Month: December 2024

Brothers and sisters, it’s wonderful to have you come here and join me for this 34th sacerdotal anniversary celebration. When I woke up this morning, I praise and thank God for the gift of vocation. I can’t imagine that I have reached this long of service and self-giving. One of my formators told me that I would only last on my priesthood for ten years. I believe that when receiving rush judgment, it encourages us to be fervent in prayer and stay focus on the journey to perseverance. I’d like to share with you my vocational reflection on priesthood for 34 years. Please bear with me this might last for four hours, hold your breath.

Many of us are able to retrospect what happen to our life, after getting our first job, or marriage or something that we have achieved in life, many of us have the feeling of surprise for the unexpected. But I have to say, just the same in my priesthood. God works in mysterious ways. As I always tell people that my vocation has been a product of cooperation with the grace of God. God did not appear to me and say, “Arlon, I want you to be a priest.” God never did that to me.

My priesthood has been much unexpected. Unexpected about the many difficulties in formation or seminary training, unexpected to pass all my written and oral exams, unexpected that I would be the only one who remained among our batchmates. We were 26 who joined the Order of St. Augustine Seminary. I know deep inside me that God’s plans win always. God has chosen those who are not actually expecting to be called, we just need to cooperate with Him. The grace of God is tremendously powerful changing those crooked lines of my life and make it straight. I have one that I have expected, that is the life of a priest is difficult, that the difficulties the priesthood have, become bearable I am focus on Christ. The Lord has called me, like St. Peter, when he said to Jesus, his Master, “Lord, you know that I love you! And Jesus says, “Feed my lamb, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.”

There are two things that I didn’t really expect…the unexpected things happen.

First, that God’s generosity would exceed anything I had shared and have shown for the Lord. I feel that most of my accomplishments and achievements are not coming from my personal effort, and the glory that I have achieved is not because of me, but all credits belong to God who consistently embraces me with lots of love and mercy.

Second, that I would not expect that I have this opportunity to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Not in my expectation that God has given me the grace to change myself as His priest in the celebration of my daily offering of the Mass. I am totally converted to find meaning in every moment celebrating the Eucharist. I feel that I have nothing to brag but to completely open my heart and spirit to avail such precious grace to preside mass with humility, to offer such perfect offering to God and for the people. This I am truly grateful of my priesthood.

I believe that God has promised to me, “My grace is sufficient for you.” I have been through all trials and difficulties, however through God’s providence, the Lord prepares me to overcome them and for me to be strengthened to bear. I know that through meekness, forbearance, patience and love, the Lord taught me how to carry the cross with cleat vision that the Calvary gives us a glimpse of His resurrection. My heart and eyes have been fixed on the Lord who have shown me the “Way” to be cheerful amid difficulties on my priesthood, for He truly rewards me with great consolation and faithfulness. God has exceeded His generosity, for every difficulty that has come, there have been joys that made it all seem right.

Today, it is 34 years that I have been offering Mass, I always give thanks to our Lord, that I have been chosen to offer His infinite merits of sacrifice in Calvary that is continuously present on this altar and being offered to the Father. My celebration of the mass is not about what I am doing but Christ’s. When I am at the altar, when I preach and teach, when I bless, when I hear confession, administering other sacraments, I am doing these in reality it is not about me but Jesus Christ who loves me. I am but just a vessel and an instrument to dispense His infinite and overflowing grace.

When I am in my office at work, His presence becomes incarnate in a certain sense in my flesh and in my humanity and my personality, though I am not perfect.

St. Augustine when he became a bishop, he said to his congregation, “For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian.” He has spoken with humility identifying himself together with the people that we have the dignity to be Christ to others. It means that as much as I am a priest, I must be Christ. And so as much as we are Christians by virtue of our Baptism, we must be like Christ too! By His grace we must make ourselves responsible for each other to grow in the Lord.

Therefore, my 34th sacerdotal anniversary, I am grateful to God for the priesthood, grateful that His gifts have even exceeded even what He had promised, and I am grateful to your presence in oneness of heart in prayer and thanksgiving. And through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we bow down and willing to consecrate ourselves to God in humility and gladness like our dear Mother, always shows us the way to her Son, Jesus Christ, our High Priest, and Lord. Amen

(Photo taken December 6, 2024 — Left to Right:
– Knights of Columbus State Chaplain, my successor and priest from Las Vegas, Fr. Steve Hoffer
– Myself, former State Chaplain and presently the Associate
– Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg, DD)

• Jeremiah 33:14-16
• Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
• 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2
• Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. We are excited and looking forward to preparing for this Advent, which requires intense prayer and penance, for we are warned, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from … the anxieties of daily life….” (v.34) We have to give ourselves time to reflect and deeply process our thoughts about the meaning of Advent. The word Advent, from the Latin word “Adventus,” means coming. We know that what we are preparing for is the “Coming,” which is not solely the remembrance of the coming of Jesus but our coming back to Him with a profound connection to the nativity of the Lord.

The liturgical readings on this first week of Advent give us HOPE. You have seen the symbolism of lighting the first candle of the Advent wreath to set our minds that God will certainly fulfill His promise to us. The first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah narrates to us about the experience of the chosen people when they were affected by the devastation of war, and they grieved for the loss of their leaders. When their enemies took their leaders away from them, they were unsure of their future. However, the prophet Jeremiah compares their own struggle to that of a barren land, a tiny shoot, a small sign of life that will appear on a lifeless stump and yet have a future to rise thru the shoot of David. This is a voice of encouragement for the chosen people of Israel. God, thru the prophet, continues to announce His promise that is not impossible because He cannot deceive His people.

The second reading, taken from the first letter to the Thessalonians, speaks to us about St. Paul’s call to prayer so that the community will grow in their love for each other. Thus, they must conduct themselves accordingly by living out Paul’s instruction. Just as St. Paul wants the Thessalonians to persevere in their prayer, we too are being asked in this season of Advent to do the same, almost as a warning, for us to be better disciples of the Lord.

The gospel today, taken from St. Luke, is very hard to understand because of the many symbolisms and signs that we must comprehend. Our deep prayer and reflection will definitely lead us by the Holy Spirit to grasp its meaning.

First, when we speak about the glory of God’s coming, we imagine that everybody seems to be trembling in fear. Indeed, Jesus’ coming would be a magnificent event and the passing of this world becomes dramatic; however, Jesus wants us to be calmed by listening to Him. We focus on raising our hearts and minds with much anticipation, but for those who are not paying much attention, instead of enjoying they succumb to fear and anxieties in life.

Second, in the context of the gospel, Jesus wants us to simply be attentive to His warnings. This gospel pericope does not say it would be the end of the world. Our attention to Jesus might be ruined by what is happening around us, like chaos, disorder and absorption of all kinds of noise. It is more appropriate to focus on Jesus to understand the signs and warnings. It must be intensified by integrating our moral values and actions which conform to Him.

Third, this pericope of the gospel doesn’t reveal the end of the world per se; however, we are often instructed to be vigilant and be attentive in watching what’s going on around us and in the world. The right attitude towards our life’s journey would be trusting in God’s promise.

May these readings inspire us with God’s grace according to right living and faith as we await His coming to be real. Our way of overcoming fear and anxiety comes from having to let go of knowing exactly how and where we are to stand before the Son of God. How can I live a life of total trust in the Lord? Am I confused and becoming afraid? Do I really accept that God accompanies me in my daily life, helping me feel secure and safe?

Let us pray that we grow in the enjoyment of Advent, not being left behind and lost. If we neglect to grasp the true meaning of this season, then we might not simply appreciate the significance of Christmas.

God bless you,

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Romans 13:11-14
• Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

We are excited and looking forward to preparing for this Advent, which requires intense prayer and penance, for we are warned, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from … the anxieties of daily life….” (v.34) We have to give ourselves time to reflect and deeply process our thoughts about the meaning of Advent. The word Advent, from the Latin word “Adventus,” means coming. We know that what we are preparing for is the “Coming,” which is not solely the remembrance of the coming of Jesus but our coming back to Him with a profound connection to the nativity of the Lord.

The liturgical readings on this first week of Advent give us HOPE. You have seen the symbolism of lighting the first candle of the Advent wreath to set our minds that God will certainly fulfill His promise to us.

Advent is also reminds us of our present situation. We are still dark in darkness, still night. We still indulge in quarreling and jealousy. The epistle taken from the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul intends to give us “night vision” to see ourselves that we are still living in darkness.

When we wake up, we get dressed. St. Paul tells us what to wear: “let us put on the armor of light” (v.12); and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 14). Why do we need yo out an armor? According to history, men engage in battle need an armor for protection. It’s the soldiers who put on their armor and their weapons. The image tells us that we’re in the middle of conflict; instead of fighting each other, we need to unite against a common enemy. St. Paul names the enemy as “not flesh and blood,” but our enemy is Satan.
First, as Catholics, we are never to consider other people as our enemies, no matter how bitter the divisions in the church may be, nor how painful our experiences. Rather, we are to fight against the destructive powers that enslave and divide people. That might be a history of mistrust and injustice, addictions, thirst for revenge, prejudice and fear, greed, and so forth. St. Paul calls these “the works of darkness,” identified with the “the desires of the flesh” (Gal 5:19-21). These works of the flesh destroy our fellowship and our witnessing. When we engage in battle against such destructive powers, we fight for the unity of the church.

Second, the clothing ourselves in the armor of light is, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Here, the imagery of clothing points to the moment of baptism. We recall “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal 3:27) This language of “putting on” a person could be meant that indeed, for those who have put on Christ, Christ’s destiny becomes our own identity.

The gospel today, taken from St. Luke is very hard to understand because of the many symbolisms and signs that we must comprehend. Our deep prayer and reflection will definitely lead us by the Holy Spirit to grasp its meaning.

First, when we speak about the glory of God’s coming, we imagine that everybody seems to be trembling in fear. Indeed, Jesus’ coming would be a magnificent event and the passing of this world becomes dramatic; however, Jesus wants us to be calmed by listening to Him. We focus on raising our hearts and minds with much anticipation, but for those who are not paying much attention, instead of enjoying they succumb to fear and anxieties in life.

Second, in the context of the gospel, Jesus wants us to simply be attentive to His warnings. This gospel pericope does not say it would be the end of the world. Our attention to Jesus might be ruined by what is happening around us, like chaos, disorder and absorption of all kinds of noise. It is more appropriate to focus on Jesus to understand the signs and warnings. It must be intensified by integrating our moral values and actions which conform to Him.

Third, this pericope of the gospel doesn’t reveal the end of the world per se; however, we are often instructed to be vigilant and be attentive in watching what’s going on around us and in the world. The right attitude towards our life’s journey would be trusting in God’s promise.

May these readings inspire us with God’s grace according to right living and faith as we await His coming to be real. Our way of overcoming fear and anxiety comes from having to let go of knowing exactly how and where we are to stand before the Son of God. How can I live a life of total trust in the Lord? Am I confused and becoming afraid? Do I really accept that God accompanies me in my daily life, helping me feel secure and safe?

Let us pray that we grow in the enjoyment of Advent, not being left behind and lost. If we neglect to grasp the true meaning of this season, then we might not simply appreciate the significance of Christmas.

God bless you,

Fr. Arlon, osa