Month: April 2023

• Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• Psalms 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6
• 1 Peter 2:20b-25
• John 10:1-10

I am grateful to God for the successful religious pilgrimage in Lourdes, France revisiting one of the most famous world Marian apparition sites. This is my second time around to be at the grotto where Mother Mary’s apparition to St. Bernadette speaks to me profoundly my priestly calling to devote my time spreading the message of reparation, renewal and praying for the conversion of the world under the guidance and maternal help of our Immaculate Conception. St. Bernadette is a young village girl who was chosen by the Blessed Mother to announce her messages to the world. I was delighted to know that we were born on the same day, on January 7th. I was able to celebrate mass with 84 pilgrims from USA and I drank the miraculous water from that same grotto believed to have extraordinary healing effect.

Then after Lourdes, France we flew to the Holy Land.  We went first to Mother Mary for her protection for the whole period of our pilgrimage.  The Holy Land is totally new to me. It was emotional to be in the land where historic Jesus fulfilled the scriptures as the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament and where He lived, preached, then offered the most loving sacrificed for the salvation of the world. Seeing and visiting those important places connected to His life, I have been renewed, strengthen my faith and brought me healing. I have offered prayers for those numerous friends who have asked me to pray for them. May those prayers I have offered help them resolve their weary heart and fill them with His abundant blessings.

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday where we are invited to look at Jesus as our Shepherd who watches and cares for us.

There are qualities which we know Jesus has fulfilled being a faithful and Good Shepherd.

First, He works hard even putting Himself in an extremely difficult task to secure all of us from all kinds of danger. I can only imagine being a shepherd who travels with the sheep as he finds fertile fields for their food; he leads them to those pastures and watches over them as they are being nourished.

Second, as our eternal shepherd, who literally laid down His life for his sheep by caring for us 24-7. At night a new demand, he puts on great responsibility of his flock. He finds a place safe for sleeping. But even then oftentimes the shepherd couldn’t just sleep because he needs to be attentive to the sheep even at his time of rest. He needs to be vigilant for the sake if his flock.

Third, as a sheep enters the gate the shepherd stands in the middle and examined each animal for any wound or difficulty they might have encountered. That is why, Jesus our Good Shepherd says, “Amen, Amen I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.”

Jesus identifies with both the Good Shepherd and the gate in today’s gospel. All of the above qualities of a Good Shepherd describes His marvelous cares for each of us.

Jesus is meant to be the very embodiment of God’s loving care for each and all of us. Yes, we are sheep and the gospel message here is to continue to watch us. He is there pouring himself out for his sheep.

St. Peter’s preaching in the Acts of the Apostles, also reminds us of another “good shepherd” from John’s gospel.

St. Peter preaches to the “house of Israel.” His words and life represent the focus of his preaching of the gospel as the basis of his and others disciples’ commitment to live out their faith in the Risen Jesus.

We are the harvests of Peter and the early Christians’ witnessing and definitely the work of the Holy Spirit because in Jerusalem, he was bold to say that “to all those far off” thus invited to ongoing repentance based in our baptism.

Let us continue to work hard to participate in the ministry of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

As God’s beloved children, let us pass on to others our faith in order to share that abundant mercy and forgiveness.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

———————————-

El Dictado del Corazón: Cuanto Domingo de Pascua, Año A

• Hechos 2:14a, 36-41
• Salmos 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6
• 1 Pedro 2:20b-25
• Juan 10:1-10

Estoy agradecido con Dios por el éxito de la peregrinación religiosa a Lourdes, Francia, visitando uno de los lugares de apariciones marianas más famosos del mundo. Esta segunda vez de estar en la gruta donde ocurrió la aparición de la Madre María a Santa Bernardita me habla profundamente de mi llamado sacerdotal para dedicar mi tiempo a difundir el mensaje de reparación y renovación y orar por la conversión del mundo bajo la guía y Auxilio maternal de la Inmaculada Concepción. Santa Bernardita, una joven aldeana, fue elegida por la Santísima Madre para anunciar su mensaje al mundo. Me encantó saber que nacimos el mismo día, el siete de enero. Pude celebrar misa con ochenta y cuatro peregrinos de los Estados Unidos y bebí el agua milagrosa de esa misma gruta que se cree que tiene un efecto curativo extraordinario.

Luego, después de Lourdes, Francia, volamos a Tierra Santa. Creo que acudimos primero a la Madre María para su protección durante todo el período de nuestra peregrinación. La Tierra Santa es nueva para mí. Fue emotivo haber estado en la tierra donde el Jesús histórico cumplió las escrituras como el Mesías profetizado en el Antiguo Testamento, y vivió, predicó y finalmente ofreció el más amoroso sacrificio por la salvación del mundo. Al ver y visitar esos lugares importantes conectados con Su vida, me he renovado, mi fe se ha fortalecido y me ha traído sanidad. He ofrecido oraciones por esos numerosos amigos que me han pedido que ore por ellos. Que esas oraciones que he ofrecido les ayuden a resolver sus corazones cansados y los llenen con Sus abundantes bendiciones.

Hoy es el Domingo del Buen Pastor donde se nos invita a mirar a Jesús como nuestro Pastor que nos vela y nos cuida.

Hay cualidades que sabemos que Jesús ha cumplido siendo un fiel y Buen Pastor.

Primero, Él trabaja duro incluso poniéndose a sí mismo en una tarea extremadamente difícil para protegernos a todos de todo tipo de peligro. Solo puedo imaginarme siendo un pastor que viaja con las ovejas mientras encuentra campos fértiles para su alimento; los conduce a esos pastos y vela por ellos mientras se alimentan.

Segundo, como nuestro pastor eterno, Él dará Su vida por Sus ovejas al cuidar de nosotros veinticuatro – siete. Por la noche hay una nueva demanda, la gran responsabilidad de su rebaño. Encuentra un lugar seguro para dormir. Incluso entonces, muchas veces el pastor no puede simplemente dormir porque necesita estar atento a las ovejas incluso durante su tiempo de descanso. Necesita estar alerta por el bien de su rebaño.

Tercero, cuando las ovejas entran por la puerta, el pastor se para en el medio y examina a cada animal en busca de cualquier herida o dificultad que puedan haber encontrado. Por eso, Jesús, nuestro Buen Pastor, dice: “Amén, en verdad os digo, yo soy la puerta de las ovejas. yo soy la puerta El que por mí entre, será salvo, y entrará y saldrá, y hallará pastos”.

Jesús se identifica tanto con el Buen Pastor como con la puerta en el evangelio de hoy. Todas las cualidades anteriores de un Buen Pastor describen Su maravilloso cuidado por cada uno de nosotros.

Jesús está destinado a ser la encarnación misma del cuidado amoroso de Dios por cada uno de nosotros. Sí, somos ovejas y el mensaje del evangelio aquí es que Él continúa cuidándonos. Él está allí derramándose por sus ovejas.

La predicación de San Pedro en los Hechos de los Apóstoles también nos recuerda a otro “buen pastor” del evangelio de Juan.

San Pedro predica a la “casa de Israel”. Sus palabras y su vida representan el enfoque de su predicación del evangelio como la base de su compromiso y el de otros discípulos de vivir su fe en Jesús Resucitado.

Somos la cosecha del testimonio de Pedro y los primeros cristianos y la obra del Espíritu Santo porque, en Jerusalén, se atrevió a decir que “a todos los que estaban lejos” invitaba así al arrepentimiento continuo basado en nuestro bautismo.

Sigamos trabajando duro para participar en el ministerio de Jesús, nuestro Buen

Pastor. Como hijos amados de Dios, transmitamos a otros nuestra fe para compartir esa abundante misericordia y perdón.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, 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 them of the sorrow and the joy they feel as His followers. He 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 proclaimed of Israel’s suffering and deliverance in a similar way in 26:17-19, “Like a pregnant woman who writes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of You, O Lord; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen. Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.”

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.

The Epistle for today teaches us to train ourselves in godly virtues while we await the final restoration of creation. To endure through sorrowing and suffering and trials and temptations, and 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. In the way that person handles it, where they look for help and comfort and peace.

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.

Jesus speaks of His death and resurrection to us today. Because the same body and blood of Christ is in you 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.

Christ comforts His disciples that the coming change was not loss but gain. The approaching grief was to last for just a little while. Christ comforts us that the coming change in our world is not loss but gain.

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

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 2:14, 22-33
• Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
• 1 Peter 1:17-21
• Luke 24:13-35

We are on the 3rd Sunday of Easter. I am happy to be here in the land where Jesus walked. For ten days, I am walking on the same soil where Jesus was born, lived and called His disciples, preached the Goodnews and performed numerous miracles. This pilgrimage is meaningful and moving my heart so deeply because I have the opportunity to step on this soil which is very familiar from places known through the gospels. I am grateful to God that I have this opportunity of a lifetime to visit various religious sites in the Holy Land, Jerusalem. For me, it is doubly joyful to go on this religious pilgrimage during this season of Easter.

In the first reading today from the book of Acts, this particular chapter narrates to us the completely new experience after the coming of the Holy Spirit where Peter observed the unusual difference of their way of life and attitude concerning Jesus. Peter’s teaching is simply that Jesus is from God, who was crucified, and God has given Him power to do great things on earth, to offer Himself for the salvation of men and finally for God to raise Him back to life.

Psalm 16:11 also points to Jesus. David was a promise from God that his descendants will never taste death, through Jesus, because He is under the lineage of David.

The gospel is a wonderful story of the Resurrection which is typical from St. Luke, the story of the two men on the road to Emmaus. After the crucifixion and death of Jesus, these two disciples were recalling the events that had occurred in Jerusalem. Their faith has sustained them to be firm, and yet as if their hope and dream had been crushed, they were downcast in spirit. Here are some things we need to remember as points of reflection:

First, they trusted the teaching of Jesus, heard Him preaching, established friendship with Him, and yet acted as if they were lost. They invested everything with Jesus and followed Him, probably they left everything. All of these things flashed like lightning in their minds, conversing as they walked along in desperation.

In our lowest moments, we are preoccupied thinking about all sorts of things that distract us. Sometimes we forget to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives accompanying us and we fail to trust Him.

Second, Jesus walks along side of them unrecognized. Jesus knew how to engage with the two in a conversation about the scripture from Moses, the prophets, and how the people rejected Jesus and put Him to death. Jesus reminded them that they are slow of heart to believe.

It is true that our own human sufferings and misfortunes are connected to our disbelief. We have hearts that are not open to accept and believe in the power of God. Many times, our life is neglectful to engage in a conversation in prayer where we can truly divulge the inner recesses of our own feelings and being. We fail to understand that the suffering of the Lord is actually the willingness of the merciful God to enter into our human weakness and uncertainty.

Third, Jesus stays with them for an intimate sharing of bread which Jesus blest, broke and offered them. Their eyes were opened to remember and recognize Him, but suddenly Jesus vanished from their sight. In the breaking of bread, Jesus is truly present. This Eucharistic meal is to call them to go and spread the Goodnews that Jesus has risen.

When we are with God, after the storm of life, there is always a promise of a rainbow. After problems and difficulty, there is a promise of a feast to celebrate and be grateful of a blessing. This is the reason, when we receive any kind of blessing, we must attend a Eucharistic celebration, the Mass, which is the highest form of thanksgiving to God.

Cleopas and his companion gained much understanding about their faith in Jesus Christ. They went back to Jerusalem with burning hearts, renewed commitment and awareness about themselves.

In following Jesus, we walk with Him and join Him always as we journey towards heaven. We are given new life, so that we too can share the fulness of life in the risen Lord, life that is filled with His saving power and life we find from the community of faith where we too belong.

Lord Jesus, please accompany us here in the Holy Land and through the path of life eternal.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

—————————-

El Dictado del Corazón
Tercer Domingo de Pascua, Año A

• Hechos 2:14, 22-33
• Salmos 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
• 1 Pedro 1:17-21
• Lucas 24:13-35

Estamos en el Tercer Domingo de Pascua. Estoy feliz de estar por diez días pisando y caminando en la misma tierra donde Jesús nació, camino, vivió, predicó la Buena Nueva, donde llamó a cada uno de sus discípulos y realizó numerosos milagros. Esta peregrinación es significativa y conmueve profundamente mi corazón. Estoy pisando este suelo y yendo a lugares que me son muy familiares por mi conocimiento de los evangelios. Estoy agradecido de que Dios me haya bendecido con esta oportunidad única en la vida, de visitar varios lugares religiosos en Tierra Santa. Es doblemente alegre realizar esta peregrinación religiosa en este tiempo de Semana Santa.

La primera lectura de hoy es del libro de los Hechos. Este capítulo nos narra la experiencia completamente nueva después de la venida del Espíritu Santo que Pedro observó la diferencia inusual en su forma de vida y actitud con respecto a Jesús. Pedro simplemente enseña que Jesús es de Dios, que fue crucificado, y Dios le ha dado poder para hacer grandes cosas en la tierra, para ofrecerse a Sí mismo por la salvación de los hombres, y finalmente para que Dios lo resucite. El Salmo 16:11 también apunta a Jesús. Dios le prometió a David que sus descendientes nunca probarían la muerte, y Jesús está bajo el linaje de David.

El evangelio es una maravillosa historia de la Resurrección que es típica de San Lucas. La historia de estos dos hombres en el camino a Emaús. Después de la crucifixión y muerte de Jesús, estos dos discípulos estaban recordando los hechos ocurridos en Jerusalén. Su fe los ha sostenido para ser firmes y, sin embargo, como si sus esperanzas y sueños hubieran sido aplastados, estaban abatidos en el espíritu. Aquí hay algunas cosas que debemos recordar como puntos de reflexión:

Primero, confiaron en la enseñanza de Jesús, lo escucharon predicar y establecieron una amistad con Él, y sin embargo, como si estuvieran perdidos. Todo lo invirtieron en Jesús y lo siguieron, probablemente lo dejaron todo, todo eso brilló como un relámpago en sus mentes conversando mientras caminaban desesperados. En nuestros momentos más bajos, estamos preocupados por pensar en todo tipo de cosas que nos distraen. A veces nos olvidamos de reconocer la presencia de Dios en nuestra vida y que Él nos acompaña y, sin embargo, no confiamos en Él.

Segundo, Jesús camina junto a ellos sin ser reconocido. Jesús sabía cómo entablar una conversación con los dos sobre la escritura de Moisés, los profetas, y cómo la gente rechazó a Jesús y lo mató. Jesús les recordó que son lentos de corazón para creer.

Nuestros sufrimientos e infortunios humanos están ciertamente conectados con nuestra incredulidad. Tenemos corazones que no están abiertos a aceptar y creer en el poder de Dios. Muchas veces, nuestra vida es negligente en entablar una conversación, en la oración, donde verdaderamente podemos divulgar los recovecos internos de nuestros sentimientos y de nuestro ser. No supimos comprender que el sufrimiento del Señor es la disposición del Dios misericordioso a entrar en nuestra debilidad e incertidumbre humanas.

Tercero, Jesús se queda con ellos para compartir íntimamente el pan que Jesús bendijo, partió y les ofreció, sus ojos se abrieron para recordarlo y reconocerlo, pero de repente Jesús desapareció de su vista. En la fracción del pan, Jesús está realmente presente. Esta comida eucarística es para llamarlos a ir y difundir la buena nueva de la resurrección de Jesús.

Cuando estamos con Dios, después de la tormenta de la vida, siempre hay una promesa de un arco iris. Después de los problemas y las dificultades, la promesa de una fiesta para celebrar y agradecer es una bendición. Por eso, cuando recibimos cualquier tipo de bendición, debemos asistir a una celebración eucarística, la misa que es la forma más alta de acción de gracias a Dios.

Cleofás y su compañero adquirieron mucha comprensión acerca de su fe en Jesucristo. Regresaron a Jerusalén con corazones ardientes, compromiso renovado y conciencia de sí mismos. Al seguir a Jesús, caminamos con Él y nos unimos a Él siempre en nuestro viaje hacia el cielo. Se nos da nueva vida para que nosotros también podamos compartir la plenitud de la vida en el Señor resucitado, una vida que está llena de Su poder salvador, y la vida que encontramos en la comunidad de fe a la que también pertenecemos.

Señor Jesús, por favor acompáñanos aquí en Tierra Santa y por el camino de la vida eterna.

¡Dios los bendiga!

Padre Arlón, osa

• 1 Peter 2:21-25
• John 10:11-16

I am on a religious pilgrimage in the Holy Land, and today is my fifth day. I am grateful to God for such a blessing stepping on the soil where Jesus spent His earthly life, offered Himself on the cross, died and has risen from the dead for the salvation of the world. This is my first time to visit this sacred land where the three major religions come to share in peaceful existence. God is alive; again Happy Easter.

Today is the second Sunday of Easter in the Extraordinary Form. We are invited to reflect on the Christian calling in a different sense. In this season of Easter, we have this epistle of St. Peter teaching us that being a Christian we shouldn’t keep quiet and have a passive attitude of ignoring many things happening in the world. We cannot just live peacefully while we do nothing against injustices in our society, like human trafficking, abortion, abuse of children, economic and social conflict and war. We all have endured sufferings and injustices of various kinds throughout our lives because we believe in the constancy of God’s infinite love. If we don’t do anything, we are actually not participating in God’s mission of redemption due to the fact that we don’t think of others’ welfare as well. We must care for others as part of our shepherding.

We need to be involved by drawing our hope, as we relate ourselves to the life of Peter, who draws out strength through the life of Christ, who also is the Shepherd of our souls. We present a pattern we have already seen and proven that there is suffering, which will be followed by glory later. We truly encourage you in the face of struggles, that we must grow in faith and good action with much expectation of the coming reward. As believers, we share in Christ’s suffering in a unique way. Suffering can only be resolved with the love of the whole body of Christ by making it really living the true teaching of Jesus.

Today’s gospel is about the Good Shepherd. He is a genuine example with His sheep.

Here in the Holy Land, Jesus has spoken to His people through an ordinary way of life of the people. Aside from fishing in the sea of Galilee, which is not actually a “sea” literally, but a lake, the livelihood is catching fish for those who live near the shore. However, for people who live in the mountain, their basic work is pasturing the sheep. Jesus had been aware of simple ways to reveal to them the mystery of Heaven.

Reflecting on this gospel about being a Good Shepherd to his sheep, I invite you to seriously meditate on the merits of this gospel pericope.

First, Jesus as a Good Shepherd is showing an example of creating a relationship with His sheep. Just as He is in a relationship with the Father, He serves to mirror that relationship with us His followers, His sheep.

I am aware that it is difficult to take our time entering into a relationship with people who have less common interests with us.

How often do we greet or ask people visiting Holy Spirit Mission, “How are you?” How often are we willing to talk with the person who is different from us, who might be considered an outsider? We have Jesus’ example of showing love through real relationships as our model, and it is up to us as the church to live out that example in our world.

Second, Jesus as a Good Shepherd, listens to the cries of His sheep. He knows our voice too and we know His. As you show love through listening, do you hear the Shepherd’s voice speaking through other people? By listening and loving, indeed our relationships grow as we follow our Good Shepherd.

Third, Jesus as a Good Shepherd involves knowing one’s own flock (John 10:14). This aspect of being good is important having knowledge of His sheep because He helps to keep the sheep safe from enemies. Jesus leads us away from danger and harm.

I firmly believe that Jesus gives us all the means to be protected from all evils by giving us the available sacraments entrusted to us in the Church.

Today let this genuine image of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, be our inspiration to live like Him so that we can easily relate to the world we live in.

May God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 2:42-47
• Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Today is the Second Sunday of Easter, and we also celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy. This Feast of the Divine Mercy was introduced to us by St. John Paul II and St. Faustina, both of them of Polish descent. We need to remember that the mercy of God is biblically founded and functional attribute of God’s infinite and eternal love in the history of man’s salvation. Both in the Old and New Testament, God manifests His constant compassion for the chosen people up to the time when Jesus Christ came into this world for our redemption. Jesus did not only perform miracles and goodness to the people but reveals to us that God is merciful, compassionate and loving at all times. Everything He does is an expression of mercy which is eternally in action.

The first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles reminds us of an ideal witnessing of Christian calling for their love and oneness of heart; they are indeed the Body of Christ. In this Acts of the Apostles, it is wonderful to know and understand how the early church was able to share their everything, their food and material possessions and to care for one another with continuous breaking of bread celebrating their own identity and the life as Jesus’ believers. Their way of life has been very attractive to others.

The second reading from the first epistle of Peter is very encouraging to continue our struggles of life due to the fact that God is ever persistent in His love; thus, we must be triumphant and victorious in all things.

We read in the gospel today the story of Thomas the Apostle struggling to believe the testimony of his fellow apostles about the Risen Jesus. Maybe some of us are also not so keen to believe the story of others regarding the familiar testimonies on how they believe in the resurrection. And then this story makes us understand and accept how Thomas was changed to be more faithful to the Lord. We can perfectly use this gospel in our spiritual maturity.

First, in this gospel passage, Thomas had spoken about His complete faith and trust after the invitation from Jesus to touch His wounds. In our journey as believers, we encounter the living God through Jesus’ wounds. We can feel His wounds through the poor and the abandoned, the weak and the sorrowful, and the rich people who need companions to make them feel that they too are loved and cared for. In all these, we truly encounter the Lord’s bleeding hands and side.

Second, Thomas is invited to touch Jesus’ wounds, and those wounds draw out of him the realization of being less acquainted with his companions’ experience of the Risen Jesus because he had been absent. Thus, I believe that his faith towards his co-apostles was that in questioned, not his faith in Jesus, the Lord and Master. Jesus showing his wounds connects to Thomas’ inner wounds and he was healed.

Third, Thomas is healed and can move from doubt to his confession of faith. He said,” My Lord and My God.” What a powerful way for him to declare his full and complete trust in Jesus, as Lord and God.

In today’s feast day of the Divine Mercy, we are called to have an intimate encounter with the Lord, showing much of His mercy and compassion for us. I have experienced so many times a sense of failure because there is a lack of fruitfulness in my ministry when I commit sin, yet God never stops me from pursuing me to confession so my mission will be more efficient and fruitful. To my amazement He has shown me numerous times how He clearly intervenes in my life. I have found blessings more than enough to prove His never-ending love and unfathomable works of mercy.

We are invited as His children to be open and to be willing to experience God’s presence in actions, beliefs, and presence of other believers. Again today, He assured us of His merciful presence in our lives. We, therefore, accept the mission that God is asking, to go and be God’s real presence in the world today. Let us live out our faith in Jesus.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

———————————

El Dictado del Corazón
Segundo Domingo de Pascua, Año A (Domingo de la Divina Misericordia)

• Hechos 2:42-47
• Salmos 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
• 1 Pedro 1:3-9
• Juan 20:19-31

Hoy es el Segundo Domingo de Pascua, y también estamos celebrando la Fiesta de la Divina Misericordia. Esta Fiesta de la Divina Misericordia nos la introdujeron San Juan Pablo II y Santa Faustina, ambos polacos. Siempre debemos recordar la misericordia de Dios, que tiene un fundamento bíblico y es el mayor atributo del amor infinito y eterno de Dios en la historia de la salvación del hombre. Tanto en el Antiguo como en el Nuevo Testamento, Dios manifiesta Su constante compasión por Su pueblo escogido hasta el momento en que Jesucristo vino a este mundo para nuestra redención. Jesús no solo realizó milagros y bondad para todas las personas, sino que también nos reveló que Dios es misericordioso, compasivo y amoroso. Todo lo que hace es una expresión de misericordia.

La primera lectura de hoy de los Hechos de los Apóstoles nos recuerda un testimonio ideal de cristianos que piden su amor y unidad de corazón; ellos son de hecho el Cuerpo de Cristo. En los Hechos de los Apóstoles, es maravilloso conocer y comprender cómo la iglesia primitiva pudo compartir todo, sus alimentos y bienes materiales, y cuidarse unos a otros con la continua fracción del pan, celebrando la propia identidad y vida. como creyentes de Jesús. Su forma de vida ha sido muy atractiva para los demás.

La segunda lectura de la primera epístola de Pedro es muy alentadora para continuar con nuestra lucha en la vida porque Dios es siempre persistente en su amor; por lo tanto, debemos ser triunfantes y victoriosos en todas las cosas.

Leemos en el evangelio de hoy sobre el Apóstol Tomás, luchando por creer el testimonio de sus compañeros apóstoles acerca de Jesús Resucitado. Tal vez algunos de nosotros tampoco estamos tan dispuestos a creer la historia de otros sobre los testimonios familiares sobre cómo creen en la resurrección, y luego intentan hacernos entender y aceptar cómo Tomás fue cambiado para ser más fiel al Señor. Podemos usar perfectamente este evangelio en nuestra madurez espiritual.

Primero, en este pasaje del evangelio, Tomás había hablado de su completa fe y confianza después de la invitación de Jesús de tocar sus heridas. En nuestro caminar como creyentes, encontramos al Dios vivo a través de las heridas de Jesús. Podemos sentir sus heridas a través de los pobres y los abandonados, los débiles y los afligidos, y los ricos que necesitan compañeros para sentirse amados y cuidados. En todo esto, verdaderamente encontramos las manos y el costado sangrantes del Señor.

En segundo lugar, Tomás es invitado a tocar las heridas de Jesús, y esas heridas le provocan la perturbación de conocer menos la experiencia de Jesús Resucitado de sus compañeros por haber estado ausente. Por lo tanto, creo que su fe fue que sus compañeros apóstoles lo cuestionaron, no su fe en Jesús, su Señor y Maestro. Jesús mostrando sus heridas conecta las heridas internas de Tomás.

Tercero, Tomás es sanado y puede pasar de la duda a su confesión de fe. Él dijo: “Señor mío y Dios mío”. Qué manera tan poderosa para él de declarar su completa confianza en Jesús, como Señor y Dios.

En la fiesta de hoy de la Divina Misericordia, estamos llamados a tener un encuentro íntimo con el Señor, mostrando Su misericordia y compasión por nosotros. He experimentado tantas veces una sensación de fracaso porque me encantaría ver frutos en mi ministerio, pero Dios nunca me impide seguir mi misión. Para mi asombro, me ha mostrado numerosas veces cómo interviene en mi vida. He encontrado bendiciones más que suficientes para probar Su amor infinito y sus insondables obras de misericordia.

Estamos invitados como Sus hijos a estar abiertos y dispuestos a experimentar la presencia de Dios en acciones, creencias y la presencia de otros creyentes. Nuevamente hoy, Él nos aseguró Su presencia misericordiosa en nuestras vidas. Nosotros, por tanto, aceptamos la misión que Dios nos pide, ir y ser la presencia real de Dios en el mundo de hoy. Vivamos nuestra fe en Jesús y nunca dejemos de decir Jesús, en Ti confío.

Padre Arlón, osa

• 1 John 5:4-10
• John 20:19-31

Today is the Low Sunday of Easter. We are continuously enjoying our new birth, which is the effect or the evidence of what resurrection is about. What signs have you ever perceived that the Risen Lord has caused you to be a transformed person?

The epistle from 1 John 5:4-10 reminds us; “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith.” I believe that it is God’s grace that definitively causes the transformation of our minds and hearts. However, we have a role to play to love sinners and to continue to bring them to the Lord. Where He goes, we will go and be willing to participate in His mission to save others. We don’t want to think only of our own salvation but also to do a deeper work of faith and love in your life.

The gospel today speaks about the disciples gathering together in the upper room that first Easter evening. They were in fear because of what they witnessed before Jesus was crucified. They were emotional at the last supper and the washing of the feet. They were with Jesus while praying in the garden, but they fell asleep. They witnessed Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial and then Jesus’ arrest, trial, passion, and crucifixion. Then there was confusion when the body of Jesus disappeared from the tomb. The apostles experienced terrible mixed emotions of sadness, grief and confusion until He appeared to them in the upper room.

I would like to accompany you to reflect on important events that happened when they saw Jesus.

First, Jesus said to them, “Peace Be with You” to ease the doubts of those frightened disciples and to give them the grace of mercy, forgiveness, and love. Jesus showed them His hands and His side. His disciples rejoiced to see Jesus alive and among them.

Second, “As the Father has sent Me.” Jesus did not only show Himself being alive, but made them remember that He was sent by His Father. It is an opportunity to remember His disciples’ primary concern which is to be prepared for their great task rather than to succumb to their fears, doubts, and anxieties. They too were sent to the world.

Third, Jesus said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” which means that the disciples need not worry but continue to remain with Him for He is there to provide a gift, which is something greater to accomplish their mission. Jesus breathed on those apostles, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” I can imagine how God created us; He breathed unto us His breath of Life. We all share the same gift in baptism and confirmation for we are made new creations in Christ. We are now brothers and sisters in Christ, who will live forever with our crucified and risen Lord.

Fourth, the mentioning of Thomas’ name because he was not there when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples becomes an important teaching lesson for Jesus. We are not sure why, but I’ve always wondered if Thomas was not happy with the other disciples’ claim that they had seen the Lord. Thomas famously said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” When Jesus appeared again and Thomas was present, He said to Thomas, “Put your fingers here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Jesus manifests His patience to Thomas and Jesus’s patience with you and me.

This beautiful gospel story is really about each and everyone of us, trying to be worthy followers of Jesus. We are struggling with doubt and constantly falling short of what we know that Jesus expects from us. He says every time we attend mass, the peace which surpasses all understanding, the peace which the world cannot give, and the peace that only comes from our Lord, Jesus Christ when we most need it.

Brothers and sisters, like all disciples, we are also empowered by the
promptings of the Holy Spirit, who sends us out to the world to continue our mission. This is what our Lord does for each and every one of us. That, too, is what the miracle of Easter means for us.

May God continue to strengthen us with His grace to be witnesses of His resurrection.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 3:1-10
• Psalm 105:1-9
• Luke 24:13-35

Based on my pastoral experience as a priest, I have encountered so many people struggling to believe in the resurrection of Jesus with little evidence left to make them fully convinced. They would not even depend on scripture accounts. It is sad; however, I am positive that someday their understanding and faith will be there. Many skeptics are there who need help from those gifted with strong faith. Maybe they just probably need some enlightenment and guidance. It’s not yet too late. If we recognize Jesus, who has risen and lives with us, walks with us and leads us, then time will tell that we share that glory promised for us with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles narrates to us about Peter performing a miracle and publicly proclaiming the message of Jesus that through Him there is salvation.

Wonders after wonders and graces after graces flow tremendously to the Apostles as we read in the first reading today from the Book of Acts after JESUS’ resurrection. Peter was in the temple and the power of healing emanates from him by healing the crippled man. The man was able to walk by the power of Jesus thru His apostles. The power of healing is now in the hands of the Apostles to continue His ministry and presence with us.

The gospel today reminds us of the two men on the road to Emmaus. As they were walking, these two disciples of the Lord failed to recognize with whom they were walking. Probably they were grieving and were preoccupied with other concerns, or they probably were focused on explaining and re-telling the gospel about what happened to Jesus. Accepting Him as the “Suffering Messiah,” they could hardly understand.

This story encourages us to have a sense of understanding of the events that happened after the crucifixion, which will lead us to a greater transformation of mind and spirit. We have to remember that the disciples of Jesus did not remain as followers but as transformed and inspired leaders to propagate the Goodnews about Jesus, our Lord. They became effective evangelizers.

My personal prayer today is that during this Easter season, we have personal transformation happening within us so that we too become true disciples of the Risen Lord.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

————————————

El Dictado del Corazon
Dentro de la Octava de Pascua, Miércoles

• Hechos 3:1-10
• Salmo 105:1-9
• Lucas 24:13-35

Basado en mi experiencia pastoral como sacerdote, me he encontrado con muchas personas que luchan por creer en la resurrección de Jesús. Ni siquiera las sagradas escrituras son evidencia para convencerlos completamente. Hay muchos incrédulos que necesitan la ayuda de aquellos bendecidos con una fe fuerte. Tal vez solo necesiten algo de iluminación y orientación. Es triste; sin embargo, estoy seguro de que, si abren su mente y su corazón para permitir que Dios se manifieste a ellos, llegarán a creer. Todavía no es demasiado tarde. Si reconocemos a Jesús, que ha resucitado y vive con nosotros, camina con nosotros y nos guía, entonces el tiempo dirá que compartimos esa gloria prometida para nosotros con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo.

La primera lectura de los Hechos de los Apóstoles nos narra acerca de Pedro realizando un milagro y proclamando públicamente el mensaje de Jesús, de que a través de Él hay salvación. Maravillas tras maravillas y gracias tras gracias fluyen tremendamente hacia los Apóstoles como leemos en la primera lectura de hoy del Libro de los Hechos de los apóstoles después de la resurrección de JESÚS. Pedro estaba en el templo y el poder de curar emana de él al sanar al paralítico. El hombre pudo caminar por el poder de Jesús a través de sus apóstoles. El poder de sanidad está ahora en manos de los Apóstoles para continuar Su ministerio y Su presencia con nosotros.

El evangelio de hoy nos recuerda a los dos hombres en el camino a Emaús. Mientras caminaban, estos dos discípulos del Señor no supieron reconocer con quién caminaban. Probablemente estaban afligidos y cabizbajos por otras preocupaciones, o probablemente estaban concentrados en explicar y volver a contar el evangelio sobre lo que le sucedió a Jesús. Aceptándolo como el “Mesías sufriente”, difícilmente podían entender.

Esta historia nos anima a tener un sentido de comprensión de los acontecimientos que sucedieron después de la crucifixión, lo que nos llevará a una mayor transformación de mente y espíritu. Tenemos que recordar que los discípulos de Jesús no quedaron como seguidores sino como líderes transformados e inspirados para propagar la Buena Nueva de Jesús, nuestro Señor. Se convirtieron en evangelizadores eficaces.

Mi oración hoy es que, durante esta temporada de Pascua, tengamos una transformación personal dentro de nosotros para que, nosotros también seamos verdaderos discípulos del Señor que ha Resucitado.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Acts 2:36-41
• Psalm 33:4-22
• John 20:11-18

Today we still remember what happened to us during Holy Week and Easter. I was personally exhausted hearing confessions and preparing for the Triduum Liturgy and homilies; however, I believe that it is an offering of sacrifice and am humbled to be chosen to minister to you. I have written many reflections in order to convey their meaning and have inspired others to be renewed and to return to God, which is indeed a big challenge and task.

In the epistle from the Book of Acts, Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let the whole of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” The crowds were cut to the heart because Peter shared the message revealed to him about who Jesus was.

The gospel again opens our mind to reflect on the experience of Mary of Magdala. Jesus specifically instructs Mary Magdalene to go and tell the other disciples what she has personally witnessed. Jesus commissioned her to “Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will see me.”

Whatever we have experienced during this Easter, blessings, graces, and personal insights, must be shared as part of our testimony. We have seen the goodness of the Risen Lord, and His love continues to pour out upon us so that we have the courage to remain with Him.

Our way of gratitude to the Risen Lord is our faithfulness to act as renewed and transformed persons. Believing in the Resurrection has renewed our relationship with God and each other through a deeper self-knowledge and awareness towards genuine love of the beloved.

Happy Easter!

Fr. Arlon, osa

— — — — —

El Dictado del Corazón
Dentro de la Octava de Pascua, Martes

• Hechos 2:36-41
• Salmo 33:4-22
• Juan 20:11-18

Hoy todavía recordamos lo que vivimos durante la Semana Santa y la Pascua.  Yo estaba personalmente exhausto; escuchar confesiones, haciendo preparaciones para la Liturgia del Triduo y las homilías, más aparte la preparación del servicio de las últimas siete palabras de Jesús el Viernes Santo.  Sin embargo, es una ofrenda de sacrificio y me siento honrado de ser elegido para ministrar al pueblo de Dios, esperemos en Dios que los frutos sean abundantes.  He escrito muchas reflexiones para transmitir el significado del servir a Dios y he inspirado a otros a renovarse y volver a Dios, lo cual es un gran desafío y una gran tarea.

En la epístola del Libro de los Hechos, Pedro dijo al pueblo judío: “Que todo Israel sepa con certeza que Dios ha hecho Señor y Mesías al mismo Jesús, a quien ustedes han crucificado”.  Las multitudes se conmovieron porque Pedro compartió el mensaje que le fue revelado acerca de quién era Jesús.

El evangelio abre nuevamente nuestra mente para reflexionar sobre la experiencia de María Magdalena. Jesús instruye específicamente a María Magdalena para que vaya y les cuente a los otros discípulos lo que ella personalmente había presenciado.  Jesús le encargó: “Ve y diles a mis hermanos que vayan a Galilea, allí me verán”.

Cualquier cosa que hayamos experimentado durante esta Pascua; bendiciones, gracias y percepciones personales, deben ser compartidas como parte de nuestro testimonio.  Hemos visto la bondad de Jesús Resucitado, y su amor sigue derramándose sobre nosotros para que nos atrevamos a permanecer con Él.

Nuestra forma de gratitud a Jesús Resucitado es nuestra fidelidad para actuar como personas renovadas y transformadas. Creer en la Resurrección ha renovado nuestra relación con Dios y entre nosotros a través de un autoconocimiento más profundo y una conciencia hacia el amor genuino de Dios.

 ¡Felices Pascuas!

  Padre Arlón, osa

 

• Acts 10:34a, 37-43
• Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
• Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
• John 20:1-9

Happy Easter to everyone! Our sacrifices, prayers and penance have paid off as we prepare for something that is important in our life, more than just our own birthday. It is the greatest feast, that is the celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection. Hearing the two readings and the gospel brings incredible joy in our hearts. That we are saved from the ultimate power of sin and of death itself comes to us from Jesus as a great relief and as a tremendous liberation. Truly Jesus lives, and you and I will live! The mystery of death will be overcome – we will live forever!

In the first reading for this great celebration, Peter is reminding everyone about the life and the beautiful experiences of being with Jesus. By preaching, he recalls Jesus’ ministry, good works and His passion and death and mentioned that on the third day, God raised Him and “granted that He be visible, not to all the people but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.” This is a kind of review of the life and being with Jesus after His resurrection.

His apostles continued with their preaching and witnessing of those who believe and face the troubles of the world, standing firmly in the mystery they could hardly comprehend.

The second reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, reminds us on this Easter Sunday that “our life is hidden with Christ in God.” Because of the gift of baptism, there is new life in Jesus continuously and actively growing within us which is efficaciously showing the grace that we too “will appear with Him in glory.” Thus, let us think what is above “where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” We are encouraged not to be distracted by this present life but rather focus on our journey towards our heavenly goal.

The gospel taken from John 20:1-9 is about the first experience of some of the apostles who went to the tomb early in the morning of the first day of the week. Mary of Magdala, John, the beloved, and then Simon Peter arrived. John ran and went to the tomb, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

Apparently, we have to look deeper into this gospel pericope in order to understand our Christian Faith.

First, we rely on the testimonies of the apostles. Peter relates how Jesus had been seen by believers and about their living faith in the Lord. They worked hard to foster Jesus’ ministry of healing. The result of Peter’s profound proclamation of who Jesus is had touched Cornelius and others to ask for the Sacrament of Baptism. Hence, the weight of the Apostles’ witnessing gained more followers to the faith.

Second, Mary informs Peter and the “disciple whom Jesus loved” of her experience and so, they run back with differing times of arrival. They are moving slowly into something dawning on them. Jesus is not there. They believe what they see with only the white linen left and they begin living what they believe. This is exactly how history began becoming news, Good News. These two runners did not just sit down and try to figure out how this whole thing happened. Instead, they remembered and believed, and they left Jesus’ tomb and began Jesus’ resurrection in them.

Third, because of Jesus’ promise that after three days He would rise, we are saved from the ultimate power of sin and of death itself. It comes to us as a great relief, as a tremendous freedom and liberation. The good news is that “the Lord has risen.” Through numerous harvests, and to those who accepted the Lord as their Savior and God, it adds something that we too must believe. The good news is that we believe that Jesus has risen and so have we. We have risen above the natural earthly demand for more light, for more catch and gain for the Risen Lord.

We know that tomb will be empty and remain empty forever as a sign that our lives will not really end, but will only be transformed. Today, we believe that death holds no power over us. We can walk each day with courage and freedom, in the grace being offered us to give our lives away in love.

Happy Easter and more blessings to you and your loved ones.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

—————————————-

El Dictado del Corazón
Domingo de Pascua, Año A

• Hechos 10:34a, 37-43
• Salmo 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
• Colosenses 3:1-4 o 1 Cor 5:6b-8
• Juan 20:1-9

¡Felices Pascuas para todos! Nuestros sacrificios, oraciones y penitencias han dado resultado. Cuando nos preparamos para algo importante en nuestra vida, más que nuestro cumpleaños. La fiesta más grande, es la celebración de la Resurrección de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Escuchar las dos lecturas y el evangelio de hoy con una alegría increíble en nuestro corazón. Que estemos salvados del poder del pecado y de la misma muerte, nos llega como un gran alivio, como una tremenda liberación de Jesús. ¡Verdaderamente Jesús vive, tú y yo viviremos! El misterio de la muerte será superado: ¡viviremos para siempre!

En la primera lectura de esta gran celebración, Pedro les recuerda a todos la vida y las hermosas experiencias de estar con Jesús. Al predicar, recuerda el ministerio de Jesús, las buenas obras y su pasión y muerte. Y mencionó que, al tercer día, Dios lo resucitó y “concedió que Él fuera visible, no a todo el pueblo, sino a nosotros, los testigos elegidos de antemano por Dios, que comieron y bebieron con Él después que resucitó de entre los muertos.” Esta es una especie de revisión de la vida y el estar con Jesús después de su resurrección.

Sus apóstoles continúan con su predicación y dan testimonio de aquellos que creen y enfrentan los problemas del mundo, permaneciendo firmes en el misterio que apenas podían comprender.

La segunda lectura tomada de la carta de San Pablo a los Colosenses nos recuerda en este Domingo de Pascua que “nuestra vida está escondida con Cristo en Dios”. Por el don del bautismo, hay una nueva vida en Jesús que crece continua y activamente dentro de nosotros y que muestra eficazmente la gracia de que nosotros también “apareceremos con Él en Gloria. Así pues, pensemos en lo que está arriba “donde está Cristo sentado a la diestra de Dios”. Se nos anima a no distraernos de esta vida presente, sino a concentrarnos en nuestro viaje hacia nuestra meta celestial.

El evangelio tomado del evangelio de Juan 20:1-9 trata sobre la primera experiencia de algunos de los apóstoles que fueron al sepulcro temprano en la mañana del primer día de la semana. Llegaron María de Magdalena, Juan, el amado, y luego Simón Pedro. Juan corrió y fue al sepulcro, y les dijo: “Se han llevado del sepulcro al Señor, y no sabemos dónde lo han puesto”. Tenemos que profundizar en esta perícopa del evangelio para comprender nuestra fe cristiana.

Primero, confiamos en los testimonios de los apóstoles. Pedro relata cómo Jesús había sido visto por los creyentes y su fe viva en el Señor, trabajaron duro para fomentar el ministerio de sanidad de Jesús. El resultado de la profunda proclamación de Pedro, de quién en Jesús tocó a Cornelio y a otros a pedir el Sacramento del Bautismo. De ahí que el peso del testimonio del Apóstol gane más adeptos a la fe.

En segundo lugar, María informa a Pedro y al “discípulo a quien Jesús amaba” de su experiencia y así vuelven corriendo con diferentes tiempos de llegada. Se están moviendo lentamente hacia algo que se les viene encima. Jesús no está allí. Creen lo que ven y solo les queda lino blanco y comienzan a vivir lo que creen. Así es como la historia empezó a convertirse en noticia, Buena Noticia. Estos dos corredores no solo se sentaron e intentaron descubrir cómo sucedió todo esto. En cambio, recordaron, creyeron y abandonaron la tumba de Jesús y comenzaron la resurrección de Jesús en ellos.

Tercero, por la promesa de Jesús de que después de tres días resucitaría, somos salvados del poder supremo del pecado y de la misma muerte, que nos llega como un gran alivio, como una tremenda libertad y liberación. La buena noticia es que “el Señor ha resucitado”. A través de numerosas cosechas, aquellos que aceptaron al Señor como su Salvador y Dios, añaden algo que también nosotros debemos creer. La buena noticia es que creemos que Jesús ha resucitado y nosotros también. Nos hemos elevado por encima de la demanda terrenal natural de más luz, de más capturas y ganancias para el Señor Resucitado.

Sabemos que la tumba estará vacía y permanecerá vacía para siempre como señal de que nuestra vida no terminará, sino que solo se transformará. Hoy creemos que la muerte no tiene poder sobre nosotros, podemos caminar cada día con valentía y libertad, en la gracia que se nos ofrece para dar nuestra vida en amor.

Felices Pascuas y más bendiciones para ti y tus seres queridos.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
• Mark 16:1-7

Happy Easter Sunday, Christ is Risen Alleluia! Congratulations to Greg and Carolyn, Kevin and Max for receiving the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

During the Easter Vigil, we have the blessing of fire and water, reception of the sacraments for the catechumens and the renewal of our baptismal promises. We need to recognize this mystery which we celebrate, the mystery in which we have been incorporated into Christ, and we have made that choice. That Cross has been driven deep into our hearts, the Cross with the Word of God right on it. That Cross becomes the symbol of victory over death and sin; Jesus has conquered it in order to save us.

In just a moment, as we renew our baptismal vows, we will once again renounce Satan and all his works and all his empty promises, and we will once again profess our faith in God the Father, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit. Just as this church, which this morning was like a void and empty waste, is now once again filled with beauty and will once again be filled with our Resurrected Lord, so too will this temple of our body be restored to its beauty and will also be filled with Our Resurrected Lord in whom we profess our Easter faith.

The epistle today is taken from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 5:7-8. According to God’s design, the blood of Jesus is necessary for Him to institute the New Covenant to save the chosen people and the rest of humanity. That offering of Jesus restores the whole Body of Christ, the Church. Therefore, all the members of the Church, as His body, receive a new identity in Christ. It means that brethren who are falling into misbehaving and sins are deceivers. Christ died to deliver us from our sins. Sin does not belong in our lives, and so we deny it access. We remember that we ourselves died unto sin, but we are alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. If Christ Jesus saved us from our sins, and He did, then we have no reason to continue living in them! We have new life in Him, a life that Father God wants to fill with good works rather than sins (Ephesians 2:10) and to grasp these simple grace teachings from this epistle, (1 Corinthians 5:8), “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” This is a metaphorical, symbolic, or figurative usage. The “leaven” here is “malice and wickedness”—that which jeopardizes/infects our Christian true identity.

The gospel today is taken from Mark 16:1-7 where we notice the time when some of the apostles discovered that Jesus was not anymore in the tomb. The evangelist mentioned Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, who brought spices to anoint the body of Jesus.

How do we understand this episode in the light of Jesus’ resurrection?

First, St. Mark 16:2 reads, “And very early in the morning, on the first day of the by week, they came to the sepulcher, the sun being now risen.” It implies clearly that we are drawn to the story as participants in the action of coming to the tomb.

Second, as the women were on their way, they were discussing the difficulty to remove the stone, which was very large, but then they discovered it had already been rolled back. “And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.” They were startled. We are drawn into the presence of this “young man”telling them not to be astonished, saying, “Be not affrighted, ye Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.” The message we hear is the heart of the Easter proclamation then and now: “He is risen; he is not here. Behold, (Look) the place where they laid him” (16:6b).

Third, “But go and tell His disciples.” These two imperative verbs, Go and Tell, convey an ongoing action and immediacy to the commissioning. Jesus is already going on ahead of them to the place of his early ministry in Galilee. The disciples are the sheep who have been scattered in the traumatic events that led up to and followed Jesus’ crucifixion. The crucified and risen Lord comes among his followers as the shepherd who goes before the sheep (16:7).

With the events that we have witnessed at the tomb, we have been drawn into the early dawn hours of a new day. With the women, we have come to the tomb and the discovery of the large stone rolled away. The message of the young man is addressed to us. We too have received the commission to go and tell.

In so many biblical passages from the book of Genesis up to the New Testament stories, God manifests His living presence. Today we stand in awe and ecstasy of God’s presence among us in the crucified and risen Lord who goes before us,

We, too, become witnesses, even participants with the women, in the action of coming to the empty tomb.

Alleluia! Praise the Lord.

Fr. Arlon, osa