Category: Uncategorized

• Jeremiah 17:5-8
• Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
• 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20
• Luke 6:17, 20-26

Today is the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  I was invited to celebrate the TV Sunday Mass which has been broadcasted on the air weekly by KOLO TV Channel 8, Reno, Nevada.  It is a different feeling while the camera is focused on the celebrant.  When the camera starts rolling, I am a bit under pressure due to the fact that the mass time to finish everything must be within the allotted time.  However, the joy of having the opportunity to celebrate the mass for the homebound, the sick and the elderly becomes a real blessing with this Sunday’s gospel on the Beatitudes, meaning Happiness. 

The first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah emphasizes trust in God over our concerns of this world. The people of Israel were given a warning by Jeremiah because they have forsaken their duty to worship God and are ignoring their temple worship tradition.  Jeremiah denounced it by writing this with an iron pen and a diamond tip to show his deep sorrows. 

In the second reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, the apostle’s letter reminds them that Christ’s death, resurrection and salvation rests only in the Lord.  There is a clear choice between the ways of the Lord or the wicked.  

The gospel today is about the “Beatitudes” which can be found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The evangelist Luke writes his own version, which is known as the “Sermon on the Plain”.  These words were addressed to Jesus’ hearers and for us to hear this passage for our own good.  I presume that those who are listening will find meaning, true richness and spiritual nourishment. 

St. Luke’s record of the event narrates that Jesus had spent all night “out into a mountain to pray” (6:12).  Then Jesus came down in order for him to address the crowd and His disciples.  This detail matters profoundly that before He speaks, He prayed to commune with His Father in prayer. In this action, Jesus physically and spiritually enacts His urgent mission: He goes down to the people and stands at the same level as they stand. He is teaching them, but He is with them, too and not above them. Whenever we hear Jesus’ words, He is with us and amongst us.  

The word beatitude literally means happiness. The way of happiness that Jesus outlines calls everyone for a transformation from within, a conversion of life and to revisit our interior being.  Believers and followers of Christ are called to do likewise, though hard and challenging.  Let us reflect on the following: 

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

Second, finding ourselves to be “spiritually poor,” we have nothing but God in our lives.  Being poor, we discover God because we become dependent on Him.  We become completely dependent on God, the very source of all things, because everything came into being by His power. 

St. Augustine promoted poverty of spirit and continence of the heart, living in Hippo with his friends and brothers in the community while doing their pastoral duties.  Our Father, St. Augustine, says, ‘the love of neighbor is simply another expression of the love of God,” in the realm of spiritual poverty.  Being poor, we can share much. In our poverty, we open our hands to help and our hearts to pray to our God who provides. 

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

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

I believe that the fulfillment of the promise of salvation has been attached to all kinds of difficulties and challenges in this present world.  This is both a message and a warning to us that we will all succumb to suffering and difficulties here on earth; however, there is an end to suffering when we completely trust and be faithful to Jesus, who sacrificed His own life so that we may live for all eternity.  God has been more faithful than us.  We must not run dry for our continuous desire to be with Him.   

May God bless us. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

—————–

El Dictamen del Corazón

Sexto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año C.

• Jeremías 17:5-8
• Salmo 1:1-2, 3, 4 y 6
• 1 Corintios 15:12, 16-20
• Lucas 6:17, 20-26

Hoy es el Sexto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario. Fui invitado a celebrar la Misa dominical transmitida por KOLO TV Canal 9 de Reno, Nevada. Es un sentimiento diferente cuando la cámara está enfocada en el celebrante. Al comenzar la grabación, sentí un poco de presión porque el tiempo de la misa debe ajustarse al tiempo asignado para concluir. Sin embargo, la alegría de tener la oportunidad de celebrar la misa para los que están en casa, los enfermos y los ancianos, se convierte en una verdadera bendición en el evangelio de este domingo sobre las Bienaventuranzas, es decir, la Felicidad. 

La primera lectura del Profeta Jeremías enfatiza la confianza en Dios por encima de nuestras preocupaciones de este mundo. El pueblo de Israel recibió una advertencia de parte de Jeremías porque habían abandonado su deber de adorar a Dios e ignoraban la tradición del culto en el templo. Jeremías lo denunció escribiendo esto con un bolígrafo de hierro y una punta de diamante para mostrar su profundo dolor. 

La segunda lectura de la primera carta de San Pablo a los Corintios recuerda a los destinatarios sobre la muerte y resurrección de Cristo, en la que la salvación descansa solo en el Señor. Hay una elección clara entre los caminos del Señor o los del malvado. 

El evangelio de hoy trata sobre las “Bienaventuranzas”, que se encuentran en los evangelios de Mateo y Lucas. El evangelista Lucas escribe su propia versión, que se conoce como el “Sermón en la Llanura”. Estas palabras fueron dirigidas a los oyentes de Jesús y también para nosotros, que escuchamos este pasaje para nuestro propio bien. Presumo que aquellos que escuchen encontrarán significado, verdadera riqueza y alimento espiritual. 

San Lucas relata que Jesús pasó toda la noche “en la montaña para orar” (6:12). Luego, Jesús descendió para dirigirse a la multitud y a sus discípulos. Este detalle es profundamente importante porque antes de hablar, Él oró para comunicarse con Su Padre. En esta acción, Jesús actúa física y espiritualmente en su misión urgente: baja hacia la gente y se pone al mismo nivel que ellos. Él les enseña, pero también está con ellos, no por encima de ellos. Siempre que escuchamos las palabras de Jesús, Él está con nosotros y entre nosotros. 

La palabra “bienaventuranza” significa literalmente “felicidad”. El camino de la felicidad que Jesús describe llama a todos a una transformación interior, una conversión de vida y a revisar nuestro interior. Los creyentes y seguidores de Cristo están llamados a hacer lo mismo, aunque sea difícil y desafiante. Reflexionemos sobre lo siguiente: 

Primero, las bendiciones que Jesús menciona en las Bienaventuranzas no son bendiciones materiales, como ganar la lotería o volverse más rico. Más bien, es de ser espiritualmente ricos y exitosos. De hecho, es una total oposición a todo lo que el mundo nos ofrece. Casi invierte todas nuestras nociones de bendición. 

Segundo, al encontrarnos “espiritualmente pobres”, no tenemos más que a Dios en nuestras vidas. Al ser pobres, descubrimos a Dios porque nos volvemos dependientes de Él. Nos volvemos completamente dependientes de Dios, la fuente de todas las cosas, porque todo vino a la existencia por Su poder. 

San Agustín promovió la pobreza del espíritu y la continencia del corazón, viviendo en Hipona con sus amigos y hermanos en la comunidad mientras cumplían con sus deberes pastorales. Nuestro Padre, San Agustín, dice: “El amor al prójimo es simplemente otra expresión del amor a Dios”, en el ámbito de la pobreza espiritual. Siendo pobres, podemos compartir mucho. En nuestra pobreza, abrimos nuestras manos para ayudar y nuestros corazones para orar a nuestro Dios que provee. 

Tercero, cuando nos encontremos llorando, seremos consolados porque, en nuestra impotencia, dolor y hambre de justicia, no tenemos dónde encontrar consuelo verdadero más que en nuestro Salvador, quien nos salva y nos satisface. 

Cuarto, cuando encontramos la misericordia de Dios por nuestros pecados, nuestros dolores y heridas sanan. Recibimos la limpieza de nuestro corazón; por lo tanto, también experimentamos y vemos a Dios dentro de nosotros a través de un corazón purificado de todo dolor y herida. Así, podemos ofrecer fácilmente perdón y misericordia a los demás también. Nos convertimos en pacificadores, listos para repartir esa especial bendición que hemos recibido. Creo que una vez que Dios nos ha dado Su abundante gracia, Su misericordia se desborda en nuestro corazón. Ahora, nos convertimos en verdaderos hijos de Dios y lo vemos cara a cara. 

Creo que el cumplimiento de la promesa de la salvación ha estado unido a todo tipo de dificultades y desafíos en este mundo presente. Este es tanto un mensaje como una advertencia para nosotros de que todos sucumbiremos al sufrimiento y las dificultades aquí en la tierra; sin embargo, hay un fin para el sufrimiento cuando confiamos completamente y somos fieles a Jesús, quien sacrificó Su propia vida para que vivamos por toda la eternidad. Dios ha sido más fiel que nosotros. No debemos quedarnos secos en nuestro continuo deseo de estar con Él. 

Que Dios los bendiga. 

P. Arlon, osa

• 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5
• Matthew 20:1-16

Today is Septuagesima Sunday.  What is this all about?  The Extraordinary Form follows the 1962 calendar which includes a Pre-Lent season called Septuagesima.   This word in Latin means “seventieth.” It is both the name of the liturgical season and the name of the Sunday. Septuagesima Sunday marks the beginning of the shortest liturgical season. This season is seventeen days long and includes the three Sundays, Septuagesima (seventieth), Sexagesima (sixtieth), and Quinquagesima (fiftieth) before Ash Wednesday. The Septuagesima season is a period of preparation before Lent.  Liturgically, it looks very much like Lent with a tone very penitential.  The Gloria and Alleluia are not allowed temporarily, and the priest vests with purple color vestments.  

Today’s epistle, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, reminds us that Christian life is just to expose ourselves to rigorous training in order to gain a reward or prize that will last forever, rather than a reward that will not last very long.  We need continuous discipline for spiritual progress.  We need strong determination to avoid sinful things, denying bodily pleasures, involving too much food and idle time instead of dedicating moments in prayer and contemplation.  Opening ourselves to reflect on God’s word involves an action plan to attain our spiritual objectives.  Christian development and growth can lead us to eternal happiness.  When we discipline ourselves, we are like a victor who refuses to lose.  

Following the flow of the parable we heard in today’s gospel from St. Matthew, he is inviting us to manifest our undivided trust and faith to our loving God.  I believe that the landowner in the story, who represents the role of God, acts in fairness and equality and He will do anything for us.  I remember in the teaching of St. Augustine on divine justice, he uncompromisingly challenges that God’s decision and law must always take priority over human law and practice. St. Augustine wrote, “God commands something which conflicts with the customs or rules of any human society, then it is to be done, even if it has never been done there before…”. (Confession 3.8.15.) 

St. Augustine’s teaching is very evident that he left us with a clear understanding that our confidence in God, through His Son Jesus Christ’s proclamation of His Father’s message about the Kingdom of God, is meant to be known and to be lived out as His disciples fully revealed and yet has more to be known, waiting for His definitive and lasting glory.  As Jesus has taught the disciples at every point, we, too, are challenged how this kingdom continuously impacts our lives and the way we live.

This parable is an explanation of the Kingdom of God revealing to us the ways which are sometimes hard to understand by our human mind and logic.  The parable states in verse 16, “for the last shall be first, and the first shall be last”.   Our understanding is that God sees the heart, and He shall reward accordingly.  St. Paul clarifies in his writings to the people of Corinth that “without love, even the greatest sacrifice is worthless.” (1 Cor.13:3)  Our sufficiency of life depends solely on Christ.  Going back to the parable, some laborers complain that others, who did not work as long as they had, were paid an equal amount. In other words, they saw their own labor as worthy of compensation but considered their companions’ labor to be inferior and less worthy of reward.   They never understood that the Landowner’s call for them to work in his vineyard is already a reward itself because I believe if they remain idle, doing nothing, they will never get such generous pay.  The best realization of Jesus’ statement is simply to address all believers that no matter how long or hard they work during this lifetime, they will receive the same basic reward, that is Eternal Life.  The scripture also teaches us that the ultimate reward of eternal life will be given on the basis of our cooperation with God’s grace and our charitable actions towards our neighbor.  Christian life is not only a life of prayer and mass, but a life of good works as well.  Both are necessary to gain eternal reward.  

The Landowner, who represents God, is seeking workers to help tend his vineyard.  He goes to search those who are willing to take part in his invitation.  We have no idea how many workers were hired; however, we know that those workers agreed to the terms of employment that the Landowner would pay them a denarius for their labor.  We have a generous God who never discriminates against persons just like in the parable story.  Many times, we compare ourselves with the people around us, but that kind of thinking should be removed from our hearts. Instead we must be grateful for what we have and share the joy of other’s success.  I pray that we should uplift one another instead of bringing each other down.

Thus, in the parable, the Landowner speaks of fairness towards the first batch of workers reminding them that they had no reason to grumble and to be upset over this. God is kind and abundant.  We have to understand that the acquisition of the Kingdom of God is both how we live out God’s law of love and the lavishness of God’s grace and mercy. 

Today we are called by God to be His instruments by way of our genuine faithful witnessing towards our neighbors. It is clear that there is much work to be done, as our Landowner hands out another opportunity to call all of us to join Him in the task of the vineyard.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8
• Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
• Luke 5:1-11 

Today is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.  American families are excited to watch the 59th American National Football League today.  These two competing teams representing their respective States will have a showdown vying for the Championship trophy.  This is the most awaited American ball game of the year for family bonding.   

Enjoy watching the Super Bowl and perhaps enjoy, even more, watching the commercials. Sponsoring companies spend millions of dollars for a thirty second showing of their creative advertisings, so maybe think how many needs they are trying to convince you of to patronize their products.  We are not supposed to be fooled by those secular advertisements during the game, but to focus on Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  He catches our attention at all times.  Of course, we need sports events to temporarily alleviate us from human problems; however, God intends more than just giving relief but also healing and saving ourselves from miseries of the world’s distractions and tribulations.  By our endless trust in Jesus’ love and mercy, despite our unworthiness, we must believe that according to Jesus’ heart, we are worthy enough because He died for us.  

In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, we encounter a narrative of advertisement on behalf of God.  The advertisement is about Isaiah being called to enter the temple and has the vision, of which we hear from the reading, that Isaiah is aware of being in the presence of the Most Holy One of Israel, being closer to hear God’s voice, and responds to being sent to advertise the holiness of God. He was called and touched the lips of the Prophet to be.  He was sanctified and sent to his people, trusting what he has heard and seen. Moreover, he was available and receptive to the vision and the mission.  Though he proclaims, “I am a man of unclean lips,” yet he received such healing of his heart and trustingly responds, “Here I am.  Send me!” 

In the second reading taken from the first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul humbly proclaims, “I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle.”  Yet he said, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective.”  Just like Isaiah, St. Paul humbly acknowledged God’s love and forgiveness and also benefitted from God’s mercy and grace. They both responded to their given mission of preaching God’s word to the people.   

The gospel today narrates to us the story about the miraculous catch of fish by the apostles.  Ordinarily, most of the Apostles of Jesus were fishermen, but the important contemplation was to focus on their challenging work ahead, the mission to catch men for the Lord as they prepare to be Christ’s fishers of men.  

First, the story tells us that all night long they caught nothing.  They were disappointed as experienced fishermen.  They were ashamed of the result because fishing for them was their livelihood and no catch that night is unbearable, with much deeper implication for them and for their families. 

Second, Jesus came onto the scene to rescue them from embarrassment.  He stepped into Simon’s boat and asked him to go out a bit from the shore while He preached to the people from the boat in the shallow waters.  Then, Jesus asked Simon to “go out into the deep water and lower the nets for a catch”. The apostles soon discovered that they had caught a great number of fish so that their nets were bursting. The other boats came near them to help them contain their multitude catch. 

Third, as a result, Simon falls to his knees before Jesus and announces, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”  Maybe Simon wholeheartedly realizes his unbelief and inability to recognize the on-going involvement of their master, Jesus Christ, to convince them of His continuous presence and revelation that He is the Lord. 

Fourth, Jesus responds to Simon’s remorse and sincerity to admit being a sinful man, He replies with a promise, “Do not be afraid from now on you will be catching people.” These words from Jesus are not about words of consolation but rather a total acceptance of His chosen friends.  They need not be afraid, for Jesus’ promise would surely transform them.   

Consequently, this gospel taken from St. Luke 5:1-11 is used to illustrate the structure of the synodal process. The Synod on Synodality describes that we are together on the same boat where Simon was and where Jesus was present also preaching to others on the adjacent boats.  We are all together to fulfill our task of the conversion of relationships that build our community and to further dedicate our mission, charism and ministries.   

The Church has always been experiencing an “abundant catch” in which we must participate to cultivate new forms to deal with the increasing challenges to live in unity and share our different gifts as synodal missionaries being sent to proclaim Jesus to the whole world.  Thus, Jesus says, “So I am sending you. Let us go into the “deep,” not into the depth of the sea, but to listen to an invitation from Jesus to be His present day “Fishers of Men.” 

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

——————-

El Dictado del Corazón

Quinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año C

• Isaías 6:1-2a, 3-8
• Salmo 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
• 1 Corintios 15:1-11
• Lucas 5:1-11

Hoy es el QuintoDomingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año C. Las familias estadounidenses están emocionadas por ver el Fifty-ninth Super Bowl de la Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano. Estos dos equipos competidores, que representan a sus respectivos estados, se enfrentarán por el trofeo de Campeones. Este es el juego de fútbol más esperado del año en Estados Unidos para disfrutar en familia.

Disfruten viendo el Super Bowl y tal vez disfruten aún más viendo los comerciales. Las empresas patrocinadoras gastan millones de dólares en un anuncio de treinta segundos para mostrar sus creativas publicidades. Tal vez piensen en cuántas necesidades intentan convencerlos a satisfacer comprando sus productos. No debemos dejarnos engañar por estos anuncios seculares durante el partido, sino enfocarnos en Jesús, nuestro Señor y Salvador. Él atrae nuestra atención en todo momento. Claro, necesitamos los eventos deportivos para alejarnos temporalmente de los problemas humanos; sin embargo, Dios quiere más que solo darnos alivio, sino sanarnos y salvarnos de las miserias de las distracciones y tribulaciones del mundo. Confiando siempre en el amor y la misericordia de Jesús, a pesar de nuestra indignidad, debemos creer que, según el corazón de Jesús, somos dignos, porque Él murió por nosotros.

En la primera lectura del profeta Isaías, encontramos una narrativa que podría considerarse una publicidad a favor de Dios. El anuncio habla de cómo Isaías fue llamado, entró al templo y tuvo la visión que escuchamos en la lectura. Isaías es consciente de que al estar en la presencia del Santo de Israel, más cerca de escuchar la voz de Dios, responde para ser enviado a anunciar la santidad de Dios. Fue llamado y tocado en sus labios para ser el profeta. Fue santificado y enviado a su pueblo, confiando en lo que había oído y visto. Además, estuvo disponible y receptivo a la visión y a la misión. Aunque proclamó: “Soy un hombre de labios impuros”, recibió la sanación de su corazón, respondiendo con confianza: “¡Aquí estoy! ¡Envíame!”

En la segunda lectura, tomada de la primera carta a los Corintios, San Pablo humildemente proclama: “Soy el más pequeño de los apóstoles, no soy digno de ser llamado apóstol”. Sin embargo, él dice: “Por la gracia de Dios soy lo que soy, y su gracia para conmigo no ha sido en vano.” Al igual que Isaías, San Pablo humildemente reconoce el amor y el perdón de Dios. San Pablo también se benefició de la misericordia y la gracia de Dios, y respondió a la misión que se le dio, predicando la palabra de Dios a las personas.

El Evangelio de hoy nos narra la historia de la pesca milagrosa de los apóstoles. Normalmente, la mayoría de los apóstoles de Jesús eran pescadores, pero la reflexión importante se enfoca en el trabajo desafiante que tenían por delante: la misión de “pescar hombres” para el Señor, mientras se preparaban para ser pescadores de hombres de Cristo.

Primero, la historia nos dice que durante toda la noche no pescaron nada. Estaban decepcionados, ya que eran pescadores de oficio. Se sentían avergonzados por el resultado, porque pescar para ellos era su sustento, y no obtener nada esa noche era insoportable, con implicaciones mucho más profundas para ellos y sus familias.

En segundo lugar, Jesús entró en escena para rescatarlos de la vergüenza. Subió al barco de Simón y le pidió que se alejara un poco de la orilla, mientras Él predicaba a la gente desde el barco en las aguas poco profundas. Luego, Jesús le dijo a Simón: “Echa las redes al mar para pescar”. Los apóstoles pronto descubrieron que habían capturado una gran cantidad de peces, tanto que las redes se rompían. Los otros barcos se acercaron para ayudarlos a contener la gran pesca.

En tercer lugar, como resultado, Simón se arrodilló ante Jesús y dijo: “Apártate de mí, Señor, porque soy un hombre pecador”. Tal vez Simón se dio cuenta de corazón de su incredulidad y su incapacidad para reconocer la participación continua de su Maestro, Jesucristo, que los convencía de Su continua presencia y revelación de que Él es el Señor.

En cuarto lugar, Jesús, respondiendo al arrepentimiento de Simón y a su sinceridad al admitir que era un hombre pecador, le respondió con una promesa: “No tengas miedo, desde ahora serás pescador de hombres”. Estas palabras de Jesús no son meras palabras de consuelo, sino una aceptación total de Sus amigos elegidos. No necesitan tener miedo, pues la promesa de Jesús los transformará sin duda alguna.

Consecuentemente, este Evangelio tomado de San Lucas 5:1-11 ilustra la estructura del proceso sinodal. El Sínodo sobre la Sinodalidad describe que estamos todos en el mismo barco en el que estaba Simón y en el que Jesús también estaba presente, predicando a otros desde los barcos adyacentes. Todos estamos juntos para cumplir nuestra tarea de la conversión de relaciones que construyen nuestra comunidad y para seguir dedicados a nuestra misión, carisma y ministerios.

La Iglesia siempre ha experimentado una “pesca abundante”, de la que debemos participar para cultivar nuevas formas de enfrentar los crecientes desafíos de vivir en unidad y compartir nuestros diversos dones como misioneros sinodales enviados a proclamar a Jesús al mundo entero. Así, Jesús dice: “Por lo tanto, los envío”. Adentrémonos en lo “profundo”, no en las profundidades del mar, sino para escuchar la invitación de Jesús a ser Sus “Pescadores de Hombres” en el día de hoy.

Que Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlon, OSA

• Colossians 3:12-17
• Matthew 13:24-30

Today is the 5th Sunday after Epiphany.  As we follow through the different liturgical readings, we are reminded of our own progress on our spiritual journey as faithful believers and disciples of Christ.  

The epistle from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians is a reminder to us to remember what he said, “Put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him…” (Col. 3:10). Christ has died and has risen from the dead.  Therefore, we consider ourselves dead to sin, so let us put aside our old ways with its pride, self-centeredness and inordinate desires because the holy Lord has made us according to His image. 

Our proper response to God is to live as He wants us to live. Christ has taken our hearts as His heart for us to know that we are chosen of God.  The words of St. Paul are encouraging us to persevere filling our hearts with compassion, kindness, love and forgiveness.  Let the word of Jesus richly dwell within you. Determine in your hearts to respond to God’s choosing as His missionary disciples of our time, and all that we do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 

The gospel taken from St. Matthew narrates to us about the Parable of the Sower.  In the gospel, it has mentioned the word “cockle,” which for Americans means sea clams with edible bivalve mollusks.  What about the cockle according to biblical meaning?  In reference to Job 31:40 and in St. Matthew 13:30, this word refers to some weed, perhaps offensive due to bad or unpleasant smell, or simply noisome weeds.   

Hearing the word of God, we must be rooted and assimilate what we hear from scriptures which is the voice of God.  Our open-minded heart and attentive listening could be best practiced by our willingness to learn and to bear spiritual fruits.  

St. Augustine has in mind that if one of us is negligently and intentionally lukewarm in our preaching, the devil comes and sows in seed those whom the Lord had termed cockle, or weeds, which means those who obstinately deny the truths of the Catholic Faith.  St. Augustine obviously knows about this because of his exposure to different heresies of his time.  We are told of the weeds sown amongst the wheat and “an enemy has done this,” in particular the Manichean heresy. 

St Augustine is reminding us that it is our primary duty to teach sound doctrine of Christ while being aware of so many cockles, or enemies, sowing the seed of deception.  Our profound understanding of the teaching of Christ and ability to acquire good seed of doctrinal clarity is our shared responsibility.  The importance of Christian Religion is crucial at this period in time, when many people turn away from God.  A world without its author of creation is dangerous.  Brothers and sisters, be ever vigilant to protect our flock against heresies and ideologies of our day that grow up all too frequently.  Remember that evil is evil, and it must be identified for what it is.  We must prevent the enemy’s empty words and works from enticing us.  Let us then refute his false promises, not embrace these enemies.  With the good seed sown in our souls by the Sacraments we have received, we can grow to maturity and bear much fruits in order for us to confront them and be safe from the attacks of the enemy.  Let us secure one another and watch each other carefully lest we become infested by diabolic weeds or cockle. All weeds are too quick to root and grow in our own souls whenever we leave or don’t care of our spiritual welfare being unattended, and we lose many souls to our common enemy, Satan. 

Let us hinder the enemy by regularly indulging in the examination of conscience and frequent reception of the Sacraments of Confession and the Holy Eucharist. Forgiveness and healing are available if we ask, and it requires humility, determination and sincerity of the heart. 

We know from the gospel that oftentimes God tolerates the weeds sown by the enemy because the Church is a mixture of good and evil.  We must not be impatient with them because the gospel teaches us that the time of harvest shall come. 

Only by being mindful of our moral choices today and tomorrow will determine where we find ourselves in respect to them. If our past moral choices have been evil, let us repent and do penance while there is still time to do so. God’s grace will be upon you.  Jesus is seeking and waiting patiently once we are ready to surrender completely to Him.   

God’s grace is necessary to persevere in the life of virtue, and may the peace of God be with you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa 

• Malachiah 3:1-4
• Psalms 24:7-10
• Hebrews 2:14-18
• Luke 2:22-40

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day for Consecrated Life.  This World Day for consecrated life is closely tied to the presentation of the Lord in the temple.  It is Mary and Joseph offering the Infant Jesus to fulfill what the law has required of the Holy Family.  Being faithful Jews, they have fulfilled completely their religious tradition.  In the same manner, by professing our religious vows, we are presented to the Almighty God for complete commitment and consecration through our evangelical vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.  Let us offer prayers for those men and women who offered their lives to Christ. I am one of those men who offered my life to the consecrated life by being a religious priest.  

Forty days after Christmas Day, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord has been observed annually.  Mary and Joseph took the Infant Jesus for his first visit to the temple in Jerusalem.  We recall that this observance connects to the fulfillment and obedience to the Law and the guidance to accept Jesus, who is the new temple of God leading everyone to the promise of salvation.  We are all drawn to the words of the Prophet Simeon prophesying that the child will become “a light for the revelation of the Gentiles.” 

This feast has also been known as Candlemas because of the tradition of blessing and distributing candles to remind us that Jesus is the Light and the revelation of His coming in the place in which the law of sacrifice and love come to fulfillment. 

The gospel today from the evangelist St. Luke narrates to us about the Holy family going to the temple in Jerusalem to worship God and to offer a “ransom” or sacrifice for their son, Jesus, as their firstborn child.  We are invited to allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us to understand further this particular episode in the life of Jesus. 

First, how do we comprehend the so called “ransom offering” for their son?  Jesus is the Son of God, so why do Mary and Joseph offer a ransom?  The answer can be found in the understanding of the Old Testament record in the Book of Exodus 13:14-15, “And when your son asks you later on, ‘What does this mean?’ you will tell him, ‘With a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of a house of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, the firstborn of human being and beast alike. That is why I sacrifice to the Lord every male that opens the womb and why I ransom every firstborn of my sons’.” (13:14-15)  These two verses present to us the origin of offering a ransom to remind them of God’s love and salvation for all. Mary and Joseph’s offering corresponds to their status being part of the “Anawim” of God, poor people and yet totally dependent on God, and so according to the law, they could offer a pair of turtledoves to ransom their firstborn.  This kind of animal sacrifice served as a reminder of what God has done for His people under the difficult experience from the Egyptian cruelty, and God protects and saves them all those years.  

Second, this event is not only presenting Jesus with their offering of sacrifice, but after, received the revelation of Jesus’ divine origin.  It was for Mary and Joseph, the presentation of Jesus connects with the continuous action of God’s salvific intentionality, a divine plan of salvation which began in Egypt. 

Third, two elderly people are mentioned in this gospel, Prophet Simeon and Prophetess Anna, both ministering at the temple and patiently waiting for the promised messiah before their holy death.  They find joy in their watchfulness, as they “worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.”  Simeon was touched by the Holy Spirit, and he explicitly identified Jesus as the Christ, the Anointed One, through whom God would bring definitive and lasting salvation to His people, while Prophetess Anna offered continued prayers of thanksgiving to God.  

Like Simeon and Anna, let us continuously bring to our attention the very presence of God in our daily adoration, prayers and meditations.  In our ordinary and everyday life, we must listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit with graceful expectation to make us closer to Jesus Christ, our Savior.  We can share Jesus to others just like sharing the light to another candle but not losing and extinguishing our candle’s light.  Such is the power of Christ’s presence to others.   

May the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph share with us the blessing and grace to recognize the wisdom and the saving action of the Almighty God in which salvation indeed manifests through our active cooperation in the mysterious workings of the Holy Spirit.  God is still continuously working in the world through our humility and kindness.  Let us live in freedom, obedience and gratefulness. 

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

——————

El Dictado del Corazón: La Presentación del Señor, Año C

• Malaquías 3:1-4
• Salmos 24:7-10
• Hebreos 2:14-18
• Lucas 2:22-40

Hoy celebramos la Fiesta de la Presentación del Señor y el Día Mundial de la Vida Consagrada. Este Día Mundial de la Vida Consagrada está estrechamente relacionada con la presentación del Señor en el templo. Es María y José ofreciendo al Niño Jesús para cumplir con lo que la ley requería para la Santa Familia. Siendo judíos fieles, han cumplido completamente con su tradición religiosa. De igual manera, profesando nuestros votos religiosos, nos presentamos ante el Dios Todopoderoso para un compromiso y consagración completos a través de nuestros votos evangélicos de pobreza, castidad y obediencia. Oremos por aquellos hombres y mujeres que ofrecieron sus vidas a Cristo. Yo soy uno de esos hombres que ofreció su vida a la vida consagrada, siendo sacerdote religioso.

Cuarenta días después del Día de Navidad, se ha observado anualmente la fiesta de la Presentación del Señor, cuando María y José llevan al Niño Jesús a su primera visita al templo de Jerusalén. Recordamos que esta observancia está vinculada al cumplimiento y la obediencia a la Ley, así como a la aceptación de Jesús, quien es el nuevo templo de Dios, guiando a todos hacia la promesa de la salvación. Todos nos sentimos atraídos por las palabras del Profeta Simeón, quien profetiza que el niño será “luz para revelación de los gentiles.”

Esta fiesta también se conoce como la Fiesta de la Candelaria debido a la tradición de bendecir y distribuir velas, para recordarnos que Jesús es la Luz, la revelación de Su venida en el lugar donde la ley del sacrificio y el amor se cumplen.

El evangelio de hoy, según el evangelista San Lucas, nos narra sobre la Santa Familia y su visita al templo de Jerusalén para adorar a Dios y ofrecer un “rescate” o sacrificio por su hijo, Jesús, como su primogénito. Se nos invita a permitir que el Espíritu Santo nos ilumine para entender más profundamente este episodio particular en la vida de Jesús.

En primer lugar, ¿cómo comprendemos lo que se llama la “ofrenda de rescate” por su hijo? Jesús es el Hijo de Dios, ¿por qué María y José ofrecen un rescate? La respuesta se encuentra en la comprensión del registro del Antiguo Testamento en el Libro del Éxodo 13:14-15: “Y cuando tu hijo te pregunte más tarde, ‘¿Qué significa esto?’, le dirás: ‘Con mano fuerte el Señor nos sacó de Egipto, de la casa de la esclavitud. Cuando el faraón se negó obstinadamente a dejarnos ir, el Señor mató a todo primogénito en la tierra de Egipto, tanto de seres humanos como de animales. Por eso yo sacrifico al Señor todo varón que abre el vientre, y por eso redimo a todo primogénito de mis hijos’” (13:14-15). Estos dos versículos nos presentan el origen de la ofrenda de un rescate, recordando el amor y la salvación de Dios para todos. La ofrenda de María y José corresponde a su condición de ser parte de los “Anawim” de Dios, gente pobre y, sin embargo, completamente dependiente de Dios. Por lo tanto, de acuerdo con la ley, podían ofrecer un par de tórtolas para redimir a su primogénito. Este tipo de sacrificio animal servía para recordar lo que Dios había hecho por Su pueblo, durante la difícil experiencia de la crueldad en Egipto, y cómo Dios los protegió y los salvó durante todos esos años.

En segundo lugar, este evento no solo presenta a Jesús con su ofrenda de sacrificio, sino que después de recibir la revelación del origen divino de Jesús. Para María y José, la presentación de Jesús está conectada con la continua acción de la intención salvífica de Dios, un plan divino de salvación que comenzó en Egipto.

En tercer lugar, hay dos personas mayores mencionadas en este evangelio, el Profeta Simeón y la Profetisa Ana. Ambos ministrando en el templo, esperando pacientemente al Mesías prometido antes de su santa muerte. Encuentran alegría en su vigilancia, ya que “adoraban noche y día con ayunos y oraciones.” Simeón fue tocado por el Espíritu Santo, y explícitamente identificó a Jesús como el Cristo, el Ungido, a través del cual Dios traería una salvación definitiva y perdurable a Su pueblo. Mientras tanto, la Profetisa Ana ofrecía oraciones continuas de acción de gracias a Dios.

Al igual que Simeón y Ana, permitámonos traer continuamente a nuestra atención la presencia misma de Dios en nuestra adoración diaria, oraciones y meditaciones. En nuestra vida ordinaria y diaria, debemos escuchar las inspiraciones del Espíritu Santo con una esperanzada expectativa para acercarnos más a Jesucristo, nuestro Salvador. Podemos compartir a Jesús con los demás, de la misma manera que compartimos la luz de una vela a otra, pero sin perder ni extinguir la luz de nuestra propia vela. Tal es el poder de la presencia de Cristo para los demás.

Que la Santísima Virgen María y San José nos compartan la bendición y la gracia de reconocer la sabiduría y la acción salvadora del Dios Todopoderoso, en la cual la salvación se manifiesta verdaderamente a través de nuestra cooperación activa en los misteriosos trabajos del Espíritu Santo. Dios sigue trabajando continuamente en el mundo a través de nuestra humildad y bondad. Vivamos en libertad, obediencia y gratitud.

Que Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlon, osa

• Malachi 3:1-4
• Luke 2: 22-32

In Traditional Latin Mass, we celebrate the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and also known as Candlemas.  According to Mosaic Law, a mother who had given birth to a son remained unclean for 40 days after birth, in which time she completed her purification in blood.  After the 40 days, the new mother was to “bring to the temple a lamb for a holocaust and a young pigeon or turtle dove for sin” (Leviticus 12), where a priest prayed for her, and she was cleansed.  Mary, though immaculately conceived, humbly complied with this precept of the Mosaic Law, and offer ransom for Jesus in the temple according to the law established by God, “Whatsoever is firstborn of all flesh, which they offer to the Lord, whether it be of men, or of beasts, shall belong to thee: only for the firstborn of man thou shalt take a price, and every beast that is unclean thou shalt cause to be redeemed…” (Exodus 13:14-15). 

The Feast today, the blessed candles are then distributed while the Canticle of Simeon is sung with the antiphon “Lumen ad revelationem gentium et gloriam plebis tuæ Israel,” “A Light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”  The blessed Candles is the Christ, the Light of the World, and the glory of Israel. 

Today as we celebrate the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we need to be willing to continue God’s love in the world by our holy way of life, reaching out to others, inviting others, and attracting others into a relationship or encounter with God.  I call on everyone that aside from asking God for our personal needs, we too must “ask forgiveness for our personal sins like destroying the refutation of others or bear false witness against other person. 

The first reading from the Prophet Malachi speaks of the coming of the messenger who will be like a refiner’s fire.  This fiery messenger’s coming is to cleanse the entire community; this implies that the messenger in the book of Malachi 3:1-4 is God’s answer to the community’s decisive resolve to these endless arguments, bickering and fractured relationships which I believe we heed the call for asking forgiveness.  Our primary task is to accomplish effectively this duty being called like Prophet Malachi, as a messenger of the Lord. 

The gospel today from the evangelist St. Luke narrates to us about the Holy family going to the temple in Jerusalem to worship God and to offer a “ransom” or sacrifice for their son, Jesus, as their firstborn child.  

How do we comprehend the so called “ransom offering” for their son?  Jesus is the Son of God, so why do Mary and Joseph offer a ransom?  The answer can be found in the understanding of the Old Testament record in the Book of Exodus 13:14-15, “And when your son asks you later on, ‘What does this mean?’ you will tell him, ‘With a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of a house of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, the firstborn of human being and beast alike. That is why I sacrifice to the Lord every male that opens the womb and why I ransom every firstborn of my sons’.” (13:14-15) These two verses present to us the origin of offering a ransom to remind them of God’s love and salvation for all. Mary and Joseph’s offering corresponds to their status being part of the “Anawim” of God, poor people and yet totally dependent on God, and so according to the law, they could offer a pair of turtledoves to ransom their firstborn.  This kind of animal sacrifice served as a reminder of what God has done for His people under the difficult experience from the Egyptian cruelty, and God protects and saves them all those years.  

This event is not only presenting Jesus with their offering of sacrifice, but after, received the revelation of Jesus’ divine origin.  It was for Mary and Joseph, the presentation of Jesus connects with the continuous action of God’s salvific intentionality, a divine plan of salvation which began in Egypt. 

There are two elderly people mentioned in this gospel, Prophet Simeon and Prophetess Anna, both ministering at the temple and patiently waiting for the promised messiah before their holy death.  They find joy in their watchfulness, as they “worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.”  Simeon was touched by the Holy Spirit, and he explicitly identified Jesus as the Christ, the Anointed One, through whom God would bring definitive and lasting salvation to His people, while Prophetess Anna offered continued prayers of thanksgiving to God.  

Like Simeon and Anna, let us continuously bring to our attention the very presence of God in our daily adoration, prayers and meditations.  In our ordinary and everyday life, we must listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit with graceful expectation to make us closer to Jesus Christ, our Savior.  We can share Jesus to others just like sharing the light to another candle but not losing and extinguishing our candle’s light.  Such is the power of Christ’s presence to others.   

May the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph share with us the grace of wisdom and to recognize  saving action of the Almighty God in which salvation indeed manifests through our active cooperation in the mysterious workings of the Holy Spirit.  God is still continuously working in the world through our humility and kindness.  Let us live in freedom, obedience and gratefulness.     

God bless you.   

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
• Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
• Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

When I was in the seminary, every summer vacation I would frequently go home to spend quality time with my parents, family, relatives, former classmates and friends.  During Sundays, I would volunteer to serve in my home parish and even up to the present, as a priest, I continue doing it. It has always been part of my normal life looking forward to giving back something to my parish community.   Today, we hear that Jesus is back in His hometown expecting the people to get to know Him in faith, where folks had to listen to and then accept Who He was, not only as a wonder worker, healer and preacher, but the Goodnews, the coming of the Messiah.   

The readings today remind us of where we should place our attention, especially to reflect on the Word of God, a decision that is worth making. To discern and to reflect is already a part of my ordinary routine, an acquired habit reading the scripture in order to have a deeper understanding of God’s plan.   

In today’s first reading, taken from the Prophet Nehemiah, the chosen people just returned from exile; therefore, they were starting to rebuild their lives and even their Jewish religious tradition.  They might probably be in the public assembly called synagogue to read the Law, or the Torah, led by Ezra during that period.  Upon hearing the Torah proclaimed in their midst, they were weeping because they had realized their own unfaithfulness; however, Ezra reminded them that in proclaiming the word of God, they were told not to weep and be sad, “for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength.” (v.10) 

In the 2nd reading today, from the first reading to the Corinthians, St. Paul instructs them about the extraordinary event that happened to them through their reception of their baptism: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.” (v.13) So, receiving of the Spirit had profound implication for the Corinthians. Moreover, St. Paul also explained well about the Church comprising of many parts of the same body, many gifts of the same source.  Our differences must be a call to a celebration by ignoring the wonder of our own uniqueness but affirming our power of being one body.   I believe that it is good that St. Paul reminds us that each part has unique gifts and a unique purpose in manifesting the one body. 

The gospel from St. Luke narrates to us the account about Jesus reading from the scroll in front of the assembly and the teachers of the Law, which is customary according to the tradition of the Jews. Thus, according to the Prophet Isaiah, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  It would be wonderful to profoundly reflect on and find inspiriting insights for our spiritual development. 

First, Jesus takes the words from Isaiah saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me.”  I believe that it was the movement of the Holy Spirit that happened during the encounter of Jesus with the experts of the Law.  How many of us grasp the implication of these words of Jesus?   It means that Jesus’ life is totally in union with the life-giving role of the Spirit.  Jesus also understood very well that God had chosen Him to speak on behalf of His Father.   The Spirit Jesus received is the same Spirit we too received from our baptism and confirmation.  Now that we belong to the “Body of Christ,” so like Jesus we are called to proclaim Christ to the world.   

Second, the best response in a prayerful way is to listen and be obedient.  Our maturity to listen and to act according to the ways of Jesus will give us the freedom to assist Jesus in the recovery of sight, in particular, to those who have been blinded by their image of pride.   Having been released from this unusual behavior, we become effective proclaimers of the word through good examples and manner of life. We can preach the values of the gospel, even without talking or using words, according to St. Francis, because we are preaching the gospel through good works or actions, keeping this verse from Psalm 34:6, “Look up at the Lord with gladness and smile; your face will never be shamed.”  

Third, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  (v.21).  What does it mean that the Scripture has been fulfilled in Christ?  Jesus comes for all people and teaches, not only “whole regions” or the Israelites, but the entire world today.  Our understanding is to listen, to be open to the Spirit and to hope in the fulfillment of this promise slowly unfolding before our eyes through Jesus Christ.  Sometimes we can easily get caught up in the noise of life: work, family, political and economic issues, natural calamities, etcetera, unknowingly and being unmindful of God’s presence.  We need persevering prayer to put aside those worldly distractions and follow Christ faithfully.  So, with the help of God, we will continue to look forward to the great spiritual journey. 

Brothers and sisters, those words from the Responsorial Psalm 19, animate us with joy as we say, “Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and Life.”  Let us be mindful that the law of God is not written on scrolls but on our hearts.  

God bless you. 

Fr. Arlon, osa

 —————–

El Dictado del Corazón

Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año C

• Nehemías 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
• Salmo 19:8, 9, 10, 15
• 1 Corintios 12:12-30
• Lucas 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Cuando estaba en el seminario, cada verano aprovechaba las vacaciones para ir a casa a pasar tiempo de calidad con mis padres, familia, parientes, antiguos compañeros de clase y amigos. Los domingos, me ofrecía como voluntario para servir en mi parroquia y, hasta el día de hoy, como sacerdote, sigo haciéndolo. Siempre ha sido parte de mi vida normal, el poder devolver algo a mi comunidad parroquial. Hoy, escuchamos que Jesús regresa a su ciudad natal, esperando que lo reconozcan en la fe, que la gente tuviera que escucharlo y luego aceptar quién era Él, no solo como un hombre de prodigios, que sanaba o que predicaba, sino como la Buena Nueva, la venida del Mesías. 

Las lecturas de hoy nos recuerdan dónde debemos poner nuestra atención, especialmente para reflexionar sobre la Palabra de Dios, una decisión que vale la pena tomar. Discernir y reflexionar ya es parte de mi rutina cotidiana, un hábito adquirido al leer las escrituras para tener una comprensión más profunda del plan de Dios. 

La primera lectura de hoy, tomada del libro del Profeta Nehemías, nos relata que el pueblo elegido acababa de regresar del exilio; por lo tanto, comenzaban a reconstruir sus vidas y hasta su tradición religiosa judía. Probablemente se encontraban en la asamblea pública, llamada sinagoga, para leer la Ley, o la Torá, bajo la dirección de Esdras en esa época. Al escuchar la proclamación de la Torá en medio de ellos, comenzaron a llorar porque se dieron cuenta de su propia infidelidad. Sin embargo, Esdras les recordó que, al proclamar la palabra de Dios, se les decía que no lloraran ni se pusieran tristes, “porque el gozo en el Señor será su fuerza” (v.10). 

La segunda lectura, tomada de la primera carta de San Pablo a los Corintios, nos enseña sobre el extraordinario evento que ocurrió en ellos con la recepción de su bautismo: “Porque en un solo Espíritu todos fuimos bautizados para formar un solo cuerpo, ya seamos judíos o griegos, esclavos o libres, y a todos se nos dio a beber de un solo Espíritu” (v.13). Así, recibir el Espíritu tuvo una implicación profunda para los Corintios. Además, San Pablo les explicó que la Iglesia está compuesta por muchas partes de un mismo cuerpo, muchos dones de una misma fuente. Nuestras diferencias deben ser un llamado a la celebración, no ignorando la maravilla de nuestra unicidad, sino afirmando el poder de ser un solo cuerpo. Creo que es bueno que San Pablo nos recuerde que cada parte tiene dones únicos y un propósito único al manifestar un solocuerpo. 

El Evangelio de San Lucas nos narra el episodio en que Jesús lee el volumen del Profeta Isaías en medio de la asamblea y los maestros de la Ley, siguiendo la costumbre según la tradición judía. Así, según el Profeta Isaías, Jesús dice: “Hoy se cumple esta escritura que acaban de oír” (v.21). Es importando profundizar y reflexionar sobre estas palabras y encontrar la inspiración para nuestro desarrollo espiritual. 

Primero, Jesús toma las palabras de Isaías diciendo: “El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí porque me ha ungido”. Creo que fue el movimiento del Espíritu Santo lo que sucedió durante el encuentro de Jesús con los expertos de la Ley. ¿Cuántos de nosotros comprendemos la implicación de estas palabras de Jesús? Esto significa que la vida de Jesús está completamente unida con el rol vivificante del Espíritu. Jesús también entendió muy bien que Dios lo había elegido para hablar en nombre de Su Padre. El Espíritu que Jesús recibió es el mismo Espíritu que nosotros recibimos en nuestro bautismo y confirmación. Ahora que pertenecemos al “Cuerpo de Cristo”, como Jesús, estamos llamados a proclamar a Cristo al mundo. 

Segundo, la mejor respuesta de manera orante es escuchar y ser obedientes. Nuestra madurez para escuchar y actuar de acuerdo con los caminos de Jesús nos dará la libertad para ayudar a Jesús en la recuperación de la vista, en particular, a aquellos que han quedado cegados por su imagen de orgullo. Al liberarnos de este comportamiento inusual, nos convertimos en proclamadores efectivos de la palabra a través de buenos ejemplos y maneras de vida. Podemos predicar los valores del Evangelio incluso sin hablar ni usar palabras, como decía San Francisco, porque estamos predicando el Evangelio a través de buenas obras o acciones. Mantengamos este versículo del Salmo 34:6: “Miren al Señor con alegría y sonrían; su rostro nunca se avergonzará.” 

Tercero, “Hoy se cumple esta escritura que acaban de oír” (v.21). ¿Qué significa que las Escrituras se han cumplido en Cristo? Jesús viene para todos los pueblos y enseña no solo “todas las regiones” o a los israelitas, sino a todo el mundo hoy. Nuestro entendimiento debe ser escuchar, estar abiertos al Espíritu y esperar el cumplimiento de esta promesa que se despliega lentamente ante nuestros ojos a través de Jesucristo. A veces, fácilmente podemos quedarnos atrapados en el ruido de la vida: trabajo, familia, problemas políticos y económicos, calamidades naturales, etc., sin darnos cuenta y sin estar conscientes de la presencia de Dios. Necesitamos perseverar en la oración para apartar esas distracciones mundanas y seguir a Cristo fielmente. Así que, con la ayuda de Dios, continuaremos esperando con esperanza el gran viaje espiritual. 

Hermanos y hermanas, esas palabras del salmo responsorial 19 nos animan con alegría mientras decimos: “Tus palabras, Señor, son espíritu y vida.” Seamos conscientes de que la ley de Dios no está escrita en volúmenes, sino en nuestros corazones. 

Dios los bendiga. 

P. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 62:1-5
• Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
• John 2:1-11

Today, we are back to the Ordinary Time of the church liturgical calendar.  I think of the recent fire in LA, California (January 2025) at which many are displaced, lost their livelihood, properties and death tolls are expected to rise.  It would probably take more time for them to recover from grief, the rubbles and ashes brought about by this wildfire.  Every natural disaster occurs we become insightful on how our human and spiritual relationships be deepened, realizing also how human become vulnerable.  Therefore, we develop awareness to focus on improving relationships with God, family and find direction of establishing relationship with the larger community.  In times of crisis, of course, we must be resilient, but we must turn ourselves to the Lord in adoration, prayer and petitions. 

We must not be distracted by fears and anxieties, for God is with us, what we need is to realize the full importance of relationships and to know life’s driven purpose.  Our main theme for today is about relationship, full of promise and goodness.  In today’s first reading taken from the Prophet Isaiah leads me to think that God is more opening the door to a relationship than serving as a judge.  During those times Jerusalem was occupied by non-believers desecrating the holy temple.  The chosen people felt they were abandoned by God and not belonging to God’s people.  However, the Prophet Isaiah wrote this prophetic foretelling about God’s willingness to establish with His people new relationship despite dishonoring His name.  This prophesy now reveals the coming of the groom taking the bride once was disgraceful to God.  This is a kind of a love poem. 

In the 1st letter excerpt from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he considers the diversity of gifts of the Spirit.  Indeed, God is the good giver of all gifts. Oftentimes, I feel undeserving of the many gifts that I have received.  God is generous!  Therefore, we need to respond gratefully to God and to reassess how we could use them best for others to benefit from and enjoy.  We must not be stingy in sharing our talents, time and treasures.  We use our gifts realizing that all of them came from the Holy Spirit, not for boasting but for our good, the good of the body and for the common good of all.  Thus, to foster unity among the believers St. Paul proposes to be slow to pass judgment to anyone, he wants the early Christians to listen to a more relationship-oriented message they need to hear.

Again, we hear this so familiar story about Jesus’ first miracle in the wedding at Cana.  We remember the first reading that the chosen people felt abandoned by God, then later Isaiah developed this love poem about God embracing them again like a “groom” despite their unfaithfulness which in the New Testament, Jesus reveals a sign of being the Messiah during the time of a wedding at Cana, a celebration between Him, the couple, his disciples and wedding guests.  Let us now get into some details of the gospel passage.

First, we may probably ask, “why a wedding for Jesus’ first miracle?”  I believe that Jesus is establishing a new kind of relationship, “a family of disciples.”  This new relationship gives importance to the sanctity of marriage and to to maintain the family life.  Jesus becomes an example of respect and honor giving in to the request of His mother, Mary despite the Jesus’ hour has yet to come.  Mary’s intervention speaks about the Holy Family’s intimacy and love.  Jesus’ first miracle sets the stage for His public life and ministry.  Instead, the water at the wedding be used for ritual purification and cleaning the vessels, the water was turned into wine to make the people enjoy the feast with good food and best wine to increase and to observe better relationships among the people present.  

Second, the changing of water into wine is a sign and a revelation clearly pointing towards Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.  “His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you,’” which is an instruction for them to comply.  Moreover, Mary exhortations to the waiters and to us, is an illustration on how to trust always His words.  Also, this episode manifests a relationship between a mother and an obedient Son.  Those who have seen this sign and tasted the wine started to believe in Him.  This miracle gives hope for them to believe in Jesus, thereafter, He performed more miracles.

Third, this marriage at Cana is actually speaks about God’s marriage with us in Jesus.  In every marriage we witness, the groom and the bride of whom they represent God’s fidelity to His Church. Now, it makes us one family here on earth revealing God’s covenanted love.  Even though, our attitude is to abandon God, but God holds fast and does not abandon us.  Despite the mess, we are worth being loved.  

Brothers and sisters, the whole gospel speaks about Jesus promoting and building community and family-relationship.  The changing of water into wine, and also in the Eucharist, changing wine into His blood, Jesus is working through us to change ourselves, living in union with God and each other.  Here in this beautiful country, USA, we belong to one family.  Migrants are all welcome, however, respecting the law of the land and securing the boarder is not that we who are citizens of this great country are afraid that the best wine run out or that some are just more worthy of the good wine than others.

Let us be aware of God’s benevolence throughout our life and respond to the call to service.  In using our gifts to build God’s kingdom, we become as one.  Redemption is not only an experience of the past, but it is continuous creation resulting to God’s loving relationship with us. He is married with us, the Church.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

——————

El Dictado del Corazón

Segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año C

• Isaías 62:1-5
• Salmo 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
• 1 Corintios 12:4-11
• Juan 2:1-11

Hoy regresamos al Tiempo Ordinario del calendario litúrgico de la iglesia. Ha estado en mi mente el reciente incendio en Los Ángeles, California (Enero de 2025), donde muchos han perdido sus propiedades, su sustento y se espera que el número de muertos aumente. Probablemente tomará tiempo para que ellos que han sufrido pérdidas se recuperen del dolor, de los escombros y las cenizas que a dejó este incendio devastador. Cada desastre natural nos hace reflexionar sobre cómo nuestra relaciones espirituales e humana, pueden profundizarse, y darnos cuenta de lo vulnerables que somos. Por lo tanto, desarrollamos conciencia para centrarnos en mejorar nuestra relación con Dios, la familia y encontrar la dirección para establecer relaciones con la comunidad en general. En tiempos de crisis, por supuesto, debemos ser resilientes, pero debemos dirigirnos al Señor en adoración, oración y penitencia. 

No debemos dejarnos distraer por miedos y ansiedades, porque Dios está con nosotros. Lo que necesitamos es darnos cuenta de la plena importancia de las relaciones y conocer el propósito de la vida. 

El tema principal de hoy es sobre la relación, llena de promesas y bondad. En la primera lectura tomada del profeta Isaías, nos hace reflexionar como Dios se dispone a una relación que el actuar como juez. En aquellos tiempos, Jerusalén estaba ocupada por no creyentes que profanaban el templo santo. El pueblo elegido sentía que había sido abandonado por Dios y no pertenecía al pueblo de Dios. Sin embargo, el profeta Isaías escribió esta profecía acerca de la disposición de Dios para establecer con Su pueblo una nueva relación a pesar de que deshonraron Su nombre. Esta profecía ahora revela la venida del novio que toma a la novia que antes fue deshonrosa para Dios. Esto es como un poema de amor. 

En el extracto de la primera carta de San Pablo a los Corintios, él considera la diversidad de los dones del Espíritu. En efecto, Dios es el buen dador de todos los dones. A menudo, siento que no merezco los muchos dones que he recibido. ¡Dios es generoso! Por lo tanto, para San Pablo, es lento para juzgar a nadie; él quiere que los primeros cristianos escuchen un mensaje más orientado a las relaciones que necesitan escuchar para fomentar la unidad. También me complace aprender que San Pablo enfatiza en sus escritos la diversidad de los dones, los cuales necesitamos responder con gratitud a Dios y reevaluar cómo podemos usarlos mejor para que otros se beneficien y disfruten. No debemos ser tacaños al compartir nuestros talentos, tiempo y tesoros. Usamos nuestros dones dándonos cuenta de que todos provienen del Espíritu Santo, no para enaltecernos, sino para el bien común y el bien del cuerpo. 

De nuevo, escuchamos esta historia tan familiar sobre el primer milagro de Jesús en la boda de Caná. Recordemos la primera lectura, en la que el pueblo elegido se sentía abandonado por Dios, luego Isaías desarrolló este poema de amor sobre cómo Dios los abrazaría nuevamente como un “novio” a pesar de su infidelidad, lo cual, en el Nuevo Testamento, Jesús revela como una señal de ser el Mesías durante la boda en Caná, una celebración entre Él, la pareja, Sus discípulos y los invitados. Ahora, vamos a adentrarnos en algunos detalles del pasaje evangélico. 

Primero, probablemente nos preguntaríamos: “¿Por qué una boda para el primer milagro de Jesús?” Creo que Jesús está estableciendo un nuevo tipo de relación, “una familia de discípulos”. Esta nueva relación da importancia al matrimonio para mantener el honor de la familia. Jesús se convierte en un ejemplo de respeto y honor al ceder a la solicitud de Su madre, María, a pesar de que “su hora aún no había llegado”. La intervención de María habla de la intimidad y el amor de la Santa Familia. El primer milagro de Jesús marca el inicio de Su vida pública y Su ministerio. En lugar de que el agua de la boda se usara para la purificación ritual y la limpieza de los utensilios, se usó para que la gente disfrutara del banquete con una buena bebida, el mejor vino, para fortalecer y mejorar las relaciones entre los presentes. Todo el Evangelio habla de cómo Jesús promueve y construye la relación comunitaria. 

En segundo lugar, el cambio del agua en vino son señales y revelaciones que apuntan claramente hacia Jesús como el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios. “Su madre les dijo a los sirvientes: ‘Hagan todo lo que Él les diga’”, lo cual es una instrucción para que ellos obedezcan. Esto revela una relación entre una madre y un Hijo obediente, el ejemplo de María de confiar siempre en Sus palabras. Aquellos que vieron estos signos y probaron el vino comenzaron a creer en Él. Este milagro les da esperanza para creer en Jesús, quien luego comienza a realizar más milagros. 

En tercer lugar, esta boda en Caná habla realmente sobre el matrimonio de Dios con nosotros en Jesús. En cada matrimonio que presenciamos, el novio y la novia representan la fidelidad de Dios hacia Su Iglesia. Ahora, nos hace una sola familia aquí en la tierra, revelándonos el amor covenantal de Dios. Nuestra actitud es abandonar a Dios, pero Él se mantiene firme y no nos abandona. A pesar del desastre, somos dignos de ser amados. 

Hermanos y hermanas, en el Evangelio de hoy, sobre el cambio del agua en vino, Jesús está trabajando a través de nosotros para cambiar nuestra imagen, viviendo en unión con Dios y con los demás. Aquí, en este hermoso país, Estados Unidos, pertenecemos a una sola familia. Los migrantes son bienvenidos, pero respetar la ley de la tierra y asegurar la frontera no significa que, como ciudadanos de este gran país, temamos que el mejor vino se acabe o que algunos sean más dignos del buen vino que otros. 

Seamos conscientes de los dones benevolentes de Dios a lo largo de nuestra vida y respondamos al llamado al servicio. Al usar nuestros dones para edificar el reino de Dios, nos convertimos en uno. La redención no es solo una experiencia del pasado, sino una creación continua que resulta en la relación amorosa de Dios con nosotros. Él está casado con nosotros, la Iglesia. 

Dios los bendiga. 

P. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
• Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
• Acts 10:34-38
• Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

After the celebration of the Christmas season, today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, which signals the beginning of His public ministry.  It is also a call to journey with Jesus on His mission as we prepare to venture into our lives the challenge of Christian life through the weeks of Ordinary Time starting next week. 

The first reading, taken from the Prophet Isaiah 42, emphasizes the mission of bringing the justice of God upon the earth. This justice is not equality per se, as it has been conceived as human justice but is Divine justice.  This Divine justice looks to the fulfillment of people’s needs and hopes.  It is an experience of light from darkness, liberty and freedom from all kinds of enslavements, restoring sight from blindness, all which result in healing and profound consolation.   We also found in the 1st reading from Isaiah the word, “servant,” to remind us that only Christ, prophesying and announcing a special person for the time of hope, the coming Messiah, whom the Spirit of God will be upon Him, and His identity will be known by the people of Israel through His life and actions.

In the 2nd reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter speaks to those gathered in the house of Cornelius his responsibility to teach who and what Jesus is and does as God’s anointed One.  In Jesus’ divine and human being, He accomplished the will of the Father as an incarnate Son.  We have to recognize that it is within His human nature that Jesus is able to reveal God’s divine presence in the very human relationships and behavior of the Baptized.

In the gospel taken from the evangelist St. Luke, he wrote about the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist.  For St. Luke, it is his first revelation or manifestation of our Savior to the gentiles.   I invite you to reflect on this important event in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ 

First, Jesus does not need John’s baptism of repentance for sin.  However, He chooses this baptism to be united with us.  Jesus becomes immersed to our human reality completely.  Jesus wanted to be immersed in the water of the Jordan, not to wash away His sin because Jesus has no sin at all; however, it was His own way to accept His identity and mission and for us to learn how we should live with humility. 

Second, the Baptism of Jesus expresses the visible depths and profound relationship of Jesus with His Father.   This event is not only a reminder for us to know that Jesus is the Beloved Son, but rather to listen attentively to His loving Father’s voice as well, “You are my beloved Son with you I am well pleased.”

Third, St. John the Baptist affirmed that “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”    After Jesus’ baptism, John saw the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and heard the voice of the Father, and that moment was ablaze with God’s glory.

Brothers and Sisters, reflecting upon the baptism of Jesus invites us to learn more about the sacrament of Baptism.  It is important to have a deeper understanding about the sacrament and always to have that eagerness to renew our baptismal promises seriously.   Let us be willing to listen and in the discernment process be receptive to hear that we might live what we come to believe. Our reception of baptism reveals our Christian dignity as members of the mystical Body, the Church, rejecting sins and receiving God’s grace so that we may be aware of being sons and daughters of God committed to follow Jesus faithfully.

Today, let us celebrate our own baptisms as well as Jesus’ baptism.  Now, Jesus sends us out into the world to proclaim the message we believe.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

—————-

El Dictado del Corazón: La Fiesta del Bautismo del Señor, Año C

• Isaías 42:1-4, 6-7
• Salmo 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
• Hechos 10:34-38
• Lucas 3:15-16, 21-22

Después de la celebración de la temporada navideña, hoy celebramos el Bautismo del Señor, que marca el comienzo de Su ministerio público. Es también una invitación a caminar con Jesús en Su misión, mientras nos preparamos para adentrarnos en nuestras vidas el desafío de la vida cristiana durante las semanas del Tiempo Ordinario, que comienzan la próxima semana.

La primera lectura tomada del Profeta Isaías (42) resalta la misión de traer la justicia de Dios a la tierra. Esta justicia no es simplemente igualdad como la hemos concebido en términos humanos, sino la justicia divina. Esta justicia divina busca el cumplimiento de las necesidades y esperanzas de las personas. Es una experiencia de luz en la oscuridad, de libertad de todo tipo de esclavitudes, de restauración de la vista a los ciegos, lo que lleva a la sanación y a una profunda consolación. También encontramos en la primera lectura de Isaías la palabra “siervo”, para recordarnos que solo Cristo, profetizando y anunciando a una persona especial para el tiempo de la esperanza, el Mesías que vendría, sería el ungido de Dios sobre quien reposaría Su Espíritu y cuya identidad sería conocida por el pueblo de Israel a través de Su vida y sus acciones.

En la segunda lectura, tomada del Libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, San Pedro habla a los reunidos en la casa de Cornelio sobre su responsabilidad de enseñar quién es y qué hace Jesús como el Ungido de Dios. En la humanidad y divinidad de Jesús, Él cumplió la voluntad del Padre como el Hijo encarnado. Debemos reconocer que es en Su naturaleza humana que Jesús revela la presencia divina de Dios en las relaciones y comportamientos humanos de los bautizados.

El evangelio, tomado del evangelista San Lucas, narra el Bautismo de Jesús en el río Jordán por Juan el Bautista. Para San Lucas, este es su primer acto de revelación o manifestación de nuestro Salvador a los gentiles. Les invito a reflexionar sobre este importante acontecimiento en la vida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.

Primero, Jesús no necesita el bautismo de arrepentimiento de Juan. Sin embargo, Él elige este bautismo para unirse a nosotros. Jesús se sumerge completamente en nuestra realidad humana. Jesús quiso sumergirse en las aguas del Jordán no para lavarse de sus pecados, porque Jesús no tiene pecado alguno. Sin embargo, fue Su forma de aceptar Su identidad y misión, y para que nosotros aprendiéramos cómo vivir con humildad.

En segundo lugar, el Bautismo de Jesús expresa la profundidad visible y la relación profunda de Jesús con Su Padre. Este evento no solo es un recordatorio de que Jesús es el Hijo amado, sino también de que debemos escuchar atentamente la voz del Padre amoroso: “Tú eres mi Hijo amado, en Ti tengo complacencia.”

En tercer lugar, San Juan el Bautista afirmó: “Él los bautizará con el Espíritu Santo y con fuego.” Después del bautismo de Jesús, Juan vio al Espíritu Santo en forma de paloma y escuchó la voz del Padre; ese momento fue iluminado por la gloria de Dios.

Hermanos y Hermanas, reflexionar sobre el bautismo de Jesús nos invita a conocer más acerca del sacramento del bautismo. Es importante tener una comprensión más profunda de este sacramento y siempre tener ese deseo de renovar nuestras promesas bautismales con seriedad. Estemos dispuestos a realizar un proceso de escucha y discernimiento, con receptividad, para escuchar y vivir lo que llegamos a creer. Nuestro bautismo revela nuestra dignidad cristiana como miembros del Cuerpo Místico, la Iglesia, rechazando el pecado, recibiendo la gracia de Dios para que seamos conscientes de nuestra condición de hijos e hijas de Dios comprometidos a seguir a Jesús fielmente.

Hoy, celebremos nuestros propios bautismos así como el bautismo de Jesús. Ahora, Jesús nos envía al mundo a proclamar el mensaje que creemos.

Que Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlon, osa

• Colossians 3: 12-17
• Luke 2:42-52

Today, I would like to reiterate the teaching of the Church based on the scriptures about Christian family.  Vatican Council II reflects that Christian family is “the domestic church.”  We need to reflect on this to understand the intention of our Lord calling His disciples a new kind of family and can be understood as a community.  He was not formalizing family but as history teaches that the community He formed grew so rapidly in its early years because His followers live like a family who took care of one another, something that attracted in the Roman Empire, both gentiles, or pagans and Jews.  Jesus’s years of witnessing accepting everyone as brothers and sisters, beyond blood relationship but by sharing the common faith, is the seed of this new relationship of being a new kind of family or the Church.

Today’s epistle from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians reminds us of that genuine faith in God, and true Christian holiness are seen in the acts of kindness, humility, patience and heartfelt compassion.  St. Paul goes on saying, “let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body.”

The gospel taken from St. Luke narrates about the Holy Family fulfilling their annual obligation according to the Jewish religious tradition.  Like other pious Jewish family, Mary, Joseph and Jesus make their way to the Temple in Jerusalem.  St. Luke’s purpose of writing this episode is to link the Jerusalem pilgrimage to Jesus’ public ministry.  Today, we are invited to reflect on this gospel passage:

First, while on their way back to Nazareth, Mary and Joseph begun to wonder why Jesus was not with them.  They decided to launch a search for their child until Mary and Joseph travelled back to Jerusalem.  Jesus was found at the temple where He was conversing with the experts of the law.  It was difficult for Mary and Joseph with the loss of their loving child, but they resigned to Jesus’ destiny.  This is an event when Jesus expressed clarity of His intention to focus on His Father’s will and the “Father’s business” by preaching about the Truth the rest of His public ministry.

Second, Jesus’ own experience of family with Mary, Joseph and their extended family may have inspired His early days that His mission is over and above the interest of His earthly family which had been built upon the Law of God.  Mary and Joseph are shown as having great reverence for God’s laws by being faithful to Jewish religious practices for the fulfillment of God’s promise of fruitful blessings.

Third, Jesus was not disrespectful and insensitive to His parents’ intention to look for Him.  However, Jesus seriously explaining to them, “I must be in my Father’s house.” The couple and their child return home and by their living according to God’s law, the child grew strong, full of wisdom and was obedient to them. So, we have a picture of a Holy Family. They received blessings and guidance from God, they returned filled with gratitude; they were faithful to their lives.

What makes a family a “holy family?”  Let us follow the example of Mary, Joseph and Jesus by our total dependence on God who called us as His family of disciples, devoted to God’s law or commandment, prayer, generosity of heart and loving God that makes our family acts as one in order to provide each member a space for growth and maturity.

Celebrating the feast of the Holy Family, we must be grateful to our own human family.  We cherish our delightful moments and experiences with all the members of our family, though there are some unsavory feelings, hurts and inevitable issues or conflict we have been through, please remember Jesus embraced our full human nature, graced, but also fallen and weak.  According to the letter to the Hebrews 2:11, “He who consecrates and those who have been consecrated all have one origin, Therefore, Jesus is not ashamed to call them “brothers and sisters.”  We are all brothers and sisters in the Lord, if we are faithful to do His will.  Let our shared faith, life’s journey be the reason to rejoice today coupled with love and forgiveness by God’s grace and mercy!

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa