Month: September 2024

• Isaiah 50:5-9a
• Psalm 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
• James 2:14-18
• Mark 8:27-35   

Today is the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  I am grateful to be invited by the Filipino Ministry of Reno to be the celebrant and preacher.  The Diocese of Reno celebrates in advance the feast of the first Filipino Saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz, who was martyred in Nagasaki, Japan around 1638, along with Dominican Priests and laymen.  The feast of San Lorenzo and his companion martyrs is on September 28th according to the Church Liturgical Calendar.   

In 1980, I was in my first year of college when Pope John Paul II came for the beatification of San Lorenzo in Manila.  I was part of the seminary choir during the pontifical mass of Pope John Paul II, the time San Lorenzo was elevated to the altar of God.   

The first reading from the book of Isaiah gives us a reflection on the virtuous sufferings which the descendants of Abraham experienced and, by their steadfast and unwavering faith, were made strong amid their trials. The prophet Isaiah announces that though he has not been disgraced but he suffered for his role as a prophet. He constantly brought HOPE to the people of Israel and remained true to his calling, faithfully trusting in all he has heard and believed.  He fully believed that God was on his side. 

San Lorenzo and his companion martyrs maybe heard how the Prophet Isaiah persevered from all his challenges.  They too were true witnesses of such Christian virtues of perseverance and profound faith to withstand all their trials when they were arrested and tortured by Japan’s Tokuagawa shogunate.  It was during that period in history when Christians were persecuted.  Even in moments of desperate situations, San Lorenzo and his companions never doubted their faith in God.  They were drawn to Jesus’ promise of eternal life for those who are true followers of the Lord with much conviction. 

The second reading from the passage of St. James complements Isaiah’s approach to be steadfast in faith, that is, the importance of good works in addition to faith.  Our Christian belief recognizes the balance between faith and good works as taught to us on how to love, but then Jesus too showed us what it is to love.  

Today’s gospel taken from St. Mark mentions two important truths we have to be aware of: 

First, Jesus is inviting his disciples and us to answer the question, “Who do you say that I am?” “Do we know Jesus as the Christ?” With the impulse of the Holy Spirit, Peter recognizes Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and more than a Prophet.  Peter’s answer is the highpoint in the gospel of St. Mark revealing Jesus’ life and mission.  No one had publicly said it to all those who have known, seen and heard Jesus.   

Jesus is the “Christ”.  Peter traveled with Jesus and witnessed His various acts of miracles, preaching, and His simplicity of life.  Peter became open to declare his faith.  It is primarily a result of his relationship with Jesus.

Second, Jesus made a prediction of the trials that He would face.  He began to teach them, saying that “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and rise after three days.” Jesus also envisioned His prediction of sufferings and death that His followers would be facing too. 

These martyrs and San Lorenzo were living testimony of Christian virtuous suffering.  I am inspired by the famous words of San Lorenzo Ruiz, “I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God.  Had I a thousand lives, all these to him shall I offer.  Do with me as you please.”  These words, uttered by San Lorenzo before his death, are a solemn testimony of his strong faith in an ever-present crucified Christ who had been, and still is, resolutely faithful in our relationship.  San Lorenzo gives up his spirit, and he totally abandoned and surrendered his life to face death, looking forward to the moment of the resurrection through martyrdom and faith.   

The power of the Cross will sustain us to persevere in all kinds of persecution.  We can possibly do this in the light of the resurrection and the living moment of God. 

Today, as we gather to celebrate this feast day of San Lorenzo, we offer this eucharist with gratitude, reminding us of the ever presence of the living God, who surrendered His life in Jesus, and who gave us the gift and knowledge of new life, being nourished with His body and blood in communion, so that we can be united to carry the cross!   Let us go forth to love and serve one another which we experience in both faith and good works. 

May San Lorenzo Ruiz and companion martyrs pray for us. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

 ————-

El Dictado del Corazón

Vigésimo Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• Isaías 50:5-9a
• Salmo 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
• Santiago 2:14-18
• Marcos 8:27-35   

Hoy es el vigésimo cuarto domingo del tiempo ordinario.  La Diócesis de Reno celebra por anticipación la fiesta del primer santo filipino, San Lorenzo Ruiz. Quien fue martirizado en Nagasaki, Japón alrededor del año 1638, junto con Sacerdotes Dominicos y laicos. La fiesta de San Lorenzo y sus compañeros mártires es el 28 de septiembre según el Calendario Litúrgico de la Iglesia.

En 1980, el Papa Juan Pablo II vino a Manila para la beatificación de San Lorenzo.  Estaba en mi primer año de universidad. Fui parte del coro del seminario para la misa pontificia del Papa Juan Pablo II cuando San Lorenzo fue elevado al altar de Dios.

La primera lectura del libro del profeta Isaías nos ofrece una reflexión sobre la virtud del sufrimiento. Lo que experimentaron los descendientes de Abraham. Su fe firme e inquebrantable los hizo fuertes en medio de sus pruebas. El profeta Isaías anuncia que incluso él había sido deshonrado y sufrido por ser profeta. Constantemente trajo ESPERANZA al pueblo de Israel y se mantuvo fiel a su llamado. Confiando y creyendo a todo lo que escuchó de Dios.  Creía plenamente que Dios estaba con él.

Es posible que San Lorenzo y sus compañeros mártires hayan escuchado cómo el profeta Isaías perseveró en todas sus pruebas y sufrimientos.  Ellos también fueron verdaderos testigos de las virtudes cristianas de perseverancia y fe profunda para resistir todas las pruebas cuando fueron arrestados y torturados por el shogunato Tokugawa de Japón.  Fue durante ese período de la historia que los cristianos fueron perseguidos.  Incluso en momentos de situaciones desesperadas, San Lorenzo y sus compañeros nunca dudaron de su fe en Dios.  Se sintieron atraídos por la promesa de vida eterna de Jesús para aquellos que fueran verdaderos seguidores del Señor con mucha convicción.

La segunda lectura complementa el enfoque de Isaías sobre la firmeza en la fe, es decir, la importancia de las buenas obras además de la fe del pasaje de Santiago.  Nuestra creencia cristiana reconoce el equilibrio entre la fe y las buenas obras, ya que nos enseña a amar, así como Jesús nos mostró lo que es amar.

El evangelio de hoy tomado de San Marcos menciona dos verdades importantes de las que debemos ser conscientes: 

Primero, Jesús invita a sus discípulos y a nosotros a responder la pregunta: “¿Quién dicen que soy yo?  “¿Conocemos a Jesús como el Cristo?  Con el impulso del Espíritu Santo, Pedro reconoce que Jesús es el Cristo, el Mesías más que a un Profeta.  La respuesta de Pedro es el punto culminante del evangelio de San Marcos que revela la vida y la misión de Jesús.  Nadie lo ha dicho públicamente a todos los que han conocido, visto y oído a Jesús.   

Jesús es el “Cristo”.  Pedro viajó con Jesús y fue testigo de sus diversos actos de milagros, predicaciones y su sencillez de vida.  Pedro se abrió a declarar su fe.  Es principalmente el resultado de su relación con Jesús.

Segundo, Jesús hizo una predicción de las pruebas que enfrentaría.  Comenzó a enseñarles, diciendo que el Hijo del Hombre debía sufrir mucho y ser rechazado por los ancianos, los sacerdotes y los escribas, ser asesinado y resucitar al cabo de tres días.   Jesús también predijo los sufrimientos y la muerte para sus seguidores.

Estos mártires y San Lorenzo fueron testimonios vivos del sufrimiento virtuoso cristiano.  Me inspiran las famosas palabras de San Lorenzo Ruiz: “Soy católico y de todo corazón acepto la muerte por Dios.  Si tuviera mil vidas, todas ellas las ofrecería.  Haz conmigo lo que quieras”.  Estas palabras pronunciadas por San Lorenzo antes de su muerte son un testimonio solemne de su fe en un Cristo crucificado siempre presente que había sido, y sigue siendo, decididamente fiel en nuestra relación.  San Lorenzo entregó su espíritu, abandonó y entregó su vida para afrontar la muerte y esperar el momento de la resurrección por el martirio y la fe.   

El poder de la Cruz nos sostendrá para perseverar a través de todo tipo de persecución.  Podemos hacer esto a la luz de la resurrección y del momento vivo de Dios. 

Hoy, mientras nos reunimos para celebrar esta fiesta de San Lorenzo, ofrezcamos esta eucaristía con gratitud, recordándonos la presencia del Dios vivo que entregó Su vida en Jesús, quien nos dio el don y el conocimiento de una vida nueva, siendo nutridos con Su cuerpo y sangre en comunión para que podamos estar unidos para llevar la cruz!   Salgamos a amarnos y servirnos unos a otros, lo cual experimentamos tanto en la fe como en las buenas obras. 

Que San Lorenzo Ruiz y compañeros mártires, rueguen por nosotros. 

P. Arlón, osa

• Ephesians 4:1-6
• Matthew 22:34-46

I know that most of us are still distressed because of the unfortunate event that happened to our place of worship last Saturday.  The HSM church was our home and a place of worship since 1978, and most of your children were baptized, confirmed, received first communion and, for some, were married in that church.  I would like to remind everyone that when situations like this arise, we need to calm down and to immerse ourselves into silent prayer.  In that way, we would have a better understanding of ”Behold, how good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity.” (Ps. 133) 

As we celebrate the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, today is also the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.  The Blessed Mother Mary is united with us in sorrow, in pain and in sadness.  In truth, Mary has been blessed with the profound union of heart that existed between her and Jesus, the Savior.  This commemoration reveals to us her experience of so many interior sorrows because of her Son’s mission, particularly during His Passion and Death. 

By Blessed Mother’s silence, like Mary, God wants us to see our faith—is it the faith that sees God, and not only turning to Him during misfortunes.  We also desire from God an easy life, and if we haven’t received what we want, we manifest dissatisfaction.  If God answers our pleas immediately, and when things are going well, then we start again to disconnect ourselves from Him; we become uninterested in Him.  This shows how frail and weak our faith is.   

We must realize that God allows us to see our faith as it really is in times of crisis, especially if it is a weak and sickly faith. This is not to drive us to despair, but to at least ground us, to be reminded that without Him, we can do nothing.  In this unfortunate incident, we can begin afresh a life of repentance, conversion and turning to God.            

The silence in our hearts reveals our faith in God, because we listen attentively to the whisper of God.  In the same way, Christ’s silence reveals the quality of our faith. 

In the midst of our spiritual struggles, let us look at our faith. Let us cry out in the face of Christ’s silence.  The epistle today, from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, reminds us that we are called by God in “humility, mildness and patience, supporting one another in charity, careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.”  The words of St. Paul continue to teach us that, “We are one body, one spirit as you are called in one hope of your calling.” 

The gospel today, taken from St. Matthew 22:34-46, narrates the encounter of Jesus with the Pharisees, and one of them, a doctor of the law. They asked Jesus, “Which is the greatest commandment of the law?”  Jesus’ response was, “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment, and the second is this: Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments is dependent the whole law and the prophets.”

What is meant by loving God with our whole heart, our whole soul, and mind?  It means that we cling to God with true, sincere and heartfelt love by which we desire God’s glory and honor.  We must continually endeavor to have deep knowledge and love of God and direct our actions to Him, employing all faculties to fully serve Him through others. 

Jesus taught us that loving one’s neighbor is part and parcel to loving God.  Therefore, when we love our neighbor, God counts that we are faithful loving Him.  Indeed, it is true love if we love God that way.  When the motive of love is self-love, self-interest and hope of reward, that is not perfect love. We love God through others, and we can do it when we truly believe that He himself is the highest Good. 

May we love God with all the powers of our body and soul so that we may love our neighbors, friends, and enemies as ourselves for Thy sake, and thus we are made worthy to possess Thee as our redeemer and merciful judge. 

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 35:4-7a
• Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
• James 2:1-5
• Mark 7:31-37

Today is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.  I believe that our Christian faith is not only to keep the moral truths and ethical norms but more importantly to establish a personal relationship with God.  Hearing the Words from both the Old and New Testament, we are aware of the events which inspire us to live a decisive direction and encounter with God, who heals and saves.  That encounter gives us comfort in knowing that God is always with us no matter what happens in our lives.  

Today, let us reflect on the three readings to guide our understanding about this constant invitation to encounter this merciful God in faith and in all circumstances of life we are in which bring joy, healing, comfort and peace.

The first reading from the book of Isaiah speaks to us about the chosen people succumbing to discouragement and losing hope because they were still in captivity in Babylon.  However, the prophet Isaiah reminds them that they are not alone in their journey; God walks with them.  The Lord says to them, “Say to those frightened: Be strong, fear not!”  When we encounter God’s presence thru listening to His mighty Words, there is that renewed freshness in our faith, because God comes “to save us.”

The second reading warns us not to treat people of lesser financial means in a lesser way.  Our Christian relationship is not based on people’s financial status.  St. James makes us aware that the Church must play no favoritism just as civil society treats people.  In our modern society, we have the tendency to impress people with money because we know we can benefit from their power and influence.  However, this doesn’t work in the Kingdom of God. For St. James, the practice of favoritism excludes and discourages others.  What makes a difference between us, the Church and Society?  I am afraid that we begin to treat the poor as society treats them, that is, poor people are being shamed, neglected and looked down upon.  With this attitude, we are not of God but are evil and vicious.  What God wants is not to take advantage of those with power but let them understand that we act with charity and justice to come to the aid of the poor.  This passage from St. James is not something we should be conscious of only in our Church but in our lives as well.  Let us not focus on something of greater value but of the eternal welfare and justice for everyone, which includes both the rich and the poor.  How often do we treat others by way of looking at their external appearance and treating them well simply because of their wealth? 

Psalm 145 tells us, “The Lord is just in all His ways;” thus, we too must live justly.  To enter the kingdom of God, we will be judged not according to our wealth, but how much kindness and love we have done to others in following our Lord, Jesus Christ.  After all, if Christ loves and embraces both the rich and the poor, should we not do the same?  

The gospel today according to St. Mark reminds me of every baptism I administer.  There is a part when the priest says, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened.”  Every time I utter the same word and touch the ears and mouth of an infant, the parents look at me as if murmuring deep inside themselves, “Let his mouth and eyes be opened but not all night; we need to sleep too.”  This simple ritual reminds us of being open to the ways of God and to see beyond our selfishness and not to resist to speak the truth.  Jesus came to touch and bless us that we may find comfort in being faithful followers.

There are three important guide points for our reflection:

First, early on that day people brought a deaf man to Jesus.  It was thru friends that the deaf man was able to meet Jesus. He did not bring himself for healing.  It is a good thing that happens when thru the good will of those people around us, like our community, they take a big step to extend help to us.  It is amazing love that our friends are willing to get out from their comfort zone to bring us closer to Jesus.

I found it inspiring that healing occurs when others are willing to share our moments of pain and struggles.  There are times that even strangers come to reach out to touch us.  Such love and trust happens when this occurs that we meet and encounter good people.  They are there to manifest God’s presence and healing.  God becomes real to me, instead of just something I was taught to believe.  Perhaps many of us have had a moment like this in our journey of faith.

Second, Jesus takes the deaf man away from the crowd so He can be with him alone.   Maybe this is Jesus’ gesture of knowing well and caring for his personal needs.  Jesus takes us in solitude and in prayer for us to have the chance to experience being with God, similar to the actions of Jesus with the deaf man in today’s gospel.

Being with Jesus in prayer, we can feel deeply our deafness, then gradually hearing that to which Jesus asks us to listen.  Jesus does this frequently to us, as if in silence He is absent; however, in truth, God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts.  Quiet listening implies change, which is a challenge for us to aim to be a better person and to discover who we really are.

Third, Jesus orders the crowd not to tell anyone what they saw there.  The reason why He prohibits media mileage is because He wills these miracle works, not for the spectacle of them, but rather to impact the personal life of the healed man and those who have witnessed the miracle.  The healed man has been restored to be an active member of the community.   He was invited to integrate with his family and community.  Jesus prays, “Be open” meaning the total restoration of both the physical and interior life of the person.   His hearing and speaking improved perfectly, and Jesus offered him the option of faith through his commitment to do his ministry to announce and to share the good news!   

Through this Eucharistic celebration, we pray that our encounter with God is a source of comfort in our total healing, growing and maturing.  

God bless you.

 Fr. Arlon, osa 

————–

El Dictado del Corazón

Vigésimo-Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• Isaías 35:4-7a
• Salmo 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
• Santiago 2:1-5
• Marcos 7:31-37

Hoy es el Vigésimo-Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario. Nuestra fe cristiana no se limita únicamente a respetar normas morales y éticas. Lo más importante es establecer una relación personal con Dios. Al escuchar las Palabras tanto del Antiguo y Nuevo Testamento, somos conscientes de los acontecimientos que nos inspiran a vivir en una dirección decisiva y a encontrarnos con Dios, que sana y salva. Ese encuentro nos da el consuelo de saber que Dios está siempre con nosotros, sin importar lo que suceda en nuestra vida.

Ahora, reflexionemos sobre las tres lecturas para guiar nuestro entendimiento sobre esta constante invitación al encuentro con este Dios misericordioso. Con fe y en todas las circunstancias de la vida en las que nos trae alegría, sanacion, consuelo y paz.

La primera lectura del libro de Isaías nos habla del pueblo elegido que sucumbe al desánimo y pierde la esperanza porque todavía estaban cautivos en Babilonia. Sin embargo, el profeta Isaías les recuerda que no están solos en su camino, Dios camina con ellos. El Señor les dice: “Digan a los que tienen miedo: ¡Sean fuertes, no temán!”. Cuando encontramos la presencia de Dios al escuchar sus poderosas Palabras, hay esa frescura renovada en nuestra fe, porque Dios viene “a salvarnos”.

La segunda lectura nos advierte que no tratemos a las personas con menos recursos económicos de una manera inferior. Nuestra relación cristiana no se basa en el estado financiero de las personas. Santiago nos hace conscientes de que la Iglesia no debe hacer favoritismo, sino solo lo que la sociedad civil trata a las personas. En nuestra sociedad moderna, tendemos a impresionar a las personas con dinero porque sabemos que nos beneficiamos de su poder e influencia. Sin embargo, esto no funciona en el Reino de Dios. Para Santiago, la práctica del favoritismo excluye y desalienta a los demás. ¿Qué hace la diferencia entre nosotros, la Iglesia y la sociedad? Me temo que empezamos a tratar a los pobres como los trata la sociedad, es decir, los pobres están siendo avergonzados, desatendidos y menospreciados. Con esta actitud, no somos de Dios, sino que somos malvados y viciosos. Lo que Dios quiere no es aprovecharse de los que tienen el poder, sino hacerles entender que actuamos con caridad y justicia para ayudar a los pobres. Este pasaje de Santiago no es solo de lo que debamos ser conscientes en nuestra Iglesia, sino también en nuestra vida. No nos centremos en algo de mayor valor, que es el bienestar eterno y la justicia para todos, que incluye tanto a los ricos como a los pobres. ¿Con qué frecuencia tratamos a los demás por su apariencia externa, tratándolos bien simplemente por su riqueza?

En el Salmo ciento-cuarenta-y-cinco, “El Señor es justo en todos sus caminos”, por lo tanto, también nosotros debemos vivir con justicia. Para entrar en el reino de Dios, seremos juzgados no según nuestras riquezas, sino por cuánta bondad y amor hayamos hecho a los demás al seguir a nuestro Señor, Jesucristo. Después de todo, si Cristo ama y abraza tanto a los ricos como a los pobres, ¿no deberíamos hacer lo mismo nosotros?

El evangelio de hoy según San Marcos me recuerda cada bautismo que administro. Hay una parte en la que el sacerdote dice: “Ephphatha”, que significa “Ábrete”. Cada vez que pronuncio la misma palabra y toco los oídos y la boca de un infante, los padres me miran como si murmuraran en lo más profundo de ellos: “Que se le abran la boca y los ojos, pero no toda la noche, también necesitamos dormir”. Este sencillo ritual nos recuerda que debemos estar abiertos a los caminos de Dios, ver más allá de nuestro egoísmo y no resistirnos a decir la verdad. Jesús vino a tocarnos y bendecirnos para que podamos encontrar consuelo en ser seguidores fieles.

Hay tres puntos importantes para reflexiónar:

Primero, temprano ese día, la gente trajo a un hombre sordo a Jesús. Fue a través de amigos que el hombre sordo pudo conocer a Jesús, no se trajo a sí mismo para sanar. Es bueno que la buena voluntad de las personas que nos rodean, como nuestra comunidad, dé un paso más para ayudarnos. Es un amor asombroso que nuestros amigos estén dispuestos a salir de su zona de confort para acercarnos a Jesús.

Me pareció inspirador que la sanación ocurra cuando otros están dispuestos a compartir nuestros momentos de dolor y luchas. Hay momentos en que incluso extraños vienen a tocarnos. ¿Qué amor y confianza surgen cuando esto ocurre para conocer y encontrarse con buenas personas? Están allí para manifestar la presencia y la sanación de Dios. Dios se vuelve real para mí, en lugar de ser solo algo que me enseñaron a creer. Quizás muchos de nosotros tenemos este momento como en nuestros viajes de fe.

En segundo lugar, Jesús aleja al sordo de la multitud para poder estar a solas con él. Quizás este sea el gesto de Jesús de conocer bien y cuidar de sus necesidades personales. Jesús nos lleva en soledad, en oración para que tengamos la oportunidad de experimentar estar con Dios, acciones similares a las que Jesús hizo con el hombre sordo en el evangelio de hoy.

Al estar con Jesús en oración, podemos sentir profundamente nuestra sordera, para luego revivir gradualmente nuestra audición a la que Jesús nos pide que escuchemos. Jesús nos hizo esto con frecuencia, como si en silencio, Él estuviera ausente, sin embargo, en verdad, Dios nos habla en el silencio de nuestro corazone. Escuchar en silencio implica un cambio, lo cual es un desafío para apuntarnos a ser mejores personas y descubrir quiénes somos.

En tercer lugar, Jesús ordena a la multitud que no le cuente a nadie lo que vieron allí. La razón por la que prohíbe el uso de los medios es porque quiere que este milagro no funcione por el espectáculo sino para impactar la vida personal del hombre sanado y de aquellos que han presenciado el milagro. El hombre sanado ha sido restaurado para ser un miembro activo de la comunidad. Fue invitado a integrarse a su familia y comunidad. Jesús ora: “Sé abierto”, lo que significa la restauración total tanto de la vida física como interior de la persona. Su audición y habla mejoraron perfectamente y Jesús le ofreció la opción de la fe a través de su compromiso de hacer su ministerio de anunciar y compartir la buena nueva.

Que en esta celebración eucarística, oremos para que nuestro encuentro con Dios sea una fuente de consuelo en nuestra sanación total, crecimiento y madurez.

Dios los bendiga,

Padre Arlon, osa

• Ephesians 3:13-21
• Luke 14:1-11

I am again grateful to those who attended the memorial mass yesterday for our former Priest, the late +Fr. Lorenzo Torrente.  Again, may his soul rest in peace.   

Today is the 16th Sunday after Pentecost.  When we are in sorrow, in pain or in a difficult situation, we seek guidance and strength from God.   This is exactly the message of St. Paul from the first epistle, we need to pray.  St. Paul is praying for hearts that can receive God’s grace which is precisely the reason for which we pray. If God gets hold of my heart, your heart and our hearts, then we not only discover the gift of God’s grace, but rather we live differently because of His gift of grace. 

St. Paul says, “He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened by His Holy Spirit with might unto the inward man.”  St. Paul prays for Ephesians to pray for inner strength through the Spirit.  Sometimes we lose our strength so we find God’s strength like King David who was given strength by God to handle worse and difficult situations well.  Maybe God has His wisdom that as we go through all those trials, He might allow us to get weaker before we can get stronger, so that we may understand His given grace, right? Just like a trainer, he exposes us to a rigorous regiment like painful exercises.  Despite all that pain, it is still the first step in getting stronger so that we may see all our weaknesses.  The Holy Spirit helps us see our weakness so that He can fill us with God’s strength.  Therefore, we pray for inner strength to grasp God’s grace. Praying is entrusting everything to God’s disposition. Listening and speaking are necessary in prayer, acknowledging that Christ is dwelling in our hearts. 

Today we heard the gospel according to St. Luke 14:1-11.  It begins with another confrontation between Jesus and some religious leaders on a sabbath.  The pharisees were watching Him closely.  Far from being challenged, Jesus asks them, “Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath or not?”  According to the Law as interpreted by the scribes and pharisees, it was not allowed, but because it involved healing and curing, Jesus made it difficult for them to protest, so they did not give an answer, and they were silent without any further comment. 

So, Jesus took the man, healed him on the spot and sent him off.  Then Jesus asked another question, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well will you not immediately pull them out on a Sabbath day?”  They had no answer.   They accused Jesus of doing an unlawful act according to rabbinic interpretations.  However, in truth, Jesus was not going against the Mosaic Law itself.  Jesus is clear that the law was there for the people and not the other way around. It means His miracle shows that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27).  Rather, it reveals to us the most important priority of Jesus, that is, the well-being of people.   

Sometimes we fail to help others because we are afraid of what people might say or how they might judge us. No one who acts out of genuine love for others can go wrong.  Our pure intention of loving others can’t be sinful.  It is God’s ultimate desire to always do righteous acts.  

This story about the healing brought to us by Jesus even during the Sabbath means that: 

First, Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.  God made the Sabbath to be observed by the people to give glory, honor and thanksgiving to this loving God who continues to walk with us.  There must always be a day where we truly pause and dedicate our time for Him, but not being legalistic by not doing something good to help others in need.  It is a day to find rest and peace in God’s Word, to communion with God through the Eucharist, and a day to remind us of the eternal rest the Savior would bring. 

Second, Jesus’ miracles are never about the miracle per se.   They are signs pointing to something more important, that is the sign pointing to Jesus being the true Messiah and the unfolding of His Kingdom. 

Third, Jesus wants to reveal to the scribes and pharisees that they have a wrong view about God, but rather, through Jesus, He specifically reveals God’s heart.  Jesus came to have a better understanding of God because we cannot fathom God.  Our thoughts aren’t His thoughts; His ways aren’t our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).  

The main reason God invites us to take time each week to come here, to come around the table of the Lord in the celebration of the Holy Mass, is that God invites us for our sake, not for His, for our presence adds nothing to His greatness.  We receive the Word, His Body and Blood in communion, not to get out and do nothing but to serve and glorify God better by healing the sick, feeding the hungry and making this world a better place. 

The fact that you come here, you should view this like stopping at the gasoline station to refill your car with gasoline, because the whole reason God wants you to stop and sit and rest and listen is to refill you with His grace and blessings and to be HEALED. 

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-8
• Psalm 15: 2-3, 3-4, 4-5
• James 1: 17-18, 21b-22, 27
• Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Today is the first day of September.  We are familiar with the song entitled, “September Morn,” sung by American songwriter Neil Diamond and released in 1979.  The song is about a couple who broke-up and eventually met again wondering if the fire of love was still there.  The story applies also to our spiritual life when we are in doubt of our love for God until we give ourselves another chance.  Nevertheless, let us remember that the love of God is always constant and faithful. The readings today revolve around our roller coaster relationship with the Lord which started with the chosen people of Israel.

 In the first reading today taken from the book of Deuteronomy, Moses challenges the chosen people of God to take to heart the Word and act on it by obeying the law and the precepts. The Israelites must walk blamelessly in the presence of the Lord by putting all into action all the days of their lives.  This book, Deuteronomy, simply means the second law which the Israelites believe that all the precepts are not a restriction, but the way to freedom or liberation.  Through centuries, even today, the Jewish people are constantly guided by their pursuit of intimate relationship with their God and their neighbors.  Their first law is the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament.  In today’s passage, Moses clearly asks the chosen people to faithfully observe the Shema, which means above anything and everything is God alone. 

In the second reading from the Letter of James, the writer stresses that we must not only be hearers of the Word but doers of the Word.  The Word of God isn’t only purely mental, but also we need to put it into action and service. Hearing implies more; it encourages us to action or to do something good. 

According to the gospel today, Jesus responds to the criticism against His disciples’ poor practice of the minute details of the human precepts of external cleanliness.  How did Jesus confront those who criticized Him and His disciples?  

First, Jesus emphasizes that what is important is what is going on inside of a person.  The ritual purification of hands and food is not part of the Torah, rather it is an imposed practiced tradition of the elders and the rabbis. 

Second, Jesus responds by critiquing the hypocrisy of religious leaders who pay more attention to external cleansing rather than focusing on the inspired Word, which guides people closer to God, and then putting into practice in their daily lives the gift of faith they received and exercising the assent to the will for a genuine purity of the heart. 

Third, Jesus remarks that failing to perform external acts of purification does not make the person dirty, defiled or filthy, but rather what is in a person’s intention, thoughts, attitudes, etc., are what defile a person.  Whoever is not practicing what his/her heart believes or failing to do good things is considered to be disobedient to God. 

To summarize the message of the gospel today, it stresses that our faith must be made manifest in how one lives one’s life.  It is not enough for one to merely hear God’s Word and intellectualize our faith, but what is important is to be a doer of the Word, which is putting into practice what we hear and believe. 

Let our understanding of the word “obedience” clearly point to the two words from Latin, “to listen and to hear.”  Thus, being obedient to the LORD requires two things: first, to listen to HIS WORD and second, to hear what the Lord is saying to us.   It is, indeed, that God has spoken and given the chosen people ten commandments and other spoken precepts so that keeping them to heart makes us become closer to Him.  Knowing how much God loves us, we should be empowered to go out and love one another as Jesus has loved us. 

This is how we become blameless and able to dwell on God’s holy presence, not just now but forever.   Let us be guided by these words of St. James, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:  to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” 

How do I listen to the Word of God?  How do I encourage others to respond to God’s Word that they too become “doers” of the Word also?   Do I share the transforming Word of God to others? 

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Vigésimo-Segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B (1 de septiembre)

• Deuteronomio 4: 1-2, 6-8
• Salmo 15: 2-3, 3-4, 4-5
• Santiago 1: 17-18, 21b-22, 27
• Marcos 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Hoy es el primer día de Septiembre. Estamos familiarizados con la canción titulada “September Morn”, cantada por el compositor estadounidense Neil Diamond, lanzada en 1979. La canción trata sobre una pareja que se separó y finalmente se reencontró preguntándose si el fuego del amor todavía estaba allí. La historia se puede aplicar también a nuestra vida espiritual, cuando dudamos de nuestro amor por Dios, hasta que nos damos otra oportunidad. Sin embargo, recordemos que el amor de Dios es siempre constante y fiel. Las lecturas de hoy giran en torno a nuestra relación de montaña rusa con el Señor que comenzó con el pueblo elegido de Israel.

La primera lectura de hoy tomada del libro de Deuteronomio, Moisés desafía al pueblo elegido de Dios a tomar en serio la Palabra y actuar de acuerdo con ella, obedeciendo la ley y los preceptos. Los israelitas deben caminar sin culpa en la presencia del Señor poniendo todo en acción todos los días de sus vidas. Este libro, Deuteronomio simplemente significa la segunda ley que los israelitas creen que todos los preceptos no son una restricción sino el camino hacia la libertad o la liberación. A través de los siglos, incluso hoy, el pueblo judío se ha guiado constantemente por su búsqueda de tener una relación íntima con su Dios y sus vecinos. Su primera ley es la Torá, los primeros cinco libros del Antiguo Testamento. En el pasaje de hoy, Moisés pide al pueblo elegido observar fielmente el Shemá, que significa, por encima de todo y de cualquier cosa está solo Dios.

En la segunda lectura de la Carta de Santiago, el escritor enfatiza que no solo debemos ser oidores de la Palabra sino hacedores de la Palabra. La Palabra de Dios no es solo puramente mental sino que también debemos ponerla en acción y servicio. Escuchar implica más, nos anima a actuar o a hacer algo bueno.

Según el evangelio de hoy, Jesús responde a las críticas contra la mala práctica de sus discípulos de los minuciosos detalles de los preceptos humanos de limpieza externa. ¿Cómo confrontó Jesús a quienes lo criticaron a Él y a sus discípulos?

Primero, Jesús enfatiza que lo importante es lo que sucede dentro de una persona. La purificación ritual de las manos y los alimentos no es parte de la Torá, sino que es una tradición impuesta y practicada por los ancianos y rabinos.

En segundo lugar, Jesús responde criticando la hipocresía de los líderes religiosos que prestan más atención a la limpieza externa en lugar de centrarse en la Palabra inspirada que guía a las personas más cercanas a Dios. Y luego poner en práctica en su vida diaria el don de la fe que recibieron y ejercer el asentimiento a la voluntad para una genuina pureza de corazón.

En tercer lugar, Jesús señala que no realizar actos externos de purificación no hace que la persona sea sucia, contaminada o inmunda, más bien, lo que está en la intención, los pensamientos, las actitudes, etc. de una persona es lo que contamina a una persona. Quien no está practicando lo que su corazón cree o deja de hacer cosas buenas se considera desobediente a Dios.

Para resumir el mensaje del evangelio de hoy, enfatiza que nuestra fe debe manifestarse en cómo uno vive la vida. No basta con que uno simplemente escuche la Palabra de Dios e intelectualice su fe, sino que lo importante es ser hacedores de la Palabra, es decir, poner en práctica lo que escuchamos y creemos.

Dejemos que nuestra comprensión de la palabra “obediencia” apunte claramente a las dos palabras del latín “escuchar y oír”. Por lo tanto, ser obediente al SEÑOR requiere dos cosas: primero, escuchar SU PALABRA. Segundo, escuchar lo que el Señor nos está diciendo. Es, en efecto, Dios quien ha hablado y dado al pueblo escogido los diez mandamientos y otros preceptos, hablados para que guardarlos en el corazón nos acerque más a Él.   Sabiendo cuánto nos ama Dios, debemos estar capacitados para salir y amarnos unos a otros como Jesús nos ha amado.

Así es como nos volvemos irreprensibles y capaces de morar en la santa presencia de Dios, no solo ahora sino para siempre. Dejémonos guiar por estas palabras de Santiago: “La religión pura y sin mancha delante de Dios Padre es ésta: visitar a los huérfanos y a las viudas en sus tribulaciones y guardarse sin mancha del mundo”.

¿Cómo escucho la Palabra de Dios? ¿Cómo animo a otros a responder a la Palabra de Dios para que ellos también se conviertan en “hacedores” de la Palabra? ¿Comparto la Palabra transformadora de Dios con los demás?

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlon, osa

• Galatians 5: 25-6:10
• Luke 7: 11-16

I returned from a two-week vacation in Europe on August 28, 2024.  It was short but filled with successful missionary endeavors and meeting old friends and the religious organization called the Society of the Divine Mercy, which branches out to other devotional groups throughout Vienna.  I was able to preach to Filipino devotees of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the first District under the Filipino Chaplaincy of the Archdiocese of Vienna.  It is nice to be back to continue what God wants to be seen in all of us, that is to do things that are truly good for us.  

The epistle today from the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians provides us with two important images of Christian maturity. 

First, there are people who tend to be good influencers, and their vision is completely opposite from the action of the Spirit.  Paul reminds them; he writes, “Let us not be made desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (v.26). Vainglory means being conceited with the pursuit of glory for oneself.  This is a pointless attitude which deprives oneself from finding time to glorify God alone because of his/her pride. It is an empty pride because he wants to glorify himself rather than God.  With this attitude, it creates an effect of provoking one another and even to the point of envying other’s works and achievements.  He or she has an attitude of constant bullying, thinking about himself being above others.  They are focused on themselves; thus, they are deeply insecure.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit moves away from them because they are closely tight thinking of themselves and are not open to change. 

Second, the people who are receptive of the Holy Spirit are people who do the opposite, not seeking for any kind of honor and glory and not picking fights to prove themselves, but rather thinking of themselves as less and humble.  This is what St. Paul envisioned in a community, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so you shall fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2)  

The Spirit produces our sense of responsibility for those around us.  We are meant to help one another, for your burdens are mine and my burdens are yours.  We share all the burdens for we identify with our community or family. 

Now the idea isn’t hard to understand, for we become mature when we commit to bearing the weight together.  We try to solve the problem together if we can, and we follow through with action.  All the words of encouragement, support and prayers are felt by us, and we never feel that the burden of one is being carried alone.  So, people with deep humility, truly mature people, see their responsibility for the community around them.  St. Paul says, “For each will have to bear his own load.”  (Gal 6:5) 

In our gospel reading taken from St. Luke 7:11-16, this episode is part of the public ministry of Jesus in which that reign becomes visible.   It is a reminder that God continues to work for the salvation of all, the sick and the oppressed, like the widow whose husband died and is now having the burial of her only son.  

Jesus enters into the city of Naim, and while walking with His chosen disciples, He saw the burial of a dead man, the only son of his mother.  Jesus felt deep compassion and comforted the mother when He said, “Weep not.”  Compassion in this text is closely connected to Jesus’ qualities of being Divine and Lord.  This is a powerful message.  Jesus approached and touched the coffin, and He said, “Young man, I say to thee, Arise!”   The dead man came to life and sat up and began to speak.  Jesus raises the son from the dead, which is a sign that God is “amongst His people” in Jesus. (v.22)  For this miracle, St. Luke provided many witnesses because many local people had witnessed Jesus’ miraculous event. 

This story is unique to Luke.  Jesus knew that being a widow, she would suffer because she would have no means of economic support because of the fact that she lost both her husband and mother.  Restoring the life of her son becomes a way to sustain her own life.

When Jesus accomplishes miracles, He reveals His credibility, continuity and genuine identity.   He comes to heal and save!  Jesus’ establishment of God’s reign is clearly understood when weeping is turned into laughing, and one does good to others constantly showing mercy where the Spirit of Jesus leads to a much different image of community.  God’s purpose continues to be that of healing and saving without discrimination among people.   

Today, we must proclaim, “a great prophet has arisen among us and the Lord has visited his people.”  Let us be clear; we are responsible for one another!   

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa