Month: April 2024

• Acts 9:26-31
• Psalm 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-3
• 1 John 3:18-24
• John 15:1-8

We are in the 5th Sunday of Easter.  We have good sunny weather to enjoy and to have a good time with outdoor activities.  Some of us are busy preparing the garden to plant ornamentals and vegetables.  Some plant fruit trees in their backyard.  In this way, we connect to the earth as we reflect the value of being connected to God, others and to our surroundings.  Jesus says, “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”  The highlight and the importance of our connection and lifeline to Christ is crucial.  If we’re disconnected, we wither and die like a dead branch, and that means we are nothing.   The very source of our life in order to bear much fruit is to remain with the main branch, our strength, and to give glory to Him.   

In today’s reading, Saul was persecuting the first century Christians without being afraid.  He continued to torture and kill those who followed Jesus.  The disciples of Jesus were afraid of him.  However, by God’s grace of conversion, Jesus appeared to him and that was the beginning of converting to be a staunch follower of Jesus. The name Saul was changed to Paul, and with his courageous assistant, Barnabas, these two new converts shared their faithfulness to proclaim the gospel of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  They did their best to work hard for evangelization.  Paul, through his actions, had proven that His faith in Jesus was real.  Paul was an instrument in spreading the word as he went off from Jerusalem to tell of the consolations of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Resurrection.   The believers of Christ were growing in numbers, and their faith became strong.  

The second reading, from the first letter of St. John, manifests that believing in Jesus and loving one another are not represented as two separate commandments, but rather as one command.  It requires obedience to the fullness of both Christ-believing and people-loving being what it means to abide in Jesus, to have a vital connection to the source of all eternal and true life and joy through the Spirit.  The only problem is that we would rather love our way, rather than God’s way.  

Today’s gospel is taken from the evangelist John narrating the story of the vine and the vine grower.  “I am the vine; you are the branches.”  There are many images that we need to consider. 

First, Jesus says, “My Father is the vine grower.”   In this gospel, the Father is depicted as the vine grower in this story.  He is the main architect in making the vineyard more productive in order to achieve the expected harvest.  The vine grower spends abundant time and careful checking of everything in the vineyard for a successful end-result.  He will do whatever is needed by His constant and nurturing love.  In the same way, the Father spends great time and care in watching over each of us.   

Second, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.  Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit.”   St. John, the evangelist, portrays Jesus as the New Israel who bears much fruit pleasing to the Father by declaring that He is the “true vine.”  Jesus’ words have to remain in us, and since we are connected to Him, we are to ask for whatever we desire, and it will be done.   It is obvious that the growth of a fruit or a flower depends on being attached to the vine which provides sustenance for their growth.  Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches, and if we are apart from the Vine, we can do nothing.  We grow, we mature, we bear fruit which is the result of living His words and His ways.  If we are apart from the Vine, we become barren and wither as a result of doing our own will, rather than allowing Jesus and His words to influence us. 

Third, Jesus says, “You are the branches….You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in Me as I remain in you.”  The words “branches, prune and remain” are images of conditioned attachment of our hearts and spirits with Jesus, the true Vine.   Being the branch is the validating connection with the main vine.  However, our natural reaction is that we do not like the thought or experience of being pruned.  The idea of “pruning” is suggesting deepening our friendship and love; therefore, there is a need to remain constantly in Jesus.  As branches of the true vine, which is Jesus, is part of the love which Jesus offers in order to experience the holiness of our soul and grow in Christian virtues. Then, we are assured of a fruitful life.  

Let us pause and ask ourselves, how are the fruits of our labor connected to our relationship with Christ?  Are we resisting some pruning that God is trying to do with us?   We need to offer ourselves as obedient children of God to pray for each other so that we may be branches bearing fruit of goodness and glorifying God with our actions, particularly as we work towards healing our hurting world, community and family.  Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches! 

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Quinto Domingo de Pascua, Año B

• Hechos 9:26-31
• Salmo 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-3
• 1 Juan 3:18-24
• Juan 15:1-8

Estamos en el Quinto Domingo de Pascua. Estamos teniendo un buen día soleado para disfrutar y pasar un buen rato con actividades al aire libre. Algunos de nosotros estamos ocupados preparando el jardín para plantar flores para decorar nuestro jardín, hortalizas o árboles frutales. De esta manera, nos conectamos con la tierra mientras reflexionamos sobre el valor de estar conectados con Dios, los demás y nuestro entorno. Jesús dice: “permanece en mí y yo en él, ése da fruto abundante, porque sin mí nada pueden hacer”. Lo más destacado y la importancia de nuestra conexión y salvación con Cristo es crucial. Si estamos desconectados, nos marchitamos y morimos como una rama muerta, y eso significa que no somos nada. La fuente misma de nuestra vida para poder dar mucho fruto es permanecer en el pámpano principal, nuestra fuerza, y dar gloria a Dios.

En la lectura de hoy, Saulo perseguía sin miedo a los cristianos del primer siglo. Continuó torturando y matando a los que seguían a Jesús. Los discípulos de Jesús le tenían miedo. Sin embargo, por la gracia de Dios. Jesús se le apareció y ese fue el comienzo de su conversión para ser un seguidor de Jesús. El nombre de Saulo fue cambiado a Pablo, y con su valiente asistente Bernabé, estos dos nuevos conversos compartieron su fidelidad para proclamar el evangelio de Jesucristo. Hicieron todo lo posible para trabajar duro por la evangelización. Pablo, a través de sus acciones, había demostrado que su fe en Jesús era real. Pablo fue un instrumento para difundir la palabra cuando salió de Jerusalén para hablar de los consuelos del Espíritu Santo y del poder de la Resurrección. Los creyentes en Cristo crecían en número y su fe se fortaleció.

La segunda lectura, de la primera carta de San Juan, manifiesta que creer en Jesús y amarse unos a otros no se presentan como dos mandamientos separados, sino como un solo mandamiento. Requiere obediencia a la plenitud del ser que cree en Cristo y ama a las personas, lo que significa permanecer en Jesús y tener una conexión vital con la fuente de toda vida y gozo eterno y verdadero a través del Espíritu. El único problema es que preferimos amar a nuestra manera que a la manera de Dios.

El evangelio de hoy está tomado del evangelista Juan narrando la historia de la vid y el viñador. “Yo soy la vid; ustedes son las ramas”. Hay muchas imágenes que debemos considerar.

Primero, Jesús dice: “Mi Padre es el viñador”. En este evangelio, el Padre es representado como el viñador de esta historia. Es el principal artífice de hacer más productivo el viñedo para conseguir la cosecha esperada. El viticultor dedica mucho tiempo y controla cuidadosamente todo lo que hay en el viñedo para obtener un resultado exitoso. Él hará todo lo que sea necesario gracias a Su amor constante y nutritivo. De la misma manera, el Padre dedica mucho tiempo y cuidado a velar por cada uno de nosotros.

En segundo lugar, Jesús dice: “Yo soy la vid, ustedes son los pámpanos. El que permanece en Mí y Yo en él, dará mucho fruto”. San Juan, el evangelista, retrata a Jesús como el Nuevo Israel que da mucho fruto agradable al Padre al declarar que Él es la “vid verdadera”. Las palabras de Jesús deben permanecer en nosotros y, dado que estamos conectados con Él, debemos pedir todo lo que deseemos y será hecho. Es obvio que el crecimiento de un fruto o de una flor depende de estar adheridos a la vid que les proporciona sustento para su crecimiento. Jesús es la Vid, y nosotros somos los pámpanos, y si estamos separados de la Vid, nada podemos hacer. Crecemos, maduramos y damos frutos que son el resultado de vivir Sus palabras y Sus caminos. Si estamos separados de la Vid, nos volvemos estériles y nos marchitamos como resultado de hacer nuestra propia voluntad, en lugar de permitir que Jesús y Sus palabras nos influyan.

En tercer lugar, Jesús dice: “Ustes son las ramas… Ya están podados por la palabra que he hablado. Permaneced en Mí como Yo permanezco en vosotros”. Las palabras “sarman, podan y permanecen” son imágenes del apego condicionado de nuestros corazones y espíritus a Jesús, la Vid verdadera. Ser el pámpano es la conexión validadora con la vid principal. Sin embargo, nuestra reacción natural es que no nos gusta la idea o la experiencia de ser podados. La idea de “poda” sugiere profundizar nuestra amistad y amor; por lo tanto, es necesario permanecer constantemente en Jesús. Como sarmientos de la vid verdadera, que es Jesús, es parte del amor que Jesús ofrece para experimentar la santidad de nuestra alma y crecer en las virtudes cristianas. Entonces, tendremos asegurada una vida fructífera.

Hagamos una pausa y preguntémonos: ¿cómo se conectan los frutos de nuestro trabajo con nuestra relación con Cristo? ¿Estamos resistiendo alguna poda que Dios está tratando de hacer con nosotros? Necesitamos ofrecernos como hijos obedientes de Dios para orar unos por otros para que seamos sarmientos que den frutos de bondad y glorifiquen a Dios con nuestras acciones, partid especialmente mientras trabajamos para sanar nuestro mundo, comunidad y familia heridos. ¡Jesús es la Vid y nosotros somos los pámpanos!

Hermanos y hermanas, hay tres cosas que necesito recordarles:

Primero, es verano, quisiera recordarles a todos que debemos respetar al Señor, cada vez que vengan a la Iglesia para la celebración de la misa, por favor, vístanse apropiadamente, sin pantalones cortos, sin ropa indecente. No estamos aquí para el espectáculo sino para adorar a Dios. Por favor respeta la casa de Dios.

En segundo lugar, durante la comunión, extienda los brazos simplemente para expresar su deseo de recibir el cuerpo de Cristo en lugar de que el sacerdote se acerque a usted. Es el Señor quien ofrece Su cuerpo sagrado, pero debemos mostrar nuestra disposición a aceptarlo extendiendo con reverencia nuestros brazos con las manos abiertas o recibiéndolo por la lengua en lugar de ser pasivos.

En tercer lugar, durante la consagración nunca abandones tu asiento hasta que termine la solemne consagración para ir al baño. Asegúrate de arrodillarte y la consagración es la parte más solemne de la misa.

Traten de tener estos importantes puntos siempre en cuenta.

Dios lo bendiga.

P. Arlón, osa

• James 1:17-21
• John 16:5-14

Today is the 4th Sunday after Easter.  I congratulate the awardees, Mike Gallagher and Hector and Stacy Bucchianeri for their continuous support of the Holy Spirit Mission through their various volunteer works.  Next week, the Prior Provincial of the Christ the King Institute, Canon Matthew, will be celebrating mass on my behalf due to my commitment to attend the Knights of Columbus Nevada State Convention in Las Vegas on May 3-5, 2024.  My presence is needed because I am still the Knights’ State Chaplain.   

Today we heard the epistle taken from the Letter of James.  The Letter of St. James is not popular with our protestant brethren because St. James says, “Faith without action is dead,” (James 2:18) which obviously means, real faith cannot exist apart from works.  I think the purpose of this epistle is to make us understand that the intent of St. James is to teach us how to live our faith.  It challenges us to take the next step in our life of genuine discipleship and teaches us how to persevere following the example of the Lord.  St. James acknowledges that the Father is the “Father of Lights,” and all perfect gifts, the sending of His begotten Son Jesus and His words and ministry, all make us favored children of God.  The Word became flesh and was born among us, and the word of God which fills our scriptures, also comes from above. It all comes from above, through the Holy Spirit and not from us. The light that came from heaven and descends on earth is the good gift coming from above.   St. James further says, “Let every man be swift to hear but slow to speak and slow to anger.  For the anger of a man worketh not the justice of God.”  We need to accept God’s word to change us when we welcome it with great humility or meekness.  We must be willing to be changed by this Word, to be led by this Word and to live not by our will but by the divine Will of God. We are ready to be doers of the word in order to make ourselves an extension of Christ to others. That is what we are called to do.  Let us control our anger by what we usually hear in the proclamation of the epistle and the gospel.  When we welcome with meekness, God is implanting the power of His word in our hearts. 

In the gospel today, Jesus says, “I go to Him that sent Me: and none of you asked Me: Where are you going?”  The chosen apostles of Jesus could not understand His impending passion and death with these words Jesus had spoken the night of the last supper.  Jesus was giving them clear assurance that leaving them is to open for them a new and life-giving way through the promise of the Paraclete which means the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, and which demonstrates God’s presence so that they would be strengthened and be bold in speaking about the Risen Lord. 

God continues to accompany His beloved people of Israel and us since the beginning of His creation.  The fundamental realities that sustain the disciples’ goodness and right judgement is their full trust, faith, and belief of Christ’s promise that He would continue working with them powerfully through the Paraclete.  Their own vulnerability and fragility have been overcome by the presence of the third person of the Trinity. 

There are moments in our lives that we stumble and fall with broken and sad hearts for various reasons, dark and difficult times, and in all our times of painful loss.  Our sadness too can be related to some experience of loss just like the sadness the disciples felt knowing that their master would experience passion and death.  The disciples were experiencing a necessary loss, a loss that was in the service of a greater blessing, a sadness of losing someone who has been significant to them, and yet Jesus showed them that His leaving had a value.  He was teaching them in a new and different way of rising and sharing with us the Paraclete.  The Spirit assures us of the Lord’s loving presence at such moments, so that even in our sadness we can experience something of that joy which is the fruit of the Spirit.   

In and through the Spirit, the Lord would come to believers of every generation in every part of the world, and to us here present, rejoicing in His eternal presence.  Only then, if we work with dedication and commitment, we can do wondrous things by, through, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, whom the risen Lord sends to us, for us also to share and to proclaim! 

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 4:8-12
• Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29
• 1 John 3:1-2
• John 10:11-18

Today is the 4th Sunday of Easter, Year B. I presume that we are enjoying reading and reflecting on the previous three Sundays post-resurrection stories. Jesus has been present in our lives and continues to lead us closer to Him.

The reading today from the Acts of the Apostle speaks about Peter and John who cured a cripple in the name of Jesus. Peter had told the followers of Jesus to be bold to speak out to the Jewish leaders in defense of their good actions for healing a cripple. It was not through their good deeds that the crippled man was healed, but by the power of Jesus Christ the Nazorean. Jesus has been the foundation, strength and stability for the whole community despite being rejected by the Jews. St. Peter says, “Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders but becomes the cornerstone,” and the conclusion of Peter’s word is powerful to proclaim that, “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

The second reading from the first letter of St. John reminds us that “the love of the Father has bestowed upon us….now we are children of God. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” Our own motivation shall be like Him – be like him in motivation, in attitude, and in action. It is nice that we reflect on the goodness of the loving God and imitate Him.

In the gospel reading, we hear Jesus speak of Himself as the “Good Shepherd” that lays down His life for the sheep. He stays faithful throughout all dangers and will gather all into one flock. Jesus as the Good Shepherd is one of the most familiar ways of portraying our Lord. This particular gospel is read every 4th Sunday of Easter. So, let us decipher some of the most important points in this gospel pericope:

First, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (v.11) I am grateful to Jesus for offering Himself to be our Shepherd. It is true that we desire for someone to lead us, to protect us, to guide us, and to care for us always. We are a blessed flock of sheep who can rely on Him. The world, our community, our family and friends search for someone to rely on. In this period of deception, we must listen to Jesus, who carefully distinguishes false shepherds or hirelings. Many would be coming to deceive us, but the significant character of our Good Shepherd is His commitment and readiness to lay down His life for us, for Jesus has preceded us on this perilous road.

Second, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” (vv. 14,15) In this verse, we agree that His complete knowledge about His sheep refers to us, His flock. He likes us to be together under His care and guidance, as the fact is that He knows each one of us. It is also for our own safety that He tends to spend a lot of time with us for our benefit. In like manner, He spent time with His Father in prayer. In addition, He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Third, the last point of Jesus expresses this, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (v.16) Personally, I believe the sacred intention of our Lord is to gather all people in the world as “one flock and one shepherd.” To rightly interpret these words of Jesus, we need to find the rationale for this scriptural text which refers us to the fact that Jesus of history preached to the fold of God’s chosen people, Israel. While Jesus’ earthly ministry served the Jewish people almost exclusively, His great commission to the Apostles before His ascension was to send them all into the world to preach, baptize, and thus unite His believers in one-fold. (Mt. 28:19) Here the “other sheep” refers to Gentiles willing to obey and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, these righteous Gentiles heard the gospel from the lips of His disciples, sought conversion, and they became followers of Jesus. I believe that we are considered Gentiles, which means outside the fold of the chosen people of Israel. Thus, it is not proper for other denominations and religions claiming to justify their existence as being the “other sheep.” Such interpretation is wrong! Our understanding of the “other sheep” as the Gentiles who would come to believe in Christ is the natural understanding of the passage.

This Easter season allows us to find Jesus in our ordinary lives, where we encounter Him in unexpected moments, ways, or places. I wonder if we are grounded in faith to share our own thoughts about Jesus and in what role He has in our life.

Jesus gives us the example that everyone is welcome to join His flock. Jesus finds no difference in serving, working, and loving those people the Father gives Him. Who is Jesus for you and where can you find Him?

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Cuarto Domingo de Pascua, Año B

• Hechos 4:8-12
• Salmo 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29
• 1 Juan 3:1-2
• Juan 10:11-18

Hoy es el Cuarto Domingo de Pascua, Año B. Hemos disfrutado reflexionando sobre las lecturas de los tres domingos anteriores sobre las historias posteriores a la resurrección. Jesús ha estado presente en nuestras vidas y continúa guiándonos a Él.

La lectura de hoy de los Hechos de los Apóstoles habla de Pedro y Juan que curaron a un cojo en el nombre de Jesús. Pedro había dicho a los seguidores de Jesús que se atrevieran a hablar ante los líderes judíos en defensa de sus buenas obras para curar a un lisiado. No fue por sus buenas obras que el cojo sanó sino por el poder que tiene el nombre de Jesucristo el Nazareno. Jesús ha sido el fundamento, la fuerza y la estabilidad de toda la comunidad a pesar del rechazo de los judíos. San Pedro dice: “Jesús es la piedra desechada por los constructores, se convierte en la piedra angular. Y la conclusión de la palabra de Pedro es poderosa para proclamar que “no hay salvación por otro, ni hay otro nombre bajo el cielo dado al género humano en el que podamos ser salvados”.

La segunda lectura de la primera carta de San Juan nos recuerda que “el amor del Padre nos ha concedido… ahora somos hijos de Dios. Y todo aquel que tiene esta esperanza puesta en Él, se purifica, así como Él es puro”. Nuestra motivación será como Él: seremos como Él en motivación, en actitud y en acción. Es bueno reflexionar sobre la bondad del Dios amoroso y que lo imitemos.

En la lectura del evangelio, escuchamos a Jesús hablar de sí mismo como el “Buen Pastor” que da su vida por las ovejas. Él permanece fiel a través de todos los peligros y reunirá a todos en un solo rebaño. Jesús como el Buen Pastor, que es una de las formas más familiares de representar a nuestro Señor. Este evangelio en particular se lee cada cuarto domingo de Pascua. Entonces, descifremos algunos de los puntos más importantes de del evangelio:

Primero, Jesús dice: “Yo soy el buen pastor. El buen pastor da su vida por sus ovejas”. (v.11) Doy gracias a Jesús por ofrecerse para ser nuestro Pastor. De hecho, deseamos que alguien nos guíe, nos proteja, nos guíe y nos cuide siempre. Somos un rebaño bendito de ovejas que podemos confiar en Él. El mundo, nuestra comunidad, nuestra familia y nuestros amigos buscan a alguien en quien confiar. En este período de engaño, debemos escuchar a Jesús, quien distingue cuidadosamente a los falsos pastores o asalariados. Muchos vendrían a engañarnos, pero el carácter significativo de nuestro Buen Pastor es su compromiso y disposición por dar su vida por nosotros, porque Jesús nos ha precedido en este camino peligroso.

Segundo, Jesús dice: “Yo soy el buen pastor. Conozco a los míos y los míos me conocen a mí, así como el Padre me conoce y yo conozco al Padre. (vv. 14,15) En este versículo, estamos de acuerdo en que Su conocimiento completo acerca de Sus ovejas se refiere a nosotros, Su rebaño. Le gusta que estemos juntos bajo su cuidado y guía, pues lo cierto es que Él nos conoce a cada uno de nosotros. También es por nuestra seguridad que Él tiende a pasar mucho tiempo con nosotros para nuestro beneficio. De la misma manera, pasó tiempo con Su Padre en oración. Además, Él nos conoce mejor que nosotros mismos.

En tercer lugar, el último punto que Jesús expresa: “Tengo otras ovejas que no son de este redil. A ellos también debo traer, y escucharán mi voz. Entonces habrá un solo rebaño, un solo pastor”. (v.16) Personalmente, creo que la sagrada intención de nuestro Señor es reunir a todas las personas del mundo como “un solo rebaño y pastor”. Para interpretar correctamente estas palabras de Jesús, necesitamos encontrar el fundamento de este texto bíblico que nos remite al hecho de que el Jesús de la historia predicó al redil del pueblo elegido de Dios, Israel. Si bien el ministerio terrenal de Jesús sirvió casi exclusivamente al pueblo judío, su gran comisión a los Apóstoles antes de Su ascensión fue enviarlos a todos al mundo para predicar, bautizar y así unir a Sus creyentes en un solo redil. (Mt. 28:19) Aquí las “otras ovejas” se refieren a los gentiles dispuestos a obedecer y seguir a Jesucristo. Entonces, estos justos gentiles escucharon el evangelio de labios de sus discípulos, buscaron la conversión y se convirtieron en seguidores de Jesús. Creo que somos considerados gentiles, lo que significa fuera del redil del pueblo elegido de Israel. Por lo tanto, no es apropiado que otras denominaciones o sectas afirmen justificar su existencia como las “otras ovejas”. ¡Semejante interpretación es errónea! Nuestra comprensión de las “otras ovejas” se refiere a los gentiles que llegarían a creer en Cristo, es la comprensión lógica de este pasaje.

Este tiempo pascual nos permite encontrar a Jesús en nuestra vida ordinaria, donde lo encontramos en momentos, formas o lugares inesperados. Me pregunto si estamos cimentados en la fe para compartir nuestros pensamientos sobre Jesús y qué papel tiene en nuestras vidas.

Jesús nos da el ejemplo de que todos son bienvenidos a unirse a su rebaño. Jesús no encuentra diferencia en servir, trabajar y amar a aquellas personas que el Padre le da. ¿Quién es Jesús para ti y dónde puedes encontrarlo?

Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlón, osa

• 1 Peter 2:11-19
• John 16:16-22

Today, we are in the 3rd Sunday after Easter. Let us continue to be empowered by the risen Lord to glorify our loving God through good works and continuous rejoicing Easter people.

The epistle, from the first letter of Peter, reminds us of our personal calling to holiness, which is essential to be genuine witnesses of Christ participating in our mission. We too are reminded to take advantage of the abundant blessings and the necessity of obedience. Obedience is necessary to do good in order to persevere in our Christian life. Through our obedience, we are protected from anything that destroys our body and spirit. We must always recognize the Lord, who guides and illuminates us with His eternal light to show the path to moral uprightness, in both our personal and public lives, all for the good and glory of God. It is imperative that, as believers, we live lives that express inherent goodness of God’s children; therefore, we must live consistently faithful and willing to renew ourselves by the challenge of the Sacrament of Confession. To keep our conduct excellent is to live in complete obedience to Jesus’ teachings and words and to emulate His purity, kindness, mercy, and love.

In the gospel today Jesus uttered a puzzling statement when he said, “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” I would like to reflect on these words of Jesus so that we have a better understanding of His words.

First, Jesus repeats a portion of His thought maybe to put weight on something. His disciples struggle to comprehend what He was talking about. They wanted to ask Him what He meant, but Jesus doesn’t precisely answer their question. However, “a little while and you will not see Me,” refers to His impending death. These words were uttered by Jesus before His crucifixion. His words. “You will not see Me,” brought intense sorrow to the disciples for it provides details of what they will experience in the time ahead.

Second, Jesus is planning to surprise them, and He said, “Big things are coming for you in the days ahead.” What does this mean? It is true that the Jewish religious leaders are planning to eliminate Jesus who will be put to death because the power of darkness manifests through the betrayal of Judas. These religious leaders, Pharisees and Scribes walk and exist and ordered a state of enmity which exists against God through the rule of Satan.

Third, Jesus says, “Trust Me, when they come, you will be delighted beyond measure! But the world will rejoice.” This must be taken to mean that those who came against Christ would rejoice which has been the outcome thinking that they defeated Him. The wickedness permeates the world under Satan, and that evil prevails gaining control is another lie of Satan. However, Jesus Christ the Messiah. is the Light of the world, and He has the over-all and permanent control of everything that even darkness and sin won’t succeed. The Risen Christ‘s presence in our midst expresses in a new and profound way for us to rejoice forever.

St. Paul gives us encouraging words, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col 1:27) It is for us believers that we keep Christ’s promise and to remember what the resurrection of Jesus means to us. Without God, we have no purpose and God has never lost control. Rather, He is in complete control.

Our greatest desire and concern should not be to live to please the world, but to be pleasing before God and see how God sees. This is our goal and our mission.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
• Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9
• 1 John 2:1-5a
• Luke 24:13-35

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Easter. We started our Easter journey three weeks ago, and we will continue to travel to our “Road to Emmaus.” In every celebration of the mass we heard the word of God, “Were not our hearts burning within us?” He is speaking to us in scriptures, and we meditate to understand the message.

We heard the first reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter was recollecting the events of the past and moving through the present to face their future. Then Peter made a blatant comment that hit all listeners hard as they were responsible for the death of the servant, Jesus. However, Jesus was raised from the dead as the Father’s servant with his concluding comment that you can repent and have your sins wiped away and follow Jesus, who was the lovingly obedient anointed Son of God.

The second reading from the first letter of St. John reminded his readers of the trait of this merciful God if we keep His commandments. If we claim we know God and never keep His commandments, our own identity doesn’t make any sense. We can be the worst liars. When we are not honest and we disobey God, we miss the opportunity to see how God would work through us. We must be obedient in our own seeking of transformation and conversion. To remain in sin doesn’t help us see better, even in darkness. It is important to remember that a crucial part of obeying God is trusting Him and counting on Him. Trust is the foundational command so that all our obedience is to flow out is active, alive, and present.

The gospel today is one of my favorite passages in the scripture. Two disciples who had been traumatized by the death of Jesus were returning to the safety of Emmaus. Let us accompany them in their journey with open heart and mind to fully understand ourselves better.

First, the two disciples were exiting from the worst week of their lives, knowing that Jesus was tortured and put to death by crucifixion without the people’s knowledge about Jesus being the true Messiah. These two disciples wanted to escape from their experience of brokenness and heavy hearts because of what had happened to Jesus, their Master. We, like the disciples, have our hurts, disappointments, and even doubts, and so we want to sit on the side of the road to question, to ponder and retrospect. To escape from those hurtful feelings is not advisable, but rather confront them with confidence and faith.

Second, Jesus reviews the scriptures with them, which announce His truth, and they then recognize Him in the proclamation of the word. Jesus explained well about the events as revealed in the scriptures. The two disciples’ hearts were burning with joy, so they invited Jesus to stay with them in the inn because it was already dark. While the two disciples and Jesus were at the table, something familiar happened, that is, the “breaking of bread.” At that moment, Jesus shared a meal with them, and by doing so, He extended a deep relationship with His disciples, which surprised them, with the mystery of His bodily resurrection appearance.

Third, then Jesus vanishes, but their hearts were so flooded with joy that they decided to return and reveal to others what they had experienced. Their encounter with the risen Lord gave them encouragement and mission. Thus, Jesus has risen to keep us rising, that is, to encounter His presence, to remember His encouraging words and teachings, to extend peace and reconciliation, and to make us understand our mission to accomplish.

Oftentimes, in our spiritual exercises, like attending Mass and personal reading of scriptures and meditations, the Risen Lord becomes available to us. He intimately speaks to us in silence and even walks with us. Intimacy invites us into mystery, into adventure, and into deeper experiences of life. Jesus invites His intimate friends to go out and be with Him in the so called “Eucharistic presence.” Then, we find comfort through His healing power and are lifted as a person. He gives peace and joy for our community and for the world.

God bless everyone! He is Risen! Alleluia!

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Tercer Domingo de Pascua, Año B.

• Hechos 3:13-15, 17-19
• Salmo 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9
• 1 Juan 2:1-5a
• Lucas 24:35-48Hoy es el tercer domingo de Pascua. Continuamos nuestra Jornada de Pascua y continuaremos recorriendo nuestro “Camino a Emaús”. En cada celebración de la misa escuchábamos la palabra de Dios y aquellas palabras “¿No ardía nuestro corazón?” Él nos está hablando en las Escrituras y meditamos para comprender el mensaje.

  Escuchamos la primera lectura tomada de los Hechos de los Apóstoles. Pedro estaba recordando los acontecimientos del pasado y avanzando por el presente para afrontar su futuro. Entonces Pedro hizo un comentario audaz golpeando duramente a todos los oyentes que fueron responsables de la muerte de Jesús. Sin embargo, Jesús resucitó de entre los muertos como el siervo del Padre con su comentario final: puedes arrepentirte y borrar tus pecados y seguir a Jesús, quien es Hijo ungido de Dios amorosamente obediente.

  La segunda lectura de la primera carta de San Juan recordó a sus lectores el rasgo de este Dios misericordioso, si guardamos sus mandamientos. Si afirmamos que conocemos a Dios y nunca guardamos Sus mandamientos, nuestra propia identidad no tiene ningún sentido. Podemos ser los peores mentirosos. Cuando no somos honestos y desobedecemos a Dios, perdemos la oportunidad de ver cómo Él obraría a través de nosotros. Debemos ser obedientes en nuestra búsqueda de transformación y conversión. Permanecer en pecado no nos ayuda a ver mejor ni siquiera en la oscuridad. Es importante recordar que una parte crucial de obedecer a Dios es confiar en Él y contar con Él. La confianza es el mandato fundamental para que toda nuestra obediencia fluya de la confianza en que Él está activo, vivo y presente.

  El evangelio de hoy es uno de mis pasajes favoritos de las Escrituras. Los dos discípulos habían quedado traumatizados por la muerte de Jesús y por eso regresaban a la seguridad de Emaús, así que acompañémoslos en su camino con el corazón y la mente abiertos para comprendernos mejor a nosotros mismos.

  Primero, los dos discípulos habían estado saliendo de la peor semana de sus vidas sabiendo que Jesús fue torturado y ejecutado mediante crucifixión, sin que la gente supiera que Jesús era el verdadero Mesías. Estos dos discípulos querían escapar de su experiencia de quebrantamiento y pesar por lo que le había sucedido a Jesús, su maestro. Nosotros, al igual que los discípulos, tenemos nuestras heridas, decepciones e incluso dudas, y por eso queremos sentarnos a un lado del camino para preguntar, reflexionar y mirar en retrospectiva. No es aconsejable escapar de esos sentimientos hirientes, sino afrontarlos con confianza y fe.

  En segundo lugar, Jesús repasa con ellos las Escrituras que anuncian su verdad y luego lo reconocen en la proclamación de la palabra. Jesús explicó bien los acontecimientos tal como se revelan en las Escrituras. El corazón de los dos discípulos ardía de alegría, así que invitaron a Jesús a quedarse con ellos en la posada porque ya era de noche. Mientras los dos discípulos y Jesús estaban en la mesa sucedió algo familiar, es decir, la “fracción del pan”. En ese momento, Jesús compartió el pan con ellos, al hacerlo extendió una relación profunda con sus discípulos que los sorprendió con el misterio de su aparición corporal resucitada.

  En tercer lugar, Jesús desapareció, pero sus corazones estaban tan inundados de alegría que decidieron regresar y revelar a los demás lo que habían experimentado. Su encuentro con el Señor resucitado les dio aliento y misión. Jesús ha resucitado para mantenernos en ascenso, es decir, para encontrarnos con Su presencia, para recordar Sus palabras y enseñanzas alentadoras, para extender la paz y la reconciliación y para hacernos comprender nuestra misión a cumplir.

  A menudo, en nuestros ejercicios espirituales, como asistir a Misa, leer personalmente las Escrituras y meditar, el Señor Resucitado se vuelve disponible para nosotros. Nos habla íntimamente en silencio e incluso camina con nosotros. La intimidad nos invita al misterio, a la aventura, a experiencias de vida más profundas. Jesús invita a sus amigos íntimos a salir y estar con Él en la “presencia eucarística”. Luego, encontramos consuelo a través de Su poder sanador y somos elevados como persona. Él da paz y alegría a nuestra comunidad y al mundo.

  ¡Dios los bendiga a todos! ¡Él ha resucitado! ¡Aleluya!

  P. Arlón, osa

• 1 Peter 2:21-25
• John 10:11-16

Today is the 2nd Sunday after Easter. We are invited to make the most of the beautiful readings provided to us today which always lead to nourish and to feed our hungry souls with these Words of God.

Today’s epistle, taken from the first letter of St. Peter, explains to us what is meant by discipleship. Our simple understanding of this word is to follow the Lord. We must prayerfully and thoughtfully develop a simple suggestion from St. Peter. As followers of the Lord, we are open to accept sufferings for doing good, not evil, and we connect with the example of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. For this, we are called to influence our fellow believers in the community and to pursue others by doing good in allegiance to the Lord. In this epistle, Peter provides his community with an example that, in believing Jesus, they have hope because He suffered for us. Jesus did not retaliate when He was maligned, and He did not respond with revenge. After all, Jesus suffered not only as an example for himself, but also on our behalf. Therefore, we must be converted to turn ourselves “back to the shepherd and bishop of your soul.”

Today’s gospel talks about Jesus as the Good Shepherd, which is one of the most familiar ways of portraying our Lord. This particular gospel is read every 4th Sunday of Easter for the Novus Ordo, but for the Traditional Mass, we jump from post-resurrection stories to a common description about Jesus being the Good Shepherd. I guess we are more advanced in mind thinking about the future. So, let us decipher some of the most important points in this gospel pericope:

First, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (v.1) I am grateful to Jesus for offering Himself to be our Shepherd. It is true that we desire for someone to lead us, to protect us, to guide us, and to care for us always. We are a blessed flock of sheep who can rely on Him. The world, our community, our family, and friends search for someone to rely on. In this period of deception, we must listen to Jesus, who carefully distinguishes false shepherds or hirelings. Many would be coming to deceive us, but the significant character of our Good Shepherd is His commitment and readiness to lay down His life for us, for Jesus has preceded us on this perilous road.

Second, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. (vv. 14,15) In this verse, we agree that His complete knowledge about His sheep refers to us, His flock. He likes us to be together under His care and guidance, as the fact is that He knows each one of us. It is also for our own safety that He tends to spend a lot of time with us for our benefit. In like manner, He spent time with His Father in prayer. In addition, He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Third, the last point of Jesus expresses this, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (v.16) Personally, I believe the sacred intention of our Lord is to gather all people in the world as “one flock and one shepherd.” To rightly interpret these words of Jesus, we need to find its rationale for this scriptural text which refers us to the fact that Jesus of history preached to the fold of God’s chosen people, Israel. While Jesus’ earthly ministry served the Jewish people almost exclusively, His great commission to the Apostles before His ascension was to send them all into the world to preach, baptize, and thus unite His believers in one-fold. (Mt. 27:19) Here the “other sheep” refers to Gentiles willing to obey and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, these righteous Gentiles heard the gospel from the lips of His disciples, sought conversion, and they became followers of Jesus. I believe that we are considered Gentiles, which means outside the fold of the chosen people of Israel. Thus, it is not proper for other denominations and religions claiming to justify their existence as being the “other sheep.” Such interpretation is wrong! Our understanding of the “other sheep” as the Gentiles who would come to believe in Christ is the natural understanding of the passage.

From our own catechism, we have learned that “Salvation History” started from the experience of our Jewish brethren which unfolded God’s love in the Old Testament through to the New Testament. Jesus was born through the cooperation of the Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph. Jesus lived in human history, preaching and calling His apostles. Then St. Paul wrote the epistles, and the four evangelists did the same as well. Jesus, after His passion, death, and resurrection, continues to be with us gathering other sheep to be counted among His flock. God shows His overflowing grace to establish the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, and that is the Holy Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is open and welcoming to those people of no faith and those who belong to other faiths as part of the continuous mission of the Church by offering her grace of Salvation through Jesus Christ.

In the midst, of all confusing and competing voices, the sheep would hear their true Shepherd’s voice and follow Him. Let us walk together, listening together, and participating in the mission actively. Let the sheep live in relationships with the Shepherd and others. Let us be positive in a Synodal Church where we are willing to indulge in Communion, Participation, Mission!

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa