Author: dotheartfrarlon

Posted on

The Dictate of the Heart: 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Friday | Feast of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Today we have St. Charles Borromeo’s feast day.  He was an Italian bishop in the 1500s.  He was a dedicated priest, who worked in collaboration with his parishioners.  He was also a holy bishop with great power, but he used it with all humility to renew the church during his time. He is the patron of learning, in particular, the formation of seminarians. He is the patron of Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and Catechists.

Being a missionary and a priest, I pray that as I serve the faithful, like St. Charles, I  need to live with unselfishness to do my duty and to do good things wherever I am.  I may not understand the plan of God for me, but I completely understand well that God loves me. 

Reading the gospel today, I have many things to learn so that I would understand God’s Words.  This gospel is the parable of a “Dishonest Steward.” Sometimes reading this gospel, we have disbelief and a sense of confusion. Let me help you be able to understand this particular parable. 

First, the rich man commended the dishonest steward because he had written down the amount falsely which was different from the actual amount borrowed.  He reduced the amount of the debts which is tantamount to malversation of funds.  He was creating a benefit for the debtor, and thus was smart and prudent preparing his future.  The reason for the master’s commendation is that this dishonest steward knows better how to take care of himself, and it was not about his act of dishonesty.

Second, this last verse, “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.” Well, it is obvious that the present preoccupation of most of the people in the world is chiefly motivated by their desire to acquire material blessings thru dishonesty.   This is what we call the product of false riches.  We accumulate things for our self-satisfaction and prestige, consequently leading us away from the plan of God.  God always invites us “to go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”

Third, speaking about “The children of the light” refers to those who are motivated by and follow the teachings of Jesus.  The steward was clearly motivated by taking care of himself.  He helps others to ensure his life after his master kicks him off.  His “generosity” to the debtors was not to right an injustice, or to better their condition, but to achieve his personal interest to save face.

What is critically challenging to us is understanding the hidden message of the gospel.  I believe that taking into consideration our being clever on choosing how to get all spiritual riches and to prepare for our future with God as He calls us “Children of Light.”

Let us avoid acquiring false riches which surely lead us away from God. We must do something for the greater good, that is to be faithful to the Lord. Saving face is not the priority at this time but being children of light; thus we must examine how we need to conscientiously work for our salvation.

St. Charles Borromeo, pray for us.

Fr. Arlon, osa

St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Posted on

The Dictate of the Heart: 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday | Feast of St. Martin de Porres, Religious

As an Associate Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, I have initiated an annual gathering of Knights to offer mass for our deceased members of the Order. This is to remind us that our work in the Order is not ended in death, but is our continuous love and fraternity beyond death.  Today we gather at the St. Therese of Little Flower Catholic Church for a memorial mass for their eternal repose.

Today we also remember the feast of St. Martin de Porres.  He was born in 1579, in Lima, Peru. Martín was considered an exception and became a Dominican lay brother in 1610.  He was a friar noted for his compassion and humble service to the sick and those who were in need.  He was very prayerful and had great devotion to the eucharist, and he was a Dominican brother who attracted every one with his kindness and charity as a humble “Porter,” the one whose duty is to open the door and accept visitors to the monastery. . He died on November 3, 1639, and he was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI.  He was canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962.  The life of St. Martin inspires us to look to Jesus as our model for the one to imitate.

In today’s gospel, St. Luke tells us one of Jesus’ most well-known parables about the lost sheep. A man had 100 sheep, and he lost one.  We cannot understand the logic of a man leaving the 99 to go after the one that is lost.  How could it be, abandoning the many for the sake of one?  This is the wonder of God’s wisdom and love. Of course, God loves all but He is also concerned with the one that strayed.

In today’s first reading Paul gives witness to the fact that “whatever gains I had; these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ.”  It means that whatever St. Paul’s accomplishments were, according to what the world valued, meant less than nothing once he encountered Jesus and realized what He meant to the world. His whole understanding of life is importantly geared to this encounter.  God will do much to seek the lost and rejoice for the one who is found as reason for giving us Hope.

Our Christian hope is not purely sentimental, but rational. We must be very smart choosing the way of the Good Shepherd, who always gives preference to those who are lost and seeks them in order to be restored. This is His important mission to rebuild the Kingdom of God. “Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord” (Ps105).

St. Martin de Porres, pray for us.

Fr. Arlon, osa

St. Martin de Porres

Posted on

The Dictate of the Heart: 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday | The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Soul’s Day)

Today, we celebrate All Souls Day.  Many Protestant brethren believe that after death, there is no way to alter the fate of those who died. They believe that at the point of death, one’s eternal destiny is confirmed. Either he is saved through faith in Christ and is in heaven where he is experiencing rest and joy in God’s presence, or he is in torment in hell. No amount of prayer would deliver them from damnation.  Whatever the state of one’s soul, that’s it. They say, “once the person is gone, they’re gone.” Hence, no more prayers would aid the soul for salvation. Death is final, and after that, no amount of praying will avail a person of the salvation he has rejected in life. I believe this is a very sad perspective, thinking that our prayers would be completely futile. That is the reason why they don’t pray for the dead; they believe that their prayer service is to help the grieving family. Their dead are completely on their own, no more hope or more love. Let them find their way, others would say.

Catholic faith is totally different.  There is always room for our deceased brethren to be saved by God’s mercy.  We remember them every November 2nd, offering prayers for their salvation every All-Souls’ Day. We offer novenas on their death anniversary in order to gain eternal repose, and the highest form of prayer is to offer mass for our departed brothers and sisters.  To justify this religious practice is connected with keeping the chief commandment of God, “Love God above all and love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love is not only shared with those who are living.  Our love for our neighbors is beyond death and an integral part to practice charity towards our neighbors.  Jesus did not say love only those who are alive.  Therefore, our love is forever, as long as we live. There is no stopping the manifesting of love for each other.

We cannot make any judgment of any person who has died, even knowing how much they had done bad things.  We must remember that every person does something good in life. If we now think that our prayer won’t help because you have known someone to be an evil person, just believe that God’s mercy is immense.

It is a holy and pious thought to pray for the dead (2 Mc 12:44-45). Those in heaven or in hell don’t benefit from our prayers, because the souls that are already in heaven are enjoying the eternal bliss of God, and those in hell are already condemned.  However, we need to understand that not everyone immediately goes to heaven or hell after they die. Therefore, when we pray for the dead, we must be praying for people in some other place usually called “purgatory,” which other religions cannot accept this teaching. As Catholics, we accept that there is a state of purging and purification. If the souls we are praying for are destined to hell, we believe our prayers won’t be wasted because of the idea that there is the “treasury of prayers” which would be applied to those poor souls who have no one to pray for them.

As early as first century Christians, in catacombs and other graves, they put an inscription, “ PAX TIBI, SPIRITUI TUO, IN AETERNUM, TIBI CUM ANGELIS, CUM SANCTIS.” All these words were written and uttered to signify prayers for the dead.

Today’s Scriptural readings give us great comfort for accepting our own mortality.  The Book of Wisdom expresses consolation into our hearts, “The souls of the just are in the hand of God.”  In today’s gospel, Jesus says, “And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day.”  We are supported by God’s words and encouraged in hope.  We do not fully comprehend this reality, but we know that it is something greater and more powerful than anything else we have known, the great love and mercy of God. For Him, no one is lost.

Then, St. Paul prayed for the Dead, 2 Timothy 1:16-18 “May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me; he was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me eagerly and found me, may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day – and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.”

Today, let us spend time praying for all our departed Brothers and Sisters who have died so that their souls will be in the hands of God.  Being with God, no torment can touch them.  There is no more suffering, pain or worries because we believe that God takes good care of them and comforts them as well.  They are at peace.

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through Your mercy, rest in peace. Amen.”

May they rest in peace. God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

Posted on

The Dictate of the Heart: 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday | The Feast of All Saints

Today is the feast of All Saints.  We remember these ordinary people, men and women declared officially by the Catholic Church as Saints, who attained glory at the altar of the Lord because of their fidelity to God and their Christian virtues.  I believe that there are also so many Saints in heaven, unknown holy people, who are not declared by the Church, yet they are with God in heaven.

I never thought I’d meet real people here on earth, whom I consider living saints because of the way they serve others and love God faithfully. They work diligently, actively among the poor in a quiet manner, with all humility and generosity.  There is nothing remarkable about them for they are focused on sincerity of heart as genuine witnesses of God’s compassion, care, and deep love for the people whom they serve.

Today’s gospel from St. Matthew tells us about Jesus’ sermon on the Mount. It conveys to us how to become Saints by following Jesus’ words and examples.  This gospel passage is a practical guide to holiness which is attainable, within reach and real, but not expressing who those Saints are.  Jesus is giving us principles which are concrete suggestions to action.

In our Nicene Creed, we express our belief about the communion of Saints.  Thus, we are not far and remote from them, but united.  Through our faith and prayers, we are perfectly in communion with them especially when we ask for their help, for they have this beatific vision granted to them by God to intercede for us. On our part as believers, knowing and meeting living “Saints” in real life, we are encouraged to continue committing to our Faith and the love of God.  We must know thru them how to walk in the path to Holiness.  It is in the ordinary that we encounter Christ and His saints and are given the grace to be the beatitudes.

Let us now reflect profoundly on some points that are significant to us:

First, the blessings that Jesus has mentioned in the Beatitudes are not material blessings, like winning a lottery or becoming richer.  Rather it is about being spiritually rich and successful.  In fact, it is a total opposition to all the world offers us.  It almost turns all our notions of blessedness upside down.

Second, finding ourselves to be “spiritually poor,” we have nothing but God in our lives.  Being poor, we discover God.  St. Augustine promoted poverty of spirit and continence of the heart while living in Hippo with his friends and brothers in the community while doing their pastoral duties.  Our Father, St. Augustine, says, ‘the love of neighbor was simply another expression of the love of God,” in the realm of spiritual poverty.  Being poor, we can share much. In our poverty, we open our hands and our hearts to pray to our God who provides.

Third, when we find ourselves mourning, we shall be comforted because in our helplessness and starving for justice, we have nowhere to find true comfort except from our Savior who satisfies us.

Fourth, when we find God’s mercy for our sins, our pains and wounds heal.  We receive cleansing of our hearts; therefore, we too experience and see God within us thru a purified heart from all the pains and woundedness.  Thus, we can easily offer forgiveness and mercy to others as well.   We become peacemakers, ready to dispense that special blessedness we have received.  I believe that once God has given us His bountiful grace, His mercy overflows in our hearts.  Now, we become true children of God and see Him face to face.

In today’s first reading from the Book of Revelation, St. John has a vision of a multitude of people, impossible to count, “from every nation, race, people, and tongue… These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress.” St. John is reminding us that reaching the promise of salvation has been attached to all kinds of difficulties and challenges in this present world.  This is both a message and a warning to us that we will all succumb to suffering and difficulties here on earth; however, there is an end to suffering when we are faithful to Jesus, who sacrificed His own life so that we may live for all eternity.

This is indeed a great promise because all the saints of God are fully enjoying that “Blessedness.”  We are also called to see and believe that we can also rejoice and be glad about all God’s elect.

May all the Saints of God, pray for us.

Fr. Arlon, osa

Posted on

The Dictate of the Heart: 31st Week in Ordinary Time: Monday

Today ends the month of October, and people are excited to gather this evening celebrating Halloween.  It is a festival which is a big, big deal in the US, a secular celebration with big time commercialization.  Americans spend money for their creepy and scary costumes, making it the largest commercial holiday apart from Christmas. I imagine every American spending over a hundred dollars just to buy Halloween attire. Inside and outside the house is fully decorated with stuff that are inviting to the bad spirits to come.  They are not only spending money for themselves, but they buy costumes as well for their pets.  Children go from door to door in a neighborhood saying, ‘trick or treat,” then they are given candies by the homeowner.  Originally, this festival was also connected to Ireland and Britain to celebrate the Celtic New Year which began on the first of November.  The Catholics then, make it a time to celebrate the feast of All Saints which is more spiritually uplifting because we learn how these holy people were able to reach the perfect eternal salvation by offering themselves to God.

In the first reading today taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 2:1-4, he invites us to be “united in heart, thinking one thing.”  We must be united in faith and love to avoid living in utter selfishness.  It is a call to empower us all to change and addresses our weaknesses “by being of the same mind” in order to achieve things for the common good.

The Augustinians have this charism of living out “one mind, one heart intent upon God.”  The act of loving God has to be seen by our selfless acts for others. St. Paul has seen a great balance for he wants us to act in the same spirit.

The gospel today emphasizes much on our generosity, not only to our friends, but also, we need to do the same for the poor.  We need to become Christ to others by our gratuitous love especially for those who cannot repay our goodness.  The same love that we afford to our friends needs to be practiced as well, especially to  those in need.

When we think of “Halloween,” we must remember that we are called to holiness and to extend our generous heart of loving, setting no boundaries.  Jesus will be visiting us tonight knocking for a “Trick or Treat.”  We would be receiving a treat if we are good.  I hope and pray that we won’t be getting a “trick” which is an eternal punishment.  St. Paul says, “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.” We treat others more than what we think of ourselves because this is exactly what Jesus wants us to be, a person for others!

Happy “Holy-win!”

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

Posted on

The Dictate of the Heart: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, C

Today is the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, year C.  Our first reading from the Book of Wisdom has aided us to understand the goodness of God. Here God is presented as the Creator of the whole universe.  God is seen as the lover of all things and could never hate anything due to His goodness; He created everything out of love.  There is only one thing He did not create, and that is evil, because evil is totally oppose to His divine nature which is Good.  Our being sinful is our own creation, but it doesn’t mean that God has abandoned us because we are sinners.  We must be confident that God, our Creator, loves all that was created, even sinners.  All things are signs of God’s love and all things belong to God.

The second reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians says that as disciples, we should earnestly love to pray. Our prayer is that we become worthy of our calling to God’s kingdom and glory. We pray also that God would fulfill in us the work of faith with power so that we shine before men so others may glorify Him. We would then be glorified in and with Him.

Today’s gospel from St. Luke presents to us the interesting story of Jesus’ meeting with the tax collector, Zacchaeus, which is unique in the gospel of St. Luke. Hearing about the coming of Jesus, he climbed a sycamore tree in order to have a better view of the Lord, the Messiah, the Healer.  Because of the crowd, Zacchaeus cannot come closer to Jesus probably to avoid contact with his countrymen, for being a friend of Roman power, collecting tax from them. Aside from this, he was also short in height.  Consequently, he was up in a tree, not hiding, but he was conscious of being above the others.

He was not actually expecting Jesus to approach him and command him to get down from the tree.  Zacchaeus never expected anything extraordinary would happen when he voluntarily followed the words of Jesus. He thought he would remain incognito and one of the spectators, but now he was the center of attention and an actor amidst the huge crowd.

There are many good points to ponder on the unexpected event in the life of Zacchaeus.

First, Jesus invited Himself to dine with Zacchaeus. I believe that Jesus is again revealing His true identity as a merciful and a loving incarnate God. He comes to that place where He found a great sinner.  We know that He comes, not only for righteous people, but for sinners as well.

Second, when Jesus says, “Today I must stay at your house,” the “house” in this particular verse would mean, the universe He created, to effect true conversion initiated by Him. Jesus calls him back to His house, to God’s abode, after Zacchaeus admitted his wrongdoings.  Zacchaeus desires to live a new life and has a willingness to change from a notorious tax collector to his real self in order to serve and to be generous to others.

Third, Zacchaeus says, “I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I happen to extort somebody, I make it up fourfold.”  By understanding his words, it clearly implies behavior that is sincere and a willing heart to repay fourfold for extortions.  I understand that he extorted many people and now has decided to make up with abundant restoration to those people he fooled.

Fourth, Zacchaeus seeing and welcoming Jesus, he sincerely made amend of his sinfulness.  He exploited people to maintain his position to the Roman Empire, so that he would not lose his status and position as chief tax collector.  He used and abused himself for helping this foreign power. However, seeing Jesus in person has led him to a profound change of heart.

Fifth, the grumbling bystanders make a prophetic announcement: “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” This is like our own experience when we think that coming to church is indeed against all odds because we feel that we are ridiculed by others.  Remember that another’s comment against our willingness to come back to Christ is a grace and a gift.  We remember that the One, our Lord Jesus, who came and found Zacchaeus, who was lost, is the same Lord and Jesus who is inviting and calling us today to come to take up friendship and fellowship with Him.

This beautiful and heart-warming story ends with Jesus restating his mission of seeking and saving the “lost”. Many of us cannot remember the opportunity to see and meet the Lord in our lives. Think of how Zacchaeus, a rich tax collector who occupied a high position in the community, acted in a strikingly childlike behavior climbing a tree just to see Jesus.

Today God calls us all to seek the truth with childlike openness, so that we are ready to encounter the Lord Jesus and respond to His surprising initiatives in our lives. He might invite Himself to enter into our lives to show His goodness and love.  Therefore, after our conversion, St. Paul reminds us to glorify God and in turn we shall be glorified in and with Him which is exactly what Zacchaeus did.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

El dictado del corazón: Trigésimo primer domingo del tiempo ordinario, C

  • Sabiduría 11:22-12:2
  • Salmos 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14
  • 2 Tesalonicenses 1:11-2:2
  • Lucas 19:1-10

Hoy es el Trigésimo Primer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año C. Nuestra primera lectura del Libro de la Sabiduría nos ayudado a comprender la bondad de Dios. Aquí se presenta a Dios como el Creador de todo el universo. Dios es visto como el amante de todas las cosas y nunca podría odiar nada debido a Su bondad, él creó todo por amor. Solo una cosa que Él no creó es el mal. Porque el mal se opone a Su naturaleza divina que es el Bien. El hecho de que seamos pecadores es nuestra propia creación, pero eso no significa que Dios nos haya abandonado porque somos pecadores. Debemos estar seguros de que Dios, nuestro Creador, ama a todo lo creado, incluso a los pecadores. Todas las cosas son signos del amor de Dios y todas las cosas pertenecen a Dios.

La segunda lectura de la Carta de San Pablo a los Tesalonicenses que, como discípulos, debemos amar fervientemente la oración. Nuestra oración es que seamos dignos de nuestro llamado para

el reino y la gloria de Dios. Y también, por los discípulos, incluyéndonos a nosotros, que Dios cumpla en nosotros la obra de la fe con poder. Que debemos brillar ante los hombres para que otros lo glorifiquen, y entonces seremos glorificados en el y con Él.

En el evangelio de hoy de San Lucas nos presenta la interesante historia del encuentro de Jesús con el recaudador de impuestos Zaqueo que es único en el evangelio de San Lucas. Al enterarse de la venida de Jesús, se subió a un árbol sicómoro para tener una mejor vista del Señor, el Mesías, el sanador. Por la multitud, Zaqueo no puede acercarse a Jesús o probablemente evitar el contacto con sus compatriotas, por ser amigo del poder romano para cobrarles impuestos, además de ser bajo de estatura. En consecuencia, estaba arriba del árbol, no se escondía pero era consciente de que su imagen estaba por encima de los demás.

En realidad, no esperaba que Jesús se le acercara y le ordenara que bajara del árbol. Zaqueo nunca esperó que algo extraordinario sucediera cuando voluntariamente siguió las palabras de Jesús. Pensó que permanecería de incógnito y uno de los espectadores, pero ahora era el centro y un actor en medio de la gran multitud.

Hay muchos buenos puntos para reflexionar al ver el evento inesperado en la vida de Zaqueo.

Primero, Jesús se invitó a sí mismo a cenar con Zaqueo. Creo que Jesús está revelando nuevamente su verdadera identidad como un Dios encarnado misericordioso y amoroso. Él viene a ese lugar donde encontró a un gran pecador. Sabemos que Él viene, no solo por los justos sino también por los pecadores.

Segundo, cuando Jesús dice: “Hoy debo quedarme en tu casa”. La “casa” en este versículo en particular significaría el universo que Él creó, para efectuar la verdadera conversión iniciada por Él. Jesús lo llama de regreso a Su casa, a la morada de Dios después de que Zaqueo admitió sus malas acciones. Zaqueo desea vivir una nueva vida y está dispuesto a cambiar de un recaudador de impuestos notorio a un yo real para servir y ser generoso con los demás.

En tercer lugar, Zaqueo dice: “Doy la mitad de mis bienes a los pobres, y si extorsiono a alguien, se lo cuadruplicaré”. Por entender claramente sus palabras implican una conducta que es sincera, su corazón dispuesto a pagar cuatro veces las extorsiones, lo cual entendería que extorsionó a muchas personas y ahora decidió compensar con abundante restauración a aquellas personas a las que engañó.

Cuarto, Zaqueo explotó regularmente a la gente para mantener su posición en el Imperio Romano, para que no perdiera su estatus y posición como principal recaudador de impuestos. Se usó y abusó de sí mismo por ayudar a esta potencia extranjera. Sin embargo, el encuentro con Jesús lo ha llevado a un profundo cambio de corazón.

Quinto, con los transeúntes quejumbrosos haciendo un anuncio profético: “Se ha ido a vivir a la casa de un pecador”. Esto es como nuestra propia experiencia cuando pensamos que ir a la iglesia es realmente contra viento y marea porque sentimos que los demás nos ridiculizan. Recuerda que el comentario de otros en contra de nuestra voluntad de volver a Cristo es una gracia y un regalo. Recordemos que Aquel que vino y encontró a Zaqueo, que estaba perdido, es también una invitación de que Jesús ha venido a tomar amistad y comunión con nosotros.

Esta hermosa y conmovedora historia termina con Jesús reafirmando su misión de buscar y salvar a los “perdidos”. Muchos de nosotros no podemos recordar la oportunidad de ver y conocer al Señor en nuestras vidas. Piense en cómo Zaqueo, un rico recaudador de impuestos y que ocupaba un alto cargo en la comunidad, actuó de manera sorprendentemente infantil al subirse a un árbol solo para ver a Jesús.

Hoy Dios nos llama a todos a buscar la verdad con una apertura infantil, para estar preparados para encontrar al Señor Jesús y responder a sus sorprendentes iniciativas en nuestra vida. Podría invitarse a sí mismo a entrar en nuestras vidas para mostrar su bondad y amor. Por lo tanto, después de nuestra conversión, San Pablo nos recuerda que glorificamos a Dios ya su vez seremos glorificados en y con Él, que es exactamente lo que hizo Zaqueo.

Dios te bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

Posted on

The Dictate of the Heart: 30th Week in Ordinary time, Saturday

One of the hardest things in life is to remain humble.  Sometimes we are so much into pushing ourselves to be given importance by others.  It is true that we struggle a lot. However, Jesus and all of the saints set an example to live out our calling to be humble in order to be effective disciples to carry out our calling to serve God in others and not ourselves.   Seeking humility is actually setting a balance in our Christian living, remaining humble despite our accomplishments and successes.

In today’s epistle, St. Paul says, “And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.” (Philippians 1:25) St. Paul wrote these words when he was captured and languished in prison.  Though he was not afraid, he knew that his future was uncertain.  However, deep in his heart, he was determined to fulfill his mission. We too, like St. Paul, must also remember that our mission as Christians remains the same up to the present, i.e., to serve others to enable their progress and joy in the faith.

Today, as I am reflecting on today’s gospel, I remember my experience with my parishioner who has been involved in charity works but, because of her simplicity and humility, she doesn’t want to share on social media or with others or publicize it because she doesn’t want recognition.  She silently does her charitable works without exulting herself because she believes God knows what we do and God receives the glory.

Some people want a sense of entitlement.  They expect the best seat and like to be treated well at work or public places.  Nevertheless, the gospel reminds us of the dangers of thinking too highly of ourselves and thinking everything revolves around us. Here Jesus is very direct in teaching us the important virtue, that is to humble ourselves always. Humbling ourselves by serving others is not about helping them to be served but to gain the grace of God and not to be exalted but keeping the attitude of “other-centered” solely for God’s name to be glorified.

Thus, let us work on living out God’s mission and keeping Jesus’ words, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

Posted on

The Dictate of the Heart: 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Friday | Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Today is the feast of the two apostles, Saints Simon, the Zealot, and Jude, the Son of James. Simon was a member of the party of Jews planning, and eventually executing, a guerrilla war against the Romans.  The party was known as “the Zealot,” emerging as a distinctive group until some 36 years after Jesus was crucified.  So, the question is, why was he called Simon, the Zealot?  The correct answer is, having that nickname was connected to his personality. He was a zealous guy, especially in relation to doing his work pertaining to the faithful following of the will of Jesus Christ.  He became a member of the newly organized party after the death of his master, Jesus.  He was involved in the attempted revolt against the Romans resulting in the destruction of Jerusalem. As for Judas, son of James, he nearly gets lost in the tradition because Mark and Matthew call him Thaddeus. He has emerged in Christian tradition as the saint of the impossible. However, in Luke’s gospel, he is called Jude.  I think he was so involved in a “mission impossible” type situation and became someone whom many devotees turned to for help and intercession.

The reading from the Ephesians reminds me that just like Simon and Jude, who were called to accomplish the task given by Jesus, we too must think of how we can realize our mission work, keeping that call from Jesus with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul says in his letter, “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone” (Eph. 2:19-20).  Since we are no longer strangers, we are all in communion with fellow citizens, together with the Apostles, like Simon and Jude. We belong to a life-giving family, which St. Paul calls the “body of Christ.” Through Christ we grow together in the Spirit. This passage inspires me to continue to belong to a living, growing communion of saints, collaborating with the continued growth of this household. As His disciples, we stand up and move forward, confident in that support.

In today’s gospel, Jesus walks up the mountain to pray and is inspired to choose his disciples.  I believe that Jesus took seriously the decision to select worthy collaborators, who had faith in Him to learn and teach others as well.

We are also called to be Christ’s disciples.  Maybe we’ve entertained this question: Why twelve males when we know that several Galilean women were also key members of the earliest disciples in Luke 8:1-3; 24:10? The reasonable answer to this question is that Jesus’ choice of the number twelve, and specifically twelve men, was a prophetic symbolic act indicating that He was bringing about the expected messianic restoration of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Hence, like Jesus and His disciples, I need to go to a quiet place to allow myself to be in communion with the Spirit of Christ in prayer.  I need to talk to God, not to make any reaction that would jeopardize the voice of God calling me to “faithfully follow Him.” You and I are also encouraged to be Jesus’ disciples to do the work of God for salvation.  Let us pray for others, who are at this time in need of someone to accompany them in clearing up their minds of doubts.

Saints Simon and Jude, pray for us.

Fr. Arlon, osa

Posted on

The Dictate of the Heart: 30th Week in Ordinary time, Thursday

Last Sunday, October 23rd, the Catholic Church celebrated World Mission Sunday.  I have preached about Jesus’ mandate to all who are baptized, to participate in the challenging task of proclaiming the message of God to the whole world, even in the midst of difficulties, where this modern world is hostile to receive the message of Christ.  The mission work is not just limited to bishops, priests, religious and missionaries, but to all followers of the Lord. We must carry the Goodnews so that, through us, others may know God.  I have been a missionary for 27 years, and I am blessed for being “Sent.”  I am aware that this mission work is not only for myself, and I am always happy to bring up the name of the Order of St. Augustine, of which I am an active member

On October 25, 2022, one of my Augustinian confreres, Fr. Alfredo Jubac, OSA, visited me for the first time from the Philippines. He will stay with me for a few days, and he wants to be immersed in my work in the diocese.  Of course I am happy with his visit, for it renews our Augustinian fraternity. His presence is indeed a support, living out our charism of “being one mind and heart.”  In addition, having a brother visiting gives us time for sharing our challenging works and our battles dealing with many interior thoughts and feelings that invade our hearts.  As we listen to each other, we have realized the value of brotherhood and bonding, which actually leads us always to God.

In today’s first reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, he says, “Draw your strength from the Lord and from His mighty power.  Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil.” This is what we must learn from St. Paul, that our weight and strength is when we call on God.

Every time we read the scriptures, we are inspired and so often it rouses us to do something good and even change ourselves for the better.  We always look for the path to perseverance.

In today’s gospel, some Pharisees came to Jesus to warn Him to go away because Herod wants to kill him.

Everywhere and every time, we are exposed to the danger of dying or being killed. The Pharisees and religious leaders were targeting Jesus in order to silence Him.  Why? It is because He speaks the truth, and these people, hearing His voice, instead of walking towards the light, they continue to protect their self-interest, power and pride.

As we read this gospel, we need to resist the enticement of the devil.  We are under siege by the forces of darkness in this present world.  We must be prepared to fight off the evil one. We need to protect our entire being so that we can continue to run the race, like St. Paul, faithful to his calling to preach about peace and love for those who do not know God yet.

Let us be shielded by His truth in His word. We cannot fight off the evils without knowing the word of God. “ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

Posted on

The The Dictate of the Heart: 30th Week in Ordinary time, Wednesday

Two weeks ago as I walked in the neighborhood, I saw houses decorated with scary skeletons, spiders, witches, coffins, etc….I think people are so much into bad spirits which could give them an opening to bad spirits’ infestations.  They never realize that some welcome the prince of darkness in disguise.  To knock on the door, like “trick-or-treaters,” the unknown power of darkness could molest them.

Our readings today remind us to be obedient to our parents and to our superiors and, at the same time, believing in the faithfulness of the Lord so that we can enter into the kingdom of heaven for our salvation.

The first reading starts with a directive to obey and honor our parents.  In fact, in the Old Testament, it was promised that those who are respectful and loving towards their parents will be abundantly rewarded, especially with a long life.  The parents, on the other hand, should not provoke their children in anger but make them happy to connect with God. Parents must also be loving and kind reflecting the whole family as faithful followers of the Lord. So, no matter what, we should always serve the Lord in all we do.  We should serve Him in our actions and attitudes and keep Him as the center of our family.

The gospel today narrates to us about someone from the crowd asking Jesus,  “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered using the image of a “narrow gate”, saying many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough, and many others will be turned away when they knock on the door.  What is the “narrow gate? It can be a metaphor for many things, or it may be challenging and difficult.  Maybe, we should not be careless in our faith in the Lord.  There must be a commitment on our part, like making critical decisions and free choice so that in having serious discernment we can arrive at this narrow gate, then finally be led to salvation.  I believe that in this desire and longing to enter the “narrow gate,” we should truly place much attention on the present moment and not be defined by our resentments from the past or fears and anxieties of the future.

Let us pray that Jesus will lead us on the right path to arrive at, and be able to enter through, the right door. Let us strive hard until the path is completely right and the door is open wide enough that we may enter. Jesus is knocking at the door of every heart; let us never lack in hope.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa