Month: April 2023

• Isaiah 52:13–53:12
• Psalms 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
• Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
• John 18:1–19:42

Today the 7 speakers on the last words of Jesus will touch my heart with very powerful testimonies.  This is the second day of our Triduum celebrations which we enter in prayer in the liturgical year. Good Friday draws us close to Christ’s suffering and to the suffering of others as well. Let us try to emerge into the whole liturgy of the Word, praying for the needs of the Church, with veneration and Holy Communion.

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,”are the last words of Jesus on the Cross in the gospel of Luke 23:46. At the darkest moment of fulfilling His mission for the salvation of men, He has chosen to enter into the deepest human uncertainty, and Jesus sharing our humanity cried out with surrender, trust and hope.

We believe that for Jesus, death is not the end. He promised us that He will rise, and indeed His glory comes in the Resurrection!

Brothers and Sisters, what do we want to surrender into God’s hands today?

First, we may find ourselves in a similar spiritual place as Jesus’ disciples on that Good Friday. Some were at the foot of the Cross, but the rest hid themselves out of fear and being anxious about who would be the next to be killed. Their future is uncertain without their master. How did they live as followers of Christ with that reality of death and forgetting His promise? I do believe that these disciples worked hard to re-learn to trust God, to understand every word they heard from Jesus. We are not far from the reality of the reaction of Christ’s disciples. Today we surrender to God our doubts and anxieties and re-discover our utmost love and trust of God.

Second, we may find ourselves lukewarm in our prayer or conversations with God. How often do we take the time to talk to God and ask for his help? How comfortable are we in praying? We need to have no fear in approaching the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace when we are in need of help. Jesus, even hanging on the Cross, has comforting words for us. I am afraid that many of us neglect our prayer life and stop talking to God. Are we afraid to ask for God’s help? Do we not realize that God wants to hear what is bothering us, to walk with us and bring us joy? God wants to know, so he can bestow His mercy, kindness, and grace on us, ease our burdens and make us better Christians. Let us deepen our prayer life throughout the year. We need to make it a habit to set aside 10, 15, or 20 minutes of quiet moments with God.

Third, today we focus on renewing and strengthening our faith, but we need to continue that effort beyond Easter. Equally as important is to thank Him for His endless love and being at our side, each and every day.

Today, I come to realize that Jesus’ suffering and death are God’s own entry into all that we suffer. Jesus fully understands and is in oneness with us as He continues to save and to change us.

As we “behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the Savior of the world,” we too embrace the whole mystery of love that the cross represents: First, the cross is about my personal infidelity and sins, my own selfishness. Secondly, we are the ones who have been guilty of transgressions and are now forgiven and loved. At the foot of the Cross is the mercy and compassion of God.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón:  Viernes Santo de la Pasión del Señor, Año A

• Isaías 52:13–53:12
• Salmos 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
• Hebreos 4:14-16; 5:7-9
• Juan 18:1–19:42

Hoy, al mediodía, los 7 oradores de las últimas palabras de Jesús tocaron mi corazón con un testimonio profundo y se apoderaron de mi día. Este es el segundo día de nuestras celebraciones del Triduo al que entramos en oración en el año litúrgico. El Viernes Santo nos acerca al sufrimiento de Cristo y también al sufrimiento de los demás. Procuremos emerger en toda la liturgia de la Palabra, orando por las necesidades de la Iglesia, con veneración y la Sagrada Comunión.

“Padre, en tus manos encomiendo mi espíritu”, son las últimas palabras de Jesús en la Cruz en el evangelio de Lucas 23:46. En el momento más oscuro del cumplimiento de su misión para la salvación de los hombres, ha elegido adentrarse en la más profunda incertidumbre humana, y Jesús compartiendo nuestra humanidad clama con entrega, confianza y esperanza.

Creemos que para Jesús, la muerte no es el final. ¡Él nos prometió que resucitaría y ciertamente Su gloria viene en la Resurrección!
Hermanos y hermanas, ¿qué queremos entregar hoy en las manos de Dios?

Primero, podemos encontrarnos en un lugar espiritual similar al de los discípulos de Jesús en ese Viernes Santo. Algunos estaban al pie de la Cruz, pero otros se escondieron por miedo y por la ansiedad de quién sería el próximo en ser asesinado. Su futuro era incierto sin su Maestro. ¿Cómo vivieron como seguidores de Cristo con esa realidad de muerte y olvido de su promesa? Creo que estos discípulos trabajaron duro para volver a aprender a confiar en Dios y entender cada palabra que escucharon de Jesús. No estamos lejos de la realidad de la reacción de los discípulos de Cristo. Hoy entregamos a Dios nuestras dudas y angustias y redescubrimos nuestro máximo amor y confianza en Dios.

Segundo, podemos encontrarnos tibios en nuestras oraciones o conversaciones con Dios. ¿Con qué frecuencia nos tomamos el tiempo para hablar con Dios y pedir su ayuda? ¿Qué tan cómodos nos sentimos al orar? No debemos tener miedo de acercarnos al trono de la gracia para recibir misericordia y hallar gracia cuando necesitamos ayuda. Jesús, aun colgado en la Cruz, tiene palabras de consuelo para nosotros. Me temo que muchos de nosotros descuidamos nuestra vida de oración y dejamos de hablar con Dios. ¿Tenemos miedo de pedir la ayuda de Dios? ¿No nos damos cuenta de que Dios quiere escuchar lo que nos molesta, caminar con nosotros y traernos alegría? Dios quiere saber, para poder derramar Su misericordia, bondad y gracia sobre nosotros, aliviar nuestras cargas y hacernos mejores cristianos. Profundicemos nuestra vida de oración a lo largo del año. Necesitamos hacer que sea un hábito apartar 10, 15 o 20 minutos de momentos de tranquilidad con Dios.

Tercero, hoy nos enfocamos en renovar y fortalecer nuestra fe, pero necesitamos continuar ese esfuerzo más allá de la Pascua. Igual de importante es agradecerle por su amor infinito y por estar a nuestro lado todos los días.

Hoy me doy cuenta de que el sufrimiento y la muerte de Jesús son la entrada de Dios en todos los que sufrimos. Jesús comprende completamente y está en unidad con nosotros mientras continúa salvándonos y cambiándonos.

Al “contemplar el madero de la cruz, sobre el cual colgaba el Salvador del mundo”, abrazamos también todo el misterio de amor que representa la cruz:

Primero, la cruz se trata de mi infidelidad y mis pecados, mi egoísmo.

En segundo lugar, somos nosotros los que hemos sido culpables de transgresiones y ahora somos perdonados y amados.

Al pie de la Cruz está la misericordia y la compasión de Dios.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• 1 Corinthians 11:20-32
• John 13:1-15

Thank you for coming tonight. Today is called Maundy Thursday. What does it mean? Maundy is a word derived from the Latin word “mandatum” or “command”. It is a command coming from Jesus to His disciples, and it is a command to love and to serve!

The epistle today, taken from the first letter to the Corinthians 11:20-32, also describes this sacred ordinance or command. St. Paul teaches that what is eaten is called bread, though at the same time it is said to be the body of the Lord. These inspiring words are to attest that the outward signs signify that it is the real body and blood, broken and shed for us which flow from His death and sacrifice. Therefore, those who partake of it are called to accept Him as Lord and to live with Him as the very source and giver of Life.

In one of the interesting liturgies today, we find how meaningful the washing of the feet is. The Jewish custom of hospitality is to offer guests the opportunity to wash their feet before proceeding to the main house. Here, we find Jesus as the main host of that event at the Last Supper. It was unheard of that a master would wash the feet of His disciples, or that one with superior status would wash the feet of one who was inferior. This explains the astonishment of Peter and the disciples when Jesus removed his robe, donned a towel, and knelt down to wash their feet (verses 4-5). Everything pointed to a role reversal, a master becoming a servant. So, Jesus the Master, the Son of God, shows an act of His humility becoming the servant of all. After He washed their feet, Jesus told them to go and do likewise. This is an important reminder. Jesus says: Love one another just as I have loved you! In the same manner, serve one another as I have served you. We are commanded to do the same today.

According to the gospel reading, Jesus washing his disciplines’ feet before the meal was already in progress knowing that He was to fulfill His Father’s will. Jesus set an example and taught His disciples an act of humility and service. We are being reminded to do the same, to love, and to have a respectful encounter.

Our Holy Spirit community has to live that mission through acts of kindness, to bring healing, hope, and light to the darkness. I am humbled to be doing the washing of the feet of others. I believe this is an opportunity to rethink how we engage in service and in acts of humility, and how we continue to build and share our faith in an ever-changing climate. It has shed light on the act of intentionality and consciousness. Let us be intentionally mindful about how we value human friendship, connection and collaboration and be grateful for those blessings we have received. Jesus showed His disciples what it meant to be Christian. In these difficult times, we must continue to wash the feet of others and show the world what it means for the Word, Jesus, to become flesh.

In the scriptural texts, the duty of those who come to the Lord’s table must do a self-examination which is necessary to enter into the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. If we thoroughly search within ourselves, and fix what we find wrong, we should stop our negativities with a caution against the irregularities of which the Corinthians, like us, were guilty at the Lord’s table of sacrilegious acts. . Let us all come together to God’s worship, so as to enjoy the bounty of God’s presence.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Jueves Santo, Forma Extraordinaria (TLM)

• 1 Corintios 11:20-32
• Juan 13:1-15

Gracias por venir esta noche. Hoy se llama Jueves Santo. ¿Qué significa? “Maundy” es una palabra derivada de la palabra en latin “mandatum” o “comando”. ¡Es un mandato que viene de Jesús a sus discípulos, y es un mandato de amar y servir!

La epístola de hoy, tomada de la primera carta a Corintios 11:20-32, también describe esta ordenanza o mandato sagrado. San Pablo enseña que lo que se come se llama pan, aunque, al mismo tiempo, se dice que es el cuerpo del Señor. Estas palabras inspiradoras son para atestiguar que las señales externas significan que en realidad son el cuerpo y la sangre, rotos y derramados por nosotros, los que fluyen de Su muerte y sacrificio. Por lo tanto, quienes participan de él están llamados a aceptarlo como Señor ya vivir con Él como la fuente misma y el dador de Vida.

Escuchamos en las liturgias de hoy, cuán significativo es el lavatorio de los pies. La costumbre judía de la hospitalidad es ofrecer a los invitados la oportunidad de lavarse los pies antes de dirigirse a la casa principal. Aquí, encontramos a Jesús como el anfitrión principal de ese evento en la Última Cena. Era inaudito que un maestro lavara los pies de Sus discípulos, o que alguien con un estatus superior lavara los pies de uno que era inferior. Esto explica el asombro de Pedro y los discípulos cuando Jesús se quitó la túnica, se puso una toalla y se arrodilló para lavarles los pies (versículos 4-5). Todo apuntaba a un cambio de roles, un amo que se convertía en sirviente. Así, Jesús el Maestro, el Hijo de Dios, muestra un acto de su humildad haciéndose servidor de todos. Después de lavarles los pies, Jesús les dijo que fueran y hicieran lo mismo. Este es un recordatorio importante. Jesús dice: ¡Amaos unos a otros como yo os he amado! De la misma manera servíos unos a otros como yo os he servido. Se nos ordena hacer lo mismo hoy.

Según el evangelio, Jesús lavando los pies de sus disciplinados antes de la comida ya estaba en progreso sabiendo que iba a cumplir la voluntad de Su Padre. Jesús dio ejemplo y enseñó a sus discípulos un acto de humildad y servicio. Se nos recuerda que debemos hacer lo mismo, amar y tener un encuentro respetuoso.

Nuestra comunidad del Espíritu Santo tiene que vivir esa misión a través de actos de bondad, para traer sanidad, esperanza y luz a la oscuridad. Me siento honrado de tener la oportunidad de hoy, también yo, ser el servidor y poder lavar los pies a los demás. Creo que esta es una oportunidad para repensar cómo nos involucramos en el servicio y en actos de humildad, y cómo continuamos construyendo y compartiendo nuestra fe en un clima en constante cambio. Ha arrojado luz sobre el acto de la intencionalidad y la conciencia. Seamos intencionalmente conscientes de cómo valoramos la amistad humana, la conexión y la colaboración y estemos agradecidos por las bendiciones que hemos recibido. Jesús mostró a sus discípulos lo que significaba ser cristiano. En estos tiempos difíciles, debemos seguir lavando los pies de los demás y mostrar al mundo lo que significa que la Palabra, Jesús, se haga carne.

En los textos de las Escrituras, el deber de quien se acerca a la mesa del Señor debe hacer un autoexamen que es necesario para entrar en el Sacramento de la Sagrada Eucaristía. Si escudriñamos a fondo dentro de nosotros mismos y arreglamos lo que encontramos mal, debemos detener nuestras negatividades con una cautela contra las irregularidades de las que los corintios, como nosotros, éramos culpables en la mesa del Señor de actos sacrílegos… Reunámonos todos para la adoración de Dios, para disfrutar de la generosidad de la presencia de Dios.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Isaiah 50:4-7
• Psalms 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
• Philippians 2:6-11
• Matthew 26:14-27:66 or 27:11-54

The Traditional Latin Community has separate celebrations of the Passion Sunday and Palm Sunday. However, the Novus Ordo calls this day both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday, and our liturgy becomes a combination of both the glory and anguish.

Today, we enter into the most solemn week, the Holy Week. It is called Holy Week due to Jesus’ gift of Himself for our salvation. It starts today with Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion which is Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, being welcomed with cheering from the people, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Son of David.” Next comes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to recall the trial, betrayal and suffering of our Lord. Then we have the Triduum celebration starting Thursday with the commemoration of the Last Supper, His gift of the Eucharist, and His great “mandatus”, which means His command to love and serve. Friday is the passion of Christ on the Cross which caused His death. Good Friday is the only day without the celebration of the mass. On Saturday, we are called to continue our reflection on the offering of Jesus’s life for us as we await the vigil celebration of the Resurrection. Easter Sunday culminates our Catholic observance of the Holy Week, realizing that Jesus’ death on the cross is not the end but, through His resurrection, He is risen and is alive.

Palm Sunday is an invitation to reflect on the whole Passion Story from St. Matthew. However, aside from hearing the gospel, we also need to reflect on the significance of the blessed branches and palms we carry today. This is the moment to capture into our consciousness that we have the courage signifying our sense of welcoming Jesus’ entrance into our community. To some, feeling awkward doing it is probably because they hardly welcome Jesus into their hearts. When possessing the blessed palms, bring them home and put them at your altar. Keep them until you return them next year to make the sacred ashes for Ash Wednesday. We are praying with great memories in our liturgy.

The gospel today reminds us of three important things which will be our reflection points.

First, people laid palms before Jesus as he entered into Jerusalem. The palm was their way to acclaim a man who roused their hopes with much accolade. I believe Jesus deserves a great welcome over and above any movie actor or politician because Jesus is Lord and the Messiah. Our celebration today is absolutely different from the first Palm Sunday. People were cheering a very dramatic event, and yet we are here in the comfort of the church already contemplating the price of victory.

Second, this celebration as I have mentioned to you at the beginning of my homily is a combination of those two elements: the glory and the anguish of our sorrows. This might be a real challenge for us as we enter Holy Week. There is glory in the sense that thru Jesus, the Son of God triumphantly enters into Jerusalem giving of Himself just as God gives His very Being unto our hands. Anguish and sorrow cannot be hidden due to the fact that we feel it by knowing that those people who welcomed Him succumbed to human injustice.

Third, people welcomed Him with much expectations to usher in God’s promise. They shout, “Hosanna!” – God, come to save us!” Later, many of the people are persuaded to turn on Jesus. “Crucify him, Crucify him!” People have never realized that their evil desire to let Jesus suffer is tantamount of taking away their Hope. However, the gentleness of Jesus is the complete opposite of their resistance to accept the Truth.

It is appropriate to recall the prophesy of Isaiah speaking of the innocence of Jesus, who lives His own way of doing “no harm” while walking through the shame and guilt which surrounds Him. This is the major contrast then, the gentleness of Jesus colliding with the human resistance to purity and truth.

While listening to the long narrative of the Passion, we realize that Jesus lived and died doing no harm and, more positively, doing the infinitely good thing.

Brothers and Sisters, during this whole week, let us be united with the suffering of our Lord as we try to overcome our personal suffering and the suffering of our work today. In today’s mass, always remember that just as the Father transformed Him in His suffering, we too are now one with Jesus transforming us. We are not alone!

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón Domingo de Ramos, año A En la Procesión con las Palmas Evangelio-Mt 21:1-11

• Evangelio-Mt 21:1-11
• Isaías 50:4-7
• Salmo 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
• Filipenses 2:6-11
• Mateo 26:14–27:66 o 27:11-54

Hoy es Domingo de Ramos, nos encontramos ya inmersos en el Misterio de la Pasión de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. En esta Semana Santa estamos invitados a participar activamente en las festividades pascuales, por la grandeza de lo que Jesús padeció por nuestra salvación. Hoy comienza la Semana Santa. Se llama santo debido al don de Jesús de sí mismo para nuestra salvación. Comienza hoy con el Domingo de Ramos de la Pasión del Señor, que es la entrada triunfal de Jesús a Jerusalén, siendo recibido por la gente vitoreando, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Hijo de David”. Luego vienen el lunes, martes y miércoles para recordar el juicio, la traición y el sufrimiento de nuestro Señor. Luego tenemos la celebración del triduo a partir del jueves, con la conmemoración de la Última Cena, Su don de la Eucaristía, y Su gran “mandatus”, que significa su mandato de amar y servir. El viernes es la pasión de Cristo en la Cruz que causó su muerte. El Viernes Santo es el único día sin la celebración de la misa. El sábado, estamos llamados a continuar nuestra reflexión sobre la ofrenda de la vida de Jesús por nosotros mientras esperamos la celebración de la vigilia de la Resurrección. El Domingo de Pascua culmina nuestra observancia católica de la Semana Santa para darnos cuenta de que la muerte de Jesús en la cruz no es el final sino que, a través de Su resurrección, Él resucitó y vive.

El Domingo de Ramos es una invitación a reflexionar sobre toda la Historia de la Pasión de San Mateo. Sin embargo, además de escuchar el evangelio, también debemos reflexionar sobre el significado de las ramas y palmas benditas que llevamos hoy. Este es el momento de capturar en nuestra conciencia que tenemos el coraje de expresar nuestro sentido de acoger la entrada de Jesús en nuestra comunidad. Algunos pueden sentirse incómodos al hacerlo, probablemente porque apenas reciben a Jesús en sus corazones. Cuando poseas las palmas benditas, llévalas a casa y ponlas en tu altar. Guárdelos hasta que los devuelva el próximo año para hacer las cenizas sagradas para el Miércoles de Ceniza. Estamos orando con grandes recuerdos en nuestra liturgia.

El evangelio de hoy nos recuerda tres cosas importantes que serán nuestros puntos de reflexión.

Primero, la gente colocó palmas ante Jesús cuando entró en Jerusalén. La palma fue su manera de aclamar a un hombre que despertó sus esperanzas con muchos elogios. Creo que Jesús merece una gran acogida por encima de cualquier actor de cine o político porque Jesús es el Señor y el Mesías. Nuestra celebración de hoy es absolutamente diferente del primer Domingo de Ramos. La gente vitoreaba. Fue un evento muy dramático y, sin embargo, estamos aquí en la comodidad de la iglesia contemplando ya el precio de la victoria.

Segundo, esta celebración como les he mencionado al inicio de mi homilía es una combinación de esos dos elementos: la gloria y la angustia o nuestros dolores. Esto podría ser un verdadero desafío para nosotros al entrar en Semana Santa. Gloria en el sentido de que Jesús, el Hijo de Dios, entra triunfalmente en Jerusalén entregándose así como Dios está entregando Su propio Ser en nuestras manos. La angustia y el dolor no se pueden ocultar, y es que lo sentimos al saber que aquellas personas que lo acogieron sucumbieron ante la injusticia humana.

Tercero, la gente lo recibió con muchas expectativas de marcar el comienzo de la promesa de Dios. Ellos gritan, “¡Hosanna!” – ¡Dios, ven a salvarnos!” Más tarde, mucha gente es persuadida de volverse contra Jesús. “¡Crucifícale, crucifícale!” La gente nunca se ha dado cuenta de que su malévolo deseo de dejar sufrir a Jesús equivale a quitarles la Esperanza. Sin embargo, la mansedumbre de Jesús es todo lo contrario de su resistencia a aceptar la Verdad.

Espero que tengamos un programa espiritual que pueda, creo, hacer especialmente fructífera nuestra observancia de la Semana Santa y la Pascua. Si tomamos en serio sus palabras, podemos estar seguros de que nuestros corazones y mentes crecerán para estar más abiertos a recibir la abundancia y la riqueza del Espíritu de Cristo, y por la gracia de Dios, nuestra Semana Santa puede ser una ofrenda aceptable para la alabanza. de Dios y por nuestro bien y el de toda la Iglesia.

Por lo que Jesús soportó en la Cruz; no debemos mantenernos a distancia de Él. Más bien, como miembros de su Cuerpo, debemos permitir que todo lo que Él pasó nos toque en lo más profundo de nuestro ser. Finalmente, esta celebración de la Semana Santa significa para nosotros, no sólo Su Pasión y sufrimientos, sino también Su gloriosa Resurrección resucitándonos con Él como creación nueva y redimida.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Philippians 2:5-11
• Matthew 21:1-9

Today is Palm Sunday, and we find ourselves already immersed in the Mystery of Our Lord’s Passion.  Every day we are invited to take part in the Paschal festivities and participate actively in our liturgy this week for the greatness of what Jesus endured for our salvation. Today begins the Holy Week. It is called holy due to Jesus’ gift of Himself for our salvation.  It starts today with Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, which is Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, being welcomed with people cheering, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Son of David.”  Then comes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to recall the trial, betrayal and suffering of our Lord.  Then we have the triduum celebration starting Thursday, with the commemoration of the Last Supper, His gift of the Eucharist, and His great “mandatus,” that means his command to love and to serve.  Friday is the passion of Christ on the Cross which caused His death. Good Friday is the only day without the celebration of the mass.  On Saturday, we are called to continue our reflection on the offering of Jesus’s life for us as we await the vigil celebration of the Resurrection.  Easter Sunday culminates our Catholic observance of the Holy Week to realize that Jesus’ death on the cross is not the end but, through His resurrection, He is risen and alive.

Palm Sunday is an invitation to reflect on the whole Passion Story from St. Matthew.  However, aside from hearing the gospel, we also need to reflect on the significance of the blessed branches and palms we carry today. This is the moment to capture into our consciousness that we have the courage to signify our sense of welcoming Jesus’ entrance into our community.  Some may feel awkward doing it, probably because they hardly welcome Jesus into their hearts.  When possessing the blessed palms, take them home and put them at your altar. Keep them until you return them next year to make the sacred ashes for Ash Wednesday.  We are praying with great memories in our liturgy.

The gospel today reminds us of three important things which will be our reflection points.

First, people laid palms before Jesus as he entered into Jerusalem. The palm was their way to acclaim a man who roused their hopes with much accolade. I believe Jesus deserves a great welcome over and above any movie actor or politician because Jesus is Lord and the Messiah. Our celebration today is absolutely different from the first Palm Sunday. People were cheering. It was a very dramatic event, and yet we are here in the comfort of the church contemplating already the price of victory.

Second, this celebration as I have mentioned to you at the beginning of my homily is a combination of those two elements: the glory and the anguish or our sorrows. This might be a real challenge for us as we enter Holy Week. Glory in the sense that Jesus, the Son of God, triumphantly enters into Jerusalem giving of Himself just as God is giving His very Being unto our hands. Anguish and sorrow cannot be hidden, and the fact is we feel it by knowing that those people who welcomed Him succumbed to human injustice.

Third, people welcomed Him with much expectations to usher in God’s promise. They shout, “Hosanna!” – God, come to save us!” Later, many of the people are persuaded to turn against Jesus. “Crucify him, Crucify him!” People have never realized that their evil desire to let Jesus suffer is tantamount to taking away their Hope. However, the gentleness of Jesus is the complete opposite of their resistance to accept the Truth.

I hope that we have a spiritual program that can, I believe, make especially fruitful our observance of Holy Week and Easter. If we take His words to heart, we can be confident that our hearts and minds will grow to be more open to receive the abundance and richness of Christ’s Spirit, and by God’s grace, our Holy Week can be an acceptable offering, to the praise of God and for our own good and the good of the whole Church.

Because of what Jesus endured on the Cross; we must not keep ourselves at a distance from Him. Rather, as members of his Body, we must allow all that He went through to touch us at the very core of our being. Finally, this Holy Week observance means to us, not only His Passion and sufferings, but also His glorious Resurrection raising us with Him as new and redeemed creation.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa