Month: July 2023

• 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
• Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130
• Romans 8:28-30
• Matthew 13:44-52

We are at the end of the month of July going through a hot summer. Here in Reno, the city is preparing again for various activities. The upcoming two popular events are: “Hot August Nights”, which is the outdoor display of antique or vintage cars, and “Street Vibrations”, which is the coming out of motorcycles on the streets. These events are nationally known throughout the whole US. They bring more tourists to this area, and it is good for the local economy.

Today’s readings for this 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time remind us of ways to deepen our minds to be able to make right choices, and the need for wisdom to understand how we become pleasing to God by our fidelity to do His will. Not only that, but we strive to be a blessing to others at all times.

The first reading from the first book of Kings is a story about young Solomon when God appeared to him in a dream. God said to him, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon was quick to ask for “an understanding heart, to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” God fulfilled this request by giving him the best gift, that is, the gift of wisdom and discernment, ”a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal.” Hence, if we believe that we have something that we want from God, it will be given to us according to His will. The more we are faithful to the Lord, God draws us closer to His heart. Psalm 69 says, “Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.” God’s heart is inclined to give us the best gift.

The Second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans has a beautiful verse we need to memorize, St. Paul wrote, “Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” I know that we are all called by God for a certain purpose, and because it comes from God, we expect that it is for our own good. God’s nature is Good, and so it is impossible that God would lead us to something that contradicts His very nature. If we are letting our hearts be possessed by God, and allowing His Spirit to live with us, we can truly clearly grasp our own purpose in life.

The gospel of St. Matthew presents a parable which is about discerning the true value of the Kingdom of Heaven in our spiritual life. By our pursuit of spiritual reality in life on earth, we won’t be poor and abandoned, for we lack nothing, for everything is given unto us if we seek His kingdom.

Let’s focus on these three examples of the Lord which seek these realities about the Kingdom of Heaven:

First, if someone finds a treasure buried in a field, a person has to sell his properties so that he can acquire the field where the treasure is in order to make a claim of ownership. At least we know that there is a future when we find the greater treasure which assures humanity of eternal blessings.

Second, “When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” I believe that what is of prime importance to us is we could easily give up other things in favor of the greater value. In the same way, when we have found Jesus, who is more than a pearl, it is worth risking everything for Christ because He is our priceless pearl. To be able to search and find Christ, we regain our true identity as His adopted sons restoring our dignity.

Third, “The kingdom of Heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind,….what is good is thrown into the bucket and the bad they throw away.” My understanding of this concept of heaven is that we are gathered together inside the net of God’s invitation thru His words. However, it calls my senses to be attentive and be attuned to my self-discovery and awareness. Some of us opt to a less committed outlook of our spiritual life and, therefore, are thrown away. Finding God is not anymore a potholed awareness; we enter into real conviction and intimacy with God.

In knowing about these parables of Jesus, it is necessary that we have constant discernment and an ongoing process of openness to His presence. Our intimacy with God is not a simple gesture of attraction and encounter, but rather it leads us to have greater attention that in everything small happening in our lives, we truly sense God’s love. Search the real treasure, sort it out, and find the priceless pearl. God is inviting us to intimacy in order to not be booted out.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El dictado del corazón:

Séptimo Domingo Del Tiempo Ordinario, Año A

• 1 Reyes 3:5, 7-12
• Salmo 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130
• Romanos 8:28-30
• Mateo 13:44-52

Estamos a finales de julio y pasando por veranos calurosos. Aquí en Reno, la ciudad se está preparando nuevamente para diversas actividades. Los próximos dos eventos populares son: “Hot August Night”, que es la exhibición al aire libre de autos clásicos, antiguos y antiguos. La otra actividad es; “Street Vibrations”, que sale a la calle con motos. Estos dos eventos son conocidos a nivel nacional en todo Estados Unidos. Atrae más turistas a la zona y es bueno para la economía local. Debemos ayudar a nuestra comunidad.

Las lecturas de hoy para este decimoséptimo domingo del tiempo ordinario nos recuerdan formas de profundizar nuestras mentes para tomar mejores decisiones y la necesidad de sabiduría para comprender cómo llegamos a ser agradables a Dios por nuestra fidelidad para hacer su voluntad. No solo eso, sino que nos esforzamos por ser una bendición para los demás en todo momento.

La primera lectura del primer libro de Reyes es una historia sobre el joven Salomón cuando Dios se le apareció en un sueño. Dios le dijo: “Pídeme algo y te lo daré”. Salomón sabía lo que necesitaba y pidió “un corazón entendido, para juzgar al pueblo de Dios y distinguir el bien del mal”. Dios se complació con el pedido de Salomón y lo cumplió dándole a Salomón el mejor regalo, que era el don de la sabiduría y el discernimiento, un corazón tan sabio y entendido que nunca ha habido nadie como él hasta ahora, y después de ti no vendrá uno o igual.” Por eso, si tenemos algo que pedir a Dios y creer, Él nos lo dará conforme a Su voluntad. Cuanto más fieles seamos al Señor, Dios nos acercará más a Su corazón. El Salmo 69 dice: “Vuélvete al Señor en tu necesidad, y vivirás”. El corazón de Dios está inclinado a darnos el mejor regalo.

La segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos tiene un versículo hermoso que necesitamos memorizar. San Pablo escribió: “Hermanos y hermanas: sabemos que a los que aman a Dios, todas las cosas les ayudan a bien, esto es, a los que conforme a su propósito son llamados”. Todos somos llamados por Dios para una determinada misión, y es para nuestro bienestar porque viene de Dios. La naturaleza de Dios es Buena, por lo que no sería imposible que Dios nos llevara a algo que contradiga Su misma naturaleza. Si permitimos que Dios entre en nuestro corazón y que su Espíritu habite en nosotros. Seríamos capaces de captar nuestro propósito en la vida.

El evangelio de San Mateo presenta una parábola sobre discernir el verdadero valor del Reino de los Cielos en nuestra vida espiritual. En nuestra búsqueda de la realidad espiritual en la vida en la tierra, no seremos pobres y abandonados, porque nada nos falta, porque todo nos es dado si buscamos Su reino.

Centrémonos en estos tres ejemplos del Señor que busca estas realidades sobre el Reino de los Cielos:

Primero, si alguien encuentra un tesoro enterrado en un campo, tendría que vender su propiedad para adquirir el campo donde está el tesoro para reclamar la propiedad. Al menos sabes que hay un futuro cuando encontremos el mayor tesoro que asegura a la humanidad bendiciones eternas.

Segundo, “Cuando encuentra una perla de gran precio, va y vende todo lo que tiene y la compra”. Creo que lo que es de primordial importancia para nosotros, fácilmente podríamos renunciar a otras cosas a favor del mayor valor. De la misma manera, cuando hemos encontrado a Jesús, que es más que una perla, vale la pena arriesgarlo todo por Cristo porque Él es nuestra perla invaluable. Para poder buscar y encontrar a Cristo, recuperamos nuestra verdadera identidad como su hijo adoptivo restaurando nuestra dignidad.

Tercero, “El reino de los cielos es como una red echada en el mar, que recoge peces de todas clases… lo bueno se echa en un balde y lo malo se tira”. Mi comprensión de este concepto del cielo es que estamos reunidos dentro de la red de la invitación de Dios a través de Sus palabras. Sin embargo, llama a mis sentidos a estar atentos y en sintonía con mi autodescubrimiento y conciencia. Algunos de nosotros optamos por una perspectiva menos comprometida en nuestra vida espiritual, por lo tanto, somos desechados. Encontrar a Dios ya no es más, una conciencia agujereada, entramos en una verdadera convicción e intimidad con Dios.

Nuestro conocimiento acerca de estas parábolas de Jesús, debemos tener un discernimiento constante y un proceso continuo de apertura a Su presencia. Nuestra intimidad con Dios no es un simple gesto de atracción y encuentro, sino que nos lleva a tener mayor atención para que en todo, aunque sea en las pequeñas cosas que suceden en nuestra vida, sintamos verdaderamente el amor de Dios. Busque el verdadero tesoro, ordénelo, encuentre la perla invaluable, Dios nos está invitando a la intimidad para encontrar esos tesoros celestiales.

Dios lo bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• 1 Corinthians 10:6-13
• Luke 19:41-47

We are on the 9th Sunday after Pentecost. All Sundays after Pentecost are considered as the ordinary time in the Novus Ordo. It differs in liturgical terminology. However, it refers to the same notion that right after the Resurrection of Jesus, our faith must flourish and mature, which the color green symbolically represents. We utter this Psalm 53:3 included in the Introit prayer today, “Save me, O God, by Thy Name, and deliver me in Thy strength.” (Deus in nominee tuo salvum me fac: et in virtute tua libera me.) In faith, we cannot ignore the need of our dependence and total surrender to the Lord, our Savior, for without Him we can’t do anything.

The epistle today from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians expresses with clarity that Paul urges the Corinthians to learn from the mistakes of their ancestors’ unfaithfulness during which the Israelites were crossing and wandering in the wilderness of the desert. He reminded them that the chosen people’s behavior was explicitly described in verses 6 to 10. The unpleasant behaviors of the Corinthians were excessive sexual immorality and rumbling, or murmuring and complaining. It was a sort of repetition of misconduct against the mercy of God. St. Paul was concerned about the people of Corinth, which was causing great apprehension. There are possible references to each of these misconducts of the Israelites in the scriptures. It is interesting to note that these charges are pointing to a failure to be faithful to God. Perhaps, this is why Paul views that Corinthians need to be corrected because they are not only committing sins against the community, but they are sinning against Christ. (1 Cor 8:12).

This is also happening up to now, that is, the same sins of immorality and indulgence in lustful thoughts, actions, and promiscuity. We must heed the same warning of St. Paul saying, “Let no temptation take hold on you…” We are called to live in a manner that is faithful to the one who is the very source of our life and existence and living faithfully to this God, who is at the same time ever faithful.

The gospel today, taken from the evangelist Luke, gives us an idea that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, it was with great jubilation, joy and pride, indicated by the people vigorously waving the palm branches to welcome Him. People acclaimed Him with great honor and recognition expressing their desire to have a human king and leader. However, Jesus’ emotion was something different because people were standing along His path with much oppression from within themselves. That caused Jesus to weep, with deep sorrow and grief in His heart. It was then that tears began to flow from His eyes. It was an expression of sorrow towards the people of Jerusalem.

Why did Jesus succumb to despair and sadness, and He wept as He entered the city of Jerusalem?

First, Jesus has the desire that Jerusalem experience Peace. “If thou also hadst known, and that in this thy day, the things that are to thy peace.”(v. 42) This lamentation expresses that Jesus wanted peace, but it was rejected. The two words, “thy peace,” express that it was rightful for the Israelites to receive that peace. In fact, the word, “Jerusalem” means, “the City of Peace or Shalem.” King David made this city the capital of Israel about 1000 years before Christ, because of its strategic secured location against other tribes, and it allowed him to build temples. It was blessed with its own sources of water from several good springs. King David wrote this Psalm 122:6, God’s people are exhorted to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” All ancient Prophets loved Jerusalem, but they also wept like Jesus because the city missed that opportunity to enjoy the gift of peace, even up until today. Jesus felt the anguish and sorrow of the city and of the nation it represents, the nation of Israel. Jesus was a Jew himself, and He prayed for His own people so that they should be blessed with peace in this world.

We believe in Jesus as God and Savior. He desires this peace so dearly for us. His weeping is an assurance that Jesus also sheds tears when we are all afflicted with difficulties because He knows and understands all of us as His children. He empathizes with our sorrows and pains.

Second, Jesus knows what awaits Jerusalem in verse 43. It was written this way, “For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, on every side and beat thee flat to the ground.” Jesus is all-knowing God and foresees the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans. According to history, Titus, the Roman General, and son of Vespasian, the Emperor, captured the city of Jerusalem and razed it to the ground. The destruction by the Roman armies was massive, and all that remained of the glorious Temple was just a wall.

I was fortunate to set foot and spend a long period of my trip to Jerusalem facing the Wailing Wall. Many Jews all over the world are praying and weeping because what remains are portions of that ancient wall still existing up to the present time for almost 2000 years. It was because they have rejected the Son of God. Although the Lord had given them the Law and sent prophets to them, they did not obey Him and seek after Him as a nation.

This gospel pericope reminds us of the ultimate cause of Jerusalem’s destruction which they failed to recognize the time of its visitation. This visitation refers to God’s visitation. It was not because they were ignorant about Salvation History, but they rejected Jesus, as God incarnate!

Let us avoid our own eternal destruction. There are many who failed to know and acknowledge the Lord. We must recognize Him in our lives and in our hearts and be sorrowful of our sins which destroy us or kill us, especially our unbelief. He knows your heart and God knows our indifference. He is grieving because of His great love for you. How much does He long for and weep for our salvation?

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
• Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
• Romans 8:26-27
• Matthew 13:24-43 or 13:24-30

On Saturday, July 15, 2023, I was installed by Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg, DD as the State Chaplain of Knights of Columbus at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with the presence of the State Officers, Assembly and Council Knights, and lay faithful from different organizations like Legion of Mary and 2000 Hail Marys. They were there to witness that solemn occasion because I am also their Spiritual Director. God has given me another challenging task to take good care of all the Knights and their families in the whole State of Nevada. An eight-year-old girl named Rosalie from the Latin community, upon hearing the news about my installation, yelled and swiftly exclaimed, “Fr. Arlon being the State Chaplain, I understand, he is the little bishop of all the Knights.” I was aghast and smiled at her. I was surprised by her wittiness.

In today’s reading from the book of Wisdom, we hear that “Those who are just must be kind.” (v19) In every mission we take, we must be the source of goodness and justice which we need to teach and become models of good deeds. We must aim to do things to inspire others in order “to give them good ground for hope” and move them to seriously consider change and repentance. Our kindness must be not expecting anything in return. We have to give generously and lovingly of our time and talent.

The second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans says that “the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.” He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Paul’s overall intent is clear: He wants to encourage us, especially when we feel our own weakness as if we are alone in such battle, but let us bear in mind that the Holy Spirit is praying for us. Even though we do not know how to pray as we should, we should be encouraged to keep praying. We must inculcate in our spirituality the virtue of hope to avoid distraction, only to think that these words continue to encourage us to persevere in our life of prayer.

In Matthew’s gospel today, I have always valued Jesus’ parables because He shares outstanding lessons of life. There are so many hidden realities about the kingdom on which we need to reflect and to search for the meanings revealed in ordinary events and ordinary realities.

There are three parables mentioned by Jesus where He encourages us to be firm in our faith. This is a challenge that we think deeply to unfold the reality of God’s Kingdom through simple usage of everyday things of which we simply don’t even pay attention.

The first parable, Jesus explains clearly, that “The Kingdom of heaven may be liked to a man who sowed good seed in his field.” Later on. seeds and weeds are growing together. While the Sower planted only good seed: some enemy has done the weeds. At harvest time, the crop of wheat, the good seed, and the mess of weeds will be collected: one for burning and the other for better use in life. This parable speaks about end time when the Kingdom of God finally comes to separate the good and the bad. We must strive, if we live on earth, for the best possible way to have good harvests or else we will remain to be weeds to be consumed by fire.

The second parable is Jesus’ shorter story, “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in the field….yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants.” Mustard seeds are the smallest seeds that gradually germinate and become a big plant.

This parable reminds us of the small beginning of God’s kingdom which reveals the offering of the mercy of God to humanity and continues to stay in the mind and heart of all men. God called few apostles and continued to grow in number, then inspired the Church to fervently work for justice so that everyone would be assured to rest on their favors.

The third parable is about yeast. Jesus says, “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” This parable tells us of our spiritual experiences of God who is mysterious, divine, and infinite. A simple human experience gives us an idea of how God touches our hearts to manifest His kingdom. The yeast of our small human everyday experiences of forgiving and being forgiven does enrich the field of our personal lives.

Through these parables, Jesus invites a response of faith from us. Maybe a seed of fidelity will grow to banish weeds from within, and the yeast of goodness will continue to advance in our dealings with others.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El dictado del corazón: Decimosexto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año A

• Sabiduría 12:13, 16-19
• Salmo 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
• Romanos 8:26-27
• Mateo 13:24-43 o 13:24-30

El Sábado pasado, 15 de Julio de 2023, fui instalado por el Obispo Daniel Mueggenborg DD como Capellán de Estado de Caballeros de Colón en la Iglesia Católica St. Rose of Lima, con la presencia de los Oficiales de Estado, la Asamblea y los Caballeros del Consejo, y fieles laicos de diferentes organizaciones como; Legión de María y 2000 Ave Marías. Estaban allí para presenciar esa solemne ocasión porque yo también soy su Director Espiritual. Dios me ha dado otra tarea desafiante para cuidar bien de todos los Caballeros y sus familias en todo el Estado de Nevada. Una niña de ocho años llamada Rosalie de la comunidad latina, al escuchar la noticia de mi instalación, gritó y rápidamente exclamó: “Fr. Arlon siendo el Capellán de Estado, entiendo, es el pequeño obispo de todos los Caballeros”. Yo estaba horrorizado y le sonreí. Me sorprendió su ingenuidad.

En la lectura de hoy del libro de la Sabiduría, escuchamos que “Aquellos que son justos deben ser amables”. (v19) En cada misión que asumimos, debemos ser la fuente de bondad y justicia que debemos enseñar y convertirnos en modelos de buenas obras. Debemos apuntar a hacer cosas para inspirar a otros a fin de “darles una buena base para la esperanza” y moverlos a considerar seriamente el cambio y el arrepentimiento. Nuestra bondad debe ser no esperar nada a cambio. Tenemos que dar generosa y amorosamente de nuestro tiempo y talento.

La segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos dice que “el Espíritu mismo intercede por nosotros con gemidos inefables”. El que escudriña los corazones sabe cuál es la mente del Espíritu porque Él intercede por los santos según la voluntad de Dios. La intención general de Pablo es clara: quiere animarnos, especialmente cuando sentimos nuestra debilidad como si estuviéramos solos en tal batalla, pero tengamos en cuenta que el Espíritu Santo está orando por nosotros. Aunque no sepamos orar como debemos, debemos animarnos a seguir orando. Debemos inculcar en nuestra espiritualidad la virtud de la esperanza para no distraernos, solo para pensar que estas palabras nos siguen animando a perseverar en nuestra vida de oración.

En el evangelio de Mateo hoy, siempre he valorado las parábolas de Jesús porque comparte lecciones de vida sobresalientes. Hay tantas realidades ocultas sobre el reino sobre las que necesitamos reflexionar y buscar los significados revelados en los eventos ordinarios y las realidades ordinarias.

Hay tres parábolas mencionadas por Jesús donde nos anima a ser firmes en nuestra fe. Este es un desafío en el que pensamos profundamente para desarrollar la realidad del Reino de Dios a través del uso simple de las cosas cotidianas a las que simplemente ni siquiera prestamos atención.

En la primera parábola, Jesús explica claramente que “El reino de los cielos puede ser semejante al hombre que sembró buena semilla en su campo”. Mas tarde. las semillas y las malas hierbas están creciendo juntas. Mientras que el Sembrador solo plantó buena semilla: algún enemigo ha hecho la cizaña. En el tiempo de la siega, se recogerá la cosecha de trigo, la buena semilla y el revoltijo de cizaña: uno para quemarlo y otro para un mejor uso en la vida. Esta parábola habla del tiempo del fin cuando el Reino de Dios finalmente venga a separar los buenos y los malos. Debemos esforzarnos, si vivimos en la tierra, por la mejor manera posible de tener buenas cosechas o de lo contrario quedaremos como mala hierba para ser consumidos por el fuego.

La segunda parábola es la historia más corta de Jesús: “El reino de los cielos es como un grano de mostaza que uno tomó y sembró en el campo… pero cuando ha crecido es la mayor de las plantas”. Las semillas de mostaza son las semillas más pequeñas que germinan gradualmente y se convierten en plantas grandes.

Esta parábola nos recuerda el pequeño comienzo del reino de Dios que revela la ofrenda de la misericordia de Dios a la humanidad y sigue estando en la mente y el corazón de todos los hombres. Dios llamó a algunos apóstoles y siguió creciendo en número, luego inspiró a la Iglesia a trabajar fervientemente por la justicia para que todos tuvieran la seguridad de descansar en sus favores.

La tercera parábola es sobre la levadura. Jesús dice: “El reino de los cielos es como la levadura que una mujer tomó y mezcló con tres medidas de harina de trigo hasta que toda la masa quedó leudada”. Esta parábola nos habla de nuestras experiencias espirituales de Dios, quien es misterioso, divino e infinito. Una simple experiencia humana nos da una idea de cómo Dios toca nuestros corazones para manifestar Su reino. La levadura de nuestras pequeñas experiencias humanas cotidianas de perdonar y ser perdonados enriquece el campo de nuestra vida personal.

A través de estas parábolas, Jesús nos invita a una respuesta de fe. Tal vez crezca una semilla de fidelidad para desterrar la cizaña de adentro, y la levadura de la bondad siga avanzando en nuestro trato con los demás.

Dios lo bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Romans 8:12-17
• Luke 16:1-9

Summer brings a little bit of uncomfortable moments due to warm weather. We are exposed to too much heat from the sun; however, in the evening it cools down. I believe God has been good to balance everything for us. We are His children and “in the spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father’.”

In today’s epistle taken from the Romans, St. Paul says, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Being children of God, we realize that our work pattern in life must be according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh. There are many people whose enjoyment in this world relies on fleeting things, like pornography and illicit immoral actions, walking according to the flesh; however, our obedience to the Holy Spirit is important to God who wishes that the Spirit should rule over our flesh. When we allow the flesh to reign over the Spirit, we find ourselves bound by the sinful pattern and desperation that marked St. Paul and St. Augustine in their true life struggles. Walking in the Spirit means that the course, the direction, the progress of one’s life is directed by the Holy Spirit. It is a continuous and progressive motion.

St. Paul is very clear to say this, “For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption of sons whereby we cry, “Abba, Father.” Living as a child of God means having an intimate, joyful relationship with God, not like the bondage and fear demonstrated by the law. A child of God can have a relationship with God so close that they may cry out, Abba! Father! (Daddy!). It is easy for us to imagine Jesus relating to the Father with this joyful confidence, but we never consider that we establish the same posture and privilege of relating to the Father even as Jesus Christ does. Remember we are in Christ.

In the gospel today from St. Luke, we feel some kind of difficulty understanding this passage. Maybe we struggle because we can’t understand this parable about the “dishonest steward.” We focus too much on the crooked and deceptive manner of the steward rather than to grasp the intent of Jesus Christ. There are many things we need to consider so that we can have a better understanding.

First, the steward was so clever to plan ways to gain sympathy and to win more friends in order to save himself from being booted out as a steward because he was squandering the property of his business owner. In every difficult situation in life, we must be clever to find solutions and to see what we can do to gain eternal life.

Second, to rightly interpret the scripture passage, we look into the context, the cultural background and unity. In this case, I am looking into the ancient practices between the owner and the steward. At first, we thought that this steward was dishonest for allowing his master’s debtors to change all the numbers that were supposed to be paid to his manager. His dishonesty seems like he is allowing himself to steal and making himself appear as “good” due to his generosity to alter the said debts, but it was not the case here. In ancient practices, whatever loans of any person, the owner and the steward have to add a percentage or interest to what was borrowed. On the part of the steward, he was not stealing from his boss, rather he was giving up his own commission.

Third, the prudent steward was confronted with the decision of saving his life by making friends who would take care of him after he was fired or by trying to hold out to the end unto the possibility of making money by eliminating his share; hence, he chose to save his life. His master and Jesus, through this Parable, call him a “prudent and wise servant.”

We must remember that God has given us abundant opportunities, gifts and first, second and third chances to redeem ourselves from shame and iniquities. We profit much from all these gifts and make manifold commissions like the dishonest steward. Have we used them properly to work and to build the kingdom of God? Have we used them to the flesh or according to the Spirit? If we are living according to the flesh, then I believe that we are squandering God’s gifts on things simply for our own advantage. Jesus gives us this parable in order to have a thorough evaluation and examination of ourselves to make proper accounting. Jesus says that the “children of this age” are shrewder in dealing with their own generation than “the children of light.” If you are losing money from your business, the best way is to fix it right away. When it comes to making choices concerning our survival here on earth, let us work for our eternal best interest.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Exodus 2:1-15A
• Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34
• Matthew 11:20-24

Today’s responsorial Psalm expresses all what God wants us, “Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.” (Ps. 69) Oftentimes, we rely much on ourselves and never appreciate the great movement of the Spirit telling us to turn to the Lord always.  We are quick to reproach others, but we are never quick to realize that we should not only think of ourselves but for the greater good of everyone.  Moses and Jesus reproached others, ultimately for the good of everyone, according to God’s design.

In the first reading today, we heard about the birth of Moses, how he was rescued and then when he grew up he reproached the Hebrews, consequently, his goodness turned against him because Pharaoh sought Moses to kill him.  So, he fled from away and “stayed in the land of Midian.”  Moses turned to God, and he was protected from all dangers.

The gospel today, Jesus also reproached those towns, Chorazin, and Bethsaida where Jesus performed mighty deeds.  Jesus also warned his own town, Capernaum, where he spent time performing miracles.  I was able to set foot in Capernaum when I went to Holy Land, a small place situated along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where he stayed for three years and cured sick people, like the servant’s maid, the mother in law of Peter, etc., however, these places are deserving of “woes”, because they saw miracles of the Lord, but the people’s hearts were far from being touched by His works of healing and call to conversion. Compared to Tyre, and Sidon, they heed the call for repentance, conversion, and unity.  Jesus says, “It will be tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Repentance is to free us from our attachment to sinful ways and firmly listen to God, whose voice is calling us.  We pray for our liberation from the bondage of sins and seek the freedom in Christ by uniting ourselves with God’s manifold grace in order to achieve what we need to do with trust and patience.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 55:10-11
• Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
• Romans 8:18-23
• Matthew 13:1-23 or 13:1-9

Today is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. The readings are good reminders of the wonders of nature to supplement our own Christian life and the wisdom of God which has been revealed to guide us. Summer gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy the heat of the sun. Though some are not used to hot weather, there are those who are farmers and backyard gardeners who love cultivating the land to produce all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. I am sure they are excited to have all the bounties of the earth as they toil the land with much diligence. Two weeks ago, I planted three varieties of cherries and one apple. I like fruit bearing trees so that I can reap their fruits for me and others to enjoy.

The first reading taken from the book of Isaiah speaks about the snow and the rain that come down to water the earth; however, they remain on the soil to make it fertile and fruitful. It is the bounty of the earth that is a sign of God’s blessings. The Prophet Isaiah uses familiar agricultural images to remind the people that God is the giver of all things, and God’s work is the holiness of the people. Our fruitfulness speaks about how we remain to listen to His words and fulfill God’s will.

In the second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Paul wants us to understand two things. First, the present time is marked by sufferings because of man’s fall into sin. Second, the future will be marked by glory for believers as God fulfills all His promises to us. Thus, by hearing God’s words, if we keep our eyes on the future promised glory, then we can endure present sufferings with perseverance and hope.

Our faith needs endurance, and therefore we should not be surprised when God sometimes takes what is perfect and subjects it to a humble status so that a greater good might be accomplished. Take hope! This stage of suffering is merely a transitional period, but somehow, through God’s amazing grace in the face of man’s awful sin, ultimately we will end with good and greater results!

The gospel from St. Matthew begins with a story of Jesus leaving a lake-side house, addressing crowds in parables from a boat. It is an inspiring story of Jesus, which narrates to His disciples about the seeds carried off by birds, scorched by the sun, choked by thorns, but then some of them take root in deep soil, yielding abundantly. It was somewhat a dramatic contrast between a series of unpromising beginnings and the abundant harvest which is hard to imagine by Jesus’ hearers.

Our simple understanding of this parable would lead us to the following reflection points:

First, this is the familiar parable of the Sower. When Jesus says, “You already know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; it has not yet been given to them.” Then, we have to remember that Jesus had already been talking about the scripture, or quoting the words of Isaiah, reminding them that the chosen people of Israel failed to fulfill the prophesy and its fulfillment is in those outsiders. The seed, which is the “The Word of God,” was taken for granted by those who first heard it, yet was fulfilled by “outsiders,” the Gentiles. Disgusting is the heart of these people first chosen and entrusted with the word but who have hardly heard with their ears and have closed their eyes.

Second, we are the receivers/recipients who have been prepared to cultivate and make the soil fertile. Therefore, we should also consider the role of the Sower, God, who visualizes ourselves as the ones who are inclined to take, to listen, and not to cast the seeds into the dirt. I think that the Word of God is so powerful to inspire us to share by spreading the seeds of the Gospel, and we need to share our seeds of faith with others. In addition, listening with purpose to the Word of God with an open heart, we might grow in grace and faith.

Third, for most of us, the parable was likely described by our teachers as God as the Sower and our hearts as the ground. Sometimes our hearts are open to his word, and the message of God grows in us and is apparent in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Sometimes our hearts are like the scorched earth, and the word of God does not take root and we, too, wither. Therefore, hear with our ears, and understand with our hearts and be converted, and the Word of God will heal us.

We are so blessed with our eyes because they see and our ears because they hear. I believe that we have already been given what we need for understanding, conversion, healing, and fruitful collaboration in Jesus’ mission. All we need is to wake up to fulfill the vast majority of the land on earth to be sown with His seeds of wisdom to those with a fertile heart. To share our seeds of faith is by how we live our lives, for our actions speak louder than our words. Are our daily thoughts focused on the teachings of the Gospel, or are they focused on things we can get in this world that are trivial?

“Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón:
Decimoquinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año, A

• Isaías 55:10-11
• Salmo 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
• Romanos 8:18-23
• Mateo 13:1-23 o 13:1-9

Hoy es el Decimoquinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año A. Las lecturas nos recuerdan las maravillas de la naturaleza, para complementar nuestra propia vida cristiana y la sabiduría de Dios, que ha sido revelada para guiarnos. El verano nos permite disfrutar del calor del sol. Aunque algunos no estemos acostumbrados al clima cálido, algunos son agricultores y jardineros a los que les encanta cultivar la tierra para producir todo tipo de frutas, verduras y plantas ornamentales. Ellos están emocionados de tener todas las bondades de Dios, mientras trabajan la tierra con mucha diligencia. Hace dos semanas planté tres variedades de cerezos y un árbol de manzana. Me gustan los árboles frutales para poder cosechar sus frutos para que yo y los demás disfrutemos.

La primera lectura, tomada del libro de Isaías, habla de la nieve y la lluvia que descienden para regar la tierra; sin embargo, permanecen en el suelo para hacerlo fértil y fructífero. Es la generosidad de la tierra que es un signo de las bendiciones de Dios. El profeta Isaías usa imágenes agrícolas familiares para recordarle al pueblo que Dios es el dador de todas las cosas, y que la obra de Dios es la santidad del pueblo. Nuestra fecundidad habla de cómo permanecemos para escuchar sus palabras y cumplir la voluntad de Dios.

En la segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos, Pablo quiere que entendamos dos cosas. Primero, el tiempo presente está marcado por el sufrimiento a causa de la caída del hombre en el pecado. En segundo lugar, el futuro estará marcado por la gloria de los creyentes a medida que Dios cumpla todas sus promesas para con nosotros. Así, al escuchar las palabras de Dios, si mantenemos los ojos en la gloria futura prometida, entonces podemos soportar los sufrimientos presentes con perseverancia y esperanza.

Nuestra fe necesita perseverancia y, por lo tanto, no debemos sorprendernos cuando Dios a veces toma lo que es perfecto y lo somete a un estado humilde para que se pueda lograr un bien mayor. ¡Ten esperanza! Esta etapa de sufrimiento es simplemente un período de transición, pero de alguna manera, a través de la asombrosa gracia de Dios frente al terrible pecado del hombre, ¡finalmente terminaremos con buenos y mejores resultados!

El evangelio de San Mateo comienza con una historia de Jesús saliendo de una casa junto al lago, dirigiéndose a la multitud en parábolas desde un bote. Es una historia inspiradora de Jesús, que narra a sus discípulos acerca de las semillas arrebatadas por las aves, quemadas por el sol y ahogadas por las espinas, pero luego algunas de ellas echan raíces en tierra profunda, dando abundantemente. Fue algo así como un contraste dramático entre una serie de comienzos poco prometedores y la abundante cosecha que es difícil de imaginar para los oyentes de Jesús.

Nuestra simple comprensión de esta parábola nos llevaría a los siguientes puntos de reflexión:

Primero, esta es una parábola familiar del sembrador. Cuando Jesús dice: “Vosotros ya conocéis los misterios del reino de los cielos; aún no se les ha dado.” Entonces, hay que recordar que Jesús ya venía hablando de la escritura, o citando las palabras de Isaías, recordándoles que el pueblo escogido de Israel no cumplió la profecía y su cumplimiento está en esos de afuera. La simiente, que es “La Palabra de Dios”, fue dada por sentada por los primeros que la oyeron, pero fue cumplida por los “foráneos”, los gentiles. Asqueroso es el corazón de este pueblo primero escogido y encargado de la palabra pero que apenas han oído con los oídos y han cerrado los ojos.

Segundo, somos los receptores/destinatarios que han sido preparados para cultivar y hacer fértil el suelo. Por lo tanto, también debemos considerar el papel del Sembrador, Dios, que nos visualiza como aquellos que están dispuestos a tomar, a escuchar y no a tirar las semillas en la tierra. Creo que la Palabra de Dios es tan poderosa para inspirarnos a compartir esparciendo las semillas del Evangelio, y necesitamos compartir nuestras semillas de fe con los demás. Además, al escuchar con propósito la Palabra de Dios con un corazón abierto, podemos crecer en gracia y fe.

Tercero, para la mayoría de nosotros, nuestros maestros probablemente describieron la parábola como Dios como el sembrador y nuestros corazones como la tierra. A veces, nuestro corazón está abierto a su palabra, y el mensaje de Dios crece en nosotros y se manifiesta en nuestros pensamientos, palabras y obras. A veces nuestro corazón es como la tierra arrasada, y la palabra de Dios no echa raíces y nosotros también nos marchitamos. Por tanto, oíd con nuestros oídos, entended con nuestro corazón, y convertíos, y la Palabra de Dios nos sanará.

Somos tan bendecidos con nuestros ojos porque ven y nuestros oídos porque oyen. Creo que ya se nos ha dado lo que necesitamos para la comprensión, la conversión, la sanación y la colaboración fructífera en la misión de Jesús. Todo lo que necesitamos es despertar para llenar la gran mayoría de la tierra en la tierra para sembrar con Sus semillas de sabiduría a aquellos con un corazón fértil. Compartir nuestras semillas de fe es por cómo vivimos nuestras vidas, porque nuestras acciones hablan más que nuestras palabras. ¿Están nuestros pensamientos diarios enfocados en las enseñanzas del Evangelio, ¿O se centran en cosas que podemos obtener en este mundo que son triviales?

“En verdad os digo que muchos profetas y justos desearon ver lo que vosotros veis, pero no lo vieron, y oyeron lo que vosotros oís, pero no lo oyeron”. Dios lo bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Romans 6:19-23
• Matthew 7:15-21

Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus: jubilate Deo in voce exsultationis, All ye nations, clap your hands: shout unto God with the voice of JOY. This introit taken from Psalm 46:2 is to remind us that we always rejoice to come and celebrate this eucharistic mass, for the Lord is worthy to be praised without end. When we live and die, our hearts are set to give glory to our great eternal King and God.

Our first reading today from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans invites us to Paul’s exhortation that “because of your infirmity of your flesh; for as you have yielded your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity for iniquity, so now yield your members to serve justice unto sanctification.”

The apostle is fully pressing the necessity of holiness in this chapter, his exhortations to holiness to everyone and mortification, or vivification, which means dying to sin and living to righteousness. It is an expression putting off the old man and putting on the new, ceasing to do evil and learning to do well.

The body of sin must be destroyed (v. 6). The corruption that dwelleth in us is the body of sin seriously affecting our body, not only our physical body, but it also includes the church, the community. This is the root to which the axe must be laid. We must not only cease from the acts of sin, but we must get the vicious habits and inclinations weakening and destroying us from within. Let us be fervent to cast away the idols of iniquity out of the heart; thus, we should not serve sin. Please do not make a trade of our goodness with the devil. We are all called to sanctity.

The Gospel spoke to us today that we must develop our ability to discern false teaching from true teaching by way of our sanctification, perseverance in the faith and mortification.

There are two things that we need to reflect on. Jesus calls on his disciples and to all of us to be careful not to be fooled by someone who claims to be of Christ. What do you think our best measuring stick should be?

First, Jesus says, “beware of false prophets.” (Matthew 7:15) Jesus tell his disciples to be on guard. Surprisingly, he doesn’t say beware of the temptations of the flesh or snares of the devil. Here Jesus tells them to watch out for “false prophets.” He explained that they would come in sheep’s clothing, but they are actually violent, dangerous wolves to scare and confuse them. They use deception to gain trust and infiltrate fellowship in order to spread their teaching and lead sheep off of the difficult road that leads to the narrow gate. There is always great danger when we allow the enemy to destroy us. The Lord is actually concerned with what is happening in the Church. Many Christian and Catholic churches across the United States and the world today have been infiltrated by false teachers. This is a critical problem today and must be addressed; therefore, this passage is very important and relevant. We must be careful and critical not to accept any and all teachings that they come in contact with. They should be diligent to test all teachings according to the Truth and moral teachings of the Church. Our primary nourishment is from the bishops, pastors and credible teachers who are in communion with the Church.

Second, Jesus says, “By their fruits you shall know them.” (Matthew 7:16–23) We might probably be deceived by their lies. Check the facts and look closely at the outcome of their witnessing. Please don’t be deceived by their words, but examine the quality of their life. People are easily deceived and that’s why Jesus gave this warning. He knew that Christians would struggle to stay on the difficult road headed toward heaven as voices called out to them. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (v. 21).

Brothers and sisters, let us use God’s given gift of wisdom in order to seek and to discern false prophets from true prophets. Jesus explained that just because someone comes into the midst of the church and claims the name of Christ, we could be easily deceived. We must cling to Christ by clinging to His Word. We are journeying down the difficult road toward our eternal home. Be always on guard, be wise and be prudent.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a
• Psalms 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19
• Matthew 10:1-7

There are many families experiencing rivalry among siblings. They fight among themselves because of inheritance, jealousy, and pride. These days when conflict continues to affect everyone in the family, disunity and division prevails over harmony. The common belief is gone like “blood is thicker than water.” It seems that blood relationship doesn’t matter anymore; it is survival. It is a sad reality but true. Let us pray for our family, especially the broken and dysfunctional families.

What has been happening today affecting families is exactly what we heard in today’s reading from the Book of Genesis 44:18-29, 45:1-5. Joseph’s story in Genesis is a classic example of how his siblings sold him as a slave to Egypt. He lived in Egypt until he helped the Pharaoh interpret his dream, and he was rewarded and became a governor. When famine struck Egypt and other neighboring places, Joseph took charge of the grain distribution, and when giving the rations to poor people, he was able to recognize his other brothers. Despite what they did to him and after seeing them, he turned away from them and he wept. Joseph was moved with pity towards them and helped them without rancor in his heart. Joseph became grateful and faithful to God, and he became a mirror of God’s justice and compassion.

The gospel spoke to us about the reality of Jesus calling his 12 Apostles to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. We know that Jesus came for the “lost sheep of Israel,” which is the main reason why He came. Because of their rowdy attitude, He called upon them for renewal and for them to be able to return to God. The apostles were a mix of people with flaws and weaknesses, yet they were called to a certain mission and to be transformed.

Maybe we are anxious about why Jesus prevented the apostles from going to pagan and Samaritan territories. This is not about discrimination, but Jesus’ primary mission is to bring the chosen people, the Israelites, back to God. After Pentecost, all the Apostles had been working hard to extend their dedication to bring Jesus to the Gentiles and to the whole world.

We are reminded that the “Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” This is the same concept of St. Mark when he wrote, “the Kingdom of God” where Jesus is the King to whom we need to abide, to submit and to follow. However, this kingdom is not a place but rather exists in our hearts.

The Kingdom of God is here now when we become agents of God’s mercy and forgiveness of others, especially our own family. Through Jesus’ humility and love, He restores the fallen world.

May God bless your families.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Zechariah 9:9-10
• Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
• Romans 8:9, 11-13
• Matthew 11:25-30

Since I was a seminarian, I always encounter these words, humility and meekness, many times. In fact, I believe that Jesus has been inculcating to all His followers about being humble. He knows that laboring humbly for the Gospel brings a higher percentage of success. I have also heard the same pattern from our Father St. Augustine, an experiential teaching that after his conversion to God, he affirms that humility and meekness are important in our Christian life. By knowing the truth about God, who prepared all of us, we need His teaching that humility is primarily imparted to us thru Christ’s passion and death on the cross. This is the remedy of sin and cause of salvation and to think that it gives us happiness in life. Among all other virtues, it is a necessary virtue to understand and to capture the truth of God. The first part is humility, the second is humility and the third is humility, according to St. Augustine. He expounded clearly that Christ himself said in today’s reading from Matthew 11:28-29 that people should learn from Him because of His meekness and humility, and not focus on His numerous miracles. Our salvation is possible by Christ’s example of humility that gives us an opportunity to change. Our sinful pride is a disaster to Jesus’ plan of redemption. Furthermore, we cannot rely on ourselves like St. Augustine’s exposure to sinful living which caused him much pain; however, as soon as he surrenders himself to God, He leads him to the greatest comfort and joy. Sad to say, the world teaches counterculture for us to think that it is power and fame that make us great. No, that makes us more prone to unhappiness and depression. Hence, we are nothing without being humble before God.

Today is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and in the first reading from the book of Zechariah, the chosen people of Israel are consistently bowing to welcome a King who could save them. Thus, this passage is calling Israel to rejoice when the Lord says, “Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you.” Yes, indeed, the King came not as they expected with power, big adulation, and grandeur but as a King with simplicity and humility. He shall engage in peace to the nations and “banish the weapons and instruments of war.” This is the promise that the believers long for that remains within one’s heart. Are there any among us who don’t need that promise of God’s kindness and love?

The second reading, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, speaks to us that, “You are not in the flesh, on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.” Therefore, it is important that God has chosen us by molding everyone according to His Spirit in order to understand the spiritual truths of God. We are given our birthright by baptism as His children through Jesus Christ. Do we realize that we are much more than our flesh because the Spirit of God dwells within us? We are given this spiritual gift as our true existence. The Spirit dwells within us to gain victory in Jesus Christ for His words spoken. Indeed, it gives us victory in Christ the Lord.

Today’s gospel from St. Matthew offers an invitation from Jesus: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” These words are for everyone who wants to follow our Lord Jesus. I believe those who would be receptive to Jesus’ invitation are simple people, sick and those who found themselves in the periphery which gives them everlasting Hope. Let us reflect on this preaching of Jesus:

First, Jesus’ words, “Come to me,” means a loving invitation to be intimate with Him. It is obviously an offering of divine intervention.

Second, Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labored and are heavily burdened,” which is an assurance of healing and relief for those weary people, exhausted men carrying their unbearable sufferings and crosses in life, and also to remember that Jesus takes the burden for them on His shoulders, and cares for them.

Third, Jesus finally says, “and I will give you rest.” Maybe our lives are in the midst of burdens, anxieties, troubles, and indifferences in this imperfect world. Jesus knows that it is only through Him that we absolutely experience the fullness of being under His power to enjoy complete repose. However, we need to come to our interior life and find that presence of God because of St. Augustine’s thought, “In our restlessness, we find rest only in God.”

Our readiness to completely understand Jesus is through humility and acceptance of the “yoke.” The yoke of Jesus is not heavy, but rather easy for it comes from a very personal relationship He totally offered. It implies that if we learn from Him, we can effortlessly relate in oneness with Him. We walk side by side with Jesus, cooperating with Him knowing that He is there to guide and to love us with His merciful heart.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Decimocuarto Domingo del Tiempo ordinario, año, A

• Zacarías 9:9-10
• Salmo 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
• Romanos 8:9, 11-13
• Mateo 11:25-30

Desde que era seminarista, siempre me encontré con estas palabras; humildad y mansedumbre. Yo creo que Jesús ha inculca a todos sus seguidores a ser humildes. Sabe que trabajar humildemente por el Evangelio trae un mayor satisfacción y éxito. También lo he oído a nuestro Padre San Agustín, enseñanza que el experimento después de su conversión a Dios, afirma que la humildad y la mansedumbre son importantes en nuestra vida cristiana. Al conocer la verdad acerca de Dios, quien nos preparó a todos, necesitamos Su enseñanza de que la humildad se nos imparte principalmente a través de la pasión y muerte de Cristo en la cruz. Este es el remedio del pecado y causa de salvación y pensar que nos da felicidad en la vida. Entre todas las demás virtudes, es una virtud necesaria para comprender y captar la verdad de Dios. La primera parte es humildad, la segunda es humildad y la tercera es humildad, según San Agustín. Expuso claramente que Cristo mismo dijo en la lectura de hoy de Mateo 11:28-29 que la gente debe aprender de Él por Su mansedumbre y humildad, y no enfocarse en Sus numerosos milagros. Nuestra salvación es posible a través del ejemplo de humildad de Cristo que nos permite cambiar. Nuestro orgullo pecaminoso es un desastre para el plan de redención de Jesús. Además, no podemos confiar en nosotros mismos como la exposición de San Agustín a una vida pecaminosa que le causó mucho dolor; sin embargo, tan pronto como se entrega a Dios, Él lo conduce al mayor consuelo y alegría. Lamentablemente, el mundo nos enseña contracultura para que pensemos que es el poder y la fama lo que nos hace grandes. No, eso nos hace más propensos a la infelicidad y la depresión. Por lo tanto, no somos nada sin ser humildes ante Dios.

Hoy es el decimocuarto domingo del tiempo ordinario, y en la primera lectura del libro de Zacarías, el pueblo elegido de Israel se inclina constantemente para dar la bienvenida a un Rey que podría salvarlos. Por lo tanto, este pasaje llama a Israel a regocijarse cuando el Señor dice: “¡Alégrate de corazón, hija de Sion, da voces de júbilo, hija de Jerusalén! Mira, tu rey vendrá a ti. Sí, de hecho, el Rey no vino con el tipo de poder que esperaban con adulación y grandeza, sino como un Rey con sencillez y humildad. Se comprometerá en la paz con las naciones y “desterrará las armas y los instrumentos de guerra”. Es la promesa que anhelan los creyentes la que permanece en el corazón. ¿Hay alguno entre nosotros que no necesite esa promesa de la bondad y el amor de Dios?

La segunda lectura, tomada de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos, nos habla de que “No estén en la carne, al contrario, estén en el espíritu, si el Espíritu de Dios habita en ustedes”. Por lo tanto, Dios debe elegirnos moldeando a todos según Su Espíritu para comprender las verdades espirituales de Dios. Se nos da nuestra primogenitura por el bautismo como Sus hijos a través de Jesucristo. ¿Nos damos cuenta de que somos mucho más que nuestra carne porque el Espíritu de Dios mora dentro de nosotros? Se nos da este don espiritual como nuestra verdadera existencia. El Espíritu mora dentro de nosotros para obtener la victoria en Jesucristo por Sus palabras habladas. De hecho, nos da la victoria en Cristo el Señor.

El evangelio de hoy de San Mateo ofrece una invitación de Jesús: “Venid a mí todos los que estáis trabajados y cargados, y yo os haré descansar”. Estas palabras son para todos los que quieren seguir a nuestro Señor Jesús. Creo que quienes serían receptivos a la invitación de Jesús son personas sencillas, enfermas y aquellas que se encuentran en la periferia que les da la Esperanza eterna. Reflexionemos sobre esta predicación de Jesús:

Primero, las palabras de Jesús, “Venid a mí”, significan una invitación amorosa a tener intimidad con Él. Es una ofrenda de intervención divina.

En segundo lugar, Jesús dice: “Venid a mí todos los que estáis trabajados y cargados”, lo cual es una garantía de curación y alivio para aquellas personas cansadas, hombres agotados que llevan sus insoportables sufrimientos y cruces en la vida, y también para recordar que Jesús lleva la carga por ellos sobre sus hombros, y se preocupa por ellos.

Tercero, Jesús finalmente dice: “Y yo os haré descansar”. Tal vez nuestras vidas están en medio de cargas, ansiedades, problemas e indiferencias en este mundo imperfecto. Jesús sabe que sólo a través de Él experimentamos la plenitud de estar bajo su poder para disfrutar del completo reposo. Sin embargo, necesitamos llegar a nuestra vida interior y encontrar la presencia de Dios debido al pensamiento de San Agustín: “En nuestra inquietud, encontramos descanso solo en Dios”.

Nuestra disposición a comprender completamente a Jesús es a través de la humildad y la aceptación del “yugo”. El yugo de Jesús no es pesado, sino fácil porque proviene de una relación muy personal que Él ofreció. Implica que si aprendemos de Él, podemos relacionarnos sin esfuerzo en unidad con Él. Caminamos al lado de Jesús, cooperando con Él sabiendo que Él está allí para guiar a un y amarnos con su corazón misericordioso.

Dios lo bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Romans 6:3-11
• Mark 8:1-9

Today is the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, and we are back to seeing the color green. It is nice to see the green vestments to remind us that we are growing and maturing in our faith which the Lord always supports and guides all of us to have a closer relationship and encounter with Him. Through the scriptural readings today, we are all invited to ponder on the different spiritual insights unfolded before us.

The epistle today from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans leads our understanding that St. Paul reminds us that “all who are baptized in Christ Jesus are baptized in His death…that as Christ is risen from the dead, by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in the newness of life.” Paul is speaking with great faith that receiving baptism in Christ is something already happening, living more fully day by day and not waiting for the end of time. We clothe ourselves with God’s grace for St. Paul is speaking here in truth.

In order to comprehend what we heard from St. Paul, we must believe in the resurrection. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Jesus’ death means that he died for the sins of humanity once for all, but the life He lives is perfectly in union with God. This is not about the future; this is about the present and that the life we live in God through Jesus Christ will be our life to eternity because God wants us to be united in the joy of the Kingdom.

Some of us have difficulty understanding the concept of resurrection; but as we live, work and worship together as one body, calling nothing our own, we learn to anticipate the glory of the communion of saints in which all joys are shared. Serving others, ministering to them, gives us hope in order to reach the promise of God to abide in Him. Every act of prayer, service and love draws us closer to His divine love which points to our own resurrection.

St. Mark, the evangelist, loves to talk about the miracles of Jesus. The gospel today is about the feeding of the four thousand which is very similar to the feeding of the five thousand back in Chapter 6:30-44. Some biblical scholars think they’re the same event. This duplication of the event, most probably, is St. Mark just sending a strong message about Jesus’ miracle, which is a good story to ponder on and one for us to constantly remember, because God provides for His people repeatedly with amazing divine assistance and provisions for both physical and spiritual existence.

There are three reflection points to make from this gospel passage.

First, Jesus says, “I have compassion on the multitude.” (vv. 1-3) Jesus was very concerned for the crowd following Him as they have been with Him for three days. It means that He had shown much interest in them. There were all sorts of people, pagans and sinners, who were with Him in a deserted place to listen to His preaching. They were moved deeply within, especially for the feeding of them with much care and love by Jesus. Though they were undeserving, however Jesus’ compassion is too great for what they truly deserve. I believe they did not feel the physical hunger but that they had become hungry for God’s everlasting words. Because of their total disposition to Jesus, consequently He did a miracle of feeding them which they had not asked for. It was an awareness of their condition.

Their curiosity to see Jesus led them to listen, learn and grow. Some were probably healthy, sick, poor and only attracted to Jesus, but all these don’t matter to Christ. All that mattered to Jesus was that the crowd stayed with Him even after three days with nothing to eat. This is convincing to believe that what caught Jesus’ attention was their openness, the listening attitude of them, and the need to absorb the content of His preaching.

Second, Jesus says he has compassion for the crowd and wants to feed them The disciples answered, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” The disciples had forgotten the miracle of God when He provided Israelites with the Manna from heaven as they journeyed towards the promised land. In their hearts, it is a pure impossibility and not an opportunity for Christ to reveal His power. I guess our sins we constantly commit are our forgetfulness of Him as God. When we are confronted with doubts, it is hard to believe in God who can do something we seldom see with our own naked eyes. Why do we tend to regard Jesus as if He is just another person among many and as if He has no power to provide? Jesus was preparing a miracle for us through this Eucharist. Christ’s provision does have a transformative effect on our human existence. He directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples. Jesus uses normal things like bread and fish in order for you and me to work miracles in this world. With our hearts ablaze with the love of God, we walk in this fullness of the Spirit if we will draw closer towards the reception of the Holy Communion.

Third, Jesus fed them and they were satisfied. Scripture recorded this event in this way, “And they ate and were satisfied.” The meal that Jesus had provided was not just an ordinary meal, but it is totally and fully satisfying. It is the Bread of Heaven which was broken for us by Jesus upon the cross because Jesus fulfilled His mission to appease God’s anger to satisfy our need of forgiveness.

Our life becomes unsatisfied of so many things in this world, always craving for food, always hurting and sinning, but only Jesus’ constant nourishment and miracle gives us the fullness of life now and forever.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa