Author: dotheartfrarlon

• Romans 8:18-23
• Luke 5:1-11

We are in the 4th Sunday after Pentecost.  I guess we are enjoying the summer weather with many things on our mind, like planning for a good summer vacation or outdoor activities with the whole family.  When travelling, however, always include God in your plans.  Stay connected with God in prayer and fulfill your Sunday obligation. 

We have inspiring readings today from the epistle and the gospel teaching us to hope in the face of humanity and to find comfort and consolation in this present affliction. 

The epistle from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans states that the sufferings of this present time “are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to come, that shall be revealed to us.”  Human suffering is the consequence of man’s iniquity and sin.  However, there is Goodnews.  Our Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel are the only explanation and solution to our human sufferings.  We need to learn how to be reconciled and to submit ourselves to God.  When there is the great possibility to be reconciled with God and others, then we have a new way of viewing life in the world.  We fix our mind and spirit to that incomparable glory, which is to come as promised to us in Christ.  Are you groaning with creation?  We should not be discouraged and hopeless in finding the promise and plan of God.  We are all adopted children of God and, therefore, cast ourselves in His compassion and love.  

In today’s gospel pericope we find some interesting passages about a fruitful life with Jesus.  We are also challenged about how receptive we are to hear the Word of God.  Jesus is the embodiment of God in the world.   

First, Jesus saw two ships on the shore, and he went into one of the ships which belongs to Simon Peter.  He requested to move the ship a little closer to the shore, and then sitting He started to teach the multitude. (v3) I believe that people participated in Jesus’ spiritual teaching and He consoled so many people, but are we in the same boat where Jesus is? 

Following the example of Jesus, our task is to evangelize in order to spread the seed of the Good News.  We share the Word of God thru good deeds and actions toward everyone we encounter.  Jesus never promises us that we will see the fruit of our work for evangelization in our lifetime, but it is nice to talk about it or try coming to mass for a better understanding of our faith. 

Second, the disciples were frustrated about having no catch after a long night fishing.  Simon said, “Master we have labored all night.”   It was Simon’s honest answer to Jesus.  It is normal to be frustrated when at times we can hardly realize some of our expectations in life.  What happened to Simon Peter was that he was probably losing hope that day. It was difficult for him as he was trying to catch fish for his family, but after fishing all night he came up empty handed.  

We encounter many people in the same situation.  Though we are fortunate to walk with them on their journey, have we understood the condition they are in at their lowest moment? Probably, their spiritual life is dry and been dormant for years, just looking for someone who can lift up their downtrodden spirit.  Like Jesus who has been sensible towards others, we too must keep an eye out for those who are willing to find out a little more out of an act of charity and fraternal accompaniment.   

Third, Jesus says to Simon, “Launch out into the deep.” (vv.4-5) This is Jesus’ words of opportunities.  The challenge for Simon and the other disciples is to do what Jesus’ commands.  Following what is in Jesus’ heart for them is to achieve and to fulfill right here and right now.   What is Christ calling us to do? 

I think our readings today present a unique challenge. Perhaps, God is telling you something, maybe you have even felt something, but you have not followed through with it.  Are you willing to see for yourself if Jesus is real and if He is trying to speak with you in your solitude in prayer?   Maybe we are just lazy to explore, so take a little time to listen. 

Jesus says, “Fear not.”  “Do not be afraid.”   These words assure us that Jesus is giving us the grace to hope by submitting ourselves to His divine plan….we can work together in faith and journey together as brothers and sisters following Jesus, for He has an abundant promise if we just leave everything and faithfully follow Him. 

Ask the Holy Spirit to be with you and to help understand what God is telling you. When a word or phrase comes to you, let it sink into your heart.  Ask Jesus what he wants you to do about it. Let His word bear fruit in your life.    

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Genesis 3:9-15
• Psalms 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
• 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
• Mark 3:20-35 

Today, we celebrate the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. We reflect on the readings today where the Holy Church makes us aware of our human condition that we are prone to and struggle against evil every day. However, the good news is that it is through Christ and in Christ that we are victorious because it is Jesus Christ, who is the true Messiah and the Son of God, who has the power over evil, and we obtain victory through Him.

The first reading from the book of Genesis narrates to us that Adam and Eve sinned against God by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree. They realized their own pride and sinfulness towards God that they were ashamed of being naked. Their disobedience resulted in the tainted and broken relationship with God, which unfortunately this holds up to our own maliciousness. There is that cycle of blaming one another without accepting their faults. Both of them never realize their faults and the consequences of their disobedient action. In the same manner, if we have done something wrong, it is hard to take ownership, and no one says sorry, or I was wrong. Our own excuses never erase the consequences of our actions. Instead we must humbly accept our mistakes which leads to an easy way to ask forgiveness.

In the 2nd reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, St. Paul delivers to them a letter of encouragement and expresses his full support to the community of Corinth and for us who listen. St. Paul brings into the right perspective how essential it is to live a life of faith. He preaches with much conviction of a life with active participation in the resurrection of Jesus, which gives us new life and “our inner self is being renewed day by day.” He also reminds us that “as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen, for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.” (v.18)

Applying these words to our life, when we accept that we are physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally dwindling because of age, we change our perspective about life. We choose to have more peace and strive to work with less anxieties and stress because we have a greater understanding of the truth. Thus, the inner self-being has been slowly renewed by God, if only we allow Him to do something for our integral transformation and conversion.

The gospel from St. Mark narrates to us about Jesus’ homecoming, not to his native place which is Nazareth, but his adopted place Capernaum. It was a place where people converge to listen to Him preaching. Just imagine how Jesus managed his time. Maybe from sunrise to sunset He was committed to fulfill His mission, to be with so many people teaching them up to the point that He had no more time to eat.

Let us meditate on the four important views in this gospel pericope.

First, Jesus was busy doing His mission for so many people. When His relatives heard about His presence, they said, “He is out of His mind.” (v.21) This is an expression of frustrations demonstrating their own rejection of Him, like the pharisees and scribes denying that Jesus was sent to fulfill His divinely given role by the Almighty Father for man’s liberation and salvation. This was outright rejection by the people and His relatives to do away with His miraculous works and powerful preaching. Despite this insulting remark, Jesus continued to remain committed to, and focused on, His ministry.

Second, Jesus is being accused of driving out demons because He’s in a league with evil. It is outrageous, but it does show how some religious people rebelled against him. Jesus speaks to them “How can Satan drive out Satan. If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (v.23) Jesus was accused of casting out demons by the power of Satan rather than God. It is clear for Jesus to raise His points that “Satan can’t cast out Satan.” It is not something Satan would do because it would be essentially working against Satan himself. How could his kingdom flourish if Satan opposes himself? In reality, Jesus actually liberates the possessed by His power, being God. Having divine power to subdue anything that opposes His goodness is a sign of Jesus’ divinity.

Third, Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” What does this mean? In order to understand this verse, think of the Scribes and Pharisees who had witnessed all the good things Jesus had done; however, they continued denying the goodness of Jesus. They cannot accept the Truth, even though they had the knowledge because they don’t want to accept the truth and tried to manipulate the truth; therefore, they lied big time.

God is Truth, and telling a lie is contrary to the very nature of God. He cannot handle lying, where many people lie to the point of believing their own lies. Lying eventually warps our consciences where we cannot distinguish between the truth and falsehood.

Therefore, despite all the revelations and signs indicating Jesus as the Messiah, like the Pharisees and Scribes, some of us continue to reject Him. This is what is being referred to as the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit. The sin cannot be forgiven, not because God doesn’t want to forgive it, but because we reject God and no longer want to be forgiven.

Fourth, Jesus was told that His mother and His brothers arrived. Jesus asked them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He looked around and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the Will of God is my brother, my sister and mother.” (v.34) Jesus teaches an important lesson today that through faith and obedience to God’s will, we all have the opportunity to become members of God’s family. Hence, if we are brothers and sisters of Christ, we must go through a dynamic process of personal encounter with Christ. We must prove it through our faithfulness and obedience to God’s Will. We must work for real intimacy with Jesus which is about communion with Him. It happens when our hearts becomes more like His.

Finally, as brothers, sisters or mother of Christ means that it goes beyond family and blood relation because our vital life is centered on God that is our absolute priority. Let us return to God. Even though God is being marginalized by a modern world, our society continues to promote general indifference to the Christian faith. Let us be submissive to God’s Will. Our total surrender and obedience to God is necessary for us and the world to survive.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El dictado del corazón

Décimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• Génesis 3:9-15
• Salmos 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
• 2 Corintios 4:13-5:1
• Marcos 3:20-35 

Hoy celebramos el Décimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B. Reflexionamos sobre las lecturas que hoy la Santa Iglesia nos hace conscientes de nuestra condición humana. Somos propensos a luchar contra el mal todos los días. Sin embargo, la buena noticia es que es a través de Cristo y en Cristo, que saldremos victoriosos, porque es Jesucristo, quien es el verdadero Mesías y el Hijo de Dios, quien tiene poder sobre el mal y obtendremos la victoria por medio de Él.

La primera lectura del libro del Génesis narra a Adán y Eva pecando contra Dios al comer del fruto del árbol prohibido. Se dieron cuenta de su orgullo y pecaminosidad hacia Dios. Les dio vergüenza al darse cuenta de que estaban desnudos. Su desobediencia resultó en que su relación con Dios ya no fuese igual y que lamentablemente resiste nuestra malicia. Existe ese ciclo de culparnos unos a otros sin aceptar nuestras faltas. Ambos nunca se dieron cuenta de sus faltas y de las consecuencias de sus acciones desobedientes. De la misma manera, si hemos hecho algo mal, es difícil responsabilizarnos y nadie dice “lo siento” ni admite su error. Nuestras excusas nunca borran las consecuencias de nuestras acciones. Es necesario ser humildes y aceptar nuestros errores, lo que lleva a pedir perdón y poder sanar.

En la segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Corintios, San Pablo les entregó una carta de aliento y expresó su total apoyo a la comunidad de Corinto y a nosotros que la escuchamos. San Pablo aporta la perspectiva correcta, esencial para vivir una vida de fe. Predica con mucha convicción que una vida con participación en la resurrección de Jesús puede darnos vida nueva y “nuestro ser interior se va renovando día a día”. También nos recuerda que “no miramos lo que se ve sino lo que no se ve, porque lo que se ve es transitorio, pero lo que no se ve es eterno”. (v.18)

Al aplicar estas palabras a nuestras vidas, cuando aceptamos que estamos física, espiritual, mental y emocionalmente disminuidos debido a la edad, cambiamos nuestra perspectiva de la vida. Elegimos tener más paz y esforzarnos por trabajar con menos ansiedad y estrés. Porque tenemos una mayor comprensión de la verdad. Así, el ser interior ha sido renovado lentamente por Dios, si tan sólo le permitimos hacer algo por nuestra transformación y conversión total.

El evangelio de San Marcos nos narra el regreso de Jesús, no a su lugar natal que es Nazaret sino a su lugar de adopción Cafarnaúm. Era un lugar donde la gente se reunía para escucharlo predicar. Imagínense cómo Jesús administró su tiempo, tal vez desde el amanecer hasta el atardecer estuvo comprometido a cumplir su misión, a estar con tanta gente enseñándoles hasta el punto de que no tuvo tiempo para comer.

Meditemos en cuatro puntos de vista de del evangelio:

Primero, Jesús estaba ocupado cumpliendo su misión para tanta gente, y cuando sus familiares se enteraron de su presencia, dijeron: “Está loco”. (v.21) Esta es una expresión de frustración que demuestra su rechazo hacia Él, como los fariseos y los escribas negaban que Jesús fuera enviado a cumplir una misión divinamente otorgado por el Padre Todopoderoso para la liberación y salvación del hombre. Este rechazo total por parte del pueblo y de Sus familiares acaba con Sus obras milagrosas y su poderosa predicación. A pesar de este comentario insultante, Jesús continuó comprometido y enfocado en Su ministerio.

En segundo lugar, se acusa a Jesús de expulsar demonios porque está aliado con el mal. Es indignante, pero muestra cómo algunas personas religiosas se rebelaron contra él. Jesús les habla: “¿Cómo puede Satanás expulsar a Satanás? Si un reino está dividido contra sí mismo, ese reino no puede subsistir”. (v.23) Jesús fue acusado de expulsar demonios por el poder de Satanás y no por el poder de Dios. Es claro para Jesús plantear sus puntos de que “Satanás no puede expulsar a Satanás”. No es algo que Satanás haría porque esencialmente estaría trabajando contra el mismo. ¿Cómo podría florecer su reino si Satanás se opone a sí mismo? En realidad, Jesús libera a los poseídos por su poder, siendo Dios. Tener el poder divino para dominar cualquier cosa que se oponga a su bondad, es signo de la divinidad de Jesús.

En tercer lugar, Jesús dice: “En verdad les digo que todos los pecados y todas las blasfemias que los hombres pronuncien serán perdonados. Pero quien blasfemia contra el Espíritu Santo nunca tendrá perdón, sino que es culpable de un pecado eterno”. ¿Qué quiere decir esto? Para entender este versículo, piensen en los escribas y fariseos que habían sido testigos de todas las cosas buenas que Jesús había hecho, sin embargo, continuaron negando la bondad de Jesús. No pueden aceptar la Verdad, a pesar de que tienen el conocimiento porque no quieren aceptar la verdad y tratan de manipularla, por lo tanto, mintieron mucho.

Dios es Verdad, y decir una mentira es contrario a la naturaleza misma de Dios. No puede soportar la mentira, algo que muchas personas mienten hasta el punto de creer sus mentiras. Mentir eventualmente deforma nuestra conciencia y no podemos distinguir entre la verdad y la falsedad.
Por lo tanto, a pesar de todas las revelaciones y señales que indican que Jesús es el Mesías, al igual que los fariseos y los escribas, algunos de nosotros seguimos rechazándolo. Esto es lo que se conoce como el pecado imperdonable contra el Espíritu Santo. El pecado no puede ser perdonado, no porque Dios no quiera perdonarlo sino porque nosotros rechazamos a Dios y ya no queremos ser perdonados.

Cuarto, a Jesús le dijeron que habían llegado su madre y sus hermanos. Jesús les preguntó: “¿Quiénes son mi madre y mis hermanos? Miró a su alrededor y dijo: “Aquí están mi madre y mis hermanos. Porque quien hacen la Voluntad de Dios es mi hermano, mi hermana y mi madre”. (v.34) Jesús enseña hoy una lección importante: a través de la fe y la obediencia a la voluntad de Dios, todos tenemos la oportunidad de convertirnos en miembros de la familia de Dios. Por tanto, si somos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, debemos pasar por un proceso dinámico de encuentro personal con Cristo. Debemos demostrarlo a través de nuestra fidelidad y obediencia a la Voluntad de Dios. Debemos trabajar por una verdadera intimidad con Jesús, que se trata de comunión con Él. Sucede cuando nuestro corazón se vuelve más parecido al suyo.

Finalmente, ser hermanos, hermanas o madres de Cristo significa que va más allá de la relación familiar y consanguínea porque nuestra vida vital está centrada en Dios que es nuestra prioridad absoluta. Volvamos a Dios. Aunque Dios está siendo marginado por el mundo moderno, nuestra sociedad continúa promoviendo una indiferencia general hacia la fe cristiana. Seamos sumisos a la Voluntad de Dios. Nuestra total entrega y obediencia a Dios son necesarias para que nosotros y el mundo sobrevivamos.

Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlón, osa

• Ephesians 3:8-19
• John 19:31-37

Today we celebrate the External Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. I remember an icon of the Sacred Heart of Jesus hung in our family altar, a beautiful image of Jesus lovingly pointing to His heart as a gesture of Love and His invitation to adore and worship Him. Every time I glanced at that image, I felt joy, love, and peace. My mother had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart. She wore a scapular of the Sacred Heart, and every Friday she did the consecration to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Maybe because of her deep spirituality and devotion, the Lord granted her mercy and love and rewarded her with two Augustinian priest-sons.

The most Sacred Heart of Jesus was introduces to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun in France in the year 1670s with several apparitions of Jesus to her. It was an apparition that convinced St. Margaret to propagate the devotion throughout the world to express Jesus’ pure love for humanity. Jesus offered himself on the cross to show His mercy and redemption; thus, we too in return have to offer allegiance and love for God. We have countless devotions in the church, but we must always understand only one common message, that is, God emphasizes His love and mercy. This devotion to the Sacred Heart manifests joy and love. When we look at the icon, it summons us to enter into the divine source of charity. St. Margaret Mary described her experience of the Lord: “My Divine Heart is so passionately fond of the human race and of you.” It is our responsibility to reveal God’s love throughout the world by our good works, mercy, love, and kindness, for these are treasures of His heart. We must unite ourselves with Jesus’ mystical Heart that loves and makes our joy complete. It is the heart, the core of our humanity, with love, emotions, desires, and the force of the human will. The heart that is open will have that ability and the capacity to absorb Jesus’ Heart. In the Heart of Jesus, we experience His mercy and His infinite wish to be in a relationship with us.

The gospel of St. John reminds us that Jesus is the One who empties himself out for others, desiring our eternal salvation, seeking out the lost and, ultimately, offering His life on the cross. Every word, action, attitude, and ministry of Jesus manifests a perfect, pure, and selfless love for humanity. Jesus manifests His unconditional, infinite, and divine love of His Heart which is the power to heal the world of its hatred, sin, and rejection of God. This is the radical act of love and redemption.

Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection is the gentle yet powerful absorption, refraction, and transformation of violence into love, sin into grace, hatred into forgiveness and death into life. The triumph of the Sacred Heart is the ultimate victory of love. With what is happening all over the world, our contemporary society must end violence of terrorism, mass shootings, abuse of children and the vulnerable, and defend human life and dignity so that we may find hope, healing, and peace through the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.

Sacred Heart devotion is not magic, but it is a sacred path for us to encounter the fullness of the Gospel which is simply God’s saving love poured out for us in Jesus Christ.

As we steadily progress in our knowledge and communion with the Lord, we will fall ever more deeply in love with Jesus and live out that transforming and redemptive relationship in every detail of our lives. This devotion unites our minds, hearts and wills in one great act of oblation — a total gift of self to the One who has first offered himself completely to and for us.

Lastly, Bishop Baron in his book on the Eucharist, wrote that Jesus is “breaking His heart in compassion.” When we receive Jesus’ Body during communion, what conscious thought does this bring to your heart? Do you accept it as a visible image of Jesus’ Sacred Heart? In the Eucharist, Jesus completely gives himself to us, literally entering into our bodies, souls, and lives. It is for us to encounter the love of the Lord.

Every First Friday, please consider consecrating your marriage, family, home, and life to the Sacred Heart in a formal way. It makes a big difference.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Exodus 24:3-8
• Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
• Hebrews 9:11-15
• Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

 For the past three years in America, we have been preparing for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, which will be on July 17-21 in Indianapolis, Indiana USA. Thousands of people from four corners of America and faithful Catholics from other countries will converge to worship, adore, and celebrate mass together with the papal envoy, His Eminence Luis Cardinal Tagle, DD.  We gather together to experience profound and personal renewal through the power of Christ’s love in the Eucharist.  This is a kind of new Pentecost to bring revival in the church to return and believe in the very source and summit of our Christian life, the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  

As we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ this year, I am mindful of the tremendous importance of renewing our faith in the sacramental presence of God in the Eucharist and especially in the meal of the gifts of consecrated Bread and Wine that bind us so closely to one another as the Body of Christ.   We thank God for the increasing number of Catholics coming back for the celebration of the Eucharist in person, singing praises of God, hearing the word proclaimed and sharing the meal of sacrifice Jesus has given us. 

In the reading today, taken from the book of Exodus, we heard about Moses telling his disciples about doing everything that the Lord has told them. They agreed to live faithfully the life to which God called them through the laws and customs.  Moses splashed half of the blood on the altar, and the rest he sprinkled on the people professing to do everything the Lord has asked them.  The significance of the blood sprinkled is a sign of a communal and personal union with the very source of life.  Furthermore, the blood covenant is both an oath of fidelity and their union with God.  It brings a good understanding of the new covenant; Jesus instituted a sacrifice by sharing His Precious Blood, as its own form of the Eucharist. 

The second reading from the book of Hebrews states clearly that Jesus took on the role of the Blood in His divine and human personhood, “thus obtaining ETERNAL REDEMPTION.”   Beginning in the New Testament, we don’t sacrifice the blood of animals but accept the perfect offering of Jesus’ sacrifice of His own life on the cross and shedding His own blood for the salvation of many. 

Today’s gospel of Mark narrates to us about the experience of Jesus’ disciples during the last supper.   They witnessed the breaking of the bread and drinking the cup of wine which signifies the offering of His Body and Blood as a new covenant of union doing God’s Will.  What are important points we need to reflect on in this episode of the Lord’s Supper? 

First, it is an account of the preparations for and celebration of the Passover.  It is a simple meal remembering the chosen people’s flight from Egypt, so there was no time for bread to rise.  While they were having a meal, there were several blessings and sharing of wine, all in memory of what God has said to them. They are called saved and one holy people.  Jesus, on that last night before He handed His life over to the Father, gathered the disciples for them to celebrate a different way of having a Passover meal, indicating Jesus’ readiness to perfectly offer a sacrifice of His own life on the cross for the salvation of all men.  

Second, Jesus offering His Body and Blood in a sacramental manner. The bread is part of the ritual remembering the unleavened bread of the Exodus. “Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them and said, ‘Take it, this is my body.” Then, “He took a cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.”  Wine is present on the table as the unified sharing of Himself to them and to God’s people. 

Third, Jesus begins the changing of history as we proclaim His death on the Cross which culminates with His death in Calvary and His Resurrection and the handing-over of His Spirit to His disciples and to the universal Church.  Today as we celebrate the Eucharist, we become more conscious that the sacrifice of Christ is for all, and that the Eucharist thus compels all who believe in Him to become “bread that is broken and shared” for building fraternal fellowships in the world.  Each of us is truly called, together with Jesus to be broken for the life of the world. 

By partaking of Jesus in the Eucharist, we are united with Him and to those to whom He gives Himself.  It means our human and social relations must be integrated in the mystical body of Christ which is the whole Church.  The Eucharist is the sacrament of communion between all of us, allowing to be reconciled with Jesus Christ. 

Finally, we must prepare for the Eucharist each time we receive Jesus by our fidelity of living-out our mission, “Ite, missa est…” always resonates in our ears that the mass has not yet ended but it is a dismissal in order to begin our understanding that we are being sent to love and serve the Lord.  We claim our real identity as His Holy Body and Blood. Each of us is challenged to pour ourselves out for others as Jesus did; and the entire community is equally challenged to BE CHRIST for others. 

May the Body and Blood of Jesus transform us to be caring and loving persons in our own family and community. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Solemnidad del Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo, B

• Éxodo 24:3-8
• Salmo 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
• Hebreos 9:11-15
• Marcos 14:12-16, 22-26

 Durante los últimos tres años en Estados Unidos, nos hemos estado preparando para el Décimo Congreso Eucarístico Nacional, que se llevará a cabo del 17 al 21 de Julio en Indianápolis. Miles de fieles católicos de todo el mundo nos reuniremos para alabar, adorar y celebrar misa junto al representante papal, Su Eminencia Luis Cardenal Tagle, DD. Nos reuniremos para una renovación profunda y personal a través del poder del amor de Cristo en la Eucaristía. Sepuede decir que es como en Pentecostés, traer avivamiento en la iglesia para regresar y creer en la fuente misma y cumbre de nuestra fe católica, el Sacramento de la Eucaristía. 

Al celebrar la Fiesta del Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo, soy consciente de la importancia de renovar nuestra fe en la presencia sacramental de Dios en la Eucaristía. En los dones del Pan y del Vino consagrados, la comida que nos une tan estrechamente los unos a otros es el Cuerpo de Cristo. Damos gracias a Dios por el creciente número de católicos que regresan para la celebración de la Eucaristía en persona, cantan alabanzas a Dios, escuchan la palabra proclamada y comparten el sacrificio de nuestro Señor Jesús. 

En la primera lectura tomada del libro del Éxodo. Escuchamos cómo Moisés le dijo al pueblo: “Haremos todo lo que el Señor nos ha dicho”. Acordaron vivir fielmente la vida a la que Dios los llamó a través de las leyes y costumbres. Moisés derramó sangre sobre el altar y el resto lo roció sobre el pueblo que profesaba hacer todo lo que el Señor les había pedido. El significado de la sangre rociada es un signo de unión comunitaria y personal con la fuente misma de la vida. Además, la alianza de sangre es un vínculo, un juramento de fidelidad a su unión con Dios. Aporta una buena comprensión del nuevo pacto, la institución de la Eucaristía por nuestro Señor Jesús al compartir Su Precioso Cuerpo y Sangre. 

La segunda lectura del libro de Hebreos establece claramente que Jesús asumió el papel de la Sangre en Su personalidad divina y humana, “obteniendo así la REDENCIÓN ETERNA”. A partir del Nuevo Testamento, no sacrificamos la sangre de animales, sino que aceptamos la ofrenda perfecta del sacrificio de Jesús de su propia vida en la cruz y el derramamiento de su sangre por la salvación de muchos. 

El evangelio de hoy según San Marcos narra la experiencia de los discípulos de Jesús durante la Última Cena. Fueron testigos de la fracción del pan y de beber la copa de vino que significa el ofrecimiento de Su Cuerpo y Sangre como nueva alianza de unión haciendo la Voluntad de Dios. ¿Qué puntos son importantes para reflexionar sobre la última Cena del Señor? 

Primero, es un relato de los preparativos y la celebración de la Pascua. Es una comida sencilla que recuerda la huida del pueblo elegido de Egipto, por lo que no hay tiempo para que el pan suba. Mientras comían hubo varias bendiciones y compartieron vino, todo en memoria de lo que Dios les había dicho. Son llamados, salvos y un solo pueblo santo. Jesús en esa última noche antes de entregar Su vida al Padre, reunió a Sus discípulos para celebrar una manera diferente de tener una cena de Pascua, lo que indica la disposición de Jesús a ofrecer perfectamente un sacrificio de Su propia vida en la cruz para la salvación de toda la humanidad. 

Segundo, Jesús ofreció Su Cuerpo y Sangre de manera sacramental. El pan forma parte del ritual de recordar los panes sin levadura del Éxodo. “Jesús tomó el pan, dijo la bendición, lo partió, se lo dio y dijo: Tomad, esto es mi cuerpo”. Luego, “tomó una copa, dio gracias, se la dio y todos bebieron de ella”. El vino está presente en la mesa como el compartir unificador de Él mismo con ellos y el pueblo de Dios. 

En tercer lugar, Jesús comienza a cambiar la historia al proclamar Su muerte en la Cruz, que culminará con Su muerte en el Calvario y Su Resurrección y la entrega de Su Espíritu a Sus discípulos y a la Iglesia universal. Hoy, al celebrar la Eucaristía, nos volvemos más conscientes de que el sacrificio de Cristo es para todos y por lo tanto, la Eucaristía obliga a todos los que creen en Él a convertirse en “pan partido y compartido” para construir comunidades fraternales en el mundo. Cada uno de nosotros está verdaderamente llamado, junto con Jesús, a romper por la vida del mundo. 

Al participar de Jesús en la Eucaristía, nos unimos a Él y aquellos a quienes Él se entrega. Significa que nuestras relaciones humanas y sociales deben integrarse en el cuerpo místico de Cristo que es toda la Iglesia. La Eucaristía es el sacramento de comunión entre todos nosotros, que nos permite reconciliarnos con Jesucristo. 

Finalmente, debemos prepararnos cada vez que recibimos a Jesús enla Eucaristía, por nuestra fidelidad a vivir nuestra misión, “Ite, missa east.” siempre resuena en nuestros oídos que la misa aún no ha terminado, pero es una despedida para comenzar. nuestra comprensión de que estamos siendo enviados a amar y servir al Señor. Reclamamos nuestra verdadera identidad como Su Santo Cuerpo y Sangre. Cada uno de nosotros tiene el desafío de entregarnos a los demás como lo hizo Jesús, y toda la comunidad tiene el mismo desafío de SER CRISTO para los demás. 

Que el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Jesús nos transforme para que seamos personas solidarias y amorosas en nuestra propia familia y comunidad. 

P. Arlón, osa

• 1 John 3:13-18
• Luke 14: 16-24 

 For the past three years in America, we have been preparing for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, which will be on July 17-21 in Indianapolis, Indiana USA. Thousands of people from four corners of America and faithful Catholics from other countries will converge to worship, adore, and celebrate mass together with the papal envoy, His Eminence Luis Cardinal Tagle, DD.  We gather together to experience profound and personal renewal through the power of Christ’s love in the Eucharist.  This is a kind of a new Pentecost to bring revival in the church to return and believe in the very source and summit of our Catholic Faith, the Sacrament of the Eucharist.   

As we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ this year, I am mindful of the tremendous importance of renewing our faith in the sacramental presence of God in the Eucharist and especially in the meal of the gifts of consecrated Bread and Wine that bind us so closely to one another as the Body of Christ.   We thank God for the increasing number of Catholics coming back for the celebration of the Eucharist in person, singing praises of God, hearing the word proclaimed and sharing the meal of sacrifice Jesus has given us. 

The epistle today, taken from the 1st letter of St. John, expresses the need of putting other’s needs before ourselves which is the pursuit of sacrificial living, and this is precisely what Jesus did for all of us.  He offered Himself for us on the cross and instituted the Eucharist as His perpetual presence here on earth.  This is what John says is how we know what love is.  St. John says, “Let us not love in words nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”   Our love is manifested, not so much through what we say, but through what we do – our actions and deeds. 

We live in a world today that is so full of anger and hate.  We have been overwhelmed by the depth of hate messages and threats that some of us have received, purely for doing our jobs. OK, we may or may not agree with their perspective or points of view, but when did it become OK for those who call themselves Catholics or Christians to show anger towards others? I believe that it’s absolutely not OK to do that. 

What is happening to the world today?  We see it on social media, we see it in road rage, we overhear it in conversations… wars going on, so much anger that is just bubbling under the surface.  And what the world needs now, more than ever before, is a counter-cultural witness from us, the Church, the living out of an alternative way of being, which is based on kindness and compassion and respect.  I am sure that kindness is the greatest gift that we have to offer the world in this day and age. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ often uses the phrase ‘one another’: Love one another, encourage one another, pray for one another. But it never says: Judge one another, scrutinize one another, humiliate one another, shame one another, embarrass one another, point out one another’s failings… We are to use words and actions only to build up one another and never to seek to destroy one another. That absolutely is not the way of Jesus Christ, who is present in the Eucharist.   Thus, we must choose how we live. Are we going to live with kindness and compassion, putting the needs of others first, or are we going to use our words and actions to humiliate and undermine and destroy others? How we live is our choice…and the way of Jesus Christ is to choose love. 

It is God’s will for us that we choose to love others, not only in words but also in actions. And when we choose to love through our actions, together we can make a huge impact on the world. Together, we are stronger and become true and faithful to Christ in the Eucharist, for Jesus instituted a sacrifice by sharing His Precious Blood, as its own form of the Eucharist. 

The gospel from St. Luke narrates to us this parable of Jesus.  Jesus says, “a certain man made a great supper, and invited many.”  So here’s a big party, free of charge and the invitation is available.  During the olden days, there was no speed mail or any electronic invitations to check in, but the one inviting would just send servants to remind the people a week or a month before the big celebration begins.  So we know that it was not the first time they heard about the invitation. 

In the same way, how many times have we heard about God’s invitation for us?How many Sundays in a year have you accepted the invitation to partake in this banquet?  God has given you an invitation to come and celebrate, to love Him for you to be blessed, and to come in order to grant you grace and forgiveness and to shower you with His blessings.   

God’s invitation is not potluck, for us to have reasons not to act right away.  How do people respond?  The scriptures say, the first said, “I have bought a farm, and must need to go out and see it, I pray thee hold me excused.”  Another said, “I have bought 5 yoke of oxen and I go to try them. Please excuse me.” Still another said, “I have married a wife, and therefore, I cannot come.”  Those are the best excuses these people can come up with.  What is ours?  Does God’s invitation simply not matter to you personally?  

What is possibly more important or precious than spending time with Jesus and hearing His Word? A dance competition? A basketball or volleyball tournament? Family reunion? What’s more important than our Lord?  Please look into your heart.  Have you made excuses before but now you don’t want to miss Jesus in the Eucharist and be angry or hateful towards others? 

My role as your priest is to give you the right guidance and to simply remind you again about Christ’s bleeding heart especially for those who are lukewarm in their faith.  This is my clear message.  

The basis of this celebration is that Jesus gave Himself for you and not only that, but that He rose from the dead to redeem us and ultimately stays with us forever through His Eucharistic presence. 

You shouldn’t ignore God’s presence in the Eucharist because, through this Sacrament, emanates or springs His abundant grace, for we do believe it is the summit of our Christian life.  That’s not why He gave it to us. 

Think about the full measure of Jesus’ joy in your heart, the joy of the Son of God, perfect and complete and holy in every regard, and the joy and delight He had with the Father and the Holy Spirit before time began and that they still have today at this very moment.  It is offered to you and moves into your heart and fills your whole life because Jesus is your Savior and He did everything for you, and in His grace, He invites you to share His joy every day. How many people in the world miss out and ignore this invitation because they lack faith and never understand His sharing His fulness of life and joy? 

Today as we celebrate Corpus Christi, we become more conscious that the sacrifice of Christ is for all, and that the Eucharist thus compels all who believe in Him to become “bread that is broken and shared” for building fraternal fellowships in the world.  Each of us is truly called, together with Jesus, to be broken for the life of the world.  

Finally, we must prepare for the Eucharist each time we receive Jesus by our fidelity of living-out our mission, “Ite, Missa est…” always resonates in our ears that the mass has not yet ended but it is a dismissal in order to begin our understanding that we are being sent to love and serve the Lord.  We claim our real identity as His Holy Body and Blood.  Each of us is challenged to pour ourselves out for others as Jesus did; and the entire community is equally challenged to BE CHRIST for others. 

May the Body and Blood of Jesus transform us to be a caring and a loving person in our own family and community. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
• Psalm 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22
• Romans 8:14-17
• Matthew 28:16-20

Today is the Holy Trinity Sunday.  As an Augustinian Friar, I would like to share this important doctrine of our belief according to the teaching of St. Augustine, who is one of the Church Fathers of Western Christianity.  He wrote the book entitled, De Trinitite.  The purpose of writing that book is to rectify the heretical teachings on the Trinity that were prevalent during his time.  He uses the concept of love to explain the Trinity.  He said there are three Persons sharing equal greatness and cannot be separated because they are ONE.  The three persons are not indivisible for they act as one.  When we speak of love there is only the whole power of love:  the Person that loves, the Person who is loved and the Person who acts of love.   St. Augustine wrote, “The Trinity does not work indivisibly, but the Father does some things, the Son other things, and the Holy Spirit yet others: or else, if they do some things together, some severally, then the Trinity is not indivisible.” De Trinitate 8:10 

Sometimes people fret about other concerns to fill their minds and not simply opening our hearts to a deeper relationship with God who is love.  When we celebrate this solemnity of the Holy Trinity, what we can do is simply think that we enter into a relationship with each Person in the Trinity. 

In the first reading taken from the book of Deuteronomy, Moses keeps on reminding the chosen people that as they are faithful to God’s commandments, then the outcome would be fruitful land and blessed families.  Loving is also the response of the Israelites to God.  Historically, God continues to reveal His active involvement in their collective past.  Moses reminded them not to forget it.  Thus, their remembrance of the past leads them to a better future and allows this loving God, who fashioned Israel’s nation, to protect and provide them a promising future as exposed by the same Triune God. 

The second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans reminds them about their new identity as adopted children of God and heirs of His kingdom.  They were made into the body of Christ, and the Holy Spirit works for their sanctification to produce more fruitful harvests and gifts which made them a sign of a visible God residing over them. 

The readings today, including the gospel from St. Matthew, reveal the teaching of the Church on the Trinity as our dogma.  I believe that even in the totality of the scriptures they are implicitly revealed.  Our source of faith is not “sola scriptura,” but we look into other sources like the teaching of the Church Magisterium, Fathers of the Church and Theologians from the beginning of the Church’s existence up to the present. 

When the disciples proceeded to the mountain in Galilee, they worshiped and still doubted according to the gospel text.  However, Jesus being aware of the situation, has given them a blessing before sending them out into the world.  He says, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” (vv.17-19) 

Let me point out striking points of the gospel we heard today: 

First, Jesus has commissioned them to go out and baptize all in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  This is an instruction from Jesus that all people would be baptized in the Trinitarian formula.  This commissioning must be observed by all of us to go out and do our part to accomplish our shared mission for the Church.  We are commanded to observe His laws and commandment of love, “teaching them all that I have commanded you.” 

Second, Jesus’ instruction to baptize them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit made us aware that the baptism includes everyone, young and adults, slaves or free, rich or poor, with no race distinction.  The word, “Them”, means all.  Jesus did not say, baptize only the adult.  It means “All,” which includes all members of the household.   

Third, Jesus says, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of time.”  His perpetual presence is crucial in our lives as we all cooperate with the Holy Spirit to continue His mission.  Jesus, who has been raised by the Father from the dead, has been fully alive and lives with us in another form, which is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  He makes us remember and understand the way the Lord taught His disciples.  What Jesus taught us benefits us to attain and live on earth in reverent loving relationships with each other. 

Therefore, the three Persons of the Holy Trinity is a relationship which we are commanded to observe.  The work, service and love we do to others are truly gifts we have been given which is the prompting of the Holy Spirit.    

Every work is indeed the masterpiece of the goodness of God and our own goodness, which reveals the identity of the creator. The outcome of our work as created and the perseverance to fulfill it ultimately reveals the creator’s heart. The created work and the love we put into our works, all together is the sharing of that love. 

The Trinity of God is definitely a mystery, and sometimes we struggle to understand this concept.  Let us remember that we are God’s creation, and we cannot create ourselves; thus the immensity of creation is God’s and not ours.  

Pope Frances has this to say to us, “Thinking that God is love does us so much good, because it teaches us to love, to give ourselves to others as Jesus gave himself to us and walks with us. Jesus walks beside us on the road through life.”  (Trinity Sunday Homily). The Holy Trinity is a great comfort while being simultaneously accessible and hard to truly understand.  May this reflection give you a clearer insight.

May the Triune God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

———————————

El Dictado del Corazón

La Santísima Trinidad

• Deuteronomio 4:32-34, 39-40
• Salmo 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22
• Romanos 8:14-17
• Mateo 28:16-20

Hoy es el domingo de la Santísima Trinidad. Como fraile agustino, me gustaría compartir esta importante doctrina de nuestra creencia según las enseñanzas de San Agustín, quien es uno de los Padres de la Iglesia del cristianismo occidental. Escribió el libro titulado De Trinitite.  El propósito de escribir el libro es rectificar las enseñanzas heréticas sobre la Trinidad que prevalecían durante su época. Utiliza el concepto de amor para explicar la Trinidad. Dijo que hay tres Personas que comparten la misma grandeza y que no pueden separarse porque son UNA. Las tres personas no son indivisibles porque actúan como una sola. Cuando hablamos de amor sólo existe todo el poder del amor: la Persona que ama, la Persona que ama y la Persona que actúa con amor. San Agustín escribió: “La Trinidad no actúa indivisiblemente, sino que el Padre hace unas cosas, el Hijo otras, y el Espíritu Santo aún otras; o bien, si hacen algunas cosas juntos, otras individualmente, entonces la Trinidad no es indivisible.” De Trinitate 8:10 

A veces las personas se inquietan por otras preocupaciones para llenar sus mentes y no simplemente abrir sus corazones a una relación más profunda con Dios que es amor. Cuando celebramos esta solemnidad de la Santísima Trinidad, lo que podemos hacer es simplemente pensar que entramos en relación con cada Persona de la Trinidad. 

En la primera lectura tomada del libro de Deuteronomio, Moisés sigue recordando al pueblo elegido que, si son fieles a los mandamientos de Dios, el resultado será una tierra fructífera y familias bendecidas. Amar es también la respuesta de los israelitas a Dios. Históricamente, Dios continúa revelando su participación en su pasado colectivo. Moisés les recordó que no lo olvidaran. Por lo tanto, su recuerdo del pasado los conduce a un futuro mejor y permite que este Dios amoroso, que formó la nación de Israel, los proteja y les proporcione un futuro prometedor expuesto por el mismo Dios Triuno. 

La segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos les recuerda su nueva identidad como hijos adoptivos de Dios y herederos de su reino. Fueron hechos el cuerpo de Cristo, y el Espíritu Santo obra por su santificación para producir cosechas y dones más fructíferos que los convirtieron en señal de un Dios visible que reside en ellos. 

Las lecturas de hoy, incluido el evangelio de San Mateo, revelan la enseñanza de la Iglesia sobre la Trinidad como nuestro dogma. Creo que incluso en la totalidad de las escrituras están implícitamente reveladas. Nuestra fuente de fe no es la “sola scriptura”, sino que buscamos otras fuentes como las enseñanzas del Magisterio de la Iglesia, los Padres de la Iglesia y los teólogos desde el comienzo de la existencia de la Iglesia hasta el presente. 

Cuando los discípulos subieron al monte de Galilea, adoraron y todavía dudaban según el texto del evangelio. Sin embargo, Jesús, consciente de la situación, les ha dado una bendición antes de enviarlos al mundo. Él dice: “Me ha sido dado todo poder en el cielo y en la tierra. Id, pues, y haced discípulos a todas las naciones…” (vv.17-19) 

Señalare algunos puntos del evangelio que escuchamos hoy: 

Primero, Jesús les ha encargado que salgan y bauticen a todos en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Esta es una instrucción de Jesús de que todas las personas serían bautizadas en la fórmula trinitaria. Este encargo debe ser observado por todos nosotros para salir y hacer nuestra parte para cumplir nuestra misión compartida para la Iglesia. Se nos ordena observar Sus leyes y mandamientos de amor, “enseñándoles todo lo que yo les he mandado”. 

En segundo lugar, la instrucción de Jesús de bautizarlos en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo nos hizo conscientes de que el bautismo incluye a todos, jóvenes y adultos, esclavos o libres, ricos o pobres, y sin distinción de raza. La palabra “Ellos” significa todos. Jesús no dijo: bautiza sólo al adulto. Significa “Todos”, que incluye a todos los miembros del hogar. 

En tercer lugar, Jesús dice: “He aquí, yo estoy con ustedes todos los días, hasta el fin de los tiempos”. Su presencia perpetua es crucial en nuestras vidas ya que todos cooperamos con el Espíritu Santo para continuar Su misión. Jesús, que ha sido resucitado por el Padre de entre los muertos, ha estado plenamente vivo y vive con y en nosotros en otra forma, que es la morada del Espíritu Santo. Nos hace recordar y comprender la forma en que el Señor enseñó a sus discípulos. Lo que Jesús nos enseñó nos beneficia para lograr y vivir en la tierra en relaciones amorosas y reverentes unos con otros. 

Por lo tanto, las tres Personas de la Santísima Trinidad es una relación que se nos ordena observar. El trabajo, el servicio y el amor que hacemos a los demás son verdaderamente dones que nos han sido dados y que son el impulso del Espíritu Santo. 

Cada obra es, en efecto, la obra maestra de la bondad de Dios y de nuestra bondad, que revela la identidad del creador, el resultado de nuestro trabajo. Una vez creado y la perseverancia para cumplirlo, finalmente revela el corazón del creador, la obra creada y el amor que ponemos en nuestras obras, todo junto es compartir ese amor. 

La Trinidad de Dios es un misterio, a veces nos cuesta entender este concepto. Recordemos que somos creación de Dios y no podemos crearnos a nosotros mismos, por lo tanto, la inmensidad de la creación es de Dios y no nuestra. 

El Papa Francisco tiene esto que decirnos: “Pensar que Dios es amor nos hace mucho bien, porque nos enseña a amar, a entregarnos a los demás como Jesús se entregó a nosotros y camina con nosotros. Jesús camina a nuestro lado en el camino de la vida.” (Homilía del Domingo de la Trinidad). La Santísima Trinidad es un gran consuelo y al mismo tiempo es accesible y difícil de comprender verdaderamente. Que esta reflexión les dé una visión más clara de la Divinidad de Dios. 

Que el Dios Trino los bendiga. 

P. Arlón, osa

• Romans 11:33-36
• Matthew 28:18-20

Today is the Holy Trinity Sunday.  As an Augustinian Friar, I would like to share this important doctrine of our belief according to the teaching of St. Augustine, who is one of the Church Fathers of Western Christianity.  He wrote the book entitled, De Trinitite.  The purpose of writing that book is to rectify the heretical teachings on the Trinity that were prevalent during his time.  He uses the concept of love to explain the Trinity.  He said there are three Persons sharing equal greatness and cannot be separated because they are ONE.  The three persons are not indivisible for they act as one.  When we speak of love there is only the whole power of love:  the Person that loves, the Person who is loved and the Person who acts of love.   St. Augustine wrote, “the Trinity does not work indivisibly, but the Father does some things, the Son other things, and the Holy Spirit yet others: or else, if they do some things together, some severally, then the Trinity is not indivisible.” De Trinitate 8:10 

Sometimes people fret about other concerns to fill their minds and not simply opening our hearts to a deeper relationship with God who is love.  When we celebrate this solemnity of the Holy Trinity, what we can do is simply think that we enter into a relationship with each Person in the Trinity. 

The first reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans reminds us of the great doxology of St. Paul, “Quoniam ex ipso, et per ipsum, et in ipso sunt omnia: ipsi gloria in seacula. Amen.” (For of Him, and by Him, and in Him, are all things: to Him be glory forever. v.36) What does this verse tell us?  It means that God is the author of everything; He is the source of All things.  God is also the sustainer of All things for He alone understands the purpose for everything that He created.  All things come through Him, all knowledge, all wisdom, everything we have comes “through Him.” God is the passageway, and everything goes through Him.  Thus, there is nothing in all creation that is not of God’s design for everything finds its ultimate purpose in Him, who divinely presents Himself through the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirits working as ONE, a visible God residing in us. 

The readings today, including the gospel from St. Matthew, reveal the teaching of the Church on the Trinity as our dogma.  I believe that even in the totality of the scriptures they are implicitly revealed.  Our source of faith is not “sola scriptura,” but we look into other sources like the teaching of the Church Magisterium, Fathers of the Church and Theologians from the beginning of the Church’s existence up to the present. 

When the disciples proceeded to the mountain in Galilee, they worshiped and still doubted according to the gospel text.  However, Jesus being aware of the situation, has given them a blessing before sending them out into the world.  He says, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” (vv.17-19) 

Let me point out striking points of the gospel we heard today: 

First, Jesus has commissioned them to go out and baptize all in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  This is an instruction from Jesus that all people would be baptized in the Trinitarian formula.  This commissioning must be observed by all of us to go out and do our part to accomplish our shared mission for the Church.  We are commanded to observe His laws and commandment of love, “teaching them all that I have commanded you.” 

Second, Jesus’ instruction to baptize them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit made us aware that the baptism includes everyone, young and adults, slaves or free, rich or poor, with no race distinction.  The word, “Them”, means all.  Jesus did not say, baptize only the adult.  It means “All” which includes all members of the household.   

Third, Jesus says, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of time.”  His perpetual presence is crucial in our lives as we all cooperate with the Holy Spirit to continue His mission.  Jesus, who has been raised by the Father from the dead, has been fully alive and lives with us in another form, which is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  He makes us remember and understand the way the Lord taught His disciples.  What Jesus taught us benefits us to attain and live on earth in reverent loving relationships with each other. 

Therefore, the three Persons of the Holy Trinity is a relationship which we are commanded to observe.  The work, service, and love we do to others are truly gifts we have been given which is the prompting of the Holy Spirit.    

Every work is indeed the masterpiece of the goodness of God and our own goodness, which reveals the identity of the creator. The outcome of our work as created and the perseverance to fulfill it ultimately reveals the creator’s heart. The created work and the love we put into our works, all together is the sharing of that love. 

The Trinity of God is definitely a mystery, and sometimes we struggle to understand this concept.  Let us remember that we are God’s creation, and we cannot create ourselves; thus the immensity of creation is God’s and not ours.  

Pope Frances has this to say to us, “Thinking that God is love does us so much good, because it teaches us to love, to give ourselves to others as Jesus gave himself to us and walks with us. Jesus walks beside us on the road through life.”  (Trinity Sunday Homily). The Holy Trinity is a great comfort while being simultaneously accessible and hard to truly understand.  May this reflection give you a clearer insight.

May the Triune God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 2:1-11
• Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
• 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
• John 20:19-23

Today is the birthday of the whole universal Church.  It is also our birthday every Pentecost Sunday.  It is the birth of the Church, and we are the body of Christ, the Church.  Happy birthday to everyone.  Our human relationships start within the mystery of Christ and continue to reveal amazing experiences even to this day because of the unfolding of the Holy Spirit.  Pentecost is not an event we wait for, where we anticipate participating in and expecting more revelations of the power of the Spirit to blow us away, but rather every moment is Pentecost!  Every day we feel the abiding presence of God in our midst through God’s continued movements or actions of self-revelation. 

Looking into the beginning of this Pentecost celebration, we go back to the Jewish major feasts which they remember to celebrate. The first is the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, or the Passover, which commemorates the sparing of their first-born male child from the angel of death.  Second, the Feast of the Weeks, or the first cuttings of the grain harvest, which they gather as a people to celebrate God’s fidelity in giving their land to them and its fertility.  This feast is the equivalent celebration of the Pentecost.  Third, the Feast of Tents, to celebrate the harvesting of grapes and olives.  

The word “Pentecost” is derived from the Greek word, which means “fifty days,” after Jesus’ resurrection.  From the first reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples of Jesus gathered together to celebrate the fidelity of God to manifest to them a new creation and a great blessing, which is the coming of the Holy Spirit descending upon those who believe. It was an amazing and memorable event to everyone who came from distant regions, “And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” (v.4) With the coming of the Spirit, there was this interior fire, “yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” (v.11) 

The second reading taken from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians narrates to us, “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.” (v12) It gives a clear message that there is one Lord, one Spirit which manifests Oneness, though many works but the same God, who inspires everyone to do because of the same baptism we received from the same Spirit, we are one with Christ and one with each other.  The Spirit continues to hover and dwell within us sharing the same mission in the Church. 

In today’s gospel from St. John, he narrates the story about Jesus’ appearance to his disciples at the upper room hiding in fear.  It is a post resurrection appearance when Jesus greets them with “Peace be with you.”  Then He entrusted to them the very mission by breathing on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  Let us pause and think about Jesus’ important gesture of offering the same breath or the Spirit. 

First, let us recall stories from the Book of Genesis, where the world was in chaos because of the disobedience and pride of our ancestors.   In order to manifest God’s fidelity to His people, God breathed the same Spirit that brought about order from the chaos.  From the very beginning, the Holy Spirit has been part of our way of living, and new existence.  

Second, we hear John’s account of Jesus breathing on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” which means sending the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.  The Holy Spirit is the Advocate, the Spirit of truth.  The Holy Spirit is a witness to Jesus, representing the continued abiding presence of Jesus on earth after returning to the Father.   However, the mission to testify rests not with the Spirit alone, but for us to testify through our love and good works.  We are truly blessed if we allow the Holy Spirit to change us by listening to Jesus saying, “And you also testify.” 

Third, we celebrate that as we open to the Spirit’s work of giving Christ’s presence new dimensions, new visibility, and new gestures of revelation within us, we must accept the very mission we must accomplish.  We pray with constancy to be more open to the Holy Spirit’s recreating power in order to bring new life and to extend God’s peace within us amidst this troubled world. 

For the Jewish believers, Pentecost is a harvest memorial feast; whereas, for us Christians, today is a celebration of God’s sending the Hoy Spirit to bring about plentiful harvests of followers for the Lord here on earth.  There must be no fear and laziness but more serious commitment to our baptismal promises.  We must sustain our relationships with God, and together we work as One.  

Today, let us implore the Holy Spirit to awaken our drowsing hearts and remove the blindness from our eyes, so that we may see and embrace Jesus, our Lord, with the manifold gifts of the Spirit to proclaim Him boldly to the world.  God’s spirit made us one body in order to have life together. 

Come Holy Spirit!  Veni Sancte Spiritus! 

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El dictado del corazón

Domingo de Pentecostés, Año B

• Hechos 2:1-11
• Salmo 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
• 1 Corintios 12:3b-7, 12-13
• Juan 20:19-23

Hoy es el cumpleaños de toda la Iglesia universal y nuestro cumpleaños cada domingo de Pentecostés. El nacimiento de la Iglesia, somos el cuerpo de Cristo, la iglesia. Feliz cumpleaños a todos. Nuestras relaciones humanas comienzan dentro del misterio de Cristo, nuestra cabeza, y continúan revelando experiencias asombrosas incluso hasta el día de hoy gracias al Espíritu Santo. Pentecostés no es un evento que esperamos, en el que anticipamos participar y esperar más revelaciones del poder del Espíritu que nos sorprendan, ¡más bien, cada momento es Pentecostés! Todos los días sentimos la presencia permanente de Dios entre nosotros a través de los continuos movimientos o acciones de autorrevelaciones de Dios. 

Mirando el comienzo de esta celebración de Pentecostés, nos remontamos a las fiestas principales judías que recuerdan celebrar, la primera es la Fiesta de los Panes sin Levadura o la Pascua que conmemora la salvación de su primogénito varón del ángel de muerte. En segundo lugar, la Fiesta de las Semanas o los primeros cortes de la cosecha de cereales que reúnen como pueblo para celebrar la fidelidad de Dios al entregarles su tierra y su fertilidad. En tercer lugar, la Fiesta de las Tiendas celebra la cosecha de uvas y aceitunas. 

La palabra “Pentecostés” se deriva de la palabra griega que significa “cincuenta días” después de la resurrección de Jesús. Desde la primera lectura tomada de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, los discípulos de Jesús se reunieron para celebrar la fidelidad de Dios para manifestarles una nueva creación y una gran bendición que es la venida del Espíritu Santo que desciende sobre los que creen. Fue un evento sorprendente y memorable para todos los que vinieron de regiones lejanas: “Y fueron llenos del Espíritu Santo, y comenzaron a hablar en diferentes lenguas, según el Espíritu les permitía proclamar”. (v.4) Con la venida del Espíritu hubo este fuego interior, “pero los oímos hablar en nuestras propias lenguas de las maravillas de Dios”. (v.11) 

La segunda lectura tomada de la primera carta de San Pablo a los Corintios nos narra: “Como el cuerpo, aunque tiene muchos miembros, es uno, y todos los miembros del cuerpo, aunque muchos, son un solo cuerpo, así también Cristo. ” (v12) Da un mensaje claro de que hay un Señor, un Espíritu que manifiesta Unidad, aunque hay muchas obras, pero el mismo Dios que inspira a todos, debido al mismo bautismo que recibimos del mismo Espíritu, somos uno con Cristo. El Espíritu continúa flotando y habitando dentro de nosotros compartiendo la misma misión en la Iglesia. 

El evangelio de hoy de San Juan narra la historia de la aparición de Jesús a sus discípulos en el aposento, escondidos por miedo. Es una aparición posterior a la resurrección cuando Jesús los saluda con “La paz sea con ustedes”. Luego les confió la misión misma soplando sobre ellos diciendo: “Reciban el Espíritu Santo”. Hagamos una pausa y pensemos en el importante gesto de Jesús de ofrecer el mismo soplo o el Espíritu. 

Primero, recordemos historias del Libro del Génesis, el mundo estaba sumido en el caos debido a la desobediencia y el orgullo de nuestros antepasados. Para manifestar la fidelidad de Dios a su pueblo, Dios sopló el mismo Espíritu que puso orden en el caos. Desde el principio, el Espíritu Santo ha sido parte de nuestra forma de vivir y de nuestra nueva existencia. 

En segundo lugar, escuchamos el relato de Juan acerca de Jesús soplando sobre ellos diciendo: “Recibieron el Espíritu Santo”, lo que significa enviar el Espíritu Santo sobre los Apóstoles. El Espíritu Santo es el Abogado, el Espíritu de verdad. El Espíritu Santo es un testigo de Jesús y representa la presencia permanente y continua de Jesús en la tierra después de regresar al Padre. Sin embargo, la misión de testificar no depende únicamente del Espíritu, sino de que testifiquemos a través de nuestro amor y buenas obras. Somos verdaderamente bendecidos si permitimos que el Espíritu Santo nos cambie al escuchar a Jesús decir: “Y ustedes también testifican”. 

En tercer lugar, celebramos que a medida que nos abrimos a la obra del Espíritu, de darle a la presencia de Cristo nuevas dimensiones, nueva visibilidad y nuevos gestos de revelación dentro de nosotros, debemos aceptar la misión que debemos cumplir. Oramos con constancia para estar más abiertos al poder recreador del Espíritu Santo para traer nueva vida y extender la paz de Dios dentro de nosotros en medio de este mundo turbulento. 

Para los creyentes judíos, Pentecostés es una fiesta conmemorativa de la cosecha, mientras que, para nosotros los cristianos, hoy es una celebración del envío de Dios del Espíritu Santo para producir abundantes cosechas de seguidores delSeñor aquí en la tierra. No debe haber miedo ni pereza, sino un compromiso más serio con nuestras promesas bautismales. Debemos sostener nuestra relación con Dios y juntos seremos más abundantes en El. 

Hoy imploremos al Espíritu Santo que despierte nuestros corazones adormecidos y quite la ceguera de nuestros ojos, para que podamos ver y abrazar a Jesús, nuestro Señor con los múltiples dones del Espíritu para proclamarlo con valentía al mundo. el espíritu de Dios nos hizo un solo cuerpo para tener vida unidos. 

¡Ven, espíritu santo! ¡Veni Sancte Spiritus!

P. Arlón, osa

• Acts 2:1-11
• John 14:23-31

Today is the birthday of the whole universal Church.  It is also our birthday every Pentecost Sunday.  It is the birth of the Church, and we are the body of Christ, the Church.  Happy birthday to everyone.  Our human relationships start within the mystery of Christ and continue to reveal amazing experiences even to this day rřrřertttțeerřtț of the unfolding of the Holy Spirit.  Pentecost is not an event we wait for, where we anticipate particularly cipating in and expecting more revelations of the power of the Spirit to blow us away, but rather every moment is Pentecost!  Every day we feel the abiding presence of God in our midst through God’s continued movements or actions of self-revelation. 

Looking into the beginning of this Pentecost celebration, we go back to the Jewish major feasts which they remember to celebrate. The first is the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, or the Passover, which commemorates the sparing of their first-born male child from the angel of death.  Second, the Feast of the Weeks, or the first cuttings of the grain harvest, which they gather as a people to celebrate God’s fidelity in giving their land to them and its fertility.  Third, the Feast of Tents to celebrate harvestings of grapes and olives.  For the Jewish believers, Pentecost is a harvest memorial feast; whereas, for us Christians, today is a celebration of God’s sending the Hoy Spirit to bring about plentiful harvests of followers for the Lord here on earth.  There must be no fear and laziness but more serious commitment to our baptismal promises.  We must sustain our relationships with God and together we work as One.  

The word “Pentecost” is derived from the Greek word which means “fifty days,” after Jesus’ resurrection.  From the first reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples of Jesus gathered together to celebrate the fidelity of God to manifest to them a new creation and a great blessing, which is the coming of the Holy Spirit descending upon those who believe. It was an amazing and memorable event to everyone who came from distant regions, “And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” (v.4) With the coming of the Spirit there was this interior fire, “yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” (v.11) 

The gospel today has this message from Jesus saying, “But the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father hath given Me.”  It means that just as He has been loved by the Father, He loves us in the same way.  This is significant for His disciples and us that we are much loved by Jesus. Though Jesus’ corporeal departure on earth can be unbelievably difficult and emotionally debilitating, Jesus constantly communicates with us to give joyful hope that grows from within. From this small group of followers, it became an amazing community because of Jesus’ assurance of love which supports to build trust and to help for Jesus to be known by all the corners of the world.  Jesus’ circle of friends becomes a new community of loving and valued persons in His heart. 

I am sure St. Paul is smiling and happy to know that because of Jesus’ love and the love St. Paul had for the Lord, remembering his conversion story is an eye opener for those who are struggling to fully give themselves to God. Without St. Paul’s love and dedication, Christianity would not have spread very far. We too experience persecution within our families and hostile environments; however, we stay to share our good news stories of our individual conversion and experience with the Risen Jesus.  We cling to Jesus’ love also, capable of sharing our success stories of faith, sharing our gift of healing, and being transformed into more loving people, following Jesus faithfully, to continue His mission; however, we are not alone, and we must allow the Spirit as the one whom He sent to continue our task to save others.  The work remains to be growing and expanding.  We work harder and diligently with His abiding presence, the Holy Spirit. 

We want to continue loving our faith, the Church, and our community.  We cannot live meaningfully apart from our Lord, Jesus Christ, for we are now the Body of Christ and it is through us to make known the glorious splendor of God’s kingdom, both in heaven and on earth. 

Let us not be troubled and live in fear.  The peace we receive is empowering.  With the peace of Christ, we are healed, and it takes away our stress and anxiety and emboldens us to go out and preach the gospel.  

We can start small and bring peace to our corner of the world. We can pray for peace.  I pray for peace. I pray for God’s grace to help me find God in all things and to be a peacemaker in every way I can. 

It is a post resurrection appearance when Jesus greets them with “Peace be with you.”  Then He entrusted to them the very mission by breathing on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  Let us pause and think about Jesus’ important gesture of offering the same breath, or the Spirit.

First, let us recall stories from the Book of Genesis. The world was in chaos because of the disobedience and pride of our ancestors.   In order to manifest God’s fidelity to His people, God breathed the same Spirit that brought about order from the chaos.  From the very beginning, the Holy Spirit has been part of our way of living, and new existence.  

Second, we hear John’s account of Jesus breathing on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” which means sending the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.  The Holy Spirit is the Advocate, the Spirit of truth.  The Holy Spirit is a witness to Jesus, representing the continued abiding presence of Jesus on earth after returning to the Father.   However, the mission to testify rests not with the Spirit alone, but for us to testify through our love and good works.  We are truly blessed, if we allow the Holy Spirit to change us by listening to Jesus saying, “And you also testify.” 

Third, we celebrate that as we open to the Spirit’s work of giving Christ’s presence new dimensions, new visibility, and new gestures of revelation within us, we must accept the very mission we must accomplish.  We pray with constancy to be more open to the Holy Spirit’s recreating power in order to bring new life and to extend God’s peace within us amidst this troubled world. 

Three themes run through these readings:  peace, praise and perseverance.  Jesus promises peace, but not as the world gives peace.  In the story in Acts we see very clearly that “worldly” peace didn’t materialize for the disciples.  They faced stoning and persecution and despite of it, they continued praising God. They persevere and rejoice in the evidence of God working in their midst despite the danger and chaos around them. So, in times of stress, tension and turmoil, remember the great inheritance Christ left us through these powerful words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” 

Today, let us implore the Holy Spirit to awaken our drowsing hearts and remove the blindness from our eyes, so that we may see and embrace Jesus, our Lord, with the manifold gifts of the Spirit to proclaim Him boldly to the world.  God’s spirit made us one body in order to have life together. 

Come Holy Spirit!  Veni Sancte Spiritus! 

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 1:1-11
• Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
• Ephesians 1:17-23
• Mark 16:15-20

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. This is a flexible feast depending on the decision of the bishop, who is in charge of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction.   The synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke have an account narrating that after the resurrection of Jesus and different appearances, Jesus was taken up into heavens.  John’s gospel mentioned about the post-resurrection of Jesus in Galilee while St. Paul writes about the tradition, the things he heard about Jesus’ meeting his disciples after the resurrection.  If you read the Acts of the Apostles, there you find the writings that in exactly 40 days of Jesus being with his disciples after He has risen, then the ascension happened.  We cannot make any claim of chronological proof because Jesus’ glorified body is not constrained by the usual limit of time and space.  Thus, we cannot complain why this feast is celebrated either Thursday or the nearest Sunday. 

The ascension of the Lord is not only understood as going up into heavens, but it is about assuming the authority He has won in His death and resurrection. Remember when Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me . . .” (Matt 28:18).  

The first reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles narrates that the two men dressed in white garments cried out, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?  This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” (v.11) This recounts the Ascension of Jesus, a momentous event marking the return of Jesus to the Father in order to claim His authority and kingship over all things.  

In the second reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, Paul says, “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call. . . .”  It reveals that there is a different kind of seeing, leading to a deeper kind of knowing.  The human heart has “eyes” that see the glory that is ours which is the destiny and hope.  Do we claim the hope that is ours?  

The gospel today from St. Mark reminds us “to go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”  It means that the ascension emphasizes the disciples’ role in continuing Jesus’ work on earth empowered by the Holy Spirit so that they would be strengthened and inspired as they proclaim the gospel.  Until now the Spirit of wisdom and revelation has been manifested to the whole Church. 

What are lessons that have been revealed to us on this feast of the Ascension?  Apparently, it reveals crucial aspects of our faith and the Christian mission. 

First, lesson on the ascension of Jesus is to fully understand that the Lord returns to the Father claiming His authority and kingship over the whole universe.  He is the Lord of all.  The ascension of Jesus inspires and motivates us to live as His disciples, recognizing His lordship in our lives and being driven by the purpose of sharing His message of repentance, forgiveness, and salvation to the ends of the earth. 

Second, we believe that He will return in glory, thus we cannot just afford to be “standing there looking at the sky” and stand flat footed but there is an urgency to act for we have a mission to do.  We are called to take His place in this world to share the Goodnews to all nations to make a real difference in bringing others to the Lord.  We are His disciples called to work, to love and to serve others. This lesson challenges us to actively participate in the mission of spreading the Gospel. 

Third, the ascension also emphasizes the disciples’ role in continuing Jesus’ work on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit.   We learn to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to grow in faith and dependence on God.   

The Ascension of Jesus is not about the departure of Jesus from the world but He leads us into a new beginning of the true Church where Jesus, our God and Savior, is present in a new period and God whispers most profoundly in the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the minds and hearts of us who believe. 

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Domingo – La Ascensión   del Señor

• Hechos 1:1-11
• Sal 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
• Ef 1:17-23
• Marcos 16:15-20

Hoy celebramos la Fiesta de la Ascensión de Jesus al Cielo. Se trata de una fiesta flexible dependiendo de la decisión del obispo que tiene a su cargo la jurisdicción eclesiástica. En los evangelios sinópticos, Mateo, Marcos y Lucas cuentan que después de la resurrección de Jesús y de diferentes apariciones, Jesús fue llevado al cielo. El evangelio de Juan menciona la post-resurrección de Jesús en Galilea, mientras que San Pablo escribe sobre la tradición, las cosas que escuchó sobre el encuentro de Jesús con sus discípulos después de la resurrección. Si vas y lees los Hechos de los Apóstoles, allí encontrarás escrito que Jesús estuvo con sus discípulos después de haber resucitado y exactamente 40 días después de la resurrección fue la ascensión. No podemos hacer ninguna afirmación de prueba cronológica porque el cuerpo glorificado de Jesús no está limitado por el límite habitual de tiempo y espacio. Por tanto, no podemos quejarnos de que esta fiesta se celebre el jueves o el domingo más cercano.

La ascensión del Señor no se entiende sólo como subir a los cielos, sino que se trata de asumir la autoridad que Él ha ganado en Su muerte y resurrección. Recuerdan cuando Jesús dice: “A mí me ha sido dado todo poder en el cielo y en la tierra. . .” (Mateo 28:18).

La primera lectura tomada de los Hechos de los Apóstoles narra que los dos hombres vestidos con vestiduras blancas gritaron: “Varones galileos, ¿por qué están ahí parados mirando al cielo? Este Jesús que les ha sido llevado al cielo, volverá de la misma manera como lo han visto subir al cielo”. (v.11) Esto relata la Ascensión de Jesús, un evento trascendental que marca el regreso de Jesús al Padre para reclamar Su autoridad y reinado sobre todas las cosas.

En la segunda lectura tomada de la carta de San Pablo a los Efesios, Pablo dice: “Que los ojos de su corazón sean iluminados, para que sepán cuál es la esperanza que corresponde a su llamada. . . .” Revela que existe una forma diferente de ver, que conduce a una forma de conocimiento más profunda. El corazón humano tiene “ojos” que ven la gloria que es nuestra, que es destino y esperanza. ¿Reclamamos la esperanza que es nuestra?

El evangelio de hoy de San Marcos nos recuerda “ir por todo el mundo y proclamar el evangelio a toda criatura”. Significa que la ascensión enfatiza el papel de los discípulos en continuar la obra de Jesús en la tierra con el poder del Espíritu Santo para que sean fortalecidos e inspirados al proclamar el evangelio. Hasta ahora el Espíritu de sabiduría y de revelación se ha manifestado a toda la Iglesia.

¿Cuáles son las lecciones que nos han sido reveladas en esta fiesta de la Ascensión? Revela aspectos cruciales de nuestra fe y de la misión cristiana.

Primero, la lección sobre la ascensión de Jesús es comprender plenamente que el Señor regresa al Padre reclamando Su autoridad y reinado sobre todo el universo. Él es el Señor de todos. La ascensión de Jesús nos inspira y motiva a vivir como Sus discípulos, reconociendo Su señorío en nuestras vidas y siendo impulsados por el propósito de compartir Su mensaje de arrepentimiento, perdón y salvación hasta los confines de la tierra.

En segundo lugar, creemos que Él regresará en gloria, por lo que no podemos simplemente darnos el lujo de estar “parados mirando al cielo” y quedarnos desprevenidos, sino que es urgente actuar porque tenemos una misión que cumplir. Estamos llamados a ocupar Su lugar en este mundo para compartir las Buenas Nuevas con todas las naciones para marcar una diferencia real al acercar a otros al Señor. Somos sus discípulos llamados a trabajar, amar y servir a los demás. Esta lección nos desafía a participar activamente en la misión de difundir el Evangelio.

En tercer lugar, la ascensión también enfatiza el papel de los discípulos en la continuación de la obra de Jesús en la tierra, fortalecidos por el Espíritu Santo. Aprendemos a confiar en la guía del Espíritu Santo para crecer en fe y dependencia de Dios.

La Ascensión de Jesús no se trata de la salida de Jesús del mundo, sino que Él nos lleva a un nuevo comienzo de la verdadera Iglesia donde Jesús, nuestro Dios y Salvador, está presente en un nuevo período y Dios susurra más profundamente en la presencia permanente del Espíritu Santo en la mente y el corazón de los que creemos.

Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlón, osa