Author: dotheartfrarlon

• Wisdom 7:7-11
• Psalm 90:12-13, 14-15,16-17
• Hebrews 4:12-13
• Mark 10:17-30

The world is facing serious threat to security and peace.  There are many countries all over the world engaged in violence and war, all for the sake of asserting power and dominance over the other.   The world never learns that war has nothing to offer except destruction and death of so many innocent people as collateral damage.  It seems that “Peace” is very much illusive.  There is a never ending clamor for peace within each of us and in the world, yet our desire for peace is remote.  According to St. Augustine, “Peace is the serenity of the soul, the tranquility of the mind, the simplicity of the heart, the bond of love and union of charity.”   Peace is achievable but it must begin with us by working together and realizing that the preciousness of life and time is part of God’s calling.   Our understanding of peace can only be reachable if there is justice and freedom.   The tangible desire of men is to pursue a life of sharing of self and material gifts given by God rather than being possessed by the insatiable thirst for accumulating more.   Having is not holding and hoarding, but being Christ’s disciples, we must be generous in sharing what we have, which becomes a sign of spiritual maturity and true wisdom.   

The Holy Church pursues this desire as we walk together to speak, to listen and to work together as People of God.  The second gathering sessions of the Synod on Synodality speaks to us through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  We need to be conscious of what is going on in the world today that is affecting the whole mission of the Catholic Church.  The Holy Father Pope Francis convenes this Synodality to hear our voices and engage in sincere dialogue as we walk together towards the future.  The Holy Church is not an institution that is blinded by what’s happening in the world; rather it has such an important task, duty and responsibility to conscientize and to discern the most logical, morally correct ways to bring out significant evangelical approaches to various issues confronting the modern world. 

The first reading today, taken from the Book of Wisdom, gives inspiring words about King Solomon as the great King of Israel.  He was a human being, born like many of us, but he was anointed King.   He prayed and begged to have “wisdom” from God, and it was granted.  This is a beautiful passage in the bible to present to other kings and their successors that they should resist all prevailing ideologies and immoral influences and return to their Jewish religious traditions.  Thus, King Solomon praises wisdom as being more valuable than power, domination and material accumulation.   Following the wisdom of the Jewish relationship with God guides them to keep His covenants.  

The second reading is taken from the Letter to the Hebrews and has two short verses, but profoundly speaks about the Word ofGod.  Hearing the Word is like a “two-edged sword” that pierces our hearts and resonates with us in a way that no other word does because the Spirit of God speaks to every person and calls them to order from their sinfulness and disobedience.  It also germinates and should not be kept to oneself, but must be cultivated until it bears many fruits.  We must spread the word to others, and if they reject it, the Lord will judge them because nothing is hidden from the Lord we serve. 

The gospel from St. Mark is a story that is too familiar to us.  It is a story about a young man approaching Jesus and asking this question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus ignores the young man a couple of times, but confessing that he has been faithful to the commandments all his life, what more must he do to be saved?  This is clearly a good person who awaits further instructions from Jesus.  This inquisitive man waits for Jesus’ further guidance.  

First, Jesus responds out of love, and He offers the challenge to “go, sell what you have and give it to the poor…then come follow me.” That was Jesus’ instruction to the young man.  After hearing that, he turned around and backs off. “His face fell, and he went away sad because he had many possessions.”  We don’t know what happened next; however, because of his willingness to inherit eternal life, we presume that he followed Jesus’ suggestion by trusting Him rather than continue clinging to what he possessed.  We have no idea whether there was another encounter with Jesus.  What is needed is to make us understand that to be a disciple is indeed a profound decision to follow Jesus.  This is an equal challenge of discipleship to us all.  

Second, Jesus wants to be honest with the man implying that following Him entails suffering and sacrifices for all His disciples.  It would be the beginning of a journey calling everyone to fidelity, faithfulness and complete happiness and not being about success.  We are just called to trust our loving God. “All things are possible with God,” is an ultimate assurance that He will surely bless us, more than with valued possessions but to be called His disciples.

Third, Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters, or mother or father or children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more…. eternal life in the age to come.”  The truth is that God has never outdone His generosity and goodness.  Just as we are grateful to God for this truth, what we can do is to strive.  God alone can provide and empower us to share our received gifts and blessings.  Our hearts must be ready to give love, show respect and spread peace! 

To conclude, let us accept Jesus presenting Himself as the ultimate wealth, security and fulfillment in our lives. This is where we manage to understand to avoid disappointments.   We need to evaluate ourselves on what are the things we need to give-up for the sake of our Lord and Savior.   

I pray today to give you courage, hope and faith for your continuous earthly journey and for your constant striving.  Let us cling to God who is our everything.  God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa 

——————

El Dictado del Corazón

Vigésimo-octavo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• Sabiduría 7,7-11
• Salmo 90,12-13. 14-15.16-17
• Hebreos 4,12-13
• Marcos 10,17-30

Hoy es el Vigésimo-octavo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B. Bienvenidos a la celebración de misa con nosotros en esta Catedral.

El mundo se enfrenta a una grave amenaza a la seguridad y la paz. Hay muchos países en todo el mundo que participan en la violencia y la guerra, todo con el fin de afirmar el poder y el dominio sobre los demás. El mundo nunca aprende que la guerra no tiene nada que ofrecer excepto la destrucción y la muerte de tanta gente inocente. El clamor por la paz nunca cesa en cada uno de nosotros y en el mundo, pero nuestro deseo de paz es remoto. Según San Agustín, “La paz es la serenidad del alma, la tranquilidad de la mente, la sencillez del corazón, el vínculo del amor y la unión de la caridad”. La paz se puede lograr, pero debe comenzar con cada uno de nosotros. Cuando trabajamos juntos, dándonos cuenta de que la preciosidad de la vida y del tiempo es parte del llamado de Dios. Nuestra comprensión de la paz solo se puede alcanzar si hay justicia y libertad. El deseo tangible de los hombres es perseguir una vida de compartir los dones materiales y de sí mismos dados por Dios en lugar de ser poseídos por la sed insaciable de acumular más. Tener no es retener y acaparar, sino que siendo discípulos de Cristo debemos ser generosos al compartir lo que tenemos, lo que se convierte en un signo de madurez espiritual y verdadera sabiduría.

La Santa Iglesia persigue este deseo mientras caminamos juntos para hablar, escuchar y caminar juntos como Pueblo de Dios. La segunda sesión de reunión del Sínodo sobre la Sinodalidad nos habla a través de la guía del Espíritu Santo. Necesitamos ser conscientes de lo que está sucediendo en el mundo hoy que está afectando toda la misión de la Iglesia Católica. El Santo Padre, el Papa Francisco, convoca esta Sinodalidad para escuchar nuestras voces y participar en un diálogo sincero mientras caminamos juntos hacia el futuro. La Santa Iglesia no es una institución cegada por lo que está sucediendo en el mundo, sino que tiene la importante tarea, el deber y la responsabilidad de concientizar y discernir los enfoques evangélicos más lógicos y moralmente correctos para presentar enfoques evangélicos significativos a varios problemas que enfrenta el mundo moderno.

La primera lectura de hoy tomada del Libro de la Sabiduría da palabras que inspiran, sobre el Rey Salomón como el gran Rey de Israel. Él era un ser humano, nació como muchos de nosotros, pero fue ungido Rey. Oró y rogó tener “sabiduría” de Dios, y le fue concedida. Este es un hermoso pasaje de la Biblia para presentar a otros reyes y sus sucesores que debían resistir todas las ideologías prevalecientes e influencias inmorales y regresar a sus tradiciones religiosas judías. Así, el Rey Salomón elogia la sabiduría como más valiosa que el poder, la dominación y la acumulación material. Seguir la Sabiduría de la relación judía con Dios los guía a mantener Sus pactos.

La segunda lectura está tomada de la Carta a los Hebreos tiene dos versículos cortos, pero habla profundamente sobre la Palabra de Dios. Escuchar la Palabra es como una “espada de dos filos” que traspasa nuestros corazones y resuena en nosotros de una manera que ninguna otra palabra lo hace porque el Espíritu de Dios habla a cada persona que la llama a ordenarse de su pecaminosidad y desobediencia. También germina algo que no debe guardarse para uno mismo, sino que debe cultivarse hasta que dé muchos frutos. Debemos difundir la palabra a los demás, si la rechazan, el Señor los juzgará porque nada se esconde del Señor al que servimos.

El evangelio de San Marcos es una historia que nos resulta demasiado familiar. Es una historia sobre un joven que se acerca a Jesús y le hace esta pregunta: “Maestro bueno, ¿qué debo hacer para alcanzar la vida eterna?”. Jesús ignora al joven un par de veces, pero confesando que ha sido fiel a los mandamientos toda su vida, ¿qué más debe hacer para ser salvado? Esta es una buena persona que espera más instrucciones de Jesús. Este hombre curioso espera más orientación de Jesús.

Primero, Jesús responde por amor, y ofrece el desafío de ir, vender lo que tiene y darlo a los pobres… luego ven y sígueme”. Esa fue la instrucción de Jesús al joven. Después de decirle, se dio la vuelta y retrocedió, “su rostro decayó, y se fue triste porque tenía muchas posesiones”. Nunca sabemos qué pasó después, sin embargo, con su voluntad de heredar la vida eterna, presumimos que siguió la sugerencia de Jesús al confiar en Él en lugar de continuar aferrándose a lo que poseía. No tenemos idea de si hubo otro encuentro con Jesús. Lo que se necesita es hacernos entender que ser un discípulo es de hecho una decisión profunda de seguir a Jesús. Este es un desafío de discipulado igual para todos nosotros.

Segundo, Jesús es honesto con el hombre dando a entender que seguirlo implica sufrimiento y sacrificios por todos sus discípulos. Sería el inicio de un camino que llama a todos a la santidad, a la fidelidad y la felicidad completa y no sobre el éxito. Solo estamos llamados a confiar en nuestro Dios amoroso. “Todas las cosas son posibles para Dios”, es una garantía máxima de que Él seguramente nos bendecirá, más que una posesión valiosa, sino ser llamados Sus discípulos.

En tercer lugar, Jesús dice: “Yo les aseguro: Nadie que haya dejado casa, o hermanos o hermanas, o padre o madre, o hijos o tierras, por mí y por el Evangelio, dejará de recibir, en esta vida, el ciento por uno en casas, hermanos, hermanas, madres, hijos y tierras, junto con persecuciones, y en el otro mundo, la vida eterna”. La verdad es que Dios nunca ha superado Su generosidad y bondad. Así como estamos agradecidos a Dios por esta verdad, lo que podemos hacer es esforzarnos. Solo Dios puede proveer y capacitarnos para compartir nuestros dones y bendiciones recibidos. ¡Nuestros corazones deben estar listos para dar amor, mostrar respeto y difundir la paz!

Para concluir, aceptemos a Jesús presentándose como la máxima riqueza, seguridad y plenitud en nuestras vidas. Aquí es donde logramos entender cómo evitar las decepciones. Necesitamos evaluarnos a nosotros mismos y saber qué cosas debemos dejar por amor a nuestro Señor y Salvador.

Mis oraciones son para que tengamos el coraje, esperanza y fe para que nuestro continuo viaje terrenal y constante esfuerzo sea aferrémonos a Dios que es nuestro todo. 

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlon, osa

• Ephesians 6:10-17
• Matthew 18:23-35

Today is the 21st Sunday after Pentecost.  The world is facing serious threat to security and peace. There are many countries all over the world engaged in violence and war, all for the sake of asserting power and dominance over the other.   The world never learns that war has nothing to offer except destruction and death of so many innocent people as collateral damage.  It seems that “Peace” is very much illusive.  There is a never ending clamor for peace within each of us and in the world, yet our desire for peace is remote.  According to St. Augustine, “Peace is the serenity of the soul, the tranquility of the mind, the simplicity of the heart, the bond of love and union of charity.”   Peace is achievable, but it must begin with us, working together and realizing that the preciousness of life and time is part of God’s calling.   Our understanding of peace can only be reachable if there is justice and freedom.   The tangible desire of men is to pursue a life of sharing of self and material gifts given by God than being possessed by the insatiable thirst for accumulating more.   Having is not holding and hoarding, but being Christ’s disciples, we must be generous in sharing what we have, which becomes a sign of spiritual maturity and true wisdom. 

The Holy Church pursues this desire as we speak, listen and walk together as People of God.  The second gathering sessions of the Synod on Synodality speaks to us through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  We need to be conscious of what is going on in the world today that is affecting the whole mission of the Catholic Church.  The Holy Father Pope Frances convenes this Synodality to hear our voices and engage in sincere dialogue as we walk together towards the future.  The Holy Church is not an institution that is blinded by what’s happening in the world, but rather it has such an important task, duty and responsibility to conscientize and to discern the most logical, morally correct way to bring out significant evangelical approaches for various issues confronting the modern world. 

The epistle today, from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, taught us about a different kind of war.  We are confronted with a critical spiritual warfare.  It is a battle waging against the devil seriously, and we must be ready to equip ourselves in order to withstand the enemy who regularly attacks us and to stand firm in our faith so that we live in victory with Him against evil.  The Church needs to mount up strategies to evangelize people about the truth of God’s word and to journey together shielded by God’s armor as His armies.  St. Paul first reminds us of the need to stand and be strong against the evil one who desires to destroy and steal our soul.   We need to listen to St. Paul’s admonitions about walking in a manner worthy of the gospel so that we may have the strength, power, and defenses needed to face our enemy and fight all evil forces that want to undermine the Holy Church as well.  The defense and resistance are important requirements to stay with much courage and steadfastness.   The command to take up the armor of God is a communal practice integrally connected with the unity of the Church and witnessing powers.   We are called to live a life pleasing to the Lord and engaging in the mission of the Church.  God makes it available to share His power and divine resources, such as sacraments, communal prayers and sacramentals so that we may also assault those evil spirits to advance God’s kingdom in the world.   We must be grateful for all these gifts. Let us cultivate in us corresponding virtues and fully be dependent on the Lord to receive God’s enabling powers. Certainly, the devil’s temptations cannot be overcome without the divine help.   We must fully surrender to God’s power and strength to defeat this enemy, Satan and his underlings. 

We know the truth that through baptism we are united with God.  St. Paul’s words to us simply indicate that God’s given power is not a supplemental force to overcome our enemies, but rather to invigorate the new life generated by Christ’s life and sacrifices for He is our strength.  “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (v.13) 

The gospel today, taken from St. Matthew, reminds each of us of this important teaching from Jesus focusing on the parable of the unforgiving servant.  We will go through this passage in three different reflection points. 

First, this is a parable of Jesus that tells us about how the kingdom of God works.  It gives us an idea that when we sin, we owe a debt that we cannot pay to God, but it has been paid by Jesus Christ who offered Himself as a perfect offering for our sins.  In the same way, it can also be a debt that we owe others, and we must treat them fairly because we have been forgiven by God, but we simply may not want to forgive others.  Forgiveness then is to release someone’s debt, whether it be God or us releasing the debt. 

Second, the servant in the parable is working for the king in his royal court.  Thus, he owes the king a great amount of money. The man begged and called out for mercy expressing his desire to pay off his debt.  Surprisingly, the king has pity on him.  It was to his advantage that he was not required to submit a promissory note as a payment plan. Instead, the king was very merciful that he wiped away the debt entirely, which meant the debt has been completely forgiven. 

Third, the same servant who owed much to the king confronted his fellow servant, who owed him a. lesser amount compared to what he had owed his king.  His fellow servant pleaded for patience, just as he had to the king,  but he completely disregards it.  The fellow servant is sent to a debtor’s prison, where he would stay until he came up with the money, or his friends or family paid up for him.  The king found out what his servant did.  He is rebuked by the king and his debt was reinstated and he put him back in jail.   

Jesus, therefore, brings the message of the parable clearly to us that God will not forgive every one of us, if we don’t forgive anyone from our heart.  We have to realize that God has forgiven us, and so we are to forgive others, according to Jesus, “from our heart,” which means not just pretending but sincerely meaning it from inside and truly releasing their debts to us.  It is a clear warning that God will treat us like the king treated the servant he had previously forgiven.   

If we don’t do this, God will treat us like the king treated the servant he had previously forgiven, which is a clear warning to us.  In the context of the Lord’s prayer, we acknowledge that “we forgive those who trespass against us.” If someone comes to us in true repentance and asks for mercy, Jesus tells us to forgive. Don’t hold their debt over them. Don’t hold their sin against them so that you seek to punish them. Don’t hold on to bitterness and resentment.  After all, often it is very difficult to forgive; however, our merciful God grants us the grace of forgiveness and love.   From God, we can find love and have a heart of mercy for those who have wronged us.  Jesus says, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Lk 6:37)   

The fundamental principle of the kingdom of God is our relationship with God, which is always interconnected with our relationship with others.   Therefore, let’s not be like the unforgiving servant. but rather let us be merciful to others, just as we have received mercy from God.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Genesis 2:18-24
• Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
• Hebrews 2:9-11
• Mark 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

Today is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. We enter into the month of October, the month of the Holy Rosary. As a family that belongs to a parish faith-community, it is fitting to find time to recite the rosary together. The famous rosary crusader, the late Fr. Patrick Peyton, says, “The family that prays together stays together.” We are encouraged to pray the most effective weapon against the infestation of Satan and for the conversion of sinners. There is that inner peace in praying together.

The readings today remind us of our fidelity and faithfulness to God. It is in the context of our response towards Jesus’ invitation to discipleship, which is detachment from all worldly and self-conceited behaviors that impede God’s grace to grow in our desire for eternal salvation.

The first reading from the book of Genesis tells us about God’s intention, to create particularly human beings and to put everything in a harmonious existence and order. God knows how to satisfy the human desire by giving a man a suitable partner. After creating living things, especially His master creation, the human person, God saw everything good! The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone,” so He fashioned “woman” so they would cling to each other. This distinct relationship between man and woman is to give the real meaning of love within the framework of God’s love. Human love relationship is not a replacement for that continuous loving relationship toward God. However, God’s love desires us to experience finite love. Mindful of that infinite love God has for us, this first reading is the story of the necessity for order in relationships because God works very well in working things out perfectly.

The second reading, taken from the letter to the Hebrews, is a confession of the early Christians that Christ died for us and our sins. Christ, being the High Priest, willingly offered himself, a perfect sacrifice on our behalf to the Father. It has a clear message that Jesus Christ experienced death for us all, because He leads us to the path of salvation and among us, He is our Brother. Christ is the perfect One for fulfilling the task of bringing us into a new relationship with God.

The gospel taken from St. Mark narrates to us about a Pharisee questioning Jesus about marriage, divorce and the Law. Jesus’ meaningful response affirms, not only marriage, but orderliness which human love is meant to create according to His own purpose. Let us open our hearts and minds to have a deeper understanding:

First, the creation of a woman from the rib of a man, which we hear from the Book of Genesis, is God being aware that the man is incomplete; thus, God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God offers the man various animals to accompany him, but they failed. Our pets cannot substitute that inner desire to make our human desire totally complete. There is no substitute for human love. Therefore, when he experiences the woman, he feels a union with her which begins the sacramental touch and divine will for man and woman to be together. There are no other genders, except man and woman, to make the sacramental marriage possible.

Second, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees, whom the evangelist Mark uses to outwit them, so that Jesus’ teaching might be clearer and to the point. They asked Jesus whether or not He allows divorce. They know that Moses did allow it because of their hardness of hearts, Moses wrote the bill of divorce. Then Jesus forces them back to a more ancient teaching in Genesis that “God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” This beautiful admonition from the very beginning of creation must be obeyed for we cannot despise the very intent of God, our Creator.

Third, the people were bringing children to Jesus, but His disciples rebuked them. Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as this.” This is the turning point on the part of Jesus to explain to the disciples about the right way to have an all-embracing attitude and love for all in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus has an encompassing love and mercy for everyone, inclusive of age, race, and gender because we are all little children of God. Jesus makes us aware that through the readings we heard, we commit ourselves to His teaching of marital fidelity, sacredness of marriage and commitment to chastity. I believe that Jesus’ teaching intrudes on seeking our human freedom to do whatever seems good, feels good and sounds good as long as it is with the moral standard set by our Lord. Our human desire to love and be loved is as sacred as sexual expression of love is and as sacred as our desire for commitment is and cannot be an avenue resulting in disorder and desecration.

Jesus Christ is our ever living and present Brother! He is God and Savior of all people, the good and the bad, the divorced, gay, lesbian, straight and transgender. It means all inclusive; it means everyone. Jesus’ clear prohibition of same sex union and cohabitation and prohibition of divorce can be a source of suffering for those who experience difficulties, in particular in their married lives. But St. Paul suggests that we have to accept pain the way Jesus did, as the suffering we should endure on the way to glory. The Kingdom of God is the divine embrace of what is perfectly good for all according to His divine will if we accept the challenge of living the teaching of Jesus with the trust of the little children. Maybe this is what Jesus meant when He said that “whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

---

El dictado del corazón
Vigesimoséptimo domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• Génesis 2:18-24
• Salmo 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
• Hebreos 2:9-11
• Marcos 10:2-16 o 10:2-12

  Hoy es el Vigesimoséptimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B.
  Entramos a Octubre, el mes del Santo Rosario. Como familia de una comunidad de fe parroquial, es apropiado encontrar tiempo para rezar el rosario juntos. El difunto padre Patrick Peytondijo: “La familia que reza unida permanece unida”. Se nos anima a rezar el arma más eficaz contra la infestación de Satanás y por la conversión de los pecadores. Existe esa pazinterior al rezar juntos.

  Las lecturas de hoy nos recuerdan nuestra fidelidad y lealtad a Dios. Es en el contexto de nuestra respuesta a la invitación de Jesús al discipulado, que es el desapego de todos los comportamientos mundanos y egoístas que impiden que la gracia de Dios crezca en nuestro deseo de la salvación eterna.

  La primera lectura del libro del Génesis nos habla de la intención de Dios de crear a los seres humanos y poner todo en armonía y orden. Dios sabe cómo satisfacer el deseo humano dándole al hombre una pareja adecuada. Después de crear los seres vivos, especialmente a su maestro de la creación, la persona humana, Dios vio que todo era bueno. El Señor Dios dijo: “No es bueno que el hombre esté solo”, así que formó a la “mujer” para que se aferraran el uno al otro. Esta relación distinta entre el hombre y la mujer es para dar el verdadero significado del amor en el marco del amor de Dios. La relación de amor humano no es un reemplazo de esa relación amorosaque continua hacia Dios. Sin embargo, el amor de Dios desea que experimentemos un amor finito. Conscientes de ese amor infinito que Dios tiene por nosotros, esta primera lectura es la historia de la necesidad de orden en las relaciones porque Dios trabaja muy bien y hace que las cosas salgan perfectamente.

  La segunda lectura tomada de la carta a los Hebreos es una confesión de los primeros cristianos, de que Cristo murió por nosotros y por nuestros pecados. Cristo, siendo el Sumo Sacerdote, se ofreció voluntariamente, a un sacrificio perfecto en nuestro nombre al Padre. Tiene un mensaje claro de que Jesucristo experimentó la muerte por todos nosotros, porque nos conduce al camino de la salvación, Él es nuestro Hermano. Cristo es Perfecto para cumplir la tarea de llevarnos a una nueva relación con Dios.

  El evangelio tomado de San Marcos nos narra acerca de un fariseo que le pregunta a Jesús sobre el matrimonio, el divorcio y la Ley. La respuesta significativa de Jesús afirma no solo el matrimonio sino el orden que el amor humano debe crear según Su propio propósito. Abramos nuestros corazones y mentes para tener una comprensión más profunda:

  Primero, la creación de una mujer a partir de la costilla de un hombre, escuchamos del Libro del Génesis que Dios es consciente de que el hombre está incompleto, por lo tanto, Dios dice: “no es bueno que el hombre esté solo. Dios le ofrece al hombre varios animales para que lo acompañen, pero fallaron. Nuestras mascotas no pueden sustituir ese deseo interior para que nuestro deseo humano se cumpla totalmente. No hay sustituto para el amor humano. Por lo tanto, cuando experimenta a la mujer, siente una unión con ella que inicia el toque sacramental y la voluntad divina de que el hombre y la mujer estén juntos. No hay otros géneros, excepto el hombre y la mujer, para hacer posible el matrimonio sacramental.

  En segundo lugar, Jesús se enfrenta a los fariseos, a quienes el evangelista Marcos utiliza para burlarlos de modo que la enseñanza de Jesús sea más clara y concisa. Le preguntaron a Jesús si permitía o no el divorcio. Sabían que Moisés lo permitió debido a la dureza de sus corazones, Moisés escribió la carta de divorcio. Entonces Jesús los obliga a volver a una enseñanza más antigua en Génesis: “Dios los hizo varón y hembra. Por eso el hombre dejará a su padre y a su madre, y se unirá a su mujer, y los dos serán una sola carne. Por tanto, lo que Dios ha unido, ningún ser humano lo separe”. Debemos obedecer esta hermosa advertencia desde el principio mismo de la creación, porque no podemos despreciar la intención misma de Dios, nuestro creador.

  En tercer lugar, la gente llevaba niños a Jesús, pero sus discípulos los reprendieron. Jesús dice: “Dejad que los niños vengan a mí, no se lo impidan, porque de los que son como éstos es el reino de Dios”. Este es el punto de inflexión por parte de Jesús para explicar a los discípulos cuál es la manera correcta de tener una actitud y un amor que abarquen a todos en el Reino de Dios.

  Jesús tiene un amor y una misericordia que abarcan a todos, incluyendo a personas de edad, raza y género, porque todos somos pequeños hijos de Dios. Jesús nos hace conscientes de que a través de las lecturas que escuchamos, nos comprometemos con su enseñanza de fidelidad marital, sacramental del matrimonio y compromiso con la castidad. Creo que la enseñanza de Jesús se entorna en la búsqueda de nuestra libertad humana para hacer lo que parezca bueno, se sienta bien y suene bien, siempre y cuando sea con el estándar moral establecido por nuestro Señor. Nuestro deseo humano de amar y ser amados es tan sagrado como lo es la expresión sexual del amor y tan sagrado como lo es nuestro deseo de compromiso y no puede ser una vía que resulte en desorden y profanación.

  ¡Jesucristo es nuestro Hermano siempre vivo y presente! Él es Dios y Salvador de todas las personas, de los buenos y los malos, de los divorciados, gay, lesbianas, heterosexuales y transexuales, es decir, de todos, de todos. La clara prohibición de Jesús de la unión y la cohabitación entre personas del mismo sexo, la prohibición del divorcio puede ser una fuente de sufrimiento para quienes atraviesan dificultades, en particular en sus vidas matrimoniales. Pero San Pablo sugiere que tenemos que aceptar el dolor como lo hizo Jesús, como el sufrimiento que debemos soportar en el camino hacia la gloria. El Reino de Dios es el abrazo divino de lo que es perfectamente bueno para todos según Su voluntad divina si aceptamos el desafío de vivir la enseñanza de Jesús con la confianza de los niños pequeños. Tal vez esto es lo que Jesús quiso decir cuando dijo que “quien no acepte el reino de Dios como un niño, no entrará en él”.

  Dios los bendiga.

  Padre Arlon, osa

• Ephesians 5:15-21
• John 4:46-53 

Today is the first Sunday of the month of October. It is the 20th Sunday after Pentecost. I believe that we are blessed to come together every Sunday to worship together and receive the most important gift of Christ to us, His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. I guess summer is over as the weather is getting cooler, and we welcome the new season when leaves start to change colors, and soon we will see them falling to the ground. This is a cycle which we also experience in our spiritual life. There are times when we feel low, starting to drift away for so many reasons, times when the well becomes dry. These feelings are not absolutely permanent, but it does send a message of life’s natural cycle. The most amazing thing happens when in many ways we seek transformation. This cycle of life awaits our rejuvenation when we respond to God’s call with a well-defined view living out the gospel of Jesus.

We heard on the news about the great devastation brought by hurricane Helene in hard-hit North Carolina. It caused 250 deaths and hundreds more are missing. We pray for all those victims of the hurricane that they may be strong in their faith and hope. It is hard to imagine going through this tragedy of losing loved ones, livelihood and properties. We unite ourselves in prayer that God will show mercy and love thru the many volunteers, responders and rescuers who work so hard to alleviate their pain and sufferings. Maybe next week we can have a second collection to assist them financially, which we would channel thru the Diocese. Maybe financial contribution, aside from prayers, can help those people in this time of need.

Today’s epistle from St. Paul to the Ephesians, chapter 5:15-21, describes the conduct of the Christians, which is the outcome of their true identity in relation to Christ and His Church. St. Paul calls us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, which means we must walk in love in a way that differs significantly from gentile pagans, and unbelievers. We are called upon to walk as those who are wise. This statement of Paul regarding walking wisely is in the context of being “filled with the Spirit.” (v.18) When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we become submissive as evidence resulting in obedience of His Holy Will through the hierarchical structure and social institutions of authority. It also speaks of submission to all forms of human relationships. Therefore, we need not live our Christian lives in a haphazard fashion. We must give careful thought to our attitudes and actions, and how we concretize our faith in charity and love. This is what Paul calls for, “Become not unwise but understanding of the will of God” because we don’t want to add hostility to this dangerous and fallen world. A wise Christian will manifest wisdom both in what is said and done, and in how it is said and done. The best way to gain wisdom, which is necessary to glorify God, is to demonstrate what is good for the advancement of the gospel. Satan always diverts and distracts us, I guess because we have more free time doing unnecessary things than seeking the presence of God. I suggest writing this phrase in your room, “Redeeming the time has begun.” Doing actively the will of God is acting wisely, and with sound reasoning, as guided by the Spirit of God and the Word of God. Failing to discern and do it is foolish, because doing His will is not a matter of irrational impulse, but of intelligent reflection and acting lovingly in a tangible manner.

The gospel today according to St. John narrates the story of a certain royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. Two important things I would like to mention:

First, the faith of the royal official who probably heard Jesus when he had come to Capernaum doing miracles of healing. Thus, he desperately begs Jesus for the healing of his son after a strenuous journey, maybe a two-day walk through mountainous terrain, having only strong faith based on what he heard about Jesus. So now he comes to Jesus and implores him to help. Jesus’ first response is a rebuke, not just of the official’s faith, but of all the Galileans, who were more interested in signs and wonders rather than in who Jesus actually is. Jesus responded, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe.” (v.48). But the man refuses to be denied. He is persistent. Jesus told him with a command and a statement: “Go, thy way, thy son liveth,” or Go, your son lives, which is more accurate than most translations that say “will live.” The present imperative emphasizes a word of power, a healing word, and underscores the continuing power of life that Jesus brings. Instead of insisting that Jesus come with him, he believes that Jesus has already healed his son. “He took Jesus at his word.” He shows his strong faith when he believed the word that Jesus spoke to him. What matters for us is to have faith in the word of Jesus and His desire to help and assist all of us in moments when we fall to our knees and beg the Lord.

Second, the confirmation of time. When the official returned, and while on his way home, he meets some of his servants who bring a joyous message. He was shocked to find out the time of the boy’s healing was about 1 o’clock in the afternoon, which was the same time that Jesus had spoken the word of healing.

As a result, the distinct story of Jesus’ healing of the boy from a distance by only a word, has a profound impact on the royal official’s family that his whole household (meaning family members, including servants) became believers and most probably later were included as faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How mature is your faith initially? How do you think this gospel story is able to nurture us beyond mere belief of coincidence? Certainly, faith based on miracles alone is deficient, but faith that is praise-worthy is based on how we truly know Jesus being the true Messiah, our Lord and Savior, who has the power in Word and Authority.

With all the things that happen to us here and abroad, we must truly seek God through His incarnate Son, taking Jesus at His word and acting before seeing the result. This is important to apply at this moment when we have experienced crises, destruction caused by wildfire, hurricane, financial crisis or need for a job, marital issues and perhaps having serious medical problems, as we cry out to God for help and healing. The Lord, however, does not want us to seek Him merely for deliverance from some crisis and then put Him back on the shelf until we need Him in the next crisis. Rather, God wants us to have a deeper relationship and faith to follow Him conscientiously and not just because of what He can do for us.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Numbers 11:25-29
• Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
• James 5:1-6
• Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

  Today is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. After the devastation of the Holy Spirit Mission building, caused by the Davis Creek Wildfire two weeks ago, another incident happened. On September 17, 2024, at 9:30 in the evening, I almost had a fatal vehicular accident. I was driving cautiously and crossing the intersection on a green light, when another car cut me off by turning instantly to the left, unmindful of the red light on his end. The car did not give any signal and caught me by surprise. I felt the steering wheel of my car move to my left side, evading a fatal collision. I was in shock and what came into my mind was a supernatural experience of my guardian angel protecting me from that imminent vehicular accident. I was almost there on the verge of impending death, but fortunately unharmed. I stopped in the middle of the road and was shaking. The safety belt which tightly supported the weight of my body helped, I felt the presence of God who placed me to safety. God always protects us. I realized that no matter how cautious a driver is, if other motorists don’t observe traffic rules and practice driving defensively, accidents may happen. However, I truly believe in the ever presence of God and our Holy Angels. Today, we remember the feast of the Archangels, who are always with us in moments of danger.

  In the first reading from the Book of Numbers, Moses was leading the chosen people out from the desert to the promised land. The Israelites were complaining to Moses and doubting the genuine care and love of God for them. Hearing this scripture, God sent down some of the spirit that was in Moses to the 70 elders to carry the burden of the complaining people; however, two elders, Eldad and Medad, were not in attendance and had stayed at the camp. The two were prophesying. Moses asked Joshua, “Are you jealous for my sake?” This concern from Moses is a reminder that the prophetic work is for the people of the Lord. Moses encouraged them to follow and that everyone only be allowed to speak the word of God because they have received the same spirit so they might live and speak as prophets. Those who are speaking the word of God give hope and are participating in the plan of God.

  The 2nd reading from the letter of James reminds us about the impending misery that wealth is corroded and can “devour your flesh like a fire.” (Jas. 5:2) It is a warning that people committing injustices towards others are increasing and alarming. Wealth must be shared with those who have less in life.

  Today’s gospel from Mark narrates to us about using the name of Jesus to drive out demons. Jesus, like Moses, calmed down everything with instructions to avoid spreading the work of evil and instead to live a holy life that shines the true love of God. Here are reflective points in this gospel passage:

  First, this gospel is a continuation of last week’s gospel. Jesus, holding the child, reminded his disciples not to cause the child to know what sin is to avoid scandal. This is a stern warning to those who cause sin to flourish and infect others. The real sin which gains condemnation by Jesus is that of causing others to sin, which tells a clear message of being against Jesus. Thus, it is necessary to keep ourselves attuned to Christ’s grace to learn to be virtuous. We need to be aware that it is our obligation to confront the ones who are leading others to sin, not the ones who are helping others.

  Second, Jesus was notified by John that there were some using His name to expel demons. Jesus reminded His disciples that “For whoever is not against us is for us.” Jesus’ response makes us think that those who do good are welcome, and they are with Jesus because all good works come from God, who is good. Anyone doing good works and praising God is following the Lord. There is no need asking why they are doing good precisely because it reveals the very nature of God, who is mighty and loving. However, with an attitude of doing good deeds to a selective few is not the attitude and ways of Jesus.

  Third, John, the apostle who has asked the question about who belongs and who does not, receives an essential teaching concerning the mission of Jesus. This is important that the power of driving out the evil spirit is only in Jesus’ name. Jesus shares this mission especially evil and demoniac deliverance for those who are attacked and possessed. In the Church, there are priests who are given the role of being exorcists. They are doing this special ministry in following the Lord to provide effective deterrent against evil infestations.

  If our mission is to follow Jesus, our job is to do good works, praise God and help others. How can anyone be against Jesus by doing good works? Let us not prevent others from doing God’s goodness. Even in our own simple and little ways of sharing a cup of water to those who are thirsty, we would be doubly blest. In addition to giving a little charity to others, our body must be preserved from being cut off or thrown out if we only dedicate ourselves to refraining from bad actions that would be causing others to sin.

  Let us live honorably and virtuously with a deep sense of belief that we are blest with gifts to share; thus we are meant to be sent as blessings.

  God bless you.

  Fr. Arlon, osa

---

El Dictado del Corazón
Vigésimo sexto domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año B

• Números 11:25-29
• Salmo 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
• Santiago 5:1-6
• Marcos 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

  Hoy es el Vigésimo sexto domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año B. Después de la devastación de la Misión del Espíritu Santo causada por el incendio forestal de Davis Creek, hace unassemanas, ocurrió otro incidente. Este pasado diecisiete de septiembre, a las nueve y treinta de la noche, casi tuve un accidente fatal. Yo iba manejando con precaución y pasando el cruce con luz verde, un carro me cortó el paso girándomeinstantáneamente a la izquierda sin prestar atención a la luz roja de su lado. El vehículo no dio ninguna señal, lo que me tomó por sorpresa. Sentí que el volante de mi auto se movía hacia mi lado izquierdo evitando una colisión fatal. Me quedé en shock y lo que vino a mi mente fue una experiencia sobrenatural de mi ángel de la guardia protegiéndome de ese inminente accidente. Estuve casi al borde de la muerte, pero afortunadamente sali, ileso. Me detuve en medio de la carretera temblando, pero el cinturón de seguridad soportaba firmemente el peso de mi cuerpo. Sentí la presencia de Dios que me puso a salvo. Dios siempre nos está protegiendo. Me di cuenta de que por más cauteloso que sea el conductor, si los demás automovilistas no observan las reglas de tránsito y practican la conducción defensiva, pueden ocurrir accidentes. Sin embargo, creo verdaderamente en la presencia constante de Dios y nuestros Santos Ángeles. Hoy recordamos la fiesta de los Arcángeles, que siempre están con nosotros en los momentos de peligro.

  En la primera lectura del Libro de Números, Moisés estaba guiando al pueblo elegido desde el desierto hacia la tierra prometida. Los israelitas se quejaban con Moisés y dudaban del cuidado y amor genuinos de Dios por ellos. Al escuchar esta escritura, Dios envió algo del espíritu que estaba en Moisés a los setenta ancianos para que llevaran la carga del pueblo que no dejaba de quejarse. Sin embargo, dos ancianos que no estaban presentes, Eldad y Medad, se quedaron en el campamento. Los dos estaban profetizando. Pero Moisés le preguntó a Josué: “¿Estás celoso por mí?” Esta preocupación de Moisés es un recordatorio de que el trabajo profético es para el pueblo del Señor. Moisés los animó a seguirlo y que a todos solo se les permite hablar la palabra de Dios porque han recibido el mismo espíritu para que puedan vivir y hablar como profetas. Los que hablan la palabra de Dios dan esperanza y participan en el plan de Dios.

  La segunda lectura de la carta de Santiago nos recuerda la miseria inminente que la riqueza desgasta y “devora vuestras carnes como fuego” (Stg 5,2). Es una advertencia de que las personas que cometen injusticias hacia los demás están aumentando y son alarmantes. La riqueza debe compartirse con los que son menos en la vida.

  El evangelio de hoy de Marcos nos narra sobre usar el nombre de Jesús para expulsar demonios. Jesús, como lo hizo Moisés, calmó todo con instrucciones, es decir, evitar la propagación de la obra del mal y, en cambio, vivir una vida santa que resplandezca el verdadero amor de Dios. Estos son puntos de reflexión en este pasaje del evangelio:

  Primero, este evangelio es una continuación del evangelio de la semana pasada. Jesús sosteniendo al niño recordó a sus discípulos que no le hicieran saber al niño lo que es el pecado, para evitar el escándalo. Esta es una advertencia severa para aquellos que hacen que el pecado florezca y así infecte a otros. El verdadero pecado que gana la condenación de Jesús es el de hacer que otros pequen, lo que da un mensaje claro de estar en contra de Jesús. Por lo tanto, es necesario mantenernos en sintonía con la gracia de Cristo para aprender a ser virtuosos. Necesitamos ser conscientes de que es nuestra obligación confrontar a los que están llevando a otros a pecar, no a los que están ayudando a otros.

  En segundo lugar, Juan le notificó a Jesús que había algunos usando Su nombre para expulsar demonios. Jesús recordó a Sus discípulos que “Porque el que no está contra nosotros, está por nosotros”. La respuesta de Jesús nos hace pensar que los que hacen el bien son bienvenidos y están con Jesús porque todas las buenas obras vienen de Dios, que es bueno. Cualquiera que haga buenas obras y alabe a Dios está siguiendo al Señor. No hay necesidad de preguntar por qué hacen el bien precisamente porque eso revela la naturaleza misma de Dios, que es poderoso y amoroso. Sin embargo, una actitud de hacer buenas obras para unos pocos selectos no es la actitud ni el camino de Jesús.

  En tercer lugar, Juan, el apóstol que ha hecho la pregunta sobre quién pertenece y quién no, recibe una enseñanza esencial sobre la misión de Jesús. Es importante que el poder para expulsar al espíritu maligno esté solo en el nombre de Jesús. Jesús comparte esta misión, especialmente la liberación del mal y de los demonios para aquellos que son atacados y poseídos. En la Iglesia, hay sacerdotes a quienes se les da ese papel de exorcistas. Están haciendo este ministerio especial al seguir al Señor para proporcionar un disuasivo eficaz contra las infestaciones del mal.

  Si nuestra misión es seguir a Jesús, nuestro trabajo es hacer buenas obras, alabar a Dios y ayudar a los demás. ¿Cómo puede alguien estar en contra de Jesús haciendo buenas obras? No impidamos que otros hagan la bondad de Dios. Incluso en nuestras propias formas simples y pequeñas de compartir un vaso de agua con los que tienen sed, sería doblemente bendecido. Además de dar un poco de caridad a los demás, nuestro cuerpo debe ser preservado de ser cortado o arrojado a la basura si tan solo nos dedicamos a abstenernos de malas acciones que harían pecar a otros.

  Vivamos de manera honorable y virtuosa con un profundo sentido de creencia de que somos bendecidos con dones para compartir, por lo tanto, estamos destinados a ser enviados como bendiciones.

  Dios los bendiga.

  Padre Arlon, osa

• Apocalypse 1:1-5
• Matthew 18:1-10

  Today is the Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel on the 19th Sunday after Pentecost. After the devastation of the Holy Spirit Mission building, caused by the Davis Creek Wildfire three weeks ago, another incident happened. On September 17, 2024, at 9:30 in the evening, after meeting with the HSM leadership, I almost had a fatal vehicular accident. I was driving cautiously and crossing the intersection on a green light, when another car cut me off by turning instantly to the left, unmindful of the red light on his end. The car did not give any signal and caught me by surprise. I felt the steering wheel of my car move to my left side, evading a fatal collision. I was in shock and what came into my mind was a supernatural experience of my guardian angel protecting me from that imminent vehicular accident. I was almost there on the verge of impending death, but fortunately unharmed. I stopped in the middle of the road and was shaking. The safety belt which tightly supported the weight of my body helped, I felt the presence of God who had kept me safe. God always protects us. I realized that no matter how cautious a driver is, if other motorists don’t observe traffic rules and practice driving defensively, accidents may happen. However, I truly believe in the ever presence of God and our Holy Angels. Today, we remember the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, who is always with us in moments of danger, defending us from evil and the attack of Satan.

  The epistle today is taken from the Book of Revelation, or the Apocalypse, which the Church believes this last book of the bible was written by St. John, the evangelist and the beloved Apostle of Jesus. There are two purposes why it has been written. First, John wants to encourage all believers to remain faithful, with hope and endurance, despite the many trials and sufferings. Second, is to urge those who believe in repenting and becoming part of the movement towards the new Jerusalem. John anticipates persecution to increase in the near future, and so he prepares the faithful who will go through this and live difficult days ahead, just as what happened with the violent collapse of the Roman Empire.

  For us who cling firmly to our faith, we faithfully will dwell in the new heaven and the new earth. We cannot continue to compromise with evil and darkness but must make the outright decision to reject Satan and the beast in the lake of fire.

  This epistle is a kind of Prologue indicating the writer’s greetings and thanksgiving, which St. John infuses with theological content that establishes the authority of his vision. The words grace, peace and hope are essential words to remember so that we will be transformed to be Jesus Christ’s true witnesses. The mentioning of God as one “who is and who was and who is to come” points to God coming again into history to complete reconstruction of the world. St. John also taught us about Christology by describing Jesus as the “faithful witness (transformation of the world), firstborn of the dead (the power through the witness), and the ruler of the earth.” (All rulers will be accountable for the degree which they rule in ways consistent with the values and practices of the gospel.) (Rev.1:5).

  This simply gives us a better understanding of the work of Christ in the Book of Revelation, that our Lord Jesus Christ loves us. In the scripture, love is an act of the will for the good of the Church and community. Definitely, our common act of love will free us and the world from domination by Satan (dragon) through the beast (meaning the empire and the world). Hence, in the beginning of this epistle, “God signified the things which must shortly come to pass, sending by His Angel to His servant John, who hath given testimony to the word of God and to Jesus Christ.” Here, it has been mentioned about God sending His angels, which means a spiritual being created by God to guard, to guide and to defend us always.

  The gospel today taken from Matthew narrates to us that the disciples did the right thing in bringing to Jesus their question. If we have doubts, issues or questions, we should first take it to the One in-charge, to the One who knows it all. In other gospels the story mentioned that the disciples argued among themselves who was the greatest. Their question is valid and right, but they have wrong motivation because they were competing with one another, competing for position in the kingdom. They were thinking better of themselves, focusing too much on their self-absorbed personalities, showing that each has the qualification to be chosen as number one. This is to show our human nature and tendency at work.

  Some of us may answer this question by enumerating achievement, degrees, prestige, and possessions as the main criteria for greatness. This is what many people dream of, gaining honor, fame and power which are usually equated to greatness.

  However, Jesus brought forth a child and a symbol representing the vulnerable, lost and marginalized. Jesus says, “If you do not become like a child, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” For Jesus, it is a person who is humble in the manner of a child (open, attentive, eager and loving), who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, Jesus’ concept of greatness is absolutely different; it is humility and service that are standards that matter to Jesus. To be humble like a child, we need to be converted and accept the new paradigm taught by our Lord. We need to turn away from our propensity to compete with one another and focus on improving ourselves so that we change from our wicked ways and be transformed. We must regain that likeness of the image of God and also regain our dependence on Divine Protection.

  Please consider acquiring the qualities of a child, innocence, joy, frankness, humility, dependence and unconditional love that children naturally embody, I wonder how our lives would be different if we truly follow their example. We can learn a great deal from them. Have you ever thought about humility, to be someone who is kind, and welcoming? Being patient and more loving, we act silly sometimes. However, this is not easy for an arrogant person.

  May St. Michael defend and protect us from all evil. God bless us all.

  Fr. Arlon, osa

• Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
• Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6, 8
• James 3:16-4:3
• Mark 9:30-37

Today is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.  Our human tendency is to be great, to achieve recognition, to have power and control, seeking respect and honor; however, Jesus’ concept of becoming great is service and humility.   When we are confused, broken and detached from reality, we must focus on God in searching for the right way to greatness and seeking Christ’s guidance in the silence of our hearts.  

The first reading today, from the Book of Wisdom, teaches us that when we put the just to the test and let him suffer, we call this cruelty.  We won’t justify any evil intent towards others.  This is the wicked lamentation which we need to avoid.  Let us not tempt the Lord by doing what is contrary to His will.  If we succumb to jealousy and selfish ambition, then we deny ourselves of receiving God’s grace of conversion. 

The second reading, taken from the Letter of James, is written to the Jewish Christian community to ensure pastoral guidance. St. James wrote, “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.”  This message is obviously clear that the Kingdom of God is to bring peace and encourage the community to avoid evil and unbecoming behaviors, like jealousy and selfish ambition.  

Faithfulness to the Lord is our priority.   We must be open to the continuous call to conversion.  Conversion is an on-going process, not only a single event, but a continuous doing of righteousness as transformed disciples of Christ.

Today’s gospel from Mark narrates to us the impending passion and death of our Lord, which is also mentioned in the 1st reading today from the Book of Wisdom, “He will be tortured and put to the test, condemned to a shameful death.”  From this prophesy in the Old Testament, it reveals this prediction of Christ’s passion, referring Jesus to be a “just one.”  Though the disciples’ reactions would be fearful and confused for not having full understanding, this passage from St. Mark presents to us Jesus’ identity.  

I invite you to reflect on four important points in today’s gospel.

First, Jesus recognizes the difficulty of His disciples in their slowness in understanding.  The followers of the Lord need to be ready, embracing His life, the cross, and the reality of death.  The difficulty lies on anyone being focused on self and who remains in direct opposition to focus on God.  I believe that no one can move toward God if he allows himself to be a self-absorbed person.

Second, Jesus asks them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” Jesus didn’t get an answer to his question, only silence.  However, Jesus knew exactly what they were arguing about, but He asked the question, not for His sake, but for the disciples whom Jesus had invited for self-reflection and what it means to be great.  The disciples were attacked by self-centered ego and looking at their better selves.  Thus, Jesus is trying to engage them to examine their inward selves.

Third, Jesus sat down and called them together for this important teaching moment.  It shocked all of them to hear His words, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”  Those who want to be first will be the last, so in that sense, desiring to be servants they must serve others.  Being servants, we look to Jesus as our criterion in everything, giving oneself as a faithful servant for many in His passion and death 

Fourth, Jesus took a child, and said, “Whoever receives this child such as this in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” In this comparison brought up by Jesus, He isn’t talking about the child, but rather He’s talking about what the child represents.  Jesus does not say that greatness is in being a child and/or being childlike.  I believe that greatness is in welcoming the child, representing those who are vulnerable.  We need to be available to journey with those who are lost and marginalized. 

Today, Jesus is speaking to us throughout the readings.  Becoming servants is a challenge and seems difficult, but Jesus is getting us to be His children. God wants us all to be true witnesses, not just content to have knowledge of faith, but to go, to act and to serve.  Our attitudes and behaviors must imitate that of Jesus, seeking God’s glory by keeping our mission and commitment to the poor and underprivileged.  We are Christs to others by denying ourselves, taking up His cross and following Him. 

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

—————-

El Dictado del Corazón

Vigesimo-Quinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, B

• Sabiduría 2:12.17-20
• Salmo 54:3-4.5.6.8
• Santiago 3:16-4:3
• Marcos 9:30-37

Hoy es el Vigésimo Quinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B.  Nuestra tendencia humana es ser grandes, alcanzar reconocimientos, tener poder y control, buscando respeto y honor; sin embargo, el concepto de Jesús de llegar a ser grande es el servicio y la humildad. Cuando estamos confundidos, rotos, desconectados de la realidad, debemos centrarnos en el amor de Dios en busca del camino correcto hacia la grandeza y buscar la guía de Cristo en el silencio de nuestros

 corazón.

La primera lectura de hoy del Libro de la Sabiduría nos enseña que cuando ponemos a prueba al justo y lo dejamos sufrir, a eso lo llamamos crueldad. No justificaremos ninguna mala intención hacia los demás. Esta es la lamentación malvada que debemos evitar. No tentemos al Señor haciendo lo contrario a Su voluntad. Al sucumbir a los celos y la ambición egoísta, entonces, nos negamos a recibir la gracia de Dios de la conversión.

La segunda lectura tomada de la Carta de Santiago está escrita a la comunidad judía cristiana para asegurar una guía pastoral. Santiago escribió: “El fruto de la justicia se siembra en paz para quienes cultivan la paz”. Este mensaje es claro en que el Reino de Dios debe traer paz y alentar a la comunidad a evitar comportamientos malos e impropios, como los celos y la ambición egoísta. La fidelidad al Señor es nuestra prioridad. Deben estar abiertos a continuos llamados a la conversión. La conversión es un proceso continuo; Este no es solo un evento único sino un continuo hacer justicia como discípulos transformados de Cristo.

El evangelio de hoy de Marcos nos narra la inminente pasión y muerte de nuestro Señor que también se menciona en la primera lectura de hoy del Libro de la Sabiduría: “Será torturado y puesto a prueba, condenado a una muerte ignominiosa”. A veces, esta profecía en el Antiguo Testamento revela esta predicción de la pasión de Cristo refiriéndose a Jesús como un “justo”. Aunque las reacciones de los discípulos serían temerosas y confusas por no tener una comprensión completa, este pasaje de San Marcos presenta la identidad de Jesús.

Vamos a reflexionar sobre cuatro puntos importantes en el evangelio de hoy.

Primero, Jesús reconoce la dificultad de sus discípulos y su lentitud al comprender. Los seguidores del Señor deben estar listos para abrazar su vida, la cruz y la realidad de la muerte. La dificultad radica en cualquiera que esté centrado en sí mismo, que permanece en oposición a centrarse en Dios y nadie puede acercarse a Dios siendo una persona egocéntrica.

En segundo lugar, Jesús les pregunta: “¿De qué discutían en el camino?” Jesús no obtuvo respuesta a su pregunta, solo silencio. Sin embargo, Jesús sabía exactamente de qué estaban discutiendo. Pero hizo preguntas no por Él mismo, sino por los discípulos a quienes Jesús los invitó a reflexionar sobre sí mismos y sobre lo que significa ser grande. Los discípulos estaban siendo atacados por egos egocéntricos y buscaban su mejor yo. Por lo tanto, Jesús está tratando de interactuar con ellos para examinar su YO interior.

En tercer lugar, Jesús se sentó y convocó a todos para este importante momento de enseñanza. Todos se sorprendieron al escuchar sus palabras: “Si alguno quiere ser el primero, será el último de todos y el servidor de todos”. Aquellos que quieran ser primeros serán los últimos, así que en ese sentido, desear ser siervos debe servir a los demás. Siendo siervos, miramos a Jesús, nuestro criterio en todo, entregándonos a los muchos en su pasión y muerte como siervo fiel.

En cuarto lugar, Jesús tomó a un niño y dijo: “El que reciba a este niño como este en mi nombre, a mí me recibe; y el que me recibe a mí, no me recibe a mí, sino al que me envió”. En esta comparación planteada por Jesús no está hablando del niño, sino de lo que el niño representa. Jesús no dice que la grandeza está en ser un niño o en ser como un niño. La grandeza está en acoger al niño y representar a los vulnerables. Necesitamos estar disponibles para acompañar a los perdidos y marginados.

Hoy, Jesús nos habla a través de las lecturas. Convertirse en un siervo es un desafío y parece difícil. Pero Jesús nos está haciendo ser sus hijos. Dios quiere que todos seamos verdaderos testigos, no solo contentos con conocer la fe, sino que vayamos, actuemos y sirvamos. Nuestras actitudes y comportamientos deben imitar los de Jesús, buscando la gloria de Dios manteniendo nuestra misión y compromiso con los pobres y desfavorecidos. Somos Cristo para los demás al negarnos a nosotros mismos, tomar Su cruz y seguirlo.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlon, osa

• 1 Corinthians 1:4-8
• Matthew 9:1-8

For the good of our HSM community, I feel that in this period of change we relate to ourselves as nomads in the wilderness, meaning no permanent address. While continuing our journey of faith together, we are in dire need of inspiration and grace from our loving God.  I encourage everyone to do acts of sacrifice, such as, fasting, penance and novenas.  We need to revive again the recitation of the Holy Rosary before the mass.  This is an act of common penance for all our shortcomings by asking God for genuine deliverance from all evil and darkness.  In every kind of disaster, we are called to be united in prayer and to offer communal sacrifice for atonement and deliverance from all evil. 

The readings today inspire us to always be grateful to God and to ask for physical and spiritual healing.  In the epistle today from the 1st letter of St. Paul to the people of Corinth, St. Paul says, “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God, which is given you by Jesus Christ, that in everything you are enriched by Him….”  St. Paul, the apostle, is able to thank God on account of them. Just as we are believers and disciples of Christ too, we conform to the practice of being grateful to God despite our difficult situation.  We have the gift of grace enriched in all utterance, in all knowledge and in everything in which the working of grace is evident.  

This epistle from St. Paul is full of instruction and sympathy, showing us the testimony of our Lord, notwithstanding that we commit grievous faults and, as a result, the division has come.  Thus, we must seek to purify ourselves, seek that peaceful resolution and charity that St. Paul distinctly sets as concrete evidence of communion and true relationship with Jesus.  Let us act blamelessly in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Let us rise in the midst of trials and look around and be willing to give testimony of righteousness and conversion showing the kind of Christians we should be. I believe that greatness will come for our community helping us to get over the contentiousness and unsatisfactory behaviors.  Hopefully, we ourselves should look deeper and try to see what the testimony of Christ should be in us.  Jesus knows that we should be willing to accept the changes of our attitude and language, for all of you would agree that we are in one spirit, one hope, one calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. We have one God and Father of all who leads us, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and we manifest our being blameless.  We must long for Christ’s presence to increase our responsibility. God forbids us to succumb to mistrust, fear and shame, but to continuously search deeply into our hearts with hope, faith and love.

God is the source of goodness and power.  The best growth that we can experience is to show more excellent ways of love, which is a sign of confirmation that in our faithful testimony of holy life, we have grown in grace, in knowledge and in humility.  Therefore, I do take more pleasure in communion with Jesus, our Lord, by intensive prayer and sacraments.   God strengthens us by the power of living close to Him and doing His will.  Prayer is a crucial test of the relations of the soul to God.  I wonder if you cannot lay half your heart before God, or we really don’t pray, can we only see our own convenience rather than seeing and knowing the will of God? Then I believe we drive away the source of our Life.  Relying on our human effort, we see that difficulties are along the way, and overcoming all obstacles, by the mere effort of your will, is indeed a great temptation!  Prayer and communal penance are necessary for gaining strength and refreshing the source of life and happiness for everyone.

Am I growing less selfish, and more willing, to surrender my own will, my own plan, my own comfort?  Am I growing more active in the effort to help the work of God, more sympathetic with sorrow, more in accord with His Spirit who offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins?   Let us look and find answers to these questions, for our answers will really help our true growth and life.

The gospel narrates to us about Matthew’s way to make us understand the word “behold” in reference to the friends of the man sick from palsy who were involved in their attempt to get closer to Jesus.  Clearly, their action was one to be admired. The man obviously cannot do anything by himself because of his physical condition.  He had faithful friends who were willing to help him.  I believe in times like this, we need faithful friends whom we can rely on with their willingness to assist us, especially to become closer to Jesus.  

This is the gospel picture for every one of us of what we should be doing, that is, the task of encouragement and giving comfort and if we can carry them to Jesus, meaning to say get involved in taking responsibility for bringing people to Jesus. I would challenge everyone on whether you are doing something to build unity and healing for all.   In this moment we come to be with the very source of healing, like Jesus, rather than being an instrument of hurt to paralyze others.  In this gospel, Jesus highlights an important message, something else which we all need, forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy and the trust in the power of Jesus to absolve our sins.  The fact is that the man’s soul was in greater need that his body, and Jesus knew that it was immediate forgiveness that the man needs. He forgave the man of all his sins.  All of us must realize the need of our soul, to have peace, happiness, forgiveness and healing.  We receive forgiveness from Jesus.  Don’t live under the bondage of sin any longer.  Just as the men in passage took their friend to Jesus, we should take others to Jesus as well.

Today we humbly reach out to our Jesus, maybe by our intercessory prayers for everyone, communal penance, sacrifices, novenas and unceasing prayers.  These actions are evidence of love and faith in God as a community of intentional disciples.

God bless us.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May San Lorenzo Ruiz and companion martyrs pray for us. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

 ————-

El Dictado del Corazón

Vigésimo Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

P. Arlón, osa

• Ephesians 4:1-6
• Matthew 22:34-46

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa