Month: August 2024

• 1 Kings 19:4-8
• Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
• Ephesians 4:30-5:2
• John 6:41-51

Today is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. For three consecutive Sunday readings, we are given an opportunity to reflect and have a better understanding of the teaching of Jesus Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, which is further explained by the Holy Catholic Church with her teaching authority. The Eucharist is an eternal offering of the gift of Jesus’ flesh and blood for our provision and nourishment on our journey to eternal life.

The first reading from the first book of Kings narrates to us the empowering of the Prophet Elijah, who was appointed by God to bring order and a clear message to the disobedient people of Israel. Their unfaithfulness is obviously prevailing during their journey as the chosen people. Elijah was so devastated that he asked for death, but instead God reaches him through an angel. He was encouraged to live, eat and continue his mission and journey with the people he ministered. Elijah was touched by him and cared for him so much that he moved on, knowing his life must go on.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a desolate situation where we have given up on our life continuing. Amid difficulties, we give in to frustrations, like Elijah, with no hope and no energy to live because we are lonely and anxious about life. However, we neglect to see around us that the divine presence manifests amongst those who love and care for us. We are not alone, for God journeys with us to feed our troubled spirit. It is encouraging to take our moment to know how God loves us and offers Himself to us.

In the second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, St. Paul warns against the people’s attitude, “bitterness, fury, anger, shouting and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.” This is the mark of being Children of God, bearers of the “fragrant aroma” offered by Jesus’ sacrifice and love. Let us forgive and be compassionate to each other just as “God has forgiven you in Christ Jesus according to St. Paul.

In today’s gospel taken from St. John, Jesus is revealing Himself as the Way to the Father by close affinity, oneness to the Father, and the promise of eternal life for those who believe in Him as the Bread of Life. Chapter 6 of John’s gospel centers around Jesus’ words about His being from God and His being nourishment for eternal life. There are three important utterances of His words we need to reflect on.

First, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life that came down from heaven.” This is the beginning of murmuring because they cannot accept His words. They have witnessed the event when they were in the wilderness, and God provided them manna from heaven. God embraced them and showed loving kindness towards them, and yet they have a short memory of the event when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish of which they themselves have partaken.

In the Eucharist which we celebrate today, we are aware of God sustaining, nourishing, teaching and drawing us closer to Him, our great provider. Every day of our life, God reaches out to us..

Second, Jesus says, “Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from Him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God, he has seen the Father.” True knowledge and intimacy with God is an experience of an intimate relationship with Jesus. If we want to learn from Jesus, let us draw near Him through righteousness and purity of hearts. In Proverbs 3:32, “For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.” Jesus is, indeed, the model of intimacy with God because He and the Father are one. (John 10:30) So, Jesus goes on to teach them and by listening to Him, God is teaching them, but unfortunately, some will not see the signs and hear the word for they refuse to eat the bread which comes down from heaven in a similar way.

Third, Jesus says, “Whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life…and that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” Obviously, some people can’t accept and believe in Jesus being the “Bread of Life.” More so, Jesus as the Bread comes down from heaven and offers eternal life. There was a great debate when people heard Jesus’ words. However, there is a clearer path to understanding, that is to accept or take into one’s life the person and life of Jesus.

Personally, believing in the Eucharistic Real Presence is an issue within us to believe in Jesus and to come forward to receive Him. Our comfort is more than our receiving the Eucharist, but that we have taken Him into our hearts and allowed ourselves to be touched by His real presence. Elijah moaned, “This is enough, O Lord! Take my life,” Jesus says to us, “I am enough! You take my life, eat it all, live it all and you will be already living the eternal life I came and come to share.”

May God bless us with His Eucharistic presence! Psalm 34 reminds us, “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Decimonoveno Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• 1 Reyes 19:4-8
• Salmo 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
• Efesios 4:30-5:2
• Juan 6:41-51

Hoy es el Decimonoveno Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B. Durante tres lecturas dominicales consecutivas, se nos permite reflexionar y comprender mejor la enseñanza de la presencia real de Jesucristo en la Eucaristía, que la Santa Iglesia Católica explica con más detalle con su autoridad docente. La Eucaristía es una ofrenda eterna del don de la carne y la sangre de Jesús para nuestra provisión y alimento en nuestro viaje hacia la vida eterna.

La primera lectura del primer libro de los Reyes nos narra el empoderamiento del profeta Elías, quien fue designado por Dios para traer orden y un mensaje claro al pueblo desobediente de Israel. Su infidelidad prevalece durante su camino como pueblo elegido. Elías estaba tan devastado que pidió la muerte, pero en cambio, Dios lo alcanzó a través de un ángel. Se le animó a vivir, comer y continuar su misión y su camino con el pueblo al que ministraba. Elías se sintió tocado y se preocupó tanto por él que siguió adelante, sabiendo que su vida debía continuar.

A veces nos encontramos en una situación desoladora en la que hemos renunciado a que nuestra vida continúe. En medio de las dificultades, cedemos a las frustraciones, como Elías, sin esperanza y sin energía para vivir porque estamos solos y ansiosos por la vida. Sin embargo, descuidamos ver a nuestro alrededor que la presencia divina se manifiesta entre quienes nos aman y cuidan. No estamos solos, porque Dios camina con nosotros para alimentar nuestro espíritu atribulado. Es alentador tomarnos un momento para saber cómo Dios nos ama y se ofrece a nosotros.

En la segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Efesios, San Pablo advierte contra la actitud de la gente: “Apártense de ustedes la amargura, la ira, la furia, los gritos y las injurias, junto con toda malicia”. Esta es la marca de ser hijos de Dios, portadores del “fragante aroma” ofrecido por el sacrificio y el amor de Jesús. Perdonémonos y seamos compasivos unos con otros, así como “Dios los ha perdonado en Cristo Jesús según San Pablo”.

En el evangelio de hoy tomado de San Juan, Jesús se revela como el Camino al Padre por la estrecha afinidad, la unidad con el Padre y la promesa de vida eterna para aquellos que creen en Él como el Pan de Vida. El capítulo seis del evangelio de Juan se centra en las palabras de Jesús acerca de que Él viene de Dios y es alimento para la vida eterna. Hay tres declaraciones importantes de Sus palabras en las que debemos reflexionar.

Primero, Jesús dice: “Yo soy el pan de vida que descendió del cielo”. Este es el comienzo de la murmuración porque no pueden aceptar Sus palabras. Fueron testigos del evento cuando estaban en el desierto, y Dios les proporcionó maná del cielo. Dios los abrazó y les mostró bondad amorosa, y sin embargo tienen un breve recuerdo del evento cuando Jesús multiplicó los panes y los peces de los cuales participaron.

En la Eucaristía que celebramos hoy, somos conscientes de que Dios nos sostiene, nos nutre, nos enseña y nos acerca a Él, nuestro gran proveedor. Todos los días de nuestra vida, Dios se acerca a nosotros.

En segundo lugar, Jesús dice: “Todo el que escucha a mi Padre y aprende de Él viene a mí. No que alguien haya visto al Padre, sino el que viene de Dios, ése ha visto al Padre.” El verdadero conocimiento e intimidad con Dios es una experiencia de una relación íntima con Jesús. Si queremos aprender de Jesús, acerquémonos a Él a través de la rectitud y la pureza de corazón. En Proverbios tres:treinta y dos, “Porque el Señor aborrece a los perversos, pero acoge a los rectos en su confianza.” Jesús es, de hecho, el modelo de intimidad con Dios porque Él y el Padre son uno. (Juan diez:treinta) Entonces, Jesús continúa enseñándoles y al escucharlo, Dios les está enseñando, pero desafortunadamente, algunos no verán las señales ni oirán la palabra porque se niegan a comer el pan que desciende del cielo de manera similar.

En tercer lugar, Jesús dice: “El que cree tiene vida eterna. Yo soy el pan de vida… y lo que daré es mi carne por la vida del mundo.”Algunas personas no pueden aceptar y creer en Jesús como el “Pan de Vida”. Más aún, Jesús como el Pan baja del cielo y ofrece vida eterna. Hubo un gran debate cuando la gente escuchó las palabras de Jesús. Sin embargo, hay un camino más claro para entender, que es aceptar o tomar en la propia vida la persona y vida de Jesús.

Personalmente, creer en la Presencia Real Eucarística es una cuestión dentro de nosotros para creer en Jesús y dar un paso adelante para recibirlo. Nuestro consuelo es más que recibir la Eucaristía, lo hemos tomado en nuestros corazones y nos hemos dejado tocar por Su presencia real. Elías gimió: “¡Esto es suficiente, Señor! Toma mi vida”, nos dice Jesús, “¡Soy suficiente! Toma mi vida, cómela toda, vívela toda y ya estarás viviendo la vida eterna que vine y vengo a compartir”.

¡Que Dios nos bendiga con Su presencia Eucarística! El Salmo treinta y cuatro, nos recuerda: “Prueben y vean la bondad del Señor”. “Alabado sea el Señor.”

Padre Arlon, osa

• 2 Corinthians 3:4-9
• Luke 10:23-37

Today is the 12th Sunday after Pentecost.  St. Augustine always reminds his brothers that as a community living under the law, what is important is to live life under grace.  It is the divine grace from God that truly moves us to conversion, to adhere to God’s will and standards.  God’s grace is a gift, but we absolutely cooperate. In the first epistle today, on the other hand, St. Paul knew so well that the people of Corinth had begun to lose their understanding of the gospel preached by Paul because they began embracing the false message coming from their Jewish influence.  Even though they have received the law, the Torah, they could not transform them because there is nothing that convinces them in order to change their hearts. 

Life is a matter of choice and decision.  It requires us to be truly careful to make choices which we defend solely on wise judgment among good options.  St. Paul says, “Not that we are sufficient to think anything of ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God.”  This is to prove that we are imperfect, which I believe leads us to realize that we need Jesus, the perfect Incarnate Son, being conscious that we have no ability to save ourselves, but rather depending on His mercy and grace utterly suffices the longing of our hearts and spirits to give glory to Him.  When we open up to God’s grace, we find ourselves to be slaves of Christ, like St. Paul, so that we find the confidence to honor God in Jesus Christ. 

When God’s grace has been received by us, we need to be equally gracious with each other.  Our exposure to Christ’s grace, through the Holy Spirit, transforms our lives to no longer live under the power of sinful choices.  Christ always is on a rescue to take us from these discouraging, defeating and distracting situations.  I would say, all these imperfections are made right when we are with Jesus, who stands in the view of a perfect God, in whose image we are all created.  

St. Paul is clear on this matter that we are not enough in ourselves; and only God can fill the void in our hearts and souls.  We are forever alive in Christ; therefore, let us walk in triumph, “for the ministration of justice, aboundeth in glory,” which is through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

The gospel taken from St. Luke narrates to us a parable of Jesus.  Jesus told His disciples, “May your eyes and ears be blessed because many prophets and kings desired to see and hear but did not; therefore, be aware of the promptings of the Holy Spirit.” 

In today’s gospel, Jesus is narrating a story to the disciples and to the listeners who cannot accept the act of goodness performed by the Samaritan having a good heart towards the man who was a victim of robbery. Then a certain lawyer asked, “Master, what must I do to possess eternal life?”  Jesus answered him, “What is written in the law?”  The lawyer remembered, “Shema, Oh Israel, Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind and thy neighbor as thyself.” (Dt. 6:4-5)  Jesus responded, “You answered correctly, this do and you shall live.”

Jesus did a follow up by narrating a parable.  Three men saw a man lying half-dead.  The priest, seeing him, passed by and did nothing to rescue the man.  The next, the Levite, did the same without lifting a finger to aid the man.  Lastly, the Samaritan, seeing the same man, was moved by compassion, helped the man, bound up his wounds and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Only the Samaritan was the one who saw a person, a brother and a neighbor in need of help.  His compassion did not make him think twice or rationalize to qualify the man from being rescued and to be attended.  Even for a person who can be considered a stranger, the Samaritan’s heart went out to show love and compassion.

Jesus never hesitates to say, “Go and be like the Samaritan.“ Jesus simply says, “Go do likewise.” It means go and show your love and mercy!  

Brothers and sisters, who is your neighbor?   Whose neighbor will you be?  Do I exclude others by doing the right thing?  Am I eager to love and be merciful?  I know we want to do the right thing, not seeking personal gratification, recognition, and media mileage, however out of our duty to stop, show love and compassion even to the point of facing personal risks. Our first reaction is to be good responders when we see evil has been done and get involved in moments of a person being maligned and humiliated.   It requires great humility to accept the grace from God, who we are called to be willing to extend goodness and grace.   Who knows, someday the one whom you help and rescue will be the same person Jesus has sent into your life to pull you up from the ditch, from the dirt of shame, and gives you an opportunity to be healed and be transformed.  

Many times, God wipes away our pride to accept someone who is willing to walk with us out of misery and indifference.  Everyone must love every person thru the power of God’s efficient and effective words to change us.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
• Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
• Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
• John 6:24-35

Two weeks ago in the US, more than 50 thousand people attended the 10th Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.  I must admit that I can’t get over it, and I have watched videos uploaded on Youtube.  It is a very dramatic and emotional feeling, during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for adoration and the concluding Mass presided by Cardinal Tagle, the Papal representative, who captured the audience commitment to go and be Eucharistic missionaries by sharing the gift received. Eucharist is the eternal gift of Christ’s body and blood from His eternal sanctuary.  His sacrifice of offering Himself on the Cross in Calvary had been a perfect offering which cannot be duplicated; however, Christ wanted it to be eternally offered as our nourishment in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass.

The readings today allow us to dig deeper into our own consciousness and spirituality.  They help us to focus on what is essential in our journey of faith. 

The first reading from the Book of Exodus narrates this beautiful story of how the Israelites were taken out from slavery in Egypt by Moses, who led them to the promised land.  While they were in exodus, they were hungry in the desert.  They complained and grumbled that it was better for them to go back to Egypt than die of hunger.   Moses listened to their cry and prayed to God to satisfy their hunger and thirst as they moved to the wilderness.  That was an attitude of weak faith for they looked for comfort under the tyranny of slavery and not under the guidance of the living God, who is with them all along their history.  Moses told them, “This is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.”  (Ex 16:15) God answered Moses’ prayer giving them “manna” from heaven, a mysterious bread which the Israelites do not comprehend.  The loving God provides them provisions as they journey daily so as not to worry about the next day.  The provision that God has given today is to remind us of His continuous invitation to trust in Him. The word “provision, has two combined words, pro which means “toward or for” and videre which means “to look.”  We must always look forward to God’s providential care with profound faith.

The second reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians reminds them to consider renewing their life in Christ Jesus.  St. Paul is clear to set aside their old ways, not too dependent on what the world offers, like fleeting pleasures, untrustworthiness and the failure to fully satisfy cravings of worldly things, while hindering themselves from progress toward a well-meaningful life and relationship with God and others, which limits the potential of being beloved children of God.

God has designed every person as the “new man created in God’s image.”  It is through our Lord Jesus Christ that we discover that holiness and wholeness which manifests the call of being “Christ” to the world.   What must I do to conform to the Spirit calling you and me to be a new person?

Jesus tells us in today’s gospel reading from St. John about the “Bread Discourse.”  The readings today help me center myself and focus on what is truly important.  Jesus shares the simple but profound message that He is the bread of life and whoever comes to Him will never hunger and whoever believes in Him will never thirst, but it seems that we do not always readily embrace this powerful message.

First, Jesus says, “you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.”   From this gospel, we see Jesus in his human form reminding the people about their interest in Him being only to be filled, satisfying their hunger.  Their motivation clearly demonstrates how Jesus was tired after feeding the large crowds of people with loaves and fishes, and yet there are cries from people in the crowd who want proof of who Jesus is by demanding from Him to perform more miracles.  Although frustrated with the demands of the crowd, Jesus continues to support ,guide and teach them. 

Second, Jesus says, “That is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent.”   Jesus shares that it is important to know and believe in the goodness of God.  He wants them to focus not on working for food that perishes, but for the food that gives eternal life that comes from the one who sent Him.  I think of the times when I am searching for an answer to a challenging situation, so I can imagine the confusion the people in the crowd must have experienced when they heard Jesus saying that the way to accomplish the work of God is to believe in the one He sent.  That teaching is simultaneously so simple and not so complicated.   Jesus wants us to recognize that every event in our life leads us to accept that God always intervenes with us, which usually manifests His love and His presence.

Third, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”  I imagine Jesus talking to His disciples uttering these words.  It seems that Jesus is enjoying the encounter as a great teaching moment, categorically speaking that He is the bread of life, to feed us so we won’t feel hungry again, and to believe in Him so we will never be thirsty again.

I love the Eucharist because it is an invitation to enter the offering of the risen Jesus’ eternal sanctuary, a gift of His very self. This celebration is not only a liturgical celebration but a great mystery of God’s real presence.  

This gospel from St. John chapter 6, is a biblical text proving the Eucharist, the Sacrament which we all cherish.  If we do not believe in the Eucharist and instead merely receive it, it won’t assure salvation for those who receive the Holy Eucharist with no understanding of its value and worth in our Christian life.

I would like to say that the scriptures and the teaching and doctrine of the Church tell us that the true treasure comes from above.  

We seek it just like St. Augustine who never gave up in searching and in finding God.  Thus, we seek it but do not earn it.  Our greatness lies in the very gift of God through faith, for we are gifted to share this precious gift with others.  “Gifted to receive, gifted to share ourselves as Eucharistic missionaries” according to the closing homily of Cardinal Luis Tagle, the papal envoy to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.

May we simply receive and believe and then we live. Intimacy and communion with Jesus is always achievable.

God bless you!

Fr. Arlon, osa 

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El Dictado del Corazón

Décimo Octavo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• Éxodo 16:2-4, 12-15
• Salmo 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
• Efesios 4:17, 20-24
• Juan 6:24-35

Hace dos semanas en Estados Unidos, más de 50 mil personas asistieron al décimo Congreso Eucarístico en Indianápolis. Debo admitir que no lo puedo superar, y he visto videos en YouTube. Es un sentimiento muy dramático y emotivo, durante la Exposición del Santísimo Sacramento para la adoración y la Misa de clausura presidida por el Cardenal Tagle, el representante papal, quien captó el compromiso de la audiencia de ir y ser misioneros eucarísticos compartiendo el don recibido. La Eucaristía es el don eterno del cuerpo y la sangre de Cristo a través de su santuario eterno. Su sacrificio de ofrecerse a sí mismo en la cruz del Calvario había sido una ofrenda perfecta que no se puede duplicar; sin embargo, Cristo quería que se ofreciera eternamente como nuestro alimento en el sacrificio eucarístico de la Misa.

Las lecturas de hoy nos permiten profundizar en nuestra conciencia y espiritualidad. Nos ayudan a centrarnos en lo que es esencial en nuestro camino de fe.

La primera lectura del Libro del Éxodo narra esta hermosa historia de cómo los israelitas fueron sacados de la esclavitud en Egipto por Moisés, quien los condujo a la tierra prometida. Mientras estaban en éxodo, tenían hambre en el desierto. Se quejaron y murmuraron de que era mejor para ellos regresar a Egipto que morir de hambre. Moisés escuchó su clamor y oró a Dios para que saciara su hambre y sed mientras se dirigían al desierto. Esa era una actitud de fe débil porque buscaban consuelo bajo la tiranía de la esclavitud y no bajo la guía del Dios vivo, que está con ellos a lo largo de toda su historia. Moisés les dijo: “Este es el pan que el Señor les ha dado para comer” (Éx 16:15). Dios respondió la oración de Moisés dándoles “maná” del cielo, un pan misterioso que los israelitas no comprendían. El Dios amoroso les provee mientras viajan diariamente para que no se preocupen por el día siguiente. La provisión que Dios ha dado hoy es para recordarnos Su invitación continua confiando en Él. La palabra “provisión”, tiene dos palabras combinadas, pro que significa “hacia o para” y videre que significa “mirar”. Siempre debemos esperar el cuidado providencial de Dios con una fe profunda.

La segunda lectura tomada de la carta de San Pablo a los Efesios nos recuerda que consideremos renovar nuestra vida en Cristo Jesús. San Pablo es claro al dejar de lado sus viejas costumbres, demasiado dependientes de lo que el mundo ofrece, como los placeres fugaces, la falta de confianza y el fracaso en satisfacer plenamente los antojos de cosas mundanas, en lugar de obstaculizarse a sí mismos en el progreso hacia una vida y una relación bien intencionada con Dios y los demás, lo que limita el potencial de ser hijos amados de Dios.

Dios ha diseñado a cada persona como el “hombre nuevo creado a imagen de Dios”. Es a través de nuestro Señor Jesucristo que descubrimos esa santidad que manifiesta el llamado a la apertura para que también nosotros podamos ser “Cristo” para el mundo. ¿Qué debo hacer para conformarme al Espíritu que me llama a ser una nueva persona?

Jesús nos habla en la lectura del evangelio de hoy de San Juan sobre el “Discurso del Pan”. Las lecturas de hoy me ayudan a centrarme y enfocarme en lo que es verdaderamente importante. Jesús comparte el mensaje simple pero profundo de que Él es el pan de vida y quien viene a Él nunca tendrá hambre y quien cree en Él nunca tendrá sed, pero parece que no siempre aceptamos fácilmente este poderoso mensaje.

Primero, Jesús dice: “Ustedes me buscan, no porque vieron señales, sino porque comieron panes y se saciaron”. En este evangelio, vemos a Jesús en su forma humana recordándole a la gente que su interés en Él es solo para saciarse, satisfacer su hambre. Su motivación demuestra cómo Jesús estaba cansado después de alimentar a las grandes multitudes de personas con panes y peces, y sin embargo, hay gritos de personas en la multitud que quieren una prueba de quién es Jesús exigiéndole que haga más milagros. Aunque frustrado con las demandas de la multitud, Jesús continúa guiándolos y enseñándoles.

En segundo lugar, Jesús dice: “Esa es la obra de Dios, que crean en el que Él envió”. Jesús comparte que es importante conocer y creer en la bondad de Dios. Él quiere que se enfoquen no en trabajar por el alimento que perece, sino por el alimento que da vida eterna que viene de aquel que lo envió. Pienso en las veces en que estoy buscando una respuesta a una situación desafiante, así que puedo imaginar la confusión que la gente en la multitud debe haber experimentado cuando escucharon a Jesús decir que la manera de realizar la obra de Dios es creer en el que Él envió. Esa enseñanza es a la vez tan simple y no tan complicada. Jesús quiere que reconozcamos que cada evento en nuestra vida nos lleva a aceptar que Dios siempre interviene con nosotros, lo que generalmente manifiesta el amor de Dios y Su presencia.

Tercero, “Yo soy el pan de vida; el que viene a mí, no tendrá nada que perder”. “No tendra hambre, y el que cree en mí no tendrá sed jamás.” Me imagino a Jesús hablando a sus discípulos pronunciando estas palabras. Parece que Jesús está disfrutando el encuentro como un gran momento de enseñanza, hablando categóricamente de que Él es el pan de vida, para alimentarnos para que no tengamos hambre otra vez, y para creer en Él para que nunca más tengamos sed.

Amo la Eucaristía porque es una invitación a entrar en la ofrenda del santuario eterno de Jesús resucitado, un don de Sí mismo. Esta celebración no es sólo una celebración litúrgica sino un gran misterio de la presencia real de Dios. Este evangelio de San Juan capítulo seis, es un texto bíblico que prueba la Eucaristía, el Sacramento que todos apreciamos. Si no creemos en la Eucaristía y en cambio simplemente la recibimos, no asegurará la salvación para aquellos que reciben la Sagrada Eucaristía sin comprender su valor y mérito en nuestra vida cristiana. Me gustaría decir que las Escrituras y la enseñanza y doctrina de la Iglesia nos dicen que el verdadero tesoro viene de arriba. Lo buscamos como San Agustín, que nunca se dio por vencido en la búsqueda y el encuentro con Dios. Por lo tanto, lo buscamos, pero no lo ganamos. Nuestra grandeza reside en el don mismo de Dios a través de la fe, porque estamos dotados para compartir este precioso don con los demás. “Dotados para recibir, dotados para compartirnos como misioneros eucarísticos”, según la homilía de clausura del cardenal Luis Tagle, enviado papal al Décimo Congreso Eucarístico Nacional en Indianápolis.

Que simplemente recibamos y creamos, y luego vivamos. La intimidad y la comunión con Jesús siempre es alcanzable.

¡Dios los bendiga!

Padre Arlon, osa

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-10
• Mark 7:31-37

On August 3, 2024, the first Saturday of August, I had an opportunity to spend time with some of you after the 9 am mass.  I would like to thank you for the potluck we shared together.  Thank you to those who prepared the food.  Certainly, when Catholics gather, there is always food on the table. 

Today is the 11th Sunday after Pentecost.  St. Paul dedicates himself to preaching on the importance of Christ’s resurrection.  If Christ has not been raised, the entire Christian faith falls apart.  If we don’t believe, then we are the most miserable people in the world, the fact that we have no hope.  St. Paul warns the Corinthians against those who denied the resurrection of Christ.  He carefully describes the gospel he preached and what they received in faith, which they need to take a stand on because it is that they have been saved.  Otherwise, if they never hold on to his preaching about the gospel, their belief would be in vain.  For St. Paul, the gospel is everything to him and to the Corinthians.  Therefore, he exhorts them to persevere in the faith they have received and to live what they have been taught.  

St. Paul confronts all heresy during his time by affirming that Christ has been physically raised from the dead and that our belief in the resurrection makes all the difference for us in the present and the future.  

What do you believe as part of your Christian profession of faith?  I do believe that there are many tenets of our faith; however, we must fully accept the totality of our Catholic faith, not just one or some areas of faith.  We cannot be selective on matters we simply adhere to or accept or choose among those we agree with. It is not our own ideas but the very teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ in accordance with the Magisterium of the Holy Catholic Church.  We must understand that Faith is our whole life in God.  St. Augustine says, “Christianity is not just a religion but a way of life.”  More than anything else, what counts most though is faith, which is crucial and essential, but Christianity is at heart about relationship. The expression of our faith always rests in a relationship and communion with each other to manifest the true Body of Christ, the Church. 

Today’s gospel taken from St. Mark really puts things into the right perspective of a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment but is with some faithful friends with an astounding belief in Jesus.  The gospel narrates that “they bring to Him one deaf and dumb, and they besought Him that He would lay His hands upon him.”  This suggests that it was not only faith but having emphasis on their relationship or friendship that made the cure possible.   

In any human relationships, this story reminds us of how much of an impact Jesus Christ can have in our lives.  We are maybe inattentive of so many instances where we do little things or minute acts of goodness to others which to those recipients are little miracles in their lives, and we never realize are works of God Himself through us.  Maybe our simple gesture of greeting a person in the morning can lift their spirits realizing that they are loved.  Sending a simple card or note to a friend or family member with a message of concern and care, or contacting an elderly person who needs to hear from you are all unexpected works of love of God thru you.  Our faith lightens the heart of others by our sincere way of expressing a loving relationship. 

Our Spirit of faith needs to be validated by our right attitudes and faithful living out of our belief in God who made manifest in how we relate to the world.  We must shine that sparks in the midst of our confused society and once healed like the deaf and dumb, we can speak out freely about everything in the light of faith and truth and genuine witnessing. 

Jesus separated the deaf and dumb man apart from the multitude of people, not because he was different, but because He doesn’t want to cause a commotion noticeable to those who were around Him.  Oftentimes, Jesus acts in the most low-key status where He avoids recognition.  He simply wants a kind of relationship that works through the goodness of His heart to help and to cure those who are afflicted by any kind of physical and spiritual malady.  

Brothers and sisters, somehow you may have some physical, emotional, or spiritual issues today.   Perhaps you have been coming to this community for some time now, but many times you have slipped in your walk with God.  Today, God has caught you reflecting on this gospel passage.  Maybe you are not talking to someone, a friend or a family relative, for so many years. Let your lips speak forth His praise to open your heart for reconciliation.  Today Jesus speaks straight to your heart, “Be opened!”   Do not allow yourselves to own that stony heart which you have kept for so long. Please open your heart to God and be healed.  The miracle of healing that will be yours is greater than the miracle received by the deaf man, for today the miracle that is yours is indeed the miracle of your integral salvation. 

“Be opened!”  Be open to God working in your life, be open to the Holy Spirit guiding you and be open to Jesus, His only Son, to His holy will that whatever may be disturbing you, He is here for you.  He has done all things well, and He will do all things well for you. “Be opened to the mighty power of God and His amazing love for you.”  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Fr. Arlon, osa