Month: July 2024

• 2 Kings 4:42-44
• Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18
• Ephesians 4:1-6
• John 6:1-15

At the recently concluded 10th National Eucharistic Congress, Catholic families gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana with a profound religious experience and personal renewal through the power of Christ’s loving presence in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith and Christian life.  We appreciate the effort of the US Conference of Bishops to bring into our consciousness this Eucharistic revival, with the intention of facilitating this life-changing acceptance and belief in the real presence of Jesus after the consecration.  If we don’t believe in Jesus being present in the Eucharist, His body, soul and divinity, we are weakened, and we become less responsive to service and love because we cannot offer something from what we truly believed and received.  As our parish response, we are invited beginning on August 4, for a series of sessions from 2-3:30 PM.  Please check the schedule in our bulletin.  

We are in the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time.   Our readings today speak of God’s providence for us to be satisfied. The first reading from the 2nd book of Kings narrates to us about Elisha, a holy man who frequently visited a woman. He promised her that she would be blessed with a child because of her generosity when he comes to her house.  Unfortunately, Elisha came back during the time of depression and famine. He gave the people food to eat, “when they had eaten there was some left over.” (v.43)    

In today’s 2nd reading, St. Paul urges us “to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.”  This is the same calling we too received as we were baptized, which we hope that thru our renewal of mind and heart we shall live with humility, compassion, generosity, gentleness and love.

We will be hearing in the next three Sundays’ gospel about Jesus’ discourse on the Bread of Life,  and today is Jesus’ miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. Jesus as Eucharist nourishes us, being familiar of the gift of God to the chosen people, the abiding gift of manna in the Old Testament. 

The gospel today taken from St. John talks about the multiplication of the loaves.  Jesus, seeing the large crowd following Him, was conscious of their hunger and intention to hear Him speak, and He was worried how He would feed them.  Let us come to understand this gospel’s story.

First, Jesus asked Philip where they might buy enough food to feed everyone.  With the help of Andrew, he found a boy with five barley loaves and two fish, and from that there was enough for everyone.  It remained a mystery to His disciples. I believe that this teaching moment of Christ emphasizes compassion and generosity, and by putting a little of what we have could be translated into creating an endless abundance of what we truly need.  But this concept of sharing would never decrease my belief that Jesus has performed a genuine miracle by multiplying the loaves and two fish.  Jesus also teaches us to love and to have faith in each other and convinces us that even if we have shared what meager food we have, our own needs will always be satisfied.

Second, “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks and distributed them to those who were reclining.” (v11) Five thousand people had their fill of bread and fish, and there were leftovers which filled 12 wicker baskets of fragments. This is a sign of abundance; thus people promoted Him as king because Jesus answered their bodily hunger, and they were very satisfied.  With Jesus’ knowledge of the intent of the people,  He slipped away in order to give them the opportunity to search in faith, not in accordance of their experience of being physically provided for with food, but leading them to accept and follow Jesus, the Messiah.

Third, our experience and encounter of Jesus in our daily Christian life significantly opens our hearts and minds to understand that signs and sacraments of His loving presence are essential to make a profound decision, not to look for a King, but a loving Savior.

It is revealed in the scriptures, both in the Old and New Testament, that the Eucharist is prefigured in the first reading,  2 Kings 4:42-44 and in John 6:1-15, that God provides nourishment for our journey to heaven.  As a priest, chosen and allowing my two hands to consecrate the hosts and the wine, changing them into the real Body and Blood of Christ, is the greatest gift where God graciously empowers me to bring Jesus closer to you.  I humbly feel the eucharistic presence of Jesus with such great blessings of faith and the faith of the whole community I am ministering.   During the consecration, I am His servant, profoundly bowing my head, and my two arms closely attached to the altar as a gesture that I need to lean onto Christ, the altar, the center and the main actor of our celebration.  

Apparently, for some it may be impossible to think of the reality of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist; however, it is an act of faith to believe in Jesus.  It may seem too little of a demand from us, and it requires humility to comprehend that Jesus opted to be present in the simple bread and wine, just as the Father, who created everything, opted to live with us in human flesh thru His Incarnate Son, Jesus Christ.  Today, we need to realize that the all-powerful God has given an abundance of Himself to us. 

May we continue to live as Eucharistic people. The more loving we are, the more we wish we could do to serve the marginalized people in our society by bringing hope, peace, love and justice as we all reclaim the reality of God’s presence and His Kingdom here on earth.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Decimoséptimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B 

• 2 Reyes 4:42-44
• Salmo 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18
• Efesios 4:1-6
• Juan 6:1-15

Familias católicas se reunieron en Indiana, Indianápolis, para el recientemente concluido Décimo Congreso Eucarístico Nacional. Con una experiencia profunda y personal, de renovación a través del poder de la presencia amorosa de Cristo en la Santísima Eucaristía, que es la fuente y la cumbre de la fe católica. Apreciamos el esfuerzo de la Conferencia de Obispos de los Estados Unidos para traer a nuestra conciencia este renacimiento eucarístico. Para hacer conciencia y creencia que radique nuestra vida, en la presencia real de Jesús en la Eucaristía. Si no creemos en la presencia de Jesús en la Eucaristía, Su cuerpo, alma y divinidad, no estamos viviendo nuestra fe al máximo y nos volvemos menos receptivos al servicio y al amor. No podemos ofrecer lo que no tenemos. Los invitamos, a partir del 4 de Agosto, a una serie de sesiones de 2 a 3:30 p.m. Para ayudarlos y enseñarlos más sobre la Misa. Tomen un boletín para más detalles sobre horarios.

Estamos en el Decimoséptimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario. Nuestras lecturas de hoy hablan de la providencia de Dios. La primera lectura del segundo libro de los Reyes nos habla de Eliseo, un hombre santo que visitaba frecuentemente a una mujer, el le prometió que sería bendecida con un hijo, por su generosidad cuando él visitaba su casa. Desafortunadamente, Eliseo regresó en un tiempo de depresión y sequía. Dio de comer al pueblo, “cuando terminaron de comer, sobró un poco” (v. 43).

En la segunda lectura de hoy, San Pablo nos insta a “vivir de una manera digna del llamado que hemos recibido”. Este es el mismo llamado que recibimos en nuestro bautismo, y esperamos que a través de nuestra renovación de mente y corazón, vivamos con humildad, mansedumbre y amor.

En el evangelio de hoy, escuchamos el milagro de Jesús de la multiplicación de los panes. En los evangelios de los tres próximos domingos, escucharemos el discurso de Jesús sobre el Pan de Vida. Jesús en la Eucaristía, para alimentarnos, siendo familiar con el don de Dios al pueblo elegido, el don permanente del maná en el Antiguo Testamento.

El evangelio de hoy tomado de San Juan habla de la multiplicación de los panes. Jesús al ver la gran multitud que lo seguía, consciente del hambre que tenían y de la intención de escucharlo hablar, se preocupó de cómo los alimentaría. Entendamos mejor el relato de este evangelio.

Primero, Jesús le preguntó a Felipe dónde podrían comprar suficiente comida para alimentar a todos. Con la ayuda de Andrés, encontró a un niño con cinco panes de cebada y dos peces, pero no era suficiente para todos. Este momento de enseñanza de Cristo enfatiza la compasión y la generosidad, poner un poco de lo que tenemos, Jesús lo transforma en abundancia infinita para lo que realmente necesitamos. Jesús ha realizado un milagro genuino al multiplicar los panes y los dos peces. Jesús también nos enseña a amarnos y a tener fe en los demás. El compartir la escasa comida que tenemos, nuestras propias necesidades siempre estarán satisfechas.

En segundo lugar, “Jesús tomó los panes, dio gracias y los repartió a los que estaban recostados” (v. 11). Cinco mil personas se saciaron de pan y pescado y con los pedazos que sobraron de los cinco panes llenaron doce canastos. Esto es una señal de abundancia; por eso la gente lo quería como rey porque Jesús respondió a su hambre corporal, porque estaban satisfechos. Jesús conocía sus intenciones, así que se retiró para permitirles buscar con fe, no por su experiencia de ser satisfechos físicamente de alimento, sino guiándolos a aceptar y seguir a Jesús, el Mesías.

En tercer lugar, nuestra experiencia y encuentro con Jesús en nuestra vida diaria, abre significativamente nuestros corazones y mentes, para entender que los signos y sacramentos de Su presencia amorosa son esenciales para tomar una decisión profunda, no buscar un Rey sino un Salvador amoroso.

Se revela en las escrituras tanto del Antiguo como del Nuevo Testamento que la Eucaristía está prefigurada en la primera lectura de 2 Reyes 4:42-44 y Juan 6:1-15 que Dios provee alimento para nuestro viaje al cielo. Como sacerdote, elegido y permitiendo que mis manos consagren las hostias y el vino, en la transubstanciación, en el verdadero Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo, es el regalo más grande que Dios gentilmente me capacita para acercar a Jesús a ustedes. Humildemente siento la presencia eucarística de Jesús con tan grandes bendiciones de fe y la fe de toda la comunidad a la que estoy ministrando. Durante la consagración, soy su siervo, inclinando profundamente mi cabeza y mis dos brazos pegados al altar es un gesto que necesito para apoyarme en Cristo, el altar, el centro y el actor principal de nuestra celebración.

Aparentemente, para algunos puede ser imposible pensar en la realidad de la presencia de Jesús en la Eucaristía, sin embargo, es un acto de fe creer en Jesús. Puede parecer muy poco para exigirnos, pero requiere humildad para comprender a Jesús que optó por estar presente en el simple pan y vino, así como el Padre, que creó todo, optó por vivir con nosotros en carne humana a través de su Hijo encarnado, Jesucristo. Hoy, necesitamos darnos cuenta de que el Dios todopoderoso nos ha dado una abundancia de Sí mismo.

Que sigamos viviendo como personas eucarísticas. Cuanto más amorosos seamos, más desearemos poder servir a las personas marginadas de nuestra sociedad, llevando esperanza, paz, amor y justicia mientras todos reclamamos la realidad de la presencia de Dios y su Reino aquí en la tierra.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlon, osa

• 1 Corinthians 12:2-11
• Luke 18:9-14

Today is the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, the last Sunday in the month of July.  On July 17 to 21, 2024, there was the biggest gathering of Catholics, more than 50 thousand people, who participated in the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana. There were many activities, like catechesis on the eucharist, adoration and masses during the whole congress.  It drew so many Catholics with much renewed love and faith for the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the summit of our Christian life.  The conclusion of the Eucharistic Revival in the United States made an impressive effect on the hearts of the young families, manifesting notable change in the way they accept and perceive God in their lives.  There is such dynamic and renewed spiritual fervor.  Our beloved bishops don’t want us to have a lethargic faith and be easily lost in our encounter with God.

St. Paul, who labored much in his ministry, did not want the Corinthians to be led astray.   This is the clear message of the epistle we heard today.  St. Paul wants Christians to know that in their previous experience as pagans they may have poorly understood the realities concerning spiritual gifts.  St. Paul reminds Christians that so-called inspired utterances are not necessarily inspired by the Holy Spirit. There may be people claiming to be speaking from the Holy Spirit, but that does not mean that they really are.  St. Paul uses an illustration on this issue; thus a person who is speaking from the Holy Spirit is going to only speak the truth, and no one who is speaking from the Holy Spirit will speak false things.  These gifts are not for self-indulgence but for the community of Christ. These gifts were used to serve others and not to serve oneself. These gifts were not to be signs of spiritual achievement and prowess, but an outflow of God’s grace.  What we see in the religious world today is that many try to claim to have spiritual gifts to draw attention to themselves.

The most important thing to comprehend is that St. Paul does not merely say that God gives the gift, but rather empowers the gift to manifest that He is the one doing the work.  God is the one who makes the gift work.  The primary actor is God who activates or starts the gift to work because no person has the ability to exercise the gift by their own power.

Today’s gospel from the evangelist Luke narrates to us a parable about two men who went to the temple to pray; a pharisee and a tax collector called a publican.  Let us reflect on how they conduct themselves before the eyes of God.

First, the pharisee prayed with so much praise for himself…”O God, I give Thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers…fasting twice and pay taxes of all that I possess.” His style of prayer centers on himself, rather than God being the focus of praise and exaltation/adoration.  That was not a prayer at all.  Sometimes we have the same attitude like Catholics who are regular and visible in the church every Sunday, and we can sometimes feel superior to those who are not regular churchgoers or to those who do not belong to our faith, slowly trying to fix their immoral lives.  We always think that we are God’s favored children because we think we are observant of the rules compared to the sinful and despicable outsiders.    

Second, the tax collector feeling unworthy and standing from afar uttered this prayer, “O God be merciful to me a sinner.”   He accepted being a sinner aside from being regarded as public sinners.  He knows and acknowledges his sinfulness with sincerity of heart.  He is resigned completely to the mercy of God.  He did not compare himself to anyone else or even judge others, but himself.  This prayer is totally accepted by God, who is merciful to sinners, because the reason He came on earth was for sinners and not for the righteous people.

There are many people I have encountered and observed who, with their generosity of time, talent and treasure, are here, praying sincerely and lifting everything up to God.  They are quiet workers, and their prayer is an expression of their total dependence on and submission to God.  I believe that there is nothing that we can offer to Him which God has already offered everything from the beginning. What has been required is our effort to return to Him, as sinners, with our love and gratitude by being kind, generous, and forgiving to people. We follow the way of Jesus who wants us to act charitably to compensate our great debt for God’s goodness, mercy and love.  Like the publican “he went down to his house justified.”

Third, Jesus concludes saying, “Everyone that exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.”  We must genuinely humble ourselves before God and others.  We need God to forgive us.  Nobody can be proud of himself in front of God.   

In conclusion, our understanding about this gospel pericope implies that Jesus wants to teach the importance of praying with the right attitude and humility. This parable is aimed at those who think they are very righteous and look down on others.  This shouldn’t be the case.  We must always please God. 

I believe that God empowered us with spiritual gifts, whatever they are that we are gifted, to dispense them according to His divine will.  May it be gifts of healing, prophesy, discerning of spirits or gifts of understanding and diverse kinds of tongues, and may we always put them in the service of the community and free oneself from temptation of being selfish and proud.  We are all but just instruments of God.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon. osa

• Jeremiah 23:1-6
• Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5,6
• Ephesians 2:13-18
• Mark 6:30-34

Today, we celebrate the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.  I remember when God called me to the priesthood. I entered the seminary and studied classical Philosophy and Theology.  Three years after ordination, I was sent to the mission in Korea.  Being a religious priest, I retrospect that God’s calling precedes over other plans.  Before entering religious life, I had personal plans of my parents’ desire for me to follow their footsteps being educators; however, those choices did not happen.  God, who called, had given me the gift of vocation.  Nothing hinders me, and instead I obediently abide by what God wanted me to be.  

In our first reading for today, Jeremiah is feeling neither patient nor compassionate, but he has a certain anger with the religious leaders of Israel at that time. They have been perverting authority into power and self-serving rather than servant caring. They have been accumulating prestige rather than genuine service for the people. They have been driving their flock away while establishing their little kingdoms.  However, Jeremiah is hopeful that God will appoint a true shepherd, a true leader who will lead and feed their flocks to protect them.  If we think of this prophesy, it points towards the promise of God to send a “Shepherd-King,” pointing to Jesus, coming from the linage of David.  The coming of Jesus, the Messiah, was not as a political king but a leader who has been crucified and is raised from the dead. 

The second reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians reminds them of their salvation brought by Jesus Christ which manifests God’s love for them.  It was God’s desire to fulfill this eternal plan of salvation.  His heart is not to abandon anyone, but to let them know that they are His adopted children, not only the Ephesians, but all of us. God chose us and so we must freely give praise of His glorious grace because we too have been purchased by His blood.   We too are His chosen children.

In today’s gospel, Jesus is aware about the condition of His disciples after a long day of work. Jesus invited them to a deserted place to relax and for them to have their fill.  I suspect that they were hungry because they had been doing healings and teachings.  However, the crowds followed them, and that place was not deserted any longer.  

When we hear this gospel of Mark, we realize that Jesus is acting like a shepherd when his twelve apostles return from their first mission.  He invited them to practice their Jewish tradition to rest as they participate in the work of a creating and redeeming Lord.  We need to be cautious of some important aspects of mission when we reflect on this gospel.

First, Jesus says, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest for awhile.”  These words of Jesus are not just about showing pity on them, but His heart was deeply touched because the disciples were tired so they needed a good rest.  His dapostles directly gazing at Him straight into His eyes.  Jesus knows the apostles’ needs and the crowd’s needs which are totally different in terms of their hunger.  When we come to Jesus, we need to be assured that He knows everything, even from the recesses of our hearts.  We too, like the apostles, humbly gaze into His eyes, through which radiates the light of His love and compassion.

Second, “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd….”   Certainly, Jesus is receptive to respond and assume His role as their Shepherd.  The first thing that the shepherd does is to feed his flock, to tend and to lead his sheep and teach them.  Since Jesus’ sheep are human beings, He assumes leadership, which is expressed in His commitment to teach and to be an example to establish a loving relationship with God and others.

Third, “Jesus began to teach them many things.” (v.34) He taught His disciples to do the task He himself is doing and to continue doing His mission of healing, expelling demons and reconciliation.  They were to trust solely on God’s providence.  He assured them that those to whom they preached would provide them with the necessities of life.  We trust in your support, love and generosity.

Is our teaching an act of shepherding?   Sheep are precious and the shepherds are important in God’s flock.  You are our sheep, searching for nourishment and for some wandering around, but as your shepherd we lead you towards Jesus, our true and loving Good Shepherd, who embraces all who seek healing and wisdom.

There is comfort and inspiration to meditate on these readings; however, we pray to God to search always the wisdom of Jesus’ ways, rather than to make more bad choices in life.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Decimosexto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año B

• Jeremías 23:1-6
• Salmo 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
• Efesios 2:13-18
• Marcos 6:30-34

Hoy celebramos el Decimosexto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B.  

Cuando Dios me llamó al sacerdocio, entré al seminario y estudié Filosofía y Teología clásicas. Tres años después de mi ordenación, me enviaron de misionero a Corea. Como sacerdote religioso pienso en retrospectiva, que el llamado de Dios precede a otros planes. Antes de entrar a la vida religiosa, tenía planes personales y mis padres también tenían sus planes para mi futuro. Saben, mis padres eran maestros y ellos querían que siguiera sus pasos como educador. El llamado de Dios para mí era diferente, El me llamo a el Sacerdocio. No me molesta, al contrario, cumplo obedientemente la voluntad de Dios. 

En nuestra primera lectura de hoy, Jeremías no se siente;paciente, ni compasivo, tiene cierto enojo con los líderes religiosos de Israel. Habían estado pervirtiendo la autoridadacumulando riquezas, prestigio, aprovechándose del poder de su posición, eran egoístas en lugar de proveer un servicio genuino al pueblo. Habían estado ahuyentando a su rebaño mientras establecían sus pequeños reinos. Sin embargo, Jeremías tiene la esperanza de que Dios nombrará un verdadero pastor, un verdadero líder que guiará y alimentará a su rebaño para protegerlo. Si pensamos en esta profecía, apunta hacia la promesa de Dios de enviar un “Rey-Pastor”, señalando a Jesús, proveniente del linaje de David. La venida de Jesús, el Mesías, no es un rey político sino un líder que sería crucificado y resucitado de entre los muertos. 

La segunda lectura tomada de la carta de San Pablo a los Efesios les recuerda la salvación que les trajo Jesucristo, que manifiesta el amor de Dios por ellos. Dios desea cumplir este plan eterno de salvación. Su corazón no es abandonar a nadie sino hacerles saber que son sus hijos adoptivos. No sólo a los efesios sino a todos nosotros, Dios nos escogió y por eso debemos alabar libremente su gloria, porque nosotros también hemos sido liberados por su sangre. Nosotros también somos sus hijos elegidos. 

En el evangelio de hoy, Jesús es consciente del estado de sus discípulos después de una larga jornada de trabajo, sanando y enseñando al rebaño. Jesús los invitó a un lugar desierto para relajarse y comer. Sin embargo, la multitud los siguió, y aquel lugar ya no quedó desierto.

Cuando escuchamos este evangelio de Marcos, nos damos cuenta de que Jesús es un pastor y cuando sus doce apóstoles regresan de su primera misión, los invitó a practicar su tradición judía para descansar mientras participaban en la obra de crear y redimir al Señor. Necesitamos ser cautelosos con algunos aspectos importantes de la misión que reflejamos en este evangelio. 

Primero, Jesús dice: “Vengan ustedes solos a un lugar desierto y descansen un poco”. Estas palabras de Jesús no se refieren sólo a mostrar compasión por ellos, sino que se conmovió decorazón, profundamente conmovido porque los discípulos lo miraban directamente a los ojos. Jesús sabe lo que necesitan los apóstoles y las necesidades de la multitud, que son diferentes según su hambre. Cuando venimos a Jesús, debemos estar seguros de que Él lo sabe todo, incluso lo más profundo de nuestro corazón. Nosotros, como los apóstoles, miramos humildemente a sus ojos, a través de los cuales irradia la luz de su amor y compasión. 

Segundo, “Cuando desembarcó y vio la gran multitud, su corazón se compadeció de ellos, porque eran como ovejas sin pastor. . .” Ciertamente, Jesús es receptivo a responder y asume su papel de Pastor. Lo primero que hace el pastor es alimentar a su rebaño, cuidar y guiar a sus ovejas y enseñarles, las ovejas de Jesús son seres humanos, Él asume el liderazgo, que se expresa en su compromiso de enseñar y ser ejemplo para establecer una relación de amor con Dios y con los demás. 

En tercer lugar, “Jesús comenzó a enseñarles muchas cosas”. (v.34) Enseñó a Sus discípulos a hacer la tarea que Él está haciendo y continuar cumpliendo Su misión de sanación, expulsión de demonios y reconciliación. Debían confiar únicamente en la providencia de Dios. Les aseguró que aquellos a quienes predicaran les proporcionarían las necesidades de la vida. Confiamos en su apoyo, amor y generosidad. 

¿Es nuestra enseñanza un acto de pastoreo? Las ovejas son preciosas y los pastores son importantes en el rebaño de Dios.Ustedes son nuestras ovejas, que buscan alimento y dirección,como su pastor las guiamos hacia Jesús, nuestro verdadero y amoroso Buen Pastor, que abraza a todos en busca de sanacióny sabiduría.

Hay consuelo e inspiración para meditar en estas lecturas, sin embargo, tenemos que orar y pedir a Dios que nos de sabiduría para estar en el camino con Jesús, en lugar de tomar más malas decisiones en la vida. 

Dios los bendiga. 

P. Arlón, osa

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

 We are on the 9th Sunday after Pentecost.  The collect today says, “Behold God is my helper, and the Lord is the protector of my soul turn back the evils upon my enemies, and cut them off in Thy truth, O Lord my protector.” 

In today’s epistle, taken from the first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul sent a stern warning to them because they coveted evil things. They were idolaters and some of them committed fornication and grumbling.  The Corinthians fell into sinful behaviors.  They forgot the wonders of God leading the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, saving them from destruction and giving them provisions in their journey to the promised land.  Nevertheless, they were unhappy and complained that they found themselves into the dessert. 

This is the great temptation when people seem ungrateful, knowing God has been journeying with them through all those years, yet many were not aware of His presence. Because of this, they were “destroyed by the destroyer” (1 Cor 10:10).

We are simply in the same status, with problems, trials, gossip, misery and trouble we experience here on earth, and yet we cannot acknowledge God’s presence and faithfulness for this and because of pain we doubt that heaven is not during this life or here and now, but in a distant future.  When we have that spiritual failure to recognize God’s guiding hands and when we experience financial difficulty, physical sickness, immorality and life’s failures, then where is God, who brings us through all these?  God is faithful no matter what.  I believe that all our temptations and sufferings are under God’s control and personal involvement.  Whatever happens to us, He is our Helper and Protector, He certainly will see us through it because of His absolute love.

It is absolute that God will never give us anything that is difficult beyond what we can handle.  God knows how much pressure we can take.  Just like what happened to Job in the scripture, where he was drained and exhausted but never faltered to grow in the trust in faith in God.  Sometimes God will stretch us to the limit but not beyond our ability to bear.

In today’s gospel taken from the evangelist Luke, he narrates to us about “Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, seeing the city, He wept over,” because the people did not know the time of God’s visitation.  He began to drive out the merchants’ selling animals for the coming sacrifice at the coming Passover celebration.  It was the time when Jesus showed his indignation towards the abuses of the people by not respecting the “House of Prayer.”  Jesus says, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of thieves.” 

How do we understand this verse?  It is the profaning of the temple.  The term “house of prayer” simply means a place of worship, encompassing the things we do here at the Holy Spirit Mission Church where we solely dedicate this to celebrate confession, to gather to worship together by reading scriptures and celebrating other sacraments, in particular the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. 

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, reminds us about His cleansing of the Temple from those who have made it a den of thieves, which I think sounds familiar when we become disrespectful of God’s Holy House.  We are here to experience the so called “Magnum Silencium;” that is afforded to the solemn celebration of the Latin Mass.  

Many people, especially the young adults and young couples, are attracted to this most sacred and solemn act of divine worship.  There is a unique supernatural continuity between the worship and adoration of God in the olden times and worship of God in the traditional liturgy of the Catholic Church.  The Church gives us precise instructions on how God wishes to be worshipped.  The sacrifice of the Mass is not something we create based on our personal wishes and desires, but this has been done to a precise set of norms and regulations, handed on from time immemorial.

Let us make every mass an experience of love and true worship of God manifesting our heart, mind and soul perfectly in unison with the Divine presence.  The task to create total silence during consecration may be humanly impossible because of the noise created by toddlers or young children; however, parents must be sensitive to others.  Maybe when your children are with you, you may occupy seats at the extension side of our church for an easy way to control their involuntary crying and whining.  You can do this with your loving discipline and with the help of God’s grace.  I love little children to be in the church for me to bless them and for them to be acquainted with the mass.  I have seen many of your children coming for communion at a young age who are adorable and beautiful.  They are angels worthy to affirm that they are truly loved by God.

I do believe that Jesus will restore the right and authentic way of worship. He guaranteed us that He will be with us until the end of time. He will rebuild His holy temple, for God is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, that we might worship together in peace and tranquility despite all the attacks of evil. 

May our Catholic faith and prayers wipe out these operations of evil to attack the solemnity and integrity of the Extraordinary Form of the mass.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, OSA

• Amos 7:12-15
• Psalm 85:9-10, 11-14
• Ephesians 1:3-14
• Mark 6:7-13

This is my second week here in the Cathedral, and I am happy that everyone has welcomed me to my new home.  I would like to express my gratitude for all the things you do to make this community fully alive for the glory of God.  This Cathedral building was built in 1907.  I heard that this building caught fire and was renovated, and the stained-glass windows are presently having a retrofitting to protect them from further damage. 

The first reading today narrates to us the humble beginning of Amos, who was a shepherd and a trimmer of trees.  Amaziah, the High Priest of the King, told him that he needs to get out from the kingdom because people didn’t need his prophecies.  Amos was telling his visions of the destruction of the kingdom if it won’t heed his call for change.  It was God who told Amos to speak so that His voice may be heard by the people of God.   Obviously, our loving God cared for His people, who were indulgent, unjust and sinners, but never heed Amos’ disturbing warnings.

The second reading, taken from the book of St. Paul to the Ephesians, is something that comforts us today where St. Paul writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.”  Indeed, God continues to attend to our needs and in listening to these words we are filled with awe and wonder, for God does bless us!

Today’s gospel from St. Mark narrates to us the sending of Jesus’ disciples to do mission works.  They received a mission which means “sending” in a Latin word which connotes doing good with instructions about how they shall go about it. Let us be aware of the disciples’ experience!

First, “Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and give them authority over unclean spirits.” (v. 7) The significance of sending them by two’s is to take care of each other, in times of danger as they journey together from one place to another and for them to become a witness to what they have accomplished with validity and trustworthiness.  As they have seen the works and personality of Jesus, they too want to share it with others. They are given instructions on what to do according to the style of their Master, Jesus.  

Second, Jesus instructed them.  It means that receiving instructions is not about how they would handle themselves as being sent, but they focused on the assurance that God, who sends them, will satisfy their needs out of His fidelity to His promise that He would walk and journey with them.  We too must always be dependent upon God as to be inspired on what to speak from our hearts.

Third, “wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.  Whatever a place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.”  The disciples of Jesus leave comforting words, miraculous healings and live the Goodnews as they boldly preached the revelation of God.  They reach out and touch the needs of others, however aware of the challenge, they trusted His words.  When humiliated and rejected, they shake the dust off as their gesture in testimony against the people.  This is not a sign demonstrating a curse or ill-will, but to give the people a warning and a reminder of God’s visitation being outrightly rejected.

We are called and sent by God.  We are itinerant missionary and thus, open for the grace of mobility.  When we come to mass, we do understand that it is both a gathering and a sending event.  Therefore, let us try to respond to this invitation traveling with the disciples and Jesus, our Lord, doing good deeds of healing, purifying and our role to live out this mission from the Lord.  Always enjoy doing the small things for His greater glory!  Like Amos, we must be tellers of the Goodnews and the glory to come according to God’s given vision.  We all know that Jesus was sent to be the “sender”.   This new evangelization scheme of the Church regarding “The Synod of Synodality”, becomes effective if there is first an encounter with Jesus, and as we would be walking, listening and participating in a mission together, there would be the encounter with our people, or community.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

———————

El Dictado del Corazón

Decimoquinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• Amós 7:12-15
• Salmo 85:9-10, 11-14
• Efesios 1:3-14
• Marcos 6:7-13

Es mi segunda semana en Catedral y me siento afortunadopor la calidez y recibimiento de todos mientras me adapto a mi nuevo hogar. Les Expreso mi gratitud al trabajo de quienes hacen que esta comunidad esté plenamente viva para la gloria de Dios. Aprendí que esta catedral fue construida en 1907, se incendió y luego fue renovada. Actualmente se están renovando las vidrieras para protegerlas de daños mayores. 

La primera lectura de hoy nos habla del humilde comienzo de Amós, quien era pastor y podador de árboles. Amasias, el Sumo Sacerdote del Rey, le advirtió que necesitaba salir del reino porque la gente no necesitaba sus profecías. Amós estaba contando sus visiones de la destrucción del reino si no atendía su llamado al cambio. Dios mismo le dijo a Amós que hablara para que su voz fuera escuchada por el pueblo de Dios. A nuestro amoroso Dios le preocupaba su pueblo, que era indulgente, injusto y pecador, pero nunca prestó atención a las inquietantes advertencias de Amós. 

La segunda lectura del libro de San Pablo a los Efesios nos consuela hoy cuando San Pablo escribe: “Bendito sea el Dios y Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que nos ha bendecido en Cristo con toda bendición espiritual en los cielos”. De hecho, Dios continúa atendiendo nuestras necesidades, y al escuchar estas palabras nos llenamos de admiración y asombro, ¡porque Dios nos bendice! 

En el evangelio de hoy, San Marcos narra el envío de los discípulos de Jesús a realizar obras misioneras. Recibieron una misión que significa “enviar” en la palabra latina que connota hacer el bien con instrucciones sobre cómo deben hacerlo. ¡Seamos conscientes de la experiencia de los discípulos! 

Primero, “Jesús llamó a los Doce y comenzó a enviarlos de dos en dos y a darles autoridad sobre los espíritus inmundos”. (v. 7) El significado de enviarlos en dos es cuidarse unos a otros, en momentos de peligro mientras viajan juntos de un lugar a otro y que se conviertan en testigos de lo que han realizado con validez y confiabilidad.Como han visto, las obras y las enseñanzas de Jesús, ellos también quieren compartirlas con los demás. Se les dan instrucciones sobre cómo actuar según el estilo de su Maestro, Jesús. 

En segundo lugar, recibir instrucciones no se trata de cómo se comportarían ellos mismos si fueran enviados. Se centraron en la seguridad de que Dios, quien los envía, satisfará sus necesidades por su fidelidad a su promesa de que caminaría y viajaría con ellos. Nosotros también,debemos depender siempre de Dios para que nos inspire sobre qué hablar desde nuestro corazón. 

En tercer lugar, “dondequiera que entres en una casa, quédate allí hasta que salgas. Cualquier lugar que no os reciba ni os escuche, salid de allí y sacudid el polvo de vuestros pies en testimonio contra ellos”. Los discípulos de Jesús dejaron palabras de consuelo y sanacion milagrosas y vivieron la Buena Nueva mientras predicaban con valentía la revelación de Dios. Se acercan y tocan las necesidades de los demás, aunque, conscientes del desafío, confiaron en Sus palabras. Cuando son humillados y rechazados se sacuden el polvo como gesto de testimonio contra el pueblo. Esta no es una señal que demuestre una maldición o mala voluntad, pero dar al pueblo una advertencia y un recordatorio de la visita de Dios es rotundamente rechazado. 

Somos llamados y enviados por Dios. Somos misioneros itinerantes y por tanto, abiertos a la gracia de la movilidad.Cuando venimos a misa, debemos entender que es tanto un evento de reunión como de envío. Por lo tanto, tratemos de responder a esta invitación viajando con los discípulos y Jesús, nuestro Señor, haciendo buenas obras de curación y purificación, y nuestro papel de vivir esta misión del Señor.¡Disfruta siempre haciendo las pequeñas cosas para Su mayor gloria! Como Amós, debemos ser anunciadores de las Buenas Nuevas y de la gloria venidera según la visión dada por Dios. Todos sabemos que Jesús fue enviado para ser el “enviado”. Este nuevo esquema de evangelización de la Iglesia en torno al “Sínodo de la Sinodalidad”, se hace efectivo si primero hay un encuentro con Jesús. Mientras caminamos, escuchamos y participamos juntos en una misión, se producirá el encuentro con nuestra gente o comunidad. 

Dios los bendiga,

P. Arlón, osa

• Romans 8:12-17
• Luke 16:1-9

This is the 2nd week of the month of July.  On this 8th Sunday after Pentecost, the first epistle from the book of St. Paul to the Romans is what we need to hear.  We all want to belong to Christ and to be part of His faithful disciples.  We want to be with a community where everyone knows everyone and are accepted, respected and happy to see each other every Sunday and where we all consider this community a home, a home where every person is willing to take you in.  This is our deep desire and when it isn’t met, the consequences can be devastating.  We all need to have that yearning of fellowships and friendships.  

We are all children of God who live not according to the flesh or else we die, but rather we live in the Spirit of God, thus we live.   For we don’t receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but we are adopted children of God, calling Him “Abba! Father”!  We too are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, and we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with him. (vv.12-17) St. Paul offers two choices we can make: first, the sinful world of the flesh which ends in death.  This term ‘flesh” encompasses everything associated with mortality, susceptible to decay, to illness, to sin which leads to death as its finality or expiration date. Second, we can be led by the Spirit.  St. Paul says, “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”   Thus, we are given the choice between life and death.  Don’t we want to choose life?  

We need to understand that St. Paul is speaking to the many followers of Christ in Rome.  That is the reason he addressed them as “my brothers and sisters,” which means he is talking to the Church, believers who struggle constantly to live abundantly in Spirit.  We are one with God and others which is the kind of genuine belongingness, not just members of an organization or club, but living in oneness of mind, heart and spirit with God as His children deeply loved, called chosen, and brought into His family, the Church. 

In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples and to us, this parable of the shrewd and cunning steward.  It is true that sometimes it is hard to understand.  This steward was accused by his master of unsound and illicit business practices to the extent that he could not be trusted with small matters.  As a result, he was faced with the loss of his job which also affected his social standing and even his future livelihood.  However, he was quick to take some actions that would sustain his future.  His response was a wise, but shrewd, move. He made friends with those who owed his master.  Not actually cheating, he afforded them the steward’s legitimate share by slashing an amount others owed to the master.  Thinking that by giving them favors, he would gain friends who would welcome him into their homes or possibly get easy employment from those he had forgiven debts that saved them and at the same time benefiting him also by saving face from a ruined reputation and humiliation.   

This parable teaches us to discern well how we deal with difficult conflicts either personal, community or society.  We need to pay attention to what is demanded by God in accordance with His will.  Following God’s will, our behavior must exhibit the goodness and kindness being “Children of Light.”   I believe that as followers of the Lord, it is necessary to do the right thing in life, recognizing by our actions, words and thoughts, the goodness of God in each person.  The parable also exhorts the hearers to be as shrewd in gaining favor with God as the unjust steward was in gaining favor with the master’s debtors. The master, upon finding out about this, commends the trickiness of the servant which he says is prudent.  Of course, we are not measured according to how much we have and possess materially here on earth but by the quality of our love, preoccupied by the Spirit of God in our hearts.  Maybe we would ask; did the steward cheat his master by this reduction, or did he reduce their debt by the exact amount his master was owing the steward? Whatever it was, Jesus wants us to be smart and always prepare for our future with God.   . 

The reading concludes simply: “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Since Jesus equates service of neighbor with service to God, perhaps we can hear Jesus exhorting hearers to serve God in our neighbor rather simply serving mammon.  The word “mammon” refers to selfishness and obsessive material enslavement. 

In conclusion, Jesus is not endorsing any form of financial cheating, but rather the taking advantage of life’s opportunities to choose real and everlasting life.  In Luke’s theology, taking care of the poor and needy is the best opportunity for preparing ourselves for serving God. 

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Ezekiel 2:2-5
• Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 3-4
• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
• Mark 6:1-6

Today, we celebrate the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.  This is my first time to celebrate mass at this Cathedral of Reno.  I have concelebrated with Bishop Calvo and Bishop Mueggenborg for various occasions, but not as the main celebrant.  It is my joy to be assigned at this Cathedral, the seat of the Diocese of Reno.  I am also familiar with your patron saint, St. Thomas Aquinas, because I studied philosophy and theology at the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest University in the Philippines and in Asia.  Thank you for your warm welcome! We will journey in faith together, and please don’t hesitate to approach me. 

This Sunday’s readings focus on how we accept Jesus as the Incarnate God, and how the Holy Spirit works in us as we continue to know ourselves better so that we can relate to each other as members of God’s family.  Oftentimes, we disregard the Lord speaking to us and are not keen to listen to Him, and we become vulnerable.  We rely on our own power. 

The 1st reading from the book of Ezekiel tells us about the rebellious attitude of the people of Israel to whom God sent a prophet to inform them about the Lord’s instruction.  We remember that all prophets must speak on behalf of the Lord God.  For Ezekiel, though difficult, he has to swallow the Word before speaking to his people, meaning to say that a prophet needs to realize that he is a messenger.  It is his job to remind the people sternly that the Lord has a message for their salvation for He is their God.  A prophet has always been inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

In the 2nd reading from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Paul claims that the good Lord says to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for the power is made perfect in weakness.” (v.9) We learn from St. Paul that as we go through our weaknesses, we put constraints on our will which makes us vulnerable; however, the power of the Holy Spirit guards us not to wear us down.  With the spiritual power of Christ, it can make us stronger.  When persecutions, tribulations and weaknesses come, we can certainly take up our cross, for St. Paul taught us saying, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (v.10) 

This is a very clear lesson that we need to reflect on as His disciples, that is, Jesus won’t stop us from receiving trials and sufferings in life.  However, experiencing weaknesses in life, we put everything into God’s hands.  It is a call to humbly submit ourselves, including our weakness; at our lowest point is to experience the absolute power of God. 

The gospel taken from St. Mark narrates to us the story of Christ’s rejection in Nazareth.  We need to open our hearts and minds to seek consolation from this gospel story. 

First, Jesus came to His native place accompanied by His disciples to teach in the synagogue. And “many who heard Him were astonished.”  (v.2) They questioned His authority. Obviously Jesus had experienced continuous rejection which led to His crucifixion and death.   We have been part of that progressive rejection because God intervenes several times in our lives, yet we are tempted to deny, to reject, and to resist the healing we have received to the point of completely forgetting all spiritual blessings from the Lord. 

Second, people asked, “Where did this man get all this?” (v.2) Jesus’ neighbors belittling Him, maybe looking for His credentials or qualifications, and questioning His family and background, being troubled about where He got this wisdom. Jesus, knowing all this, said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place.” (v.4) Jesus’ townsfolk were not interested in listening to Him and knowing that His power and wisdom come from His divine power as the “Son of God.”  Jesus “did not perform mighty deeds there apart from curing sick people.” (v.5) Thus, Jesus leaves His native place, visits other places, and finds people who are much more willing to embrace Him. 

Third, Jesus was “amazed at their lack of faith.” (v.6) The reason why Jesus left His native town was not to manifest indifference or apathy against them, but they failed to recognize God’s visitation and failed to give honor to the person sent by the Father.  Their unbecoming attitude towards Him, meaning their lack of faith, was the reason to depart from them. 

Our attitude is unacceptable to God when we are too self-centered.  There is no room to know the right thing because we focus on ourselves.  We need to do something positive by changing our own views and behavior towards God and others that would bring us to an intimate encounter with Jesus. 

I pray that we, like St. Paul, can learn to accept our human weakness by the power of God.  We believe that with Jesus Christ, we are strong!   Like the Prophet Ezekiel, we have the Holy Spirit to convert us, being a prophetic person in your life, building up our family and community to take to heart the things we heard as gospel truths.  

God bless you.

 Fr. Arlon, OSA

——————————-

El dictado del corazón

Decimocuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año B (7 de julio)

• Ezequiel 2:2-5
• Salmo 123:1-2, 2, 3-4
• 2 Corintios 12:7-10
• Marcos 6:1-6

Hoy celebramos el Decimocuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B. Esta es la primera vez que celebro misa en Catedral de Reno. He colaborado en varias ocasiones con Monseñor Calvo y Monseñor Mueggenborg, pero no como celebrante principal. Es un placer para mí el haber sido asignado a esta Catedral, sede de la Diócesis de Reno. También conozco a su santo patrón, Santo Tomás de Aquino, porque estudié filosofía y teología en la Universidad de Santo Tomás, la universidad más antigua de Filipinas y Asia. ¡Gracias por su cálida bienvenida! Veo caras conocidas, pronto nos estaremos conociendo, caminaremos juntos en la fe y no duden en acercarse a mí. 

Las lecturas de este domingo se centran en cómo aceptamos a Jesús como el Dios encarnado y cómo el Espíritu Santo obra en nosotros, a medida que continuamos conociéndonos mejor a nosotros mismos, para poder relacionarnos unos con otros como miembros de la familia de Dios. A menudo, ignoramos que el Señor nos habla y no estamos dispuestos a escucharlo, y nos volvemos vulnerables confiando en nuestro poder. 

La primera lectura del libro de Ezequiel nos habla de la actitud rebelde del pueblo de Israel, a quien Dios envió un profeta para informarles sobre las instrucción del Señor. Recordamos que todos los profetas deben hablar en nombre del Señor Dios. Para Ezequiel, aunque difícil, tiene que tragarse la Palabra antes de hablar a su pueblo, es decir, que un profeta necesita darse cuenta de que es un mensajero. Su trabajo es recordarle al pueblo con severidad que el Señor tiene un mensaje para su salvación porque Él es su Dios. Un profeta siempre ha sido inspirado por el Espíritu Santo. 

En la segunda lectura de la segunda carta de San Pablo a los Corintios, Pablo afirma que el Dios buen dice: “Te basta mi gracia, porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad”. (v.9) Aprendamos de San Pablo que a medida que atravesamos nuestras debilidades, ponemos limitaciones a nuestra voluntad, lo que nos hace vulnerables; sin embargo, el poder del Espíritu Santo nos guarda para no desgastarnos. Con el poder espiritual de Cristo, puede hacernos más fuertes. Cuando vienen persecuciones, tribulaciones y debilidades, ciertamente podemos tomar nuestra cruz, porque San Pablo nos enseñadiciendo: “Porque cuando soy débil, entonces soy fuerte”. (v.10) 

Esta es una lección muy clara sobre la que debemos reflexionar como discípulos, es decir, Jesús no nos impedirá recibir pruebas y sufrimientos en la vida. Sin embargo, al experimentar debilidades en la vida, ponemos todo en manos de Dios. Es un llamado a someternos humildemente, incluidas nuestras debilidades; en nuestro punto más bajo es experimentar el poder absoluto de Dios. 

El evangelio tomado de San Marcos nos narra la historia del rechazo de Cristo en Nazaret. Necesitamos abrir nuestros corazones y mentes para buscar consuelo en esta historia del evangelio. 

Primero, Jesús vino a su lugar natal acompañado de sus discípulos para enseñar en la sinagoga. Y “muchos de los que le oyeron quedaron asombrados”. (v.2) Cuestionaron Su autoridad. Jesús había experimentado un rechazo continuo que lo llevó a su crucifixión y muerte. Hemos sido parte de ese rechazo progresivo porque Dios interviene varias veces en nuestras vidas, sin embargo, somos tentados a negar, rechazar y resistir la sanación que hemos recibido hasta el punto de olvidar por completo todas las bendiciones espirituales del Señor. 

En segundo lugar, la gente preguntaba: “¿De dónde sacó este hombre todo esto?” (v.2) Los vecinos de Jesús lo menospreciaron, tal vez buscando sus credenciales o calificaciones, y cuestionando a su familia y sus antecedentes, preocupados por saber de dónde sacó esta sabiduría. Jesús, sabiendo todo esto, les dijo: “Un profeta no carece de honor excepto en su lugar de nacimiento”. (v.4) La gente del pueblo de Jesús no estaba interesada en escucharlo y saber que Su poder y sabiduría provienen de Su poder divino como el “Hijo de Dios”. Jesús “no realizó allí milagros aparte de curar a los enfermos”. (v.5) Así, Jesús sale de su lugar natal, visita otros lugares y encuentra personas mucho más dispuestas a abrazarlo. 

En tercer lugar, Jesús estaba “asombrado de su falta de fe”. (v.6) La razón por la que Jesús abandonó su pueblo natal no fue para manifestar indiferencia o apatía hacia ellos, sino porque no reconocieron la visita de Dios y no dieron honor a la persona enviada por el Padre. Su actitud impropia hacia Él, es decir, su falta de fe, fue la razón para apartarse de ellos. 

Nuestra actitud es inaceptable para Dios cuando somos demasiado egocéntricos. No hay lugar para saber lo correcto porque nos centramos en nosotros mismos. Necesitamos hacer algo positivo cambiando nuestros puntos de vista y comportamiento hacia Dios y los demás que nos lleven a un encuentro íntimo con Jesús. 

Ruego para que nosotros, como San Pablo, podamos aprender a aceptar nuestra debilidad humana por el poder de Dios. ¡Creemos que con Jesucristo somos fuertes! Al igual que el profeta Ezequiel, tenemos el Espíritu Santo para convertirnos, ser personas proféticas en nuestras vidas, edificar a nuestrasfamilias y comunidad para tomar en serio las cosas que escuchamos como verdades del evangelio. 

Dios los bendiga. 

P. Arlón, osa

• Romans 6:19-23
• Matthew 7:15-21

Today is the 7th Sunday after Pentecost.  I moved to St. Thomas Cathedral on July 1st.  This is my first week to assume my new assignment and to continue my ministerial work here at Holy Spirit Mission celebrating the Extraordinary Form Mass.  Fr. Paul McCollum, the Vicar for the Clergy, puts it, “Fr. Arlon, that is a life of a missionary.”   Indeed, this is the way a missionary lives and operates. 

Today’s epistle and gospel present to us many things to ponder in order to experience the divine encounter and to reap spiritual benefits that lead us to holiness. 

The epistle, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, reminds us of our slavery to impurity and sins from our constant alliance with the wicked one, the devil, who led us to death.  St. Paul stressed offering ourselves to righteousness, leading to holiness and salvation.  So, in Christ Jesus, we have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God.  St. Paul is not condoning slavery per se, but rather Paul encourages us to “remain to God by offering ourselves up to Him.”  Either we must serve sin, or we must serve God, for there is no neutrality.  This has been St. Paul’s conviction and advice for us.  We pray. “Lord, I offer up my life to You to do as You desire.”  We sustain our relationships with God through faith and our enduring love.   

We must choose to live in holiness.  Holiness is an inner state characterized by conformity to the will and character of God.  St. Augustine teaches that the practice of outward godliness is the product of inward godliness; that is, our interior life filled with goodness and the right things which bring a person along the pathway of spiritual growth.   St. Paul again says, “you have fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting.”  Thus, “eternal life” refers to the fruit of a holy and godly life from which we derive our fellowship with God and others.  Our faith expression is not only personal, but communal, for we are brothers and sisters in God’s family we all profess. 

The gospel today speaks about false prophets.  Jesus cautioned us about the existence of so many people claiming to be prophets in our midst.  Our good Lord admonishes His disciples to avoid these “ravenous wolves” who “come in sheep’s clothing.”   Let us again focus on how we would understand this gospel passage. 

First, in Jesus’ days on earth, there were false prophets who existed across the land leading confused souls astray.  Their existence persists even in this modern time. I do understand the danger because no one knows the heart of another.  They believed to be shepherds, but on whose authority had they received it? Some groups printed their version of the bible, maybe giving them the authority to interpret it.   Clearly, we must be vigilant and use all our given faculties to identify them by their frauds, fakes, and make-believe prosperity gospel, claiming a religion through their promise of giving the “best life now.” 

They fascinate their victims with soothing assurances that God wants them to glow as a rosy type of person, encouraging them to put their monies into their congregation and smiling all the way to the bank on a daily basis.  All they do is encourage them to believe that they have a divine spark within them.  Pledges and gifts are also accepted, whether by cash or check or, for the convenience of those huge numbers watching on television, taking advantage of the use of their credit cards.  Millions of dollars are collected by their preaching perverted scriptures which their congregation fails to see because most of these people are busy trying to manage their daily existence.  There is no preaching about equality and proportion. 

Second, Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits.”  People simply get caught up with therapy and psychoanalysis preaching but having nothing to do with Jesus as a savior. Their mission is to repair damaged self-esteem.  They appear fanatical in their preaching with the guise of “relevance” in the need of the people to feel better for the moment, but not making people connect to Jesus to be reconciled and to seek salvation from Him.  This is the so called “Christless Christianity.”  Where there is no Christ crucified on the cross, there is no true Church. 

Third, these false prophets offer an express lane to heaven that mentions no sin, no guilt, and no encounter with Christ at His cross.  Imagine how many people are persuaded by appealing to their weakest point and attacking on the emotional baggage of these unchurched people. I pity them because they have a confused concept of the Bible, taken out of context and taken piece by piece to make them feel good, but unfortunately taken from the Sunday sermon they go back to being the same old person. Their doctrine of deceit becomes an avenue of this convenient salvation that demands no embracing of the Savior, no confession, no repentance, but merely blind obedience. 

Brothers and sisters, we have been transformed and become fruitful in our lives through our Lord Jesus Christ as evidence of His presence in the Words and the Sacraments, specifically in the celebration of the Eucharist.  This is the fact that we are truly blessed by His grace and gift of salvation in the truest sense of spiritual realm.  We are genuinely identified with hearts that have been redeemed by the love and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

When we feel that salvation arrives when we are filled with encouraging words, spiritual guidance, and an assurance that God has provided a route to eternal bliss, then we proclaim His death on the cross and profess His resurrection until He comes again.  No cross, no salvation.  No salvation, no discipleship.  Where there is no discipleship, the Bible is not being preached.  Those deceived souls would not encounter Jesus, the source of Salvation.  God intends that you and I are sinners in desperate need of salvation thru the grace and mercy that is in Jesus and not from those false prophets of our times.  

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa