called to be blest by the Word and Sacraments and to continue to be sent out for further calling and catching for the Lord and not for our self-interest.    

Wherever we are, like me being called to another missionary endeavor back in the Philippines after almost 19 years, we preach with authenticity, simplicity of life and actions of love.   I believe in preaching the Word of God, no matter how strong the storm, at least by God grace, like Sts. Peter and Paul, who conquered all human frailty, shed their blood and helped the Church to grow.   

May our sharing of the cup of suffering of the Lord allow us to stay friends of God. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Solemnidad de San Pedro y San Pablo, Apóstoles, Ciclo C

Lecturas:

• Hechos 12, 1–11
• Salmo 33, 2–3. 4–5. 6–7. 8–9
• 2 Timoteo 4, 6–8. 17–18
• Mateo 16, 13–19

Hoy celebramos la Solemnidad de dos grandes apóstoles: Pedro y Pablo. Ellos cambiaron el curso de la historia mediante su fidelidad a Jesús.

San Pedro es la roca, aquel a quien Jesús confió las llaves del Reino de los Cielos. Fue líder de las comunidades judeocristianas en Jerusalén, Antioquía y Roma, y se convirtió en el primer Vicario de Cristo en la tierra.

San Pablo, después de su conversión dramática, se volvió un ferviente misionero de Cristo. Llevó la Buena Nueva a los gentiles en lugares como Galacia, Atenas y Tesalónica. A través de sus muchas epístolas, que hoy forman parte del Nuevo Testamento, contribuyó enormemente a la expansión de la fe cristiana.

A pesar de la negación de Pedro y del pasado perseguidor de Pablo, ambos vivieron una profunda conversión. En su humanidad, encontraron la divinidad de Cristo. Se arrodillaron para recibir el amor redentor de Jesús, nuestro Salvador. Al abrazar la vida, muerte y resurrección de Cristo, llegaron a participar también de su gloria.

La primera lectura, tomada del libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, narra un momento milagroso en la vida de Pedro. Encarcelado por el rey Herodes por predicar a Jesús, Pedro estaba a punto de ser ejecutado. Pero un ángel del Señor se le apareció, rompió sus cadenas y le ordenó que se levantara, se vistiera y saliera. Al principio, Pedro pensaba que era un sueño. Pero cuando se encontró libre en la calle, comprendió que era real. Entonces fue a mostrarse a la comunidad que había estado orando fervientemente por él. El mensaje es claro: el Señor salva.

En la segunda lectura, escuchamos a San Pablo escribiendo a Timoteo al final de su vida. Reflexiona sobre su camino de fe, expresando que ha combatido el buen combate, ha terminado la carrera y ha conservado la fe. A pesar de las pruebas y persecuciones, Pablo nunca dudó. No se gloría en sí mismo, sino en que el Señor estuvo a su lado y le dio fuerza para anunciar la Buena Nueva. Nos recuerda que “nada puede separarnos del amor de Cristo” (cf. Romanos 8, 31–39).

En el Evangelio de hoy, San Mateo presenta un momento clave en el ministerio público de Jesús. Primero pregunta: “¿Quién dice la gente que es el Hijo del Hombre?”, y luego lanza una pregunta más personal: “Y ustedes, ¿quién dicen que soy yo?” Estas preguntas no solo desafían a los discípulos, sino también a cada uno de nosotros.

Pedro, lleno del Espíritu Santo, proclama con valentía: “Tú eres el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios vivo.” Esta profesión de fe marca un punto de inflexión. Pedro habla, no por intuición humana, sino por revelación divina del Padre. Esta es la base de nuestra fe: no solo la razón o la evidencia, sino un don de lo alto. La fe es la adhesión libre de la voluntad humana a Dios.

Jesús responde: “Dichoso tú, Simón, hijo de Jonás, porque esto no te lo ha revelado ningún hombre, sino mi Padre que está en el cielo.” Luego añade: “Tú eres Pedro, y sobre esta piedra edificaré mi Iglesia.”

Aquí, Jesús no solo cambia el nombre de Simón, afirma su nueva identidad y misión. La confesión de Pedro se convierte en el fundamento de la Iglesia, no por su fuerza humana, sino por la iniciativa divina de Dios. Aunque Pedro seguiría luchando con su debilidad, fue, en ocasiones, piedra de tropiezo (del griego skandalon) fue elegido para ser la roca sobre la cual Cristo edificaría su Iglesia.

Jesús entrega a Pedro las llaves del Reino, no para cerrar el paso a los demás, sino para custodiar y preservar la Verdad de la enseñanza de Cristo. Pedro se convierte en el primer pastor del rebaño, llamado a servir, a guiar y a reunir al pueblo de Dios, la Iglesia, que no es un edificio, sino un pueblo convocado por Cristo.

Así como Pedro, Pablo y los demás apóstoles fueron llamados, también nosotros lo somos. Jesús sigue haciendo su invitación a cada uno. Él no impone, invita. Y en este Jubileo de la Esperanza, todos estamos llamados a estar en la misma barca, navegando juntos como Iglesia.

Como Pedro y Pablo, somos enviados a predicar, no por nosotros mismos, sino por el Señor. Donde sea que estemos, ya sea aquí o, como en mi caso, después de casi diecinueve años, de regreso a Filipinas, estamos llamados a predicar con autenticidad, sencillez de vida y actos de amor.

No importa cuán fuerte sea la tormenta; por la gracia de Dios, podemos, como san Pedro y san Pablo, superar nuestra fragilidad humana. Ellos derramaron su sangre, permanecieron fieles, y gracias a su testimonio, la Iglesia ha crecido.

Que al compartir el cáliz del sufrimiento, profundicemos nuestra amistad con Dios, y que las vidas de san Pedro y san Pablo nos sigan inspirando a caminar con humildad y valentía en la fe.

Que Dios los bendiga,

P. Arlon, OSA

• Genesis 14:18–20
• Psalm 110:1–4
• 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
• Luke 9:11–17

Having been a Catholic parishioner for many years, he still struggles to accept Jesus and does not fully understand that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. Many of you may have the same attitude, wrestling to fully accept this mystery in faith. We just cannot seem to figure out how Jesus’ Body and Blood could truly be present in that way.

So, I politely asked this person, “Would you like it if Jesus really wanted to be with you and dwell within you through the Eucharist?” He responded, “Yes, but I would prefer it if there were concrete and visible evidence—something I could see and taste—to truly believe.” He refused the simplicity of faith and receptivity.

Many of us also look for evidence to prove Christ’s Real Presence in the small host and the chalice of wine—elements that never change in taste. Yet Jesus said plainly: “This is my Body… This is my Blood”—real food and drink for eternal life. Jesus does not lie. He would never deceive us.

What becomes painfully evident, however, is our lack of belief and reverence toward the Eucharist. Many times, we fail to give the highest respect to God, who became food—not just to nourish us physically or spiritually, but to show us how deeply we are loved. Let us ask ourselves again:

• How much honor and respect do we give to Jesus in the Eucharist?
• How many of us fail to recognize His presence after receiving Communion?
• How often do we offend the Lord by acts of irreverence or sacrilege?

At every Mass, we are called to believe that after the consecration of the bread and wine, something extraordinary takes place—not just a priestly blessing, but a real transformation: both species become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This mystery is what we call the Eucharistic Presence of God. The feast of Corpus Christi has been celebrated in the Church since 1254 to honor this profound mystery.

Today is a special day for the Church to humbly reflect on the sacred meaning of the Eucharist through the Scriptures. This feast began on Holy Thursday, when at the Last Supper, Jesus gave His Body and Blood to His disciples. That gift was completed on Good Friday, when He offered His Body and Blood on the Cross for all of us.

In the first reading from the Book of Genesis, we see a victorious moment: Melchizedek, priest of God Most High, offers bread and wine in thanksgiving and blessing. The ritual act of praise, along with the offering of bread and wine—gifts from the earth and signs of God’s sustaining love—symbolize a deep covenantal relationship with God.

In the second reading, from the First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul recalls the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Paul writes that Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my Body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then He took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my Blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” Paul reminds us that in eating this bread and drinking this cup, we proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes again.

The Gospel from Luke recounts the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish. Jesus’ preaching and healing had drawn a large crowd. Though physically exhausted and hungry, the people stayed, captivated by His words.

Let us reflect on three key moments:

First, Jesus sends out His apostles, and when they return to report all they had done and seen, He takes them to a quiet place for rest. But the crowd finds them again, and the tension over how to feed such a large group arises. Their inability to provide food becomes a moment of mission, not failure.

Second, Jesus tells the apostles, “You give them something to eat.” They protest that they have only five loaves and two fish. But Jesus blesses what they have and gives it back to the apostles to distribute. This act mirrors the Eucharist: blessing, breaking, and distributing. When the people had eaten their fill, twelve baskets of leftovers remained—an abundant sign of God’s providence.

Third, Jesus shows that His preaching and healing are intimately tied to the act of feeding. He empowers His apostles to serve, just as He serves. Jesus, the one who should be served, instead becomes the one who serves. The apostles, then and now, are to break bread for the healing and nourishment of the faithful. Those wishing to be fed had to gather, sit, and show they were open to receive.

The apostles went out with little, and returned with much. Jesus transforms what is small through the power lines of love.

When you are hungry, do not turn to food that fails to satisfy. Turn to Jesus. In your most difficult moments, when you feel overwhelmed, let the gift of His life give you strength, freedom, and courage. Jesus offers you peace that the world cannot give. He offers you the food that leads to eternal life. With this food, you will not lose yourself—you will find yourself, and be united with God.

In Sermon 227, St. Augustine teaches that the visible bread and wine on the altar, once sanctified by the word of God, become the Body and Blood of Christ. In receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, we become what we receive: the Mystical Body of Christ. Augustine affirmed that what we receive is the same Body that hung on the Cross. It is not merely a symbol—it is a real participation in Christ’s sacrifice.

St. Augustine gives us this powerful insight to contemplate on this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Solemnidad del Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo (Corpus Christi), Año C

• Génesis 14, 18–20
• Salmo 109, 1–4
• 1 Corintios 11, 23–26
• Lucas 9, 11–17

Aun después de muchos años en la Iglesia, hay quienes siguen luchando por creer que Jesús está realmente presente en la Eucaristía. Tal vez tú también batalles con este misterio de fe. Quizás te preguntes: ¿Cómo puede ser posible? ¿Cómo pueden el pan y el vino convertirse en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo?

Una vez le pregunté amablemente a un feligrés que tenía esta misma duda:

”¿Te gustaría que fuera verdad que Jesús quiere habitar en ti a través de la Eucaristía?”

Él respondió: “Sí, me gustaría, pero desearía tener pruebas visibles, algo que pudiera ver o saborear para realmente creer.”

Esta respuesta, aunque honesta, revela una negativa a aceptar la sencillez de la fe. Como muchos hoy en día, buscaba evidencia tangible en lugar de abandonarse al don del misterio divino. Pero la fe no consiste en ver, sino en confiar en Aquel que habla.

Jesús no dijo: “Esto representa mi Cuerpo”, sino: “Esto es mi Cuerpo… Esta es mi Sangre.” Él no nos engaña. Nos entregó su propio ser: alimento verdadero y bebida verdadera para la vida eterna.

Lo que con frecuencia se vuelve dolorosamente evidente no es el misterio de la Eucaristía, sino nuestra falta de fe en ella. Muchos de nosotros, tal vez sin darnos cuenta, recibimos la Eucaristía sin reverencia, sin asombro, sin amor.

Preguntémonos sinceramente:

   •   ¿Cuánto honor y devoción mostramos a Jesús verdaderamente presente en la Eucaristía?

   •   Después de comulgar, ¿reconocemos a quién hemos recibido?

   •   ¿Con qué frecuencia ofendemos al Señor por actos de irreverencia, distracción o incluso sacrilegio?

En cada Misa ocurre algo extraordinario: no es solo un rito simbólico, ni una simple bendición, sino una verdadera transformación. El pan y el vino se convierten en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Jesucristo. A esto le llamamos la Presencia Real, no una metáfora, sino una realidad.

La Solemnidad de Corpus Christi, celebrada por primera vez en la Iglesia en 1254, es un día para honrar y reflexionar profundamente sobre este misterio sagrado. Nace del Jueves Santo, cuando Cristo instituyó la Eucaristía, y nos dirige al Viernes Santo, cuando se ofreció por completo en la Cruz.

En nuestra primera lectura del Génesis, encontramos a Melquisedec, el misterioso sacerdote rey de Salem, ofreciendo pan y vino en acción de gracias. Este acto antiguo prefigura a Cristo, el verdadero Sacerdote y Rey, que se ofrece bajo los signos del pan y el vino: un gesto de alianza, de gratitud y de amor.

En la segunda lectura, San Pablo recuerda la Última Cena. Jesús tomó el pan, dio gracias, lo partió y dijo: “Esto es mi Cuerpo, que se entrega por ustedes.” Luego tomó el cáliz y dijo: “Este cáliz es la nueva alianza en mi Sangre.” No es solo un recuerdo: es una participación en el sacrificio de la Cruz.

En el Evangelio de Lucas, vemos a Jesús alimentando a una multitud hambrienta con cinco panes y dos pescados. Pero este milagro es mucho más que una comida. Es un anuncio de la Eucaristía.

Reflexionemos sobre tres momentos importantes de esa escena:

1. Jesús se retira con sus discípulos a descansar, pero la multitud los encuentra. En lugar de alejarlos, Jesús los acoge, los sana y les enseña. Aun cuando estamos cansados y agobiados, el Señor sigue entregándose a nosotros.

2. Jesús les dice a sus apóstoles: “Denles ustedes de comer.”Aunque tienen poco, Él bendice lo que le ofrecen y lo multiplica. Esto es Eucaristía: bendecir, partir y compartir. Cuando ofrecemos nuestros pequeños dones a Dios, Él los transforma sin medida.

3. Finalmente, Jesús muestra que alimentar y sanar van de la mano. El hambre física de la multitud se convierte en una puerta a la comunión más profunda con Dios. Jesús, el que debería ser servido, se convierte en el que sirve. Y envía a sus apóstoles a hacer lo mismo: a nutrir a los fieles, no con alimento común, sino con el Pan de Vida.

Queridos amigos, cuando estemos espiritualmente hambrientos, no busquemos un alimento que no sacia. Volvámonos a Jesús en la Eucaristía. En nuestras horas más oscuras, cuando nos sintamos vacíos o con miedo, dejemos que el don de su Cuerpo y Sangre sea nuestra fortaleza. Jesús nos ofrece una paz que el mundo no puede dar, y un alimento que no lleva a la muerte, sino a la vida eterna.

Con este alimento celestial, no nos perdemos nos encontramos. Nos unimos a Dios.

San Agustín, en su Sermón 227, habla poderosamente sobre este misterio. Nos recuerda que el pan y el vino, una vez consagrados por la palabra de Cristo, se convierten en su verdadero Cuerpo y Sangre. Y al recibirlos, nos convertimos en lo que recibimos: el Cuerpo Místico de Cristo. La Eucaristía no es solo un símbolo: es una participación en el sacrificio de Cristo en la Cruz.

Así que hoy, en esta gran fiesta del Corpus Christi, adoremos al que se hace alimento para nuestras almas. Renovemos nuestra fe en la Presencia Real. Démosle el honor, la reverencia y el amor que verdaderamente merece.

Vengan, adoremos y postrémonos ante Él, verdaderamente presente en la Eucaristía.

Y que jamás lo recibamos con ligereza, sino siempre con un corazón lleno de amor, humildad y gratitud.

Que Dios los bendiga a todos.

P. Arlon, OSA

• Proverbs 8:22-31
• Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
• Romans 5:1-5
• John 16:12-15

Today is the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity.  It falls also on the celebration of Father’s Day.  We allow ourselves to embrace and rejoice to receive this mystery and the gift of every father in the world.  I find it more comforting to think of our father with us and how he provides for us in every way.  Some of us no longer have earthly fathers with us. Some may not have the father that they needed, and, of course, many have caring, nurturing fathers; yet all of us share the same loving Father who gave us His only Son, that we would be saved.  Jesus is our brother who gives His Body and Blood so that whoever eats this bread will live forever.  The enduring presence of Christ strengthens and sustains us, for He wants to share His life and mission. 

Today we are not dealing here with concepts or ideas in order to understand this profound mystery of the Holy Trinity but to reflect on the mystery based on our individual experience of relationship and our encounter with the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God in three persons.  

Let us reflect on each of the readings today which manifest the unity of God who continues to reveal Himself in human history and what is written down in the scriptures.  

In the 1st reading today from the Book of Proverbs is a poetic reflection of the co-eternity within the three persons in God.  There is the Highest Being called the Father who is in existence, omnipotent, and the power of creating resides in Him.  He has all the wisdom to design everything here on earth, including the human race, who was made into His masterpiece. He made man His co-partner of His creation.  God breathed on them to illustrate His creative power, made according to His own image.  

The 2nd reading, taken from the epistle of St. Paul to the Romans, notes that it is through the work of Jesus Christ that “we have peace with God,” which means “eirene” in Greek, that surpasses all understanding and gains for us all access to the grace of God. 

The gospel, taken from St. John, is a section of Jesus’s last words with His friends.  The beginning verse is to make us understand what He says that, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.”  Therefore, because of our limited mind and also attention span, we cannot carry some of His teachings.  We are humbled though by the fact that we are just His mere creation.  We need to patiently conquer our iniquities so that through His grace we sustain our eagerness to figure out that this Holy Trinity is not difficult to accept and to embrace.  Jesus speaks of the Spirit, who shares all that the Father has given to Jesus, the Son.  The Spirit will also guide the disciples and believers to learn what Jesus taught us.  The Spirit accompanies us to remember everything. 

There are some important points to guide our understanding of the mystery revealed to us.   

First, the deepest truth that Jesus came to reveal is that there is a Creator Who loves all the creation, and then everything He created returns to the Creator, the Father.   Our main concern is to love and protect the environment and the world and never misuse or selfishly abuse created things.  We are all recipients of these gifts and stewards of all things around us. They are all ours but still belong to the Father who created everything and with which humanity cannot do whatever they want. 

Second, the coming of Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, who lives in human history, opens our minds that all good things around us have come from heaven above.  He was sent by the Father, to praise and glorify all with His Holy Name by preaching, good deeds and love.  In His Word from the gospel, He preaches that all good things come from God and are part of God’s goodness and so we must return them. Jesus’ mission is to embrace us with sacredness according to the sacredness of His Father.  We are all redeemed so that we may all be saved.   

Third, the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send an Advocate, the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, had been fulfilled during the Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has something to do with the perpetuation of God’s presence here on earth and beyond to build and to kindle in us the fire of God’s love, unity and communion.  The Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, found delight in working within our souls to keep reminding us that in three persons, there is One Divine Being.   

The Holy Spirit sustains us patiently on our journey through life’s holy pilgrimage.  When we are weak and tempted to give up on our holiness, the Spirit is quick to assist us in seeing all the other gifts bestowed upon us so that we may persevere to our holy and eternal destiny. 

This mystery about the Trinity has been revealed implicitly, accepting humbly the Holy Trinity which remains in the hearts of the Apostles and the early Christians and taught to us by the Fathers of the Church. In particular, St. Augustine encourages us to keep on searching, pondering, being warmed by anything which keeps us alive in faith, and interested in watching the play of God who delights amidst our human limitation to grasp the totality of God.  However, the most important is that we are being loved enough. 

Today, let us be renewed in our relationship with the three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and we can grow in our desires for a greater openness to the graces that each person wants to offer us. May this feast bring us all a renewal of the graces we need and the desire to enjoy the very personal gift of God’s love for us – for God’s greater glory and the service of others.  

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón: Solemnidad de la Santísima Trinidad, Ciclo C

• Proverbios 8, 22–31
• Salmo 8, 4–5. 6–7. 8–9
• Romanos 5, 1–5
• Juan 16, 12–15

Hoy celebramos la Solemnidad de la Santísima Trinidad, que también coincide con el Día del Padre. Abracemos con gozo este profundo misterio y el don de la paternidad en todas sus formas. Me resulta muy consolador pensar en nuestro Padre celestial: cómo está siempre con nosotros y cómo provee en todo momento.

Algunos de nosotros ya no tenemos a nuestros padres terrenales con vida. Otros quizá no tuvieron el padre que necesitaban. Muchos, gracias a Dios, han conocido el amor de un padre cariñoso y atento. Sin embargo, todos compartimos una misma verdad: tenemos un Padre amoroso que nos dio a su único Hijo para que seamos salvados. Jesús, nuestro Hermano, nos entrega su Cuerpo y su Sangre, para que quien coma de este pan viva para siempre. Su presencia constante nos fortalece y sostiene. Él quiere compartir con nosotros su vida y su misión.

Hoy no se trata solo de entender el misterio de la Trinidad como una idea o concepto. Se trata de reflexionar sobre nuestra experiencia vivida: nuestra relación y encuentro con la Trinidad: Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo, un solo Dios en tres Personas.

Reflexionemos sobre las lecturas de hoy, que manifiestan la unidad de Dios y su continua revelación a lo largo de la historia humana, recogida en las Sagradas Escrituras.

En la primera lectura, del libro de los Proverbios, encontramos una reflexión poética sobre la coexistencia eterna de las tres Personas divinas. Se presenta al Padre como el Ser Supremo, todopoderoso, Creador de todo. La Sabiduría está junto a Él desde el principio, participando en la creación. Por medio de esta Sabiduría, diseñó el universo y creó al ser humano como su obra maestra. Dios sopló sobre nosotros su aliento de vida, nos hizo a su imagen y nos invitó a ser colaboradores en su creación.

En la segunda lectura, de la carta del apóstol san Pablo a los Romanos, se nos recuerda que, por medio de Jesucristo, “tenemos paz con Dios”. La palabra griega eirene se refiere a una paz que supera todo entendimiento. Gracias a Cristo, tenemos acceso a la gracia de Dios.

El Evangelio de san Juan nos presenta parte del discurso de despedida de Jesús a sus discípulos. Comienza diciendo: “Todavía tengo muchas cosas que decirles, pero ahora no las pueden comprender.” Estas palabras nos invitan a la humildad, reconociendo nuestras limitaciones humanas. Sin embargo, Jesús promete el envío del Espíritu, que nos guiará a la verdad plena. El Espíritu tomará todo lo que el Padre ha dado al Hijo y nos lo hará conocer. Nos ayudará a recordar y vivir las enseñanzas de Jesús.

Para ayudarnos a abrazar el misterio de la Trinidad, consideremos tres puntos clave:

Primero, Jesús nos revela la verdad más profunda: tenemos un Creador que ama su creación. Todo lo que Dios ha hecho está llamado a volver a Él. Por eso, debemos amar y cuidar la naturaleza y el mundo que nos rodea. No podemos abusar ni usar egoístamente lo creado. Somos administradores de estos dones, no sus dueños. Todo le pertenece al Padre.

Segundo, la venida de Jesús, el Hijo de Dios hecho carne, nos ayuda a reconocer que todo bien proviene del cielo. Él fue enviado por el Padre para glorificar su nombre a través de la predicación, las obras de amor y el testimonio de vida. Todo lo que Jesús enseñó nos muestra que la bondad viene de Dios y debe regresar a Él. Su misión fue abrazarnos con la misma santidad del Padre. Hemos sido redimidos para alcanzar la salvación.

Tercero, la promesa de Jesús de enviar al Defensor, el Paráclito, se cumplió en Pentecostés. El Espíritu Santo continúa haciendo presente a Dios entre nosotros. Él enciende en nuestros corazones el fuego del amor divino, la unidad y la comunión. Procede del Padre y del Hijo, y actúa en el alma humana para recordarnos que en tres Personas hay un solo Ser Divino.

El Espíritu Santo nos acompaña pacientemente en nuestro caminar. Cuando estamos débiles o sentimos ganas de abandonar el camino de la santidad, el Espíritu nos recuerda los dones que hemos recibido, para que perseveremos hacia nuestro destino eterno.

Este misterio de la Trinidad ha sido revelado y humildemente acogido por los apóstoles, los primeros cristianos y los Padres de la Iglesia. San Agustín, en particular, nos anima a seguir buscando, reflexionando y dejándonos tocar por aquello que alimenta nuestra fe. Aunque somos limitados y no podemos comprender plenamente a Dios, lo más importante es saber que somos profundamente amados.

Hoy, renovemos nuestra relación con las tres Personas divinas: el Padre, el Hijo y el Espíritu Santo. Abramos el corazón para recibir las gracias que cada Persona quiere darnos. Que esta fiesta nos renueve en el amor de Dios y nos impulse a servir a los demás, para mayor gloria de Dios.

Dios los bendiga.

• Acts 2:1-11
• Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
• 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
• John 20:19-23

Today is a joyous celebration which is sometimes called the birthday of the universal Church. It’s Pentecost, 50 days after the Resurrection of the Lord, and the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, descends upon the Apostles and followers of the Lord as it was promised to them. The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Holy Trinity. He is a Spirit, not a physical thing, and thus we can’t see a spirit but we can feel His presence.

In the first reading from Acts, the Jews were “all in one place together.” What we hear from this epistle is the surprising event of a Holy Wind and then “appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.”

This Spirit’s coming brings about great changes in their lives because of their ability to speak and understand different languages as a sign of the mighty acts of God. Those inspired Jews give thanks to God, and news spreads for the abundance of grace which represents a new experience of Pentecost. We ponder, proclaim and rejoice that God’s Spirit is faithful to God’s continuous creation.

The second reading from the first Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians expresses that the Church is like the human body that does many different things, but when guided by the Spirit, it becomes the Body of Christ. Looking at the face of every person, it can reveal an aspect of his total person; therefore, each of us reveals something of the Person and mystery of God. What a great way that we share God’s beauty in our life.

The gospel is taken from St. John and reflects his view on how the Pentecost took place. The disciples gathered together, “the doors were locked,” fearful of the Jews, and yet the Lord Jesus came in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” This greeting of peace makes them aware of His ever-presence, which removes their worries and their feeling of emptiness. They rejoice to hear His words and see clearly the signs of His glory.

We need today the greeting of peace from the Lord and even after the election of Pope Leo, he reiterates the same greeting to all the people, “Peace be with you.” God knows how we presently are overburdened by our experience of brokenness, loss and hurt. Jesus wants to encounter and meet us with our past, with our present predicaments, but with the assurance of a blissful and brighter future.

The gospel message allows us to reflect the meaning and the value of the mystery of the coming of the Paraclete.

First, the disciples were “Locked in fear.” We hear John’s account of Jesus’ sending, or “breathing” the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. As in Luke’s account in Acts, there is a gathering. John’s version has the group hiding with fear, but both, upon reception of the Spirit, are blest and then “sent”. Jesus’ breathing the Spirit echoes Genesis’ description of the creating God breathing from out of the abyss of nothingness. For John, the process of creation is to extend God’s peace to the now “deformed” world, and the work of the Spirit is that all creation, and that includes human beings, radiates in-flesh Jesus through us.

Second, Jesus began greeting them “Peace be with you.” In truth, we seldom experience and feel real peace for more than a few minutes these days. All become addicted to turning on televisions, getting on social media, cellphones and encountering someone who tends to push our buttons and there goes total chaos.

I believe that our experience today is much different when we are accompanied by the Holy Spirit. When we invite the Holy Spirit into every experience, we can do God’s works with confidence and courage. We can begin our day creating the space we need to allow the Holy Spirit to liberate us and empower us.

Third, we hear some heavy breathing. The “breath” brings wholesome inspiration to re-create the entire universe. The Spirit was not inflating, but incarnating. In the Christian community, it tells us how the Spirit, “wind” of God, has inspirited human hearts to live highly immersed in the Spirit of God. The Apostles experience the Spirit of God, and they will be urged to speak in every land and every language to bring about the completion of the original “Let there be light”, and “Let there be life.” Hence, the Pentecost is a celebration of the fruitfulness of the land, blest by the sun and rain and “breath” of God.

Brothers and Sisters, let us invite the Holy Spirit who breaks down the walls of a stubborn heart, heals the broken, melts the frozen, and guides our steps. We are in much need of the reconciling presence of the Spirit, which draws us into communion with each other, as members of the body of Christ.
The Holy Spirit comes constantly from the ever-loving Trinity. We celebrate today with our willingness that we might be open to the Spirit’s work of giving Christ new dimensions, new visibility and new gestures of revelation within us as individuals and us as God’s people. We are praying in celebration that God is constantly sending His gift of a continued presence.

The Holy Spirit is the perpetuation of God’s presence. The Holy Spirit is a gentle reminder within our hearts that we may also be glorified with Him. The Holy Spirit is fully God with no division between the Father and Jesus for they are the same substance and an inseparable ONE Divine Being.

Come, Holy Spirit kindle in us the fire of your love.

Fr. Arlon, osa

El Dictado del Corazón: Domingo de Pentecostés, Año C

• Lecturas: Hechos 2, 1–11
• Salmo 103(104), 1.24.29–30.31.34
• 1 Corintios 12, 3b–7.12–13
• Juan 20, 19–23

Hoy celebramos con gozo una gran fiesta, a menudo llamada el cumpleaños de la Iglesia universal. Es Domingo de Pentecostés, 50 días después de la Resurrección del Señor. En este día, el Paráclito, el Espíritu Santo, desciende sobre los Apóstoles y los seguidores de Jesús, tal como Él lo prometió. El Espíritu Santo, la tercera Persona de la Santísima Trinidad, no es algo físico, es Espíritu, y por lo tanto, invisible a nuestros ojos humanos.

• Acts 1:1-11
• Psalm 47:2-3,6,7, 8-9
• Ephesians 1:17-23
• Luke 24:46-53

In these final days of Easter season, we gather today on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.  We realize that Jesus with his early disciples “led them out as far as Bethany and blessed them He parted from them and was taken up to heaven…returned to Jerusalem with great joy,” and this signaled a new sense of the new reality in their lives wherein Jesus has to go ahead of them.  

The readings for today’s feast of the Ascension narrate about the coming of a new reality in the universal Church and the continuation of “Mission” accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit.   

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, His followers were watching as “He was lifted up and a cloud took him from their sight.”  His band of disciples watch from the ground as He ascends into heaven.  They look forward to the reception of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit’s accompanying power preparing them for a mission in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and “to the ends of the earth.” 

In the second reading from the letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul has these striking words, “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call. . . .”  St. Paul reveals that there is a different kind of seeing, leading to a deeper kind of knowing.  The inner heart has “eyes” that see, a gift of the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation.”  These eyes give sure knowledge of the hope that is ours, the hope of sharing in the glory that is our destiny.  

The gospel today is taken from the evangelist St. Luke.  The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) tell us about after the Resurrection and the various appearances of Jesus before He was taken up into the heavens, but there was no hint of when it happened; we had no information.  However, the Acts of the Apostles concretely mentions that these appearances occurred over a period of 40 days – which is why the Church has chosen to celebrate the Ascension when we do, exactly 40 days after Easter.  We need to remember that Jesus’ glorified body wasn’t constrained by the usual limits of time and space.  

I invite you to reflect on these expected clues to teach us about the importance of the mystery of the Ascension of the Lord and which are implicitly implied in the readings assigned to the liturgy today. 

First, from Acts, it narrates something of what the followers of Jesus experienced when, after forty days of being with them in his resurrected body, he told them to remain close to Jerusalem where God would baptize them in his Holy Spirit.  They are to wait, one presumes in anticipation for God’s Spirit to “drown” them in a way – to be poured out in such a way that those who received the Spirit would be born again into a new creation. 

Second, it seems that to some, the Ascension event doesn’t make much sense – and therefore doesn’t have much meaning; but unless we try to put ourselves into the situation of Jesus’ closest friends, His Apostles, when they suffered for the loss of Him through a humiliating death on the Cross. Then Jesus returned to them in a “glorified state,” His resurrection, which gives them great hope and rejoicing. Our Responsorial Psalm 47 points us in the right direction: “God mounts His throne to shouts of joy”. 

Third, because of the Resurrection of Jesus which led to His Ascension, the world has changed.  Everything has been renewed with an ever-living presence of God, so glorious and so real that whatever sense of God, our true identity, friendships and relationships become an encounter of that mystery which gives meaning and fulfillment to our existence. St. Augustine has this for us to ponder on, “If you wander off from the center to any other part, you lose sight of the whole.” (On Order 1,2,3) 

Fourth, we become aware of our responsibility to commit to the mission given to us by Jesus.  Jesus gave this counsel through these words of St. John Paul II, “You must be strong with the strength that comes from faith. You must be faithful. You must be strong with the strength of hope, the hope that brings perfect joy in life and which prevents us from ever grieving the Holy Spirit.  You must be strong with love, the love which is stronger than death ….”  Our task to face many challenges of this world is to engage in dialogue, create bridges for unity and understanding, which is a piece of advice from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. 

This is what the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord means.  It does not mean that Jesus has left us behind, nor that He has departed from us to some far away place, far from people and from our world. Today’s Feast of the Ascension thus invites us to devote ourselves to consolidating our Lord’s Kingdom on earth, a Kingdom of goodness, justice, solidarity and mercy. It challenges us to give courageous witness to the Gospel before today’s world by bringing hope to the poor, the suffering, the lost and abandoned.  It inspires us to be good to those we live and work with, to love them, and by doing so, to show our love for God, who in all things loves us.  The Holy Spirit strengthens us, and He is with us because Jesus says, “Behold I am with you always.”  

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón: La Ascensión del Señor, Año C

• Lecturas: Hechos 1,1-11
• Salmo 46(47),2-3.6-9
• Efesios 1,17-23
• Lucas 24,46-53

En estos últimos días del tiempo de Pascua, nos reunimos hoy para celebrar la Solemnidad de la Ascensión del Señor. Al igual que los primeros discípulos, también nosotros somos invitados a entrar en una nueva conciencia: darnos cuenta de que, aunque Jesús ya no está físicamente con nosotros, ha ido delante para prepararnos el camino. Como nos dice el Evangelio, Jesús “los llevó hasta cerca de Betania y, levantando las manos, los bendijo. Y mientras los bendecía, se separó de ellos y fue llevado al cielo… regresaron a Jerusalén con gran alegría”. Esto señala una nueva realidad en sus vidas: Jesús tenía que ir por delante de ellos.

Las lecturas de esta fiesta de la Ascensión nos hablan del comienzo de una nueva etapa en la Iglesia universal: la continuación de la misión, ahora acompañada por el poder del Espíritu Santo.

En la primera lectura del libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, los discípulos presencian cómo Jesús “fue elevado y una nube lo ocultó de su vista”. Ellos lo contemplan desde la tierra mientras asciende al cielo. Pero pronto su atención se dirige a la promesa que viene: recibirán al Espíritu Santo y su poder, que los preparará para una misión que empezará en Jerusalén, pasará por Judea y Samaria, y llegará “hasta los confines de la tierra”.

En la segunda lectura, de la carta a los Efesios, san Pablo escribe estas palabras tan profundas: “Que los ojos de su corazón sean iluminados, para que comprendan cuál es la esperanza a la que han sido llamados…”. San Pablo nos revela que existe una forma distinta de ver, que conduce a un conocimiento más profundo. El corazón interior tiene “ojos” que ven, gracias al don del “Espíritu de sabiduría y revelación”. Esos ojos dan certeza de la esperanza que nos pertenece: la esperanza de compartir la gloria que es nuestro destino.

El Evangelio de hoy, según san Lucas, nos recuerda una verdad compartida por los evangelios sinópticos (Mateo, Marcos y Lucas): que después de la Resurrección, Jesús se apareció varias veces a los discípulos, pero no permaneció con ellos para siempre. Aunque los evangelios no especifican cuándo ocurrió la Ascensión, el libro de los Hechos nos dice que estas apariciones sucedieron durante cuarenta días, razón por la cual la Iglesia celebra esta solemnidad cuarenta días después de Pascua. Es importante recordar que el cuerpo glorificado de Jesús ya no estaba limitado por el tiempo y el espacio como lo estamos nosotros.

Les invito ahora a reflexionar sobre algunas señales que nos ayudan a comprender mejor la importancia del misterio de la Ascensión del Señor, y que están implícitamente contenidas en las lecturas de hoy.

Primero; El libro de los Hechos narra cómo, después de pasar cuarenta días con ellos en su cuerpo resucitado, Jesús les pide que permanezcan en Jerusalén, donde Dios los bautizará con su Espíritu Santo. Deben esperar, no con pasividad, sino con expectativa confiada. El Espíritu no vendrá solo a consolarlos, sino a transformarlos: a “inundarlos” con poder divino, para que quienes lo reciban nazcan de nuevo como una nueva creación.

Segundo; A algunos, la Ascensión puede parecer un acontecimiento difícil de entender y, por tanto, sin mucho significado. Pero debemos colocarnos en el lugar de los amigos más cercanos de Jesús: sus apóstoles, que habían sufrido la pérdida de su Maestro a través de una muerte humillante en la cruz. Luego, lo vieron resucitado, glorificado, lo cual les dio gran esperanza y alegría. El Salmo responsorial 46(47) nos guía en esta reflexión:

“Dios asciende entre aclamaciones, el Señor al son de trompetas.”

La Ascensión no es abandono; es victoria. Jesús asciende, no para dejarnos, sino para reinar en gloria y enviar al Espíritu Santo.

Tercero; Gracias a la Resurrección y Ascensión de Jesús, el mundo ha cambiado. Todo ha sido renovado por la presencia viva y gloriosa de Dios. Nuestra experiencia de Dios, de nuestra identidad, de nuestras amistades y relaciones, se convierte en un encuentro con el misterio que da sentido y plenitud a nuestra existencia. San Agustín nos deja esta reflexión:

“Si te alejas del centro hacia cualquier otra parte, pierdes de vista el todo.” (Sobre el Orden 1,2,3)

Pongamos siempre a Cristo en el centro de nuestros corazones y de nuestras vidas.

Cuarto; La Ascensión también nos hace conscientes de nuestra responsabilidad de continuar la misión que Jesús nos dejó. Él nos da esta orientación por medio de las palabras de San Juan Pablo II:

“Deben ser fuertes con la fuerza que viene de la fe. Deben ser fieles. Deben ser fuertes con la fuerza de la esperanza, la esperanza que da una alegría perfecta en la vida y que nos impide contristar al Espíritu Santo. Deben ser fuertes con el amor, el amor que es más fuerte que la muerte…”

Nuestra tarea ante los desafíos del mundo es dialogar, tender puentes, crear unidad y comprensión, como nos aconseja Su Santidad el Papa León XIII.

La fiesta de la Ascensión no significa que Jesús nos haya abandonado, ni que se haya ido a un lugar lejano, apartado del mundo y de las personas. Por el contrario, nos muestra el comienzo de una nueva presencia. Hoy, la Ascensión del Señor nos invita a dedicarnos a construir su Reino en la tierra, un Reino de bondad, justicia, solidaridad y misericordia.

Este día nos desafía a dar testimonio del Evangelio con valentía: llevando esperanza a los pobres, consuelo a los que sufren, y amor a los que viven y trabajan con nosotros. Al hacerlo, demostramos nuestro amor a Dios, que nos ama en todo. El Espíritu Santo nos fortalece, y está con nosotros, porque Jesús mismo nos dice:

“Yo estoy con ustedes todos los días.”

DmDios los bendiga.

P. Arlon, OSA

• Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
• Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
• Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23
• John 14:23-29

Today is the 6th Sunday of Easter. We have just finished the Clergy Retreat at Christ the King Retreat Center. It was our annual renewal, prayer and reflection together, to be recharged from busy schedules and ministry. It was well spent time with God in contemplation necessary to rediscover that we cannot do anything without our profound connection with God. It brings us new strength and vigor to laboriously commit ourselves to this given mandate to evangelize.

In our readings today, we hear of the struggles of the early Church and their determination to focus on God. It also revealed the glorious vision of the new Jerusalem which prepares its people to a new presence of the Lord.

In the first reading from the Acts, the Jews who converted to follow Jesus were confronted by an issue as to whether they still need to fulfill Jewish religious tradition of receiving circumcision for every male as a sign of their dedicated promise to Abrahamic covenant. Their intention was to belong to this growing Church as moved by Jesus and the preaching of His apostles. There was no agreement to this problem except to send Judas and Silas to convey that, “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, abstain from meat, sacrifice to idols, etc”. We hear the decision in the form of a letter which is sent to Antioch to address the issue.
Since they were believers, the emphasis of the guidance of the apostles is that their baptism speaks about the “circumcision of the heart” which is required into the Way of Jesus. The heart is the symbol of a loving spirit, a life that avoids all forms of impurities and idolatry.

The 2nd reading from the book of Revelation continues to speak St. John’s vision that Jesus is the splendor and the light that illuminates the new Jerusalem because of Christ being the Lamb, present in the whole city to welcome all people. The Church welcomes gentiles, those outside the tribe of Israel. The community that follows Christ becomes a place where God dwells. Thus, it connects to our gospel that Jesus makes it a personal relationship with His people that when everyone dwells by loving God and others, God makes the dwelling with us.

The gospel taken from St. John reminds us that our faith in the Lord Jesus is not an emotional sensation but from our human experience. There are essential points that we need to ponder on:

First, Jesus says, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him.” Jesus outlines what it means to love him. Those who love Christ want to be close to Jesus, so they follow him, listen to his Words, and remember what He taught them. When we are loved by Jesus, it is both accepting that love, unearned by us, though we must live being so loved. If we keep Jesus’ word, we will then be available for the reception of that ever-offered grace, and we will be available for God’s coming close and making a home in us.

Second, Jesus says, “I have told you this while I am with you. The advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” The Holy Spirit continues to be the new Teacher and works in their memory. The Holy Spirit was working in the early Church and even now helps in our discernment as we walk closer with God.

Third, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.” Peace is the foremost gift of Jesus to us. Peace is not exactly satisfaction as the world offers and gives. The peace which Jesus offers frees us from the necessity of self-satisfaction. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV says, “Peace engages and challenges us, to eliminate pride and vindictiveness. It requires religious freedom.” We need to accept each other and enjoy communion with one another.

God loves us in Christ, but this love does not protect us from experiencing worries and fears. That love does not protect us from breaking of hearts, nor losing our way, but His love encourages us to keep His commandments and a promise was made to send the Holy Spirit to abide with us forever.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

El Dictado del Corazón
Sexto Domingo de Pascua, Año C

• Lecturas: Hechos 15, 1-2. 22-29
• Salmo 67, 2-3. 5. 6. 8
• Apocalipsis 21, 10-14. 22-23
• Juan 14, 23-29

Hoy es el Sexto Domingo de Pascua. Acabamos de concluir nuestro Retiro del Clero en el Centro de Retiros Cristo Rey, un momento anual de renovación, oración y reflexión. Fue un tiempo para recargar energías después de las exigencias del ministerio y nuestras agendas ocupadas. Este tiempo sagrado de contemplación con Dios es esencial; nos recuerda que no podemos hacer nada sin una profunda conexión con Él. Estos momentos de encuentro nos dan nueva fuerza y vigor para renovarnos en la misión de evangelización.

En las lecturas de hoy escuchamos sobre las dificultades de la Iglesia primitiva y su determinación de mantenerse centrados en Dios. También se nos presenta la visión gloriosa de la nueva Jerusalén, que prepara al pueblo de Dios para la presencia permanente del Señor.

En la primera lectura del libro de los Hechos, los judíos convertidos al cristianismo enfrentaban una pregunta: ¿Debían seguir practicando la circuncisión como signo de la alianza con Abraham? Deseaban pertenecer plenamente a esta Iglesia creciente, movidos por el mensaje de Jesús y la predicación de sus apóstoles. Para resolver la cuestión, los apóstoles y los ancianos enviaron a Judas y Silas con una carta que decía: “El Espíritu Santo y nosotros hemos decidido no imponerles más cargas que los indispensables”. El mensaje fue enviado a Antioquía para afirmar que la salvación en Cristo no dependía del cumplimiento de las antiguas leyes o rituales.

Aquí se destaca que el bautismo representa la “circuncisión del corazón”, es decir, una transformación espiritual. El corazón se convierte en símbolo de un espíritu amoroso y obediente, que rechaza la impureza y la idolatría.

En la segunda lectura, del libro del Apocalipsis, San Juan comparte una visión en la que Cristo, el Cordero, es la luz de la nueva Jerusalén. Ya no es una ciudad exclusiva para Israel; da la bienvenida a todos los pueblos. La Iglesia se convierte en la morada de Dios. Esta visión se conecta bellamente con el Evangelio de hoy: cuando amamos a Dios y a los demás, Dios habita en nosotros.

En el Evangelio según san Juan, Jesús nos recuerda que nuestra fe no es simplemente una emoción pasajera, sino algo que debe estar arraigado en nuestra vida diaria. Hay tres enseñanzas clave que debemos reflexionar:

Primero, Jesús dice: “El que me ama, cumplirá mi palabra y mi Padre lo amará.”
Amar a Jesús significa permanecer cerca de Él: escuchar su palabra, recordar sus enseñanzas y vivirlas. Cuando amamos a Cristo, nos abrimos a recibir su amor, un amor que se nos da gratuitamente, sin que lo merezcamos. Guardar su palabra nos prepara para recibir ese amor y permite que Dios haga morada en nosotros.

Segundo, Jesús nos dice: “el Consolador, el Espíritu Santo que mi Padre les enviará en mi nombre, les enseñará todas las cosas y les recordará todo cuanto yo les he dicho.”
El Espíritu Santo es el Maestro divino que nos guía y nos ayuda a recordar las enseñanzas de Cristo. Así como actuó en la Iglesia primitiva, hoy sigue guiando nuestro discernimiento y acercándonos a Dios.

Tercero, Jesús dice: “La paz les dejo, mi paz les doy.”
La paz de Cristo es su mayor regalo, mucho más profunda que cualquier satisfacción que ofrece el mundo. Es una paz que nos libera del orgullo, del egoísmo y del deseo de venganza. Como dijo el Papa León XIII (no XIV): “La paz nos compromete y nos desafía a eliminar el orgullo y el deseo de venganza. Requiere libertad religiosa.”
La verdadera paz se encuentra en aceptarnos unos a otros y vivir en comunión.

Dios nos ama en Cristo, pero ese amor no nos protege de las dificultades de la vida. Seguimos enfrentando preocupaciones, dolores y momentos de confusión. Pero su amor nos fortalece para cumplir sus mandamientos, y nos ha prometido que el Espíritu Santo estará con nosotros para siempre.

Dios los bendiga a todos.

P. Arlon, OSA

• Acts 14:21-27
• Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13
• Revelation 21:1-5a
• John 13:31-33a, 34-35

Today is the 5th Sunday of Easter.  We are happy too that Pope Leo XIV inauguration occupying the seat of St. Peter and as the 267th Pontiff of the Catholic Church today.  The first Augustinian Pope after 800 years.  Having a new Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth is a blessing.   The Holy Father will tend and shepherd us for the coming years.  It is not about being a conservative or progressive Pope, but what is important is to usher us to the true doctrine and orthodoxy of Christ’s teaching in this crucial period of modernity and secularism.  We need to pray for our Holy Father and for the continuous proclamation of the gospel to all peoples.  

The 1st reading today guide us to learn from the experience of the early Christians, in particular Paul and Barnabas, who devout their lives for Jesus, our Lord and Savior. They were called missionaries as both of them experienced a call of the Spirit in the Books of the Acts.  Their missionary endeavors led the foundation for new Christian communities, but at the same time it revealed the many challenges and hostilities of certain Jewish communities.  As it was written, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (v.22) However, both Paul and Barnabas did outstanding sacrifices in achieving successful expansion for new communities of believers.  Their hard work was due to their trust of God’s love in preaching the good news and their fidelity to their ministry no matter what the circumstances entail.  I believe that the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon the Apostles to proclaim the gospel to the four corners of the world despite their human instrumentality and weakness.

The 2nd reading, taken from the book of Revelation, focuses on the new heaven and the new earth.  This is the hope for a new beginning transformed by Jesus’ power, through which the world will never be the same again. 

The gospel, taken from the evangelist John, narrates to us about the event that happened during the Last Supper.  Jesus says that their love for each other is how others know that they are His disciples.  The Lord always supported His disciples by reminding them to persevere in faith, which can be very challenging at times.  We all as disciples need to be reminded of the Lord’s commandment:  love one another as I have loved you.  Listening for and appreciating the love of God allows us to live the commandment to love others.   Let us reflect on salient points in today’s gospel pericope: 

First, Jesus says, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.”  In John’s theology, “glory” has something to do with the more complete revelation about Jesus.  The highest manifestation of this glory is Jesus’ abandonment of on the Cross.  On the Cross, we see the depth of God’s love glorified at this humiliating throne because of His perfect obedience.  It has been revealed in all His glory, upon the Cross.  

According to John, we’ll spend the next four chapters on his gospel making sure his message is stated as clearly as possible. Thus, by our  mutual reverence, and love the “glory” of God would draw and attract new members of the Church.  For “They will know we are Christians by our love”.

Second, Jesus says, “My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.”  Jesus is speaking about His life handing it over to us before He handed His life over to death.  He is reminding us that “a little while longer,” means that his temporal last hours with His friends, whom He regards as “My children,” is a reminder that we ate covenanted to become a sacrament of His creative love, which speaks a real presence on His behalf. 

Third, Jesus says, “I give my new commandment: love one another.”    St. John emphasized Jesus’ way of giving “a new commandment.”  According to the Book of Genesis, the first commandment was creation, “Let there be……..”  Light, order, life and fertility were results of a divine creative command. The Fall resulted in darkness, disorder, living outside the original design and context, and fertility was to be experienced in pain. 

In the new covenant, Jesus commands a “new” kind of creational love which is meant to bring back light, reverence and respect for what is so called a relational exchange of interiors. 

 We, as His disciples are commanded to love each other into more and more like Jesus had done with the apostles. Jesus is giving us this new commandment much as we can handle. Now, Jesus is urging us to love beyond or outside our circle, and to share gifts that has been prepared and given to others as well. 

In the spirit of Easter, may we ask ourselves “How could someone identify me as a Christian based on the love that I show?” What does it mean for us today to love one another like Jesus loved us?  So my prayer with today’s readings calls me to discipleship and to a renewed commitment to follow the commandment to love one another.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

—————-

El Dictado del Corazón

Quinto Domingo de Pascua, Año C

• Hechos 14, 21-27
• Salmo 144, 8-9. 10-11. 12-13
• Apocalipsis 21, 1-5a
• Juan 13, 31-33a. 34-35

Hoy, al celebrar el Quinto Domingo de Pascua, nos alegramos por la bendición de tener un nuevo Papa. No se trata de si es conservador o progresista; lo que realmente importa es que nos guíe con fidelidad a la verdadera doctrina y a la ortodoxia de las enseñanzas de Cristo. En este tiempo crítico, marcado por la modernidad y el secularismo, estamos llamados a orar con fervor por la continua proclamación del Evangelio a todos los pueblos.

Las lecturas de hoy nos guían por la experiencia de la Iglesia primitiva, en particular, los esfuerzos misioneros de los santos Pablo y Bernabé. Su entrega al Señor Jesús dio lugar a la formación de nuevas comunidades cristianas, a pesar de una fuerte oposición y muchas dificultades. Como escuchamos en los Hechos: “Es necesario pasar por muchas tribulaciones para entrar en el Reino de Dios” (Hechos 14, 22). Sin embargo, Pablo y Bernabé se mantuvieron firmes, confiando en el amor de Dios y permaneciendo fieles a su misión, sin importar el costo. Su perseverancia es testimonio del poder del Espíritu Santo, quien actúa incluso a través de nuestra debilidad humana para anunciar el Evangelio hasta los confines de la tierra.

La segunda lectura, del Libro del Apocalipsis, nos ofrece una visión de esperanza: un cielo nuevo y una tierra nueva. Esta es la promesa de un mundo transformado por el poder de Cristo resucitado. En Él, todo se hace nuevo, y el mundo ya no será igual.

El Evangelio de hoy, según san Juan, nos lleva al Cenáculo, la noche de la Última Cena. Jesús comparte una verdad profunda: “En esto reconocerán todos que son mis discípulos: si se aman los unos a los otros.” Les recuerda a sus discípulos que deben perseverar en la fe y el amor, incluso en los momentos difíciles. Nosotros también estamos llamados a vivir este mandamiento: amarnos unos a otros como Él nos ha amado. Solo cuando estamos arraigados en el amor de Dios podemos amar verdaderamente a los demás.

Reflexionemos sobre tres puntos claves del Evangelio:

Primero, Jesús dice: “Ahora ha sido glorificado el Hijo del Hombre, y Dios ha sido glorificado en Él.”

En el Evangelio de Juan, “gloria” se refiere a la plena revelación de Jesús, especialmente a través de su Pasión y muerte. La Cruz se convierte en su trono, un lugar de sufrimiento, sí, pero también de obediencia perfecta y amor divino. Jesús es glorificado en su entrega total, y a través de Él, el amor de Dios se hace visible al mundo. Este amor atrae a otros a la Iglesia. Como dice el himno: “Sabrán que somos cristianos por nuestro amor.”

Segundo, Jesús les dice: “Hijitos, todavía estaré con ustedes un poco más.”

Aquí, Él habla con ternura a sus discípulos, preparándolos para su partida. Les está confiando su misión a ellos y a nosotros. Estamos llamados a ser sacramentos de su amor, signos visibles de su presencia en el mundo. Su ausencia física se convierte en una invitación para que nosotros hagamos tangible su amor por medio de nuestras vidas.

Tercero, Jesús dice: “Les doy un mandamiento nuevo: que se amen los unos a los otros.”

Este “mandamiento nuevo” no es simplemente una repetición de lo anterior, es una nueva creación. En el Génesis, el mandato de Dios dio origen a la luz, el orden y la vida. Después del pecado original, entraron la oscuridad y el desorden en el mundo. Ahora, en la Nueva Alianza, Jesús ofrece un mandamiento que restaura la creación a través del amor. Es un amor que ilumina las tinieblas, honra la dignidad del otro y nos conduce a una relación más profunda. Los discípulos no solo deben amarse entre ellos, sino extender ese amor a todos, como lo hizo Cristo.

En este espíritu de Pascua, preguntémonos: ¿Puede alguien reconocerme como cristiano por el amor que demuestro? ¿Qué significa hoy, verdaderamente, amar como Jesús nos ha amado?

Que las lecturas de hoy renueven nuestro compromiso con el discipulado. Que nos esforcemos por seguir el mandamiento de amor de Cristo, no solo de palabra, sino con hechos.

Que Dios los bendiga a todos.

P. Arlon, OSA

• Acts 13:14, 43-52
• Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5
• Revelation 7:9, 14b-17
• John 10:27-30 

Today is the 4th Sunday of Easter, Year C. We are glad that the Conclave is over, and we have a new Pope to shepherd us as the Vicar of Christ here on earth. Pope Leo XIV, our former Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine. He is humble and a missionary who knows the heart of every struggling people. He said that “the primary duty of every priest or bishop is to be authentic in the service for others.” I am happy that the Holy Father is one of my Augustinian Brothers. We also rejoice for being the first American Pontiff. I am grateful to him that he allowed me to be a missionary here in the US for 18 years. He inspired me to be a true missionary.

We continue to pray and rally behind him and, together with him, we show our love, obedience and unity in the Holy Catholic Church.

In the spirit of the season of Easter, we must continue to rejoice these days. This is the ultimate goal of being Easter people, which we are all reminded from these readings we heard today.

In the first reading, taken from the book of Acts, we heard about these two apostles, Paul and Barnabas, who are laboriously preaching the Word of God through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They seized every opportunity to enter the local synagogue and continuously inspire new converts to Jesus to be faithful to Him. However, the religious leaders were jealous of them because of the increasing numbers of converts, in particular, the gentiles joining them. They stayed faithful despite the dangers and violence from those who are opposing the gospel. They completely relied on the works of the Spirit to overcome their predicaments; more prayers led others to conversion. They continue to move on with their mission, slowly forming and building up the Church.

The 2nd reading, from the book of Revelation, speaks to us about our final motive in our belief in the Resurrection. In the spirit of the Resurrection of Jesus, we place ourselves in union with the great multitude from every nation, people, race, and tongue, living in the presence of the Lord and the Lamb for all eternity. Though we are in an earthly pilgrimage, we are assured of our future with the promise of a life in which “God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.” This is our goal, but we are in need of a confident guide to lead us there, a Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

In today’s gospel, we are invited to become followers of the Good Shepherd, who will guides us to eternity so that we won’t be put in danger.

First, Jesus, as a Good Shepherd, knows us. We are not just one of His many sheep, but we are personally known by name. “I know them,” Jesus says and so he invites us to share with him where we find ourselves today on this pilgrimage of life, rather than trying to make our way on our own.

Second, with Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we are given a great assurance all the time when we find ourselves in a perilous journey because of His protective and tender loving care. I believe nobody can take us out of his hands! We too are in the hands of His Eternal Father. Let’s entrust ourselves to Him and let Him lead us along the mountain passes and trails, certainly we are in His hands.

Third, Jesus has a particular closeness to us and a particular care for us. He offers everyone the opportunity of experiencing deeper personal awareness, which then opens up the possibility of profound growth and understanding with Jesus. Jesus is telling us that we belong to him. He offers us eternal life.

Today’s gospel reading seems to be inviting us to explore how this text is still a source of hope, especially given the opportunity to understand the incredibly close connection between a shepherd and his sheep. Let us listen to the voice of Jesus saying: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27-30)

May God give us His love and grace in order to not lose sight and be drifted away from Jesus, who is our true Shepherd. The late Pope Francis said, “Many put themselves forward as ‘shepherds’ of our lives; but only the Risen One is the true Shepherd, who gives us life in abundance.”

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

El Dictado del Corazón
Cuarto Domingo de Pascua, Año C

• Hechos 13:14, 43-52
• Salmo 100:1-2, 3, 5
• Apocalipsis 7:9, 14b-17
• Juan 10:27-30Hoy es el Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Pascual, Año C. Estamos alegres porque ha concluido el Cónclave y ya tenemos un nuevo Papa que nos pastorea como el Vicario de Cristo aquí en la tierra. El Papa León XIV, nuestro antiguo Prior General de la Orden de San Agustín. Es una persona humilde y misionera que conoce el corazón de todo pueblo que sufre. Él dijo: “el deber principal de todo sacerdote u obispo es ser auténtico en el servicio a los demás”. Me alegra que el Santo Padre sea uno de mis Hermanos Agustinos. También nos regocijamos por ser el primer Pontífice estadounidense. Le estoy agradecido porque me permitió ser misionero aquí en los Estados Unidos durante 18 años. Él me inspiró a ser un verdadero misionero.Continuamos orando por él, apoyándolo y, junto con él, mostramos nuestro amor, obediencia y unidad en la Santa Iglesia Católica.

  En el espíritu del tiempo de Pascua, debemos seguir alegrándonos en estos días. Este es el objetivo supremo de ser un pueblo pascual, como nos lo recuerdan las lecturas que hemos escuchado hoy.

  En la primera lectura, tomada del libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, escuchamos sobre estos dos apóstoles, Pablo y Bernabé, que predican la Palabra de Dios con gran esfuerzo y bajo la guía del Espíritu Santo. Aprovechaban cada oportunidad para entrar en la sinagoga local e inspiraban constantemente a nuevos convertidos a Jesús para que fueran fieles a Él. Sin embargo, los líderes religiosos sentían celos de ellos por la creciente cantidad de conversiones, en particular los gentiles que se unían. A pesar de los peligros y la violencia de quienes se oponían al Evangelio, ellos se mantuvieron fieles. Confiaron completamente en la acción del Espíritu para superar sus dificultades; más oración llevó a más conversiones. Continuaron con su misión, poco a poco formando y edificando la Iglesia.

  La segunda lectura, del libro del Apocalipsis, nos habla del motivo final de nuestra fe en la Resurrección. En el espíritu de la Resurrección de Jesús, nos unimos a esa gran multitud de toda nación, pueblo, raza y lengua que vive en la presencia del Señor y del Cordero por toda la eternidad. Aunque estamos en una peregrinación terrenal, se nos asegura un futuro con la promesa de una vida en la cual “Dios enjugará toda lágrima de nuestros ojos”. Este es nuestro objetivo, pero necesitamos una guía confiable que nos lleve allí: el Buen Pastor, Jesucristo.

  En el evangelio de hoy, se nos invita a convertirnos en seguidores del Buen Pastor, quien nos guía hacia la eternidad para que no corramos peligro.

  Primero, Jesús, como Buen Pastor, nos conoce. No somos simplemente una oveja más de su rebaño, sino que Él nos conoce personalmente por nuestro nombre. “Yo las conozco”, dice Jesús, y por eso nos invita a compartir con Él en qué punto de esta peregrinación de la vida nos encontramos. En lugar de tratar de avanzar por nuestro propio camino.

  Segundo, Jesús como nuestro Buen Pastor nos da una gran seguridad cuando nos encontramos en momentos de peligro, por su cuidado protector y amoroso. ¡Creo firmemente que nadie puede arrebatarnos de sus manos! Estamos también en las manos de su Padre Eterno y nadie puede quitarnos de esas manos. Confiémonos a Él y dejemos que Él nos guíe por los senderos y montañas, con la certeza de que nadie puede separarnos de sus manos.

  Tercero, Jesús tiene una cercanía particular con nosotros y un cuidado especial por cada uno. Él ofrece a todos la oportunidad de experimentar una conciencia personal más profunda que abre la posibilidad de un crecimiento y entendimiento más íntimos con Él. Jesús nos dice que le pertenecemos. Él nos ofrece la vida eterna.

  La lectura del evangelio de hoy parece invitarnos a explorar cómo este texto sigue siendo una fuente de esperanza, sobre todo si entendemos el lazo increíblemente estrecho entre un pastor y sus ovejas. Escuchemos la voz de Jesús que dice: “Mis ovejas escuchan mi voz; yo las conozco y ellas me siguen” (Juan 10:27-30).

  Que Dios nos conceda su amor y su gracia para no perder de vista a Jesús ni apartarnos de Él, quien es nuestro verdadero Pastor. El difunto Papa Francisco decía: “Muchos se presentan como ‘pastores’ de nuestras vidas; pero sólo el Resucitado es el verdadero Pastor, que nos da vida en abundancia”.

  Dios los bendiga.

  P. Arlon, osa

• 1 Peter 2:11-19
• John 16:16-22

  Today is the 3rd Sunday of Easter in the traditional Latin mass. In our Gospel reading today, Jesus tells the disciples, “A little while, and you will see Me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” They were confused what He is talking about, and they were hesitant to ask further explanations. But Jesus knew that they didn’t get it, He could tell they were dumbfounded. And, like so many times, Jesus gives them an answer, though maybe not the answer they wanted.

  Jesus could have just told them that He was referring to His death, burial, and resurrection. But no, instead He starts to talk to them of the sorrow and the joy they feel as His followers.

  Jesus speaks of a woman in labor experiencing the sorrow that the hour has come for birth, but then the joy that overwhelms in that a human being is born into the world. This imagery of labor and childbirth is actually referring to the prophet Isaiah 26:17-19 proclaimed of Israel’s suffering and deliverance in a similar way “Like a pregnant woman who writes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth”.

  We all believe that God’s power does not stop at the grave. Christ is risen! At His command, the dead comes to life. He can raise the whole nation, a whole people, who are seemingly entombed forever in exile and oppression. Jesus’ work upon the cross and the resurrection guarantees that our bodies will also rise. Those made righteous through faith will experience the resurrection of their bodies and life everlasting. Those who refuse to believe in Christ, who would prefer He stayed in the tomb, will rise at the resurrection to everlasting punishment and condemnation.

  Therefore, let us enter into suffering Himself, to bear our sorrow in Himself. To endure the sorrow of the grave. To bring restoration to His people by the forgiveness of sins. It draws us closer to our Savior.

  We have the same body and blood of Christ which is in everyone by means of the Sacrament, like Jesus, the resurrection comes after tarrying in death for a moment. For Jesus, the grueling night of His passion gave way to the break of day on Easter morning. You too will arise at the break of the new day, the glorious Day of the Lord. For you are baptized, washed with the blood of the Lamb, clothed in the joy of the resurrection Because you have been united into His death and resurrection in Your baptism, your sufferings have become His and His works have become yours. So the Father now looks with joy upon you. He is pleased to call you, His child. His is overjoyed to hold you in His arms.

  The Epistle for today teaches us to train ourselves in godly virtues while we await the final restoration of creation. To endure through sorrowing, suffering, trials and temptations, by doing so, give witness to the eternal joy of the resurrection. Some of the strongest witnessing that takes place is while a person is full of sorrow. Christ comforts His disciples and gives peace. Our approaching grief will only last for just a little while.

  May we be faithful to Christ, our Savior! God bless you.

  Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
• Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
• Revelation 5:11-14
• John 21:1-19

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Easter.  We have to remember to pray for the success of the Conclave which will begin on May 7, 2025.  As a Church we need to pray for the College of Cardinals as they begin the important event, which we all entrust everything to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to elect the new Pope to shepherd and to lead us to God.  Your prayer is necessary and a significant collective action of the universal Church. 

The first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, narrates to us the Holy Spirit’s continuous guidance. The Apostles were filled with the Spirit under the humiliating circumstance of being hauled up before the religious leaders.  Despite of that, they sustained their rejoicing and it was a privileged opportunity to share their intimacy with Jesus in all their works.  They were drawn into a deeper love for our Lord and a total commitment in the service for Jesus.   

There is no doubt that the Risen Lord accompanied them, especially on this particular event  hearing how Peter and his companions stood up against the authorities who had forbidden them to speak in the name of Jesus.  This is how deeply the apostles trusted in the Spirit and evidently proven the power of Jesus’ name.   

Think of the many difficulties we have in sustaining our faith in Jesus.  Some of us easily grumble and fail to rejoice.  We easily lose our hope in Jesus and are not proud to stay faithful to fully immerse ourselves in His divine will.   

The second reading, taken from the Book of Revelation, invites us to reflect on the effects the Lord’s resurrection had on our lives by presenting us the vision of St. John on the island of Patmos.  John became a witness to the resurrection even though being in isolation on an island.  The heavenly realities of liturgy cannot be done by the breaking of bread because of the lack of necessary liturgical material, but he only had God’s heavenly throne revealed to him, angelic hosts and collective voices of earthly creatures singing of Jesus’ glory. All of these formed the divine liturgy, yet his only access to heaven is his assurance that he commemorates the resurrection of the Lord.  We too, like John, witness Jesus’ resurrection by our holy life. 

The gospel today is again a beautiful resurrection story.  It begins when Peter decides he is going to return to fishing, maybe feeling frustrated.   I guess we all have the same attitude that after a great celebration of Easter, we are quick to return to our former ways.  The joy of Easter and the singing of Alleluia becomes a thing of the past, and there is no more enthusiasm to continue our mission.   

First, Peter and his companions went fishing, and that night they caught nothing.  Jesus asked them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They responded, “No.”  So Jesus instructed them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” They followed what Jesus said, and they could hardly pull the net in because of the number of fish. Then finally the beloved disciple, John, said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”  Because of Jesus’ simple direction, the nets were filled almost to bursting.  By recognizing the Lord, He can fill any of our emptiness in life due to His power over us. 

Second, when Peter gets to shore, Jesus is making him breakfast and providing food and nourishment to the rest of the Apostles.  Jesus reminds us who He is, the Lord who is concerned about our physical and spiritual nourishments.  We must remember that our real food is Jesus Himself.  We give thanks that the wonderful gift to us is an invite to be partakers of His banquet. 

Third, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, and Peter feels irritated by the three-fold questions, maybe because of Peter’s three times denying knowing Jesus out of fear and getting caught up in His arrest and crucifixion.  Each time Peter professes that he genuinely loves the Lord, Jesus reminds him, “Feed my lambs, Tend my sheep and Feed my sheep.”   

Jesus leads Peter into realizing and deepening the sense of how much he really needs to love the Lord.   This profession of love towards Jesus is an invitation of communion of love which leads to imitation and intimacy.  We are asked if we truly fall in love with Jesus, if we desire to imitate His style of loving others and feeding those other sheep, and growing into the same love Jesus wants us to manifest to others and be like Him. 

Lastly, when we were younger, we were used to doing and acting according to our desire; however, when we are old, we realize that we are led by others and sometimes not according to our own wishes and desires.  The clear message here is that our intimacy with Jesus will involve a communion with Him in surrender to the Father’s plan.  It is easy for us that our life and its direction is in our hands, but it is difficult and yet consoling to know that our life is in God’s hands.  What is necessary is our total surrender which is equally expressed by our willingness to find intimacy with Jesus.  Being obedient means deeper freedom and rejoicing to share His journey as our Savior and Lord. 

May our emptiness be filled by Jesus’ continuous appearance, just as the Apostles’ empty boat was filled with many blessings with the great catch. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

——————

El Dictado del Corazón

Tercer Domingo de Pascua, Año C

• Hechos 5,27–32.40b–41
• Salmo 29,2.4–6.11–13
• Apocalipsis 5,11–14
• Juan 21,1–19

Hoy celebramos el Tercer Domingo de Pascua. Recordemos orar por el éxito del Cónclave, que comenzará el 7 de mayo de 2025. Como Iglesia, debemos rezar por el Colegio de Cardenales al iniciar este importante evento. Encomendamos todo a las mociones del Espíritu Santo, quien los guiará en la elección del nuevo Papa: un pastor que nos lleve a Dios. Tus oraciones no solo son necesarias, sino también una expresión significativa de la acción colectiva de la Iglesia universal.

La primera lectura, tomada del Libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, nos muestra la guía constante del Espíritu Santo. Aun en circunstancias humillantes—al ser llevados ante los líderes religiosos—los Apóstoles, llenos del Espíritu, vieron esto como una oportunidad privilegiada para alegrarse y compartir la intimidad con Cristo a través de sus obras. Fueron atraídos a un amor más profundo por el Señor y a un compromiso total en su servicio.

No cabe duda de que el Señor Resucitado estaba con ellos. Escuchamos cómo Pedro y sus compañeros se presentaron valientemente ante las autoridades que les habían prohibido hablar en nombre de Jesús. Tal era su confianza en el Espíritu y en el poder de Su nombre.

Ahora pensemos en las dificultades que a menudo enfrentamos para mantener nuestra fe en Jesús. Algunos de nosotros nos quejamos y no encontramos alegría. Fácilmente perdemos la esperanza, nos desanimamos y dudamos en entregarnos por completo a Su voluntad divina.

La segunda lectura, del Libro del Apocalipsis, nos invita a reflexionar sobre cómo la resurrección del Señor sigue afectando nuestras vidas. San Juan, exiliado en la isla de Patmos, se convirtió en testigo de la resurrección—aun en el aislamiento. Aunque carecía de los elementos físicos necesarios para celebrar la Eucaristía, experimentó la liturgia celestial a través de una visión: el trono de Dios, los coros angélicos y las voces de toda la creación cantando la gloria de Jesús. Esta liturgia divina fue su certeza de que seguía unido a la resurrección de Cristo.

El Evangelio de hoy es una hermosa historia de resurrección. Comienza cuando Pedro, quizá sintiéndose frustrado, decide volver a pescar. Podemos identificarnos con esta actitud: después del gran gozo de la Pascua, rápidamente podemos volver a nuestras costumbres anteriores. La alegría pascual y el canto del Aleluya se desvanecen en el fondo, y perdemos el entusiasmo por la misión.

Primero, Pedro y los demás van a pescar, pero no pescan nada durante toda la noche. Jesús aparece y les pregunta: “Hijos, ¿han pescado algo para comer?” Ellos responden: “No”. Entonces Jesús les dice: “Tiren la red a la derecha de la barca y encontrarán algo”. Cuando obedecen, la red se llena tanto que apenas pueden sacarla. Es entonces cuando el discípulo amado dice: “Es el Señor”. La sencilla instrucción de Jesús llena su vacío con abundancia. Su presencia puede hacer lo mismo en nuestras vidas.

Segundo, cuando llegan a la orilla, Jesús está preparando el desayuno. Él provee alimento y sustento, recordándonos que se preocupa no solo por nuestras almas, sino también por nuestras necesidades físicas. Debemos recordar que Jesús mismo es nuestro verdadero alimento. Damos gracias por el gran don de ser invitados a participar en su banquete.

Tercero, Jesús le pregunta a Pedro tres veces: “¿Me amas?” Pedro se entristece por la repetición, que tal vez es una forma de deshacer sus tres negaciones durante la Pasión. Cada vez que Pedro afirma su amor, Jesús responde: “Apacienta mis corderos”, “Pastorea mis ovejas”, “Apacienta mis ovejas”.

Jesús lleva a Pedro a una comprensión más profunda del amor—un amor que imita y entra en comunión con Cristo. Cuando se nos pregunta si realmente amamos a Jesús, nuestra respuesta también debe llevarnos a imitar Su amor por los demás, a alimentar a Sus ovejas, y a crecer en el amor que Él desea que compartamos.

Finalmente, Jesús le dice a Pedro que cuando era joven iba donde quería, pero cuando sea viejo, otros lo llevarán adonde no quiera ir. Esto señala el costo del discipulado. La intimidad con Jesús implica entregarse al plan del Padre. Es fácil creer que nuestras vidas están en nuestras propias manos, pero la verdadera paz viene cuando aceptamos que nuestras vidas están en manos de Dios. Lo necesario es una entrega total, que conduce a una intimidad más profunda con Cristo. La obediencia a Dios lleva a la verdadera libertad—y a la alegría de compartir en la misión de nuestro Salvador y Señor.

Que nuestro vacío sea llenado por la presencia continua de Jesús—tal como las redes vacías de los Apóstoles se llenaron con una pesca abundante.

Que Dios los bendiga,

P. Arlon, OSA