Category: Uncategorized

• 1 Samuel 1:24-28
• 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
• Luke 1:46-56

We are approaching the end of the season of Advent and are excited to think of Christmas this weekend. I believe that miracles are happening when each day, we commit ourselves to reflect on each reading. There are inspiring events and moments we find useful to take life seriously.

Today’s reading from the Book of Samuel narrates to us the life story about Hannah. She was barren for many years. She had been ashamed of her condition, not receiving the blessing of motherhood from God. She was insulted by the other wife of her husband because she was given a child. She was envious and yet unshakeable in her faith. The prophet Eli saw Hannah praying consciously for the intention to bear a child. She made a promise to God that if her prayers were granted to have a child, she would give that child back to God. He found her praying in the temple of Shiloh, because the temple of Jerusalem had not yet been recovered back to the hands of the chosen people.

I remember my mother, +Rita, telling me that during her time, the first-born male child must be offered to God. She, indeed, was true to her desire. My eldest brother became a priest. I totally admire women who pray to God for blessings, to protect their child inside their womb, rather than being ashamed of being pregnant and choosing for their child to be aborted. Every child is God’s creation and, therefore, couples must make sacrifices in any way and be grateful. Indeed, Hannah did make a sacrifice, giving Samuel to Eli so that Samuel would be dedicated to the Lord and trained as a priest.

Just imagine Hannah returning to the temple after she got her wish thru the intervention of God. Samuel was her only child, but she was brave to offer him at the temple, with her unwavering faith, to God who did not fail her at all. She gave Samuel over to Eli. As any normal mother with her emotions and heavy heart, Hannah leaves the temple with joy being worthy of God’s blessings and keeping her promise, for she was devoted in faith.

In the gospel, another woman like Hannah is revealed to us. This devout woman is the Blessed Mother Mary. Mary, a young woman, heeds the call of God to be the mother of the Savior. She was chosen for this honor from her conception.

Today, like Mary, we approach the knowledge of love and mercy. In her response, she sang the “Magnificat” in praise and thanksgiving that God keeps His promise to save humanity from sins and death.

As we approach the end of Advent to prepare for Christmas, we thank God for telling us the wonders of these two extraordinary women who taught us what it is to have deep faith.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

Extraordinary Form Latin Mass Homily

• 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
• Luke 3:1-6

We are now in the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  We are spending these days of Advent, together with Joseph and Mary, as we wait, watch, ponder and receive it all as the gift which is so precious in our spiritual growth. It is a gift that is meant to be cherished.  This is what St. Paul in today’s epistle from I Corinthians 4:1-5 states that “Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God. Here now it is required among the dispensers that a man be found faithful.” (Sic nos existemit homo ut ministros Christi, et dispensatores mysteriorum Dei. Hic jam quaeritur inter dispensatores, ut fidelis quis inveniatur.)

Being chosen as dispensers of the Goodnews, we must be faithful. We see how the world is preparing for Christmas, being busy decorating, buying gifts, and all the noise and commercialization. People are not receptive to the wilderness telling us to prepare for the Lord. Many people are not listening to the gospel and unfortunately are forgetful of the Word. However, we need to be “faithful” and we need to hear what God wants us to hear, preparing consciously for the Birth of Jesus. God will certainly come; therefore, we need to repent. This is what John the Baptist proclaimed, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” John the Baptist baptized the people in preparation for the coming of the Savior. He was baptizing the people with water in order to get rid of the sins. He asked the people to render their heart, recreating oneself anew and preparing their heart and soul for Jesus.

What does this mean to prepare the way of the Lord? What should we prepare then? How do we prepare it? The gospel in Luke 3:1-6 is telling us to re-create ourselves by cleansing our souls. This is the very essence of letting Jesus stay in our hearts through charity. The pandemic is very tough for us all, but indeed our trust in the Lord is what makes us strong. We may not have enough resources to share, but if we have spare blessings, we can share it in any way we can.

First, extravagance is not necessary, for what we need is a pure heart and our willingness to help others. Practicing charity and almsgiving are the things we can do in times like this. We must learn from John the Baptist seeking only the presence of God, and not seeking the praise from others.

Second, John was in a desert, a voice in the wilderness, and yet people came to hear his preaching. He could have chosen a better place to prepare himself for his ministry, but he prepared in a desolate place that was free from noise and distractions. We, however, should come to a place, like the church, so that we can focus all our attention on God alone. Since we close this church, and that is not possible, we can just shut the door of our room (Matthew 6:6), switch off the television and put away our mobile phone in a drawer so we can concentrate on listening to the voice of God. The point is we need complete silence because common sense dictates that it is in quietness that we hear God’s voice.

Third, John was serious to fulfill his mission to give the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Repentance is necessary for conversion and salvation. The first thing is to accept that we are sinners and, with humility, repentance is possible. Change our ways.

Fourth, when we are expecting a special visitor, we clean the whole house, fix everything so that we can make the best impression in order to welcome our visitor with the best hospitality. Can’t we do that for Jesus, our Lord? We still have time these few days of Advent, to fix our lives, clean our minds and hearts and put on the garment of faith, hope and love to welcome our Savior.

Brothers and sisters please return to God – He is our salvation. He is the one that can change your life – It has to be that way. Sacrificiis praaesentibus, quaesumus, Domine, placates intende: ut devotioni nostrae proficient et saluti. Oh Lord, we beseech Thee, look down favorably upon these present sacrifices so that they may profit us both unto devotion and salvation.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

The Dictate of the Heart: Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A

• Isaiah 7:10-14
• Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
• Romans 1:1-17
• Matthew 1:18-24

We are in the Third day of “Simbang Gabi” in St. Therese of Little Flower Parish, and at the same time we are in the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Simbang Gabi, means “worship in the evening,” or a mass in the evening for nine consecutive days to prepare for the coming of the Lord. This is a Filipino-faith tradition every December beginning the 16th until the 24th. However, in the US, we advance it for a day so that on the 24th, the faithful may return to their respective parishes for the Christmas Vigil Mass. Filipinos are happy to share this very enriching tradition annually in the Diocese of Reno. We walk together in faith to prepare for the nativity of the Lord, that is journeying together into the mystery of the incarnation. As we encounter Simbang Gabi each year, may we draw new life from this celebration and may we continue to bear seeds of faith and hope for everyone.

I invite you to reflect on the readings today. The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah tells us about his prophecy that Emmanuel, God, is with us. This prophecy came to King Ahaz, who was confronted with so many problems, like threats of war. However, King Ahaz was proud and considered himself better that anyone else and refused to accept God’s intervention and signs. He claimed to be the center of everything.

The theme of this Simbang Gabi is, “The Eucharist: the summit and source of our Christian life.” Many of us presume that with our constant attendance at Mass, we have the full knowledge of what has transpired before our eyes. Like King Ahaz, we refuse to acknowledge that the Mass is the very heart of our worship. There are signs revealed to us, like the Priest leading us, because he is representing Jesus as the High Priest, offering the same sacrifice in Calvary for the salvation of all. We walk with Jesus thru the priest at the altar as we enter during the entrance hymn. We need to imagine that at the foot of the cross, we are gathered together to make the story of the same sacrifice of Jesus from the past, which is made present in our celebration of the Mass. God is truly with us and dwelling in the midst of the people. “Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.” God wants our desire and longing rather than our excuses. We must be willing to be transformed.

The 2nd reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans speaks about the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah in which St. Paul was “called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, and to “bring about the obedience of faith.” St. Paul and all of us are called to be obedient to God who raised Jesus from the dead and who has called us to holiness. Certainly, we cannot do it alone; therefore, we must be like King Ahaz to open our hearts, for God will give us this sign: “THE VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE AND BEAR A SON AND SHALL NAME HIM EMMANUEL.”

The gospel taken from St. Matthew 1:18-24, explains that this was part of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s ancient prophesy when an “angel who appeared to Joseph in a dream said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.” What could we learn from this gospel passage?

First, I believe that it is natural for Joseph to experience fear and uncertainties in life due to his inadequate knowledge of his role in salvation history. But he was awoken by an angel to answer his questions.

Second, Joseph was able to act on the word that was revealed to him. Just imagine an angel told him, “Take Mary your wife.” He was not expecting to be chosen as a spouse to the Mother of the Savior.

Third, we have seen Joseph’s total submission and obedience of faith. He is our model and the person worthy to be imitated because his resignation to the will of God is complete.

Oftentimes, we have some doubts and confusion that prevent our hearts and minds from understanding the will of God. It is true that as always, we cannot comprehend at all that Joseph acted upon the message of an angel. He acknowledged God’s intervention in moments of crisis. We need to connect with God and be receptive to see the signs.

By our own presence in the Mass, listening to His words, praying, receiving the sacraments, and knowing the meaning of the Mass, we encounter God. The Mass has given us opportunity to participate in the divine life and grace of God.

In our responsorial psalm, we say, “Let the Lord enter; he is the king of Glory.” By listening, discerning, and acting, we are given the privilege of participating in the life of God to which we are called today, like St. Joseph. We will surely overcome our fears. Love grows for the Lord through our neighbors. We are sent out every time after the Mass to bear fruit and to evangelize the world.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 56:1-3a, 6-8
• Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
• John 5:33-36

We are in the third week of Advent.  Yesterday evening was the first night of “Simbang Gabi,” with evening masses for nine consecutive days to prepare for the birth of the Lord.  The first night was presided over by Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg, DD, together with other priests concelebrating.

I encourage everyone to attend this annual event to prepare ourselves spiritually.  Today’s first reading from the book of Isaiah is to remind us to “keep the Sabbath free from profanation, and his hand from any evildoing.”  It continues to exhort us to love the name of the Lord and become His servants. For Catholics, our main day of Sabbath is Sunday because He was victorious against evil and death on Easter Sunday.  We have to connect with our actions of worship and sacrifices with our very core and spirituality.  We need to be consistent in coming to mass on Sundays, the days fully dedicated to our family to relax in and act in our commitment to love God and not just fulfill our religious obligation.

Reflecting on the gospel today, written by evangelist John, Jesus is explaining that John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus’ coming.  This prepares us for the new covenant being the “burning and shining lamp, and for awhile you were content to rejoice in his light.”  To switch into the new covenant, repentance is absolutely necessary; that is the reason why he prompted many to receive the Baptism of Water for the forgiveness of sins.

Furthermore, Jesus is also teaching His listeners about who He is.  He wants to assure His listeners that He is speaking the truth about Himself. Jesus is clear that His mission comes from the Father and that His works are proof of this.

What is our mission in life?  Do we recognize the realities of human suffering and losing faith in God? We must act and share in preserving the integrity of God’s creation, inspiring others to return to God thru our own witnessing as stewards of God.  Our life must create positive change to find in God unity as we journey together to eternal life, not straying from the way of truth.  For St. Augustine, our “Christian faith is a way of life,” not merely on Sundays; however, it is a sacred manifestation of gratitude to the Lord, from whom everything comes to us, as His presence is indeed a blessing.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 35:1-6A, 10
• Psalms 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
• James 5:7-10
• Matthew 11:2-11

There is a reason to rejoice as we enter into the Third Sunday of Advent. Despite my blindness, there is light and vision.  I do believe that all of us go thru all kinds of difficulties and struggles in life, especially on matters regarding work, finances, and relationships. We cannot afford to linger with these thoughts or be absorbed by this paralysis.  Instead, we cling to what has been promised us by God, always “Rejoice” for today is Gaudete Sunday.  Rejoicing in the Lord is a time to expect that something good is going to happen, but we need to wait patiently.  When we wait, sometimes we easily give up and get frustrated. Waiting is not an easy path to choose.

I feel that sometimes when we are reminded of our present situation, like what is going on with us now, we choose to be in denial.  So, let us try to journey and find consoling words thru the readings today.

The first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah reminds us that God will reveal to us His glory; therefore, our own physical disabilities will be healed, and the barren deserts will have much harvest and become abundantly fruitful. Isaiah says, “The desert and the parched land will exult…they will bloom with abundant flowers and rejoice with joyful song.” This is a promise that someday it will come. However, we should not just wait and hope and do nothing because we need to show our interest and enthusiasm to be alive, to work hard and share our conscious collaboration with the grace of God, transforming it to reality.  It is God’s work through us that we can do by becoming more definitely involved.

The second reading from the Letter of James gives us a practical tip in order to be proactive of this watchful expectation.  In reading this particular epistle, James says, “Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another….be patient until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth. You too must be patient.” (James 5:7-8) Patience is necessary to work with our fellow men and God for the realization of making our lives more faithful and fruitful.

The Israelites were able to conquer their fear of being abandoned. They continued to trust God in their journey until they were able to enjoy their new land of the covenant which was for them the good news of patiently waiting for such a great promise!  This is the cause of their genuine rejoicing; they were able to see the eternal love of God for them.  They were vindicated and restored their covenanted relationship. They have shown their fidelity and trust in God’s grace to bring about bountiful blessings upon His chosen people.

In the gospel today, I will take the last verse which is a more powerful statement coming from Jesus.  He Said, “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

First, this statement from Jesus is a great affirmation for John, being the greatest person ever born.  John knew so well about the coming of Jesus, the Messiah.  He was taking his mission seriously as a precursor, a forerunner and the greatest Prophet.

However, he was not trying to isolate himself from his mission and becoming comfortable in the praises about him because he knew he was not.

Second, John being born of a woman, earned the words of Jesus, “the greatest,” and was never arrogant but rather internalized with the spirit of Christ through his humility, simple lifestyle, and his life of prayer in the desert.

Third, Jesus added these words, “yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”  Jesus is talking to us clearly stating that He is the person living in both the old and the new covenant.  Jesus wants the Jews to consider listening to him and invites them to be born in this new way of Christ, being affirmed by John, that Jesus is the genuine Messiah who is in their midst to establish His kingdom.

Fourth, John opened to us the hope and a call to rejoice because Jesus is indeed the reason of Hope.  Jesus comes to us to heal our sight and hearing and to help us walk the straight path of holiness towards heaven.

It is crystal clear that it was not John; nevertheless, Jesus is the real one to save us.  We need not to intellectualize everything that comes from God.  What is important is our faith that allows us to be joyful that Jesus was actually sent to us as our Savior. This season of Advent is really a time of great rejoicing because Jesus is the one being sent to us.

Let us rejoice and be glad!

Fr. Arlon, osa

 

El Dictado del Corazón:  Trigésimo Domingo de Adviento, año A

• Isaías 35:1-6A, 10
• Salmos 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
• Santiago: 5:7-10
• Mateo 11:2-11

Hay una razón para regocijarse al entrar en el Trigésimo Domingo de Adviento. A pesar de mi ceguera hay luz y una visión. Creo que todos nosotros estamos pasando por todo tipo de dificultades, luchas en la vida, especialmente en cuestiones de trabajo, finanzas y relaciones. No podemos darnos el lujo de quedarnos con la idea de ser absorbidos por esta parálisis. En cambio, nos aferramos a lo que Dios nos ha prometido, siempre “Alégrate” porque hoy es Domingo de “Gaudete”. Regocijarse en el Señor es un tiempo para esperar que algo bueno está por suceder, pero debemos ser pacientes mientras esperamos. Por lo tanto, esperar no es un camino fácil de elegir.

Siento que, cuando recordamos nuestra situación actual, como la que estamos pasando ahora mismo, simplemente estamos en negación. Entonces, intentemos viajar a través de nuestras deficiencias, encontrando palabras de consuelo a través de las lecturas de hoy.

La primera lectura de hoy del profeta Isaías nos recuerda que Dios nos revelará su gloria, por lo tanto, nuestras propias discapacidades físicas serán sanadas, los desiertos áridos darán cosecha y serán abundantemente fructíferos. Isaías dice: “El desierto y la tierra árida se regocijarán… florecerán con abundantes flores y se regocijarán con cánticos de alegría”. Esta es una rica promesa de que algún día para nosotros también llegará el fruto de nuestra espera. No solo esperar y esperar sin nada que hacer porque necesitamos mostrar nuestro interés y entusiasmo por estar vivos, trabajar duro y compartir nuestra colaboración consciente con la gracia de Dios, transformándola en realidad incluso ahora cuando las cosas no van bien para a nosotros. Es la obra de Dios a través de nosotros que podemos hacerlo al involucrarnos más.

La segunda lectura de la Carta de Santiago nos da un consejo práctico para ser proactivos de esta expectación vigilante. Al leer esta epístola en particular, Santiago dice: “Hermanos, no se quején unos de otros… tengan paciencia hasta la venida del Señor. Mira cómo el labrador espera el precioso fruto de la tierra. Tú también debes ser paciente. (Santiago 5:7-8) La paciencia es necesaria para trabajar con el prójimo y con Dios, para la realización de hacer nuestra vida más fiel y fecunda. Así como los israelitas lograron vencer su miedo al abandono, continuaron confiando en Dios en su camino, hasta poder disfrutar de su nueva tierra de la alianza que es para ellos la buena nueva, ¡de esperar pacientemente tan grande promesa! Esta es la causa de su genuino regocijo; pudieron ver el amor eterno de Dios por ellos. Fueron vindicados y restauraron su relación pactada. Han mostrado su fidelidad y confianza en la gracia de Dios para traer abundantes bendiciones sobre Su pueblo elegido.

En el evangelio de hoy, tomaré el último versículo que es una declaración poderosa que viene de Jesús. Él dijo: “De cierto les digo que entre los nacidos de mujer no ha habido ninguno mayor que Juan el Bautista, pero el más pequeño en el Reino de los cielos es mayor que él”.

Primero, esta declaración de Jesús es una gran afirmación para Juan, siendo la persona más grande jamás nacida. Juan sabía muy bien acerca de la venida de Jesús, el Mesías. Se estaba tomando en serio su misión como precursor y el mayor Profeta. Sin embargo, no está tratando de aislarse en su misión y sentirse cómodo con los elogios sobre él porque sabía quién era.

En segundo lugar, Juan naciendo de una mujer, de quien se ganó las palabras de Jesús el “mayor”, nunca desvanecido por la arrogancia sino más bien interiorizado con el espíritu de Cristo y a través de su humildad, estilo de vida sencillo y su vida de oración en el desierto.

En tercer lugar, Jesús añadió estas palabras, “pero el más pequeño en el reino de los cielos es mayor que él”. Jesús nos está hablando claramente afirmando que Él es la persona que vive tanto en el antiguo como en el nuevo pacto. Jesús quiere que los judíos consideren escucharlo e invitarlos a nacer de este nuevo camino de Cristo siendo afirmado por Juan que Jesús es el Mesías genuino que está en medio de ellos para establecer Su reino.

Cuarto, Juan nos abrió la esperanza y un llamado a la alegría porque Jesús es precisamente la razón de la Esperanza. Jesús viene a nosotros para sanarnos de la vista, el oído y caminar por el camino recto de la santidad hacia el cielo.

Está muy claro que no fue Juan, sin embargo, Jesús es el verdadero Salvador. No necesitamos intelectualizar todo lo que viene de Dios. Lo importante es nuestra fe que nos permite estar gozosos de que Jesús nos haya sido enviado como nuestro Salvador. Este tiempo de Adviento es realmente de gran regocijo porque Jesús es el que nos está siendo enviado.

¡Regocijémonos y alegrémonos!

Padre Arlón, osa

Extraordinary Form Latin Homily: Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

• Philippians 4:4-7
• John 1:19-28

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent which we always call “Gaudete Sunday,”Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum dico, gaudete.  Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice.  I like this rose color vestment; it means that we are preparing in joyful anticipation. The rose vestments today are a reminder of the first rays of dawn. In the meantime, before the sun is up, we are called to “make our hearts firm” in order to walk with God through the desert, and to work with God on the fields that will bear fruit.

Sometimes during winter when we experience darkness, silence, and stillness, a world defined by absence, notwithstanding a world in which many of us could finally give in to our problems and hectic lives, we should not be paralyzed in captivity but rather sing in joyful response, pray with much joy for there is freedom and rejoicing and remember in psalm 84:2, LORD, Thou has blessed Thy Land: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. (Benedixisti, Domine, terram tuam:avertisti captivitatem Jacob.) Rejoice in Gaudete.

The first epistle today from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 4:4-7 gives us hope.  Our anxieties, worries, doubts and fears are nonetheless familiar to all of us.  We are searching how we can overcome the storms of life that occupy and bother our minds and hearts.  Sometimes we think that it is impossible to resolve, even though we attempt to rationalize letting go to revert them in order to escape from and to be healed.

Today we learn from St. Paul prescribing joy and thankfulness as the necessary antidote to cure our minds from the strongholds of anxiety, which subsequently enables us to effectively commune with God in prayer.  “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4).  By God’s grace, our attention on what God has graciously provided us, rather than what we selfishly lack, prepares our hearts and cleanses our minds so we can freely cast our cares upon the Lord.  As a result, God will surely grant us peace thru our abandonment and prayer because it is what we truly need more than ever.  When we are attuning to God’s will, then our worry and anxiety will be healed by God’s gift of peace which allows us to live freely.

The gospel taken from St. John 1:19-28 reveals to us about John’s familiarity with the messianic presence when the priests and Levites asked John, “who are thou?” Tu quis es?  John’s response, “”I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the path of the Lord,” quoting the Prophet Isaiah. This is proof that John was a true prophet whom scripture announced.  He was strong, dedicated and living out his mission to prepare the path of Christ. Then Jesus takes the opportunity to amaze the people of his humble service and greatness, “for I am not worthy to untie His sandals.”  St. John is pointing towards Jesus as the One coming after him and, therefore, he invites the people to listen to Jesus.

Today, we are invited to focus on the coming of Jesus and not on our own fears and anxieties because it will cause us to stumble and lose the spirit of joyful waiting.  Instead we should care about our prayer life.  By our perseverance in prayer, we are invited to listen and to live the scripture passages we hear today.

Jesus asks to live with joy at our being released from our fears, blindness, deafness, and paralysis.   WE are praying with St. Paul and St. John the Baptist to get over those disturbing moments in our lives.  Let us listen to St. John, who affirmed his belief that Jesus is the Messiah.  Our immediate response must be to be open to transforming the effect of the Words of God, the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in order to rearrange our values, and our ways of seeing, believing, listening, and living.  It takes time to get accustomed to this change. The more we become receptive to His grace the more Jesus is about to be born which we consider that “by the grace of Thy visitation, enlighten the darkness of our minds.” (et mentis nostrae tenebras, gratia tua visitationis illustra).

Deo gratias.  Thanks be to God.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Proverbs 8: 22-35
• Luke 1: 26-28

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of America and other parts of the world, like the Philippines. In the extraordinary form during Advent, whenever a feast is observed, the feria is commemorated, but a Mass is not permitted for this commemoration; rather, the commemoration is made at Mass by an additional Collect, Secret and Post-communion added to those of the feast.

For the information of everybody, we have a regular mass every First Saturday of the month which is not well attended because I presume that some have less knowledge of the message of the Blessed Mother given to the three children of Fatima, Portugal. This is about our devotion which we must know that there are five Saturdays with constancy of receiving the Sacrament of confession, attendance at Mass and Holy Communion for the spirit of reparation for five blasphemes which the Blessed Mother had specified, namely, the blasphemes against the Immaculate Conception.

I do accept that Sacred Scripture does not explicitly proclaim the doctrine of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, that is, Mother Mary’s freedom from original sin from the very start of her life.  However, I believe, in reading the scriptures, that this dogma is supported, at least implicitly.  Let us remember this biblical text, Luke 1:28, which is about the angelic greeting referring to Mary as “highly favored or full of grace.”  There is a Greek verb, “kecharitomene,” the past perfect participle of “charis,” which means a gift, favor or grace.  It suggests a permanence and singularity according to the biblical Greek. Such concept of singular permanent grace applies to Mary, which is the foundation of the dogma declared by St. Pius IX in 1854, “Ineffabilis Deus,” the teaching infallibly revealed by God through the living tradition of the Catholic Church.

There are other biblical texts, like John 2 and 19. The “Woman” in Geneses 3:15, alludes to the Blessed Mother, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

So there is a certain biblical parallel between Mary, the Woman of the New Creation, and Eve, the Woman formed in original justice at the first Creation.

However, there is solid support of this dogma from the early Fathers of the Church, like St Augustine, who writes about Mary’s sinlessness responding to the Pelagian claim that by their own effort believers could be sinless, Augustine insisted that every human was a sinner; however, after saying this, he made an exception of Mary: “We must except the holy Virgin Mary, concerning whom I wish to raise no question when it touches the subject of sin, out of honor to the Lord; for from Him we know what abundance of grace for overcoming sin in every particular was conferred upon her who had the merit to conceive and bear Him who undoubtedly had no sin.” (Augustine, On Nature and Grace, (De Natura et Gratia), 42 (360)  St. Augustine meant, not only personal sin, but also original sin. It is my own belief that God from the very beginning prepared the Blessed Mother, even in the womb of her mother Anne, to be the “Ark of the Covenant,” bearing Jesus in the sinless body of Mary.  Mary has been pre-redeemed by God.  I cannot understand that a perfect and unblemished God, Jesus Christ, would be conceived by a human being stained with original sin.

I conclude that the blasphemy against the Immaculate Conception is just denying Jesus as God.  Our Protestant Brethren believe that Jesus is God, but they deny the Immaculate Conception.  Hence, when you think about it, a person who doesn’t believe in the Immaculate Conception isn’t really a Christian.

May our Lady of the Immaculate Conception intercede for us.

Fr. Arlon, osa

I am blessed to be “Bi-ritual” priest.  It means that I can celebrate both the Extraordinary Form (Latin) and the Novus Ordo. I am grateful to Bishop Randolp Calvo, DD and Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg, DD for giving this special faculty to lead Holy Spirit Mission Latin Community of the Diocese of Reno.

Today, I would like to share the “Joy of my Priesthood” as I celebrate my Priestly Ordination Anniversary.

The “Joy of Priesthood” is a gift to me. I am remembering how my priesthood has changed my life and others’ lives. I have administered thousand of times the Sacrament of Baptism, several Confirmations, and I’m guessing almost a million of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and celebrations of the Holy Eucharist. All these sacraments bring God’s gracious love and compassion thru my Priesthood.

Little children come to me … because they see me like a father or older brother to them at the parish church. Many of the faithful come to me for various reasons: for healing,  helping couples in their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, helping husbands and wives with related marital issues.  I’ve experienced the joy of watching a young couple fall deeper in love with each other and with God again. There are those dying persons to whom I have administered the Anointing of the Sick and I’ve taken time for people  who come unexpectedly to my office even if I’m preoccupied with office work. I have consoled and comforted grieving families because of the death of their loved-ones and helped them accept the reality of death and understand the promise of the resurrection.

Indeed, I consider all of these experiences beautiful moments to ponder and say to the Lord, thank you.  The work done for God to evangelize is never ending.

The goodness has been revealed thru your friendships and thoughtful cards. I do want to say, “I never regret my priesthood.”  It is so fulfilling and transforming.  I never expected so much joy and blessings.

Too often we all get caught up in all the things we have to get done. I know at times that I feel the pressure of accomplishing so much, and that I am not always as good or perfect as others expect me to be … I’m sorry for my inabilities.

I feel the need to take time to rest, relax, spend time with family and friends, and above all, to secure my health and spiritual growth.

I truly give thanks to God for all His blessings. My thirty two years have been a blessing for me and I hope that many people entrusted to me by God, have also been blessed by the Good Lord, too.  I am grateful for each of you, and the many ways you have touched my life without even realizing it.

May your Christmas be filled with every blessing, love and faith!

Fr. Arlon M. Vergara, OSA
Ordained: December 7, 1990
San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

The Dictate of the Heart:  Second Sunday of Advent, Year A

• Isaiah 11:1-10
• Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
• Romans 15:4-9
• Matthew 3:1-12

For over two years of faithfully writing the daily gospel reflections on my Facebook account and on my blog just recently, I decided to just upload the two homilies for Extraordinary Form Latin Mass and for the Novus Ordo each week.  Many of my friends have told me that they miss reading the daily “Dictate of the Heart.”  It is really difficult and strenuous on my eyes dealing with gadgets that are tremendously affecting my vision. I am looking forward to better relaxing moments closing my eyes for meditation and prayers.

I encourage you to explore and leave a comment. . . .

We are in the second Sunday of Advent.  As I have mentioned, this is a season to eagerly wait in anticipation and much hope for the coming of Christmas and Jesus’ final coming. To continue the attitude of hope, we need firm Faith in the Lord. Most of the readings speak about the harmony, peace and beauty of those who live in the kingdom of God.  Everything will be infused with the Spirit of God to fulfill His vision of a better place.

The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah gives us hope that the world will be judged with justice because “the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him; a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord..” As we read it, there is a beautiful image that animals and human beings come to experience exactly the paradise we have envisioned, as well as the restoration of every beauty, oneness, justice, peace, and joy in the world.  How can we achieve all this?   Let us begin with ourselves, with little steps doing good works, like treating others fairly and suspending our judgement towards others simply based on appearances, but looking beyond what is on the outside.  I know that we can do it, for God has given us the spirit of His grace.  We can do it for each other when we look beyond our own selves.

The second reading is taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans.  I believe that St. Paul is encouraging us that it is our duty to consider people who are weak and poor. We must bear with them and not alienate them because of their afflictions. Jesus Christ is with us; thus we must empathize with others by ministering to them in order to achieve the vision of that Kingdom.  This is about bearing with each other as neighbors.  It is the example of Christ that we must imitate.

The gospel from St. Matthew reminds us that we are all crying out in the desert; therefore, we need to be conscious of how we must prepare for the way of the Lord.

First, St. John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  These are also the words of the Prophet Isaiah that a voice, referring to John, calls everyone in preparation to make the path straight for the way of the Lord.  Repentance is absolutely necessary to count on God’s forgiveness, but we need to act now.

Second, St. John the Baptist led the people to the river Jordan to be baptized.  People were “going out with him” as “they acknowledge their sins.” During this liturgical season, we are encouraged to remember the day when we were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which provides us a powerful setting for our Advent journey.  Let us go back to our baptismal promises and profoundly value that moment in our lives .

Third, St. John the Baptist saw the large number of Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism.  He said to them, “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.”  What it means is that people must be dead serious of their willingness to render their hearts from doing evil and instead produce good deeds and bear many fruits so that their lives can bloom and flourish every day. Being fruitful is not simply living in self-righteousness, but our endurance to change for the better could result in strong faith and hope, making straight the path to Jesus which starts first from our own hearts.

Fourth, St. John the Baptist teaches about baptism. He tells the crowd:  “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.”  This particular verse helps us to focus on our responsibility to embrace the gift of the Lord who is mightier than St. John the Baptist.  His humility touches our hearts to be humble at all times.  If we want to be self-sufficient, independent, and perfect, then our pride will be truly a big obstacle to repentance.  It is only when we are ready to relinquish our desire for that kind of ideal life that we will be able to focus on Jesus, who “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  St. Augustine teaches us that practicing humility is the only way to attain self-development.

Brothers and sisters, during this second Sunday of Advent, with much conviction that the lighting of the candle will make sense to take us out from darkness and begin to settle within us, may we have stronger faith that will lead us to actions rather than dwelling on self-disappointments and anxieties.

Let us sing with one voice glorifying God.  St. Paul says, let us “welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.”  Our victory is not measured by an individual success story, but how we journey together and are engaged with our family and community, experiencing peace and harmony and striving hard to build a true kingdom of God.

Come Lord, Jesus!

Fr. Arlon, osa

El Dictado del Corazón:  Segundo Domingo de Adviento, año A

• Isaías 11:1-10
• Salmos 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
• Romanos 15:4-9
• Mateo 3:1-12

Durante más de dos años de escribir fielmente las reflexiones diarias del evangelio en mi cuenta de Facebook y en mi blog recientemente, decidí subir las dos homilías para la Misa en latín de forma extraordinaria y para el Novus Ordo. Muchos de mis amigos me dijeron que extrañan leer el “Dictado del Corazón” diario. Es realmente difícil y extenuante para mis ojos lidiar con aparatos que están afectando tremendamente mi visión. Espero con ansias un mejor momento de relajación cerrando los ojos para la meditación y oración.

Estamos en el Segundo Domingo de Adviento. Como mencioné, esta es una temporada para esperar ansiosamente la llegada de la Navidad y con mucha esperanza la venida final de Jesús. Para continuar la actitud de esperanza, necesitamos una Fe firme en el Señor. La mayoría de las lecturas hablan de la armonía, la paz, la belleza de quienes viven en el reino de Dios. Todo será infundido con el Espíritu de Dios para cumplir Su visión de un lugar mejor.

La primera lectura del profeta Isaías nos da la esperanza de que el mundo será juzgado con justicia porque “el espíritu del Señor reposará sobre él; un espíritu de sabiduría y de entendimiento, un espíritu de consejo y de fortaleza, un espíritu de conocimiento y de temor del Señor..” Como lo leemos, hay una imagen hermosa que los animales y los seres humanos llegan a experimentar exactamente. el paraíso que hemos imaginado. La restauración de toda belleza, unidad, justicia, paz y alegría en el mundo. ¿Cómo podemos lograr todo esto? Comencemos por nosotros mismos, un pequeño paso de hacer buenas obras como tratar a los demás con justicia, suspensión de nuestro juicio hacia los demás basado simplemente en las apariencias pero para mirar más allá de lo que está afuera. Sé que podemos hacerlo, porque Dios nos ha dado el espíritu de Su gracia. Podemos hacerlo el uno por el otro cuando solo miramos más allá de nosotros mismos.

La segunda lectura está tomada de la Carta de San Pablo a los Romanos. Creo que San Pablo nos anima a que es nuestro deber considerar a las personas débiles y pobres. Debemos tener consideración y no alejarlos a causa de sus aflicciones. Por lo que debemos empatizar con los demás, ministrándolos para lograr la visión de ese Reino. Se trata de sobrellevarnos unos a otros como vecinos. Es el ejemplo de Cristo, el cual debemos imitar.

El evangelio de San Mateo nos recuerda que todos estamos clamando en el desierto, por lo tanto, debemos ser conscientes de cómo debemos preparar el camino al Señor, a nuestras vidas.

Primero, la predicación de San Juan el Bautista: “Arrepentíos, porque el reino de los cielos está cerca”. Estas son también las palabras del profeta Isaías, una voz, refiriéndose a Juan, que llama a todos en preparación para enderezar el camino hacia el camino del Señor. El arrepentimiento es absolutamente necesario para contar con el perdón de Dios, pero debemos actuar ahora.

Segundo, San Juan el Bautista guió a la gente al río Jordán para ser bautizados. La gente “salía con él” ya que “reconocían sus pecados”. En esta temporada litúrgica, se nos anima a recordar el día en que fuimos bautizados en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo, que nos proporciona un escenario poderoso para nuestro viaje de adviento. Volvamos a nuestras promesas bautismales y valoremos profundamente ese momento de nuestra vida.

En tercer lugar, San Juan Bautista vio la gran cantidad de fariseos y saduceos que acudían a su bautismo. Él les dijo: “Haced buen fruto como prueba de vuestro arrepentimiento”. Lo que significa es que las personas deben tomar muy en serio su voluntad de desgarrar sus corazones de hacer el mal, producir buenas obras y dar muchos frutos para que sus vidas puedan crecer y florecer todos los días. Ser fructífero no es simplemente vivir en justicia propia. Pero nuestra perseverancia para cambiar, mejorar podría resultar en fe y esperanza, enderezando los caminos para Jesús que comenzarán primero desde nuestros propios corazones.

Cuarto, San Juan Bautista enseña sobre el bautismo. Le dice a la multitud: “Yo los bautizo con agua, en señal de que ustedes se han convertido; pero el que viene después de mí, es más fuerte que yo”. Este versículo en particular nos ayuda a centrarnos en nuestra responsabilidad de abrazar el don del Señor, que es más poderoso que San Juan el Bautista. Su humildad toca nuestros corazones para ser humildes en todo momento. Si quisiéramos ser autosuficientes, independientes y perfectos, nuestro orgullo será verdaderamente un gran obstáculo para el arrepentimiento. Solo cuando estemos listos para renunciar a nuestro deseo de ese tipo de vida ideal que queremos en Jesús, quien “Él los bautizará en el Espíritu Santo y su fuego”. San Agustín nos enseña que practicar la humildad es la única forma de alcanzar el desarrollo personal.

Hermanos y hermanas, durante este Segundo Domingo de Adviento, con mucha convicción, que la luz tenga sentido para sacarnos de las tinieblas y que comience a brillar en nosotros, que teniendo una fe más fuerte nos lleve a las acciones, en lugar de quedarnos en el auto-egoísmo. decepciones y angustias.

Cantemos a una sola voz glorificando a Dios. San Pablo dice, acojámonos unos a otros, pues, como Cristo nos acogió a nosotros, para la gloria de Dios. Nuestra victoria no se mide por una historia de éxito individual, sino por cómo caminamos juntos y estamos comprometidos con nuestra familia y comunidad experimentando paz, armonía y esforzándonos arduamente para construir un verdadero reino de Dios.

Ven Señor, Jesús.

Padre Arlón, osa

 

Extraordinary Form Latin:  Second Sunday of Advent

• Romans 15:4-13
• Matthew 11:2-10

Today’s collect prayer gives us clear perspective of our celebration on this 2nd Sunday of Advent.  This we pray, “Excita, Domine, corda nostra ad preaparandas Unigeniti tui vials: ut per ejus adventum, purificatis tibi mentibus servire mereamur.  Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way of Thine only begotten Son; that through His coming we may attain to serve Thee with purified minds.”

We ask God to purify our hearts and minds to prepare for His coming.  A lot of things are distracting us from paying our full attention to understand the many lessons we need to find in the scriptures, which according to St. Paul, “were written for our learning.”

The first reading taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (15:4-13) admonishes us that we must be of one mind and heart and “to receive one another, as Christ has received you unto the honor of God.”  We will be meeting ungodly people, even inside the Church; however, the words of God give us patience and comfort and, according to St. Paul, the “God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Certainly, we need to clean or to purify our hearts and to wash our hands in innocence so that we will advance ourselves preparing for Advent and Christmas.

In the gospel today from St. Matthew, John was imprisoned by Herod.  He was incarcerated a year before he was beheaded.  John heard in prison about the ministry of Jesus where thousands were following Him.  John had no direct witnessing of Jesus’ works.  He was wondering, when hearing about Jesus, if this would be the beginning of the coming of the Lord and His new covenant. Thus, he asked some of his disciples to verify this and for them to inform him what was going on outside his prison cell.  I believe that is part of his excitement and anticipation.

We know that John is a great prophet, forerunner, and announcer of the coming of the Messiah.  However, he was apprehensive of so many things going on in his life. In John’s excitement to welcome the Messiah, there is a human element to ask and to question whether Jesus’ works of compassion are only a show. I guess this is exactly what is happening to us.  There is quite a resemblance with regards to our own experience that when things do not happen according to what we have in mind and according to our own expectation, we always have doubts and questions.  How do we deal with this?

First, John did not doubt Jesus’ identity.  In Matthew 11:3, “and said to Him, Art thou He that comes, look we for another?”  This is the question of John’s disciples to Jesus.  John the Baptist wanted only a clear verification from Jesus.  “And Jesus, making answer, said to them Go: and relate to John what you have heard and seen.”  This was aside from numerous cures and miracles that testified to who Jesus is.

In an account of John’s life, he was filled with the Holy Spirit inside the womb of Elizabeth, his mother, and there is no doubt that he knew so well about Jesus being the promised Messiah whom he came to announce to the world to prepare and make His path straight. When Jesus approached John for baptism, he said, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”. (Luke 3:16) Here, and in the parallel synoptic passages from Matt 3:11 and Mark 1:7, John the Baptist is just emphasizing the greatness of the One who is to come after him.  This unleashing the straps of His sandals is for him something that he cannot do.  It is his humility to think that he is not so good to be at the service of such a great and holy man, Jesus. This Advent season, we must imitate the humility of St. John the Baptist.

Second, when we are given such a great role to do, we should not be discouraged.  John the Baptist was young and a great prophet.  Preparing for the coming of the Lord is not an easy task to do.  He endured so many hardships, up to the extent that he was imprisoned by Herod for talking about the truth not to deal with immorality.  It is no wonder that after a year of confinement, John had some disturbance of heart.  He had lived for most of his life in the wilderness but focused on his mission.

The challenges we are dealing with right now should not get us down. We should not succumb to despair and even depression.  Lately, I was crippled by the spirit of depression because both of my eyes bother me again.  I have been experiencing blurry vision.  Last Wednesday, I received shots in both eyes, but instead of being carried by the spirit of depression, I called my eye doctor and instantly got an appointment to see him. What a blessing! I had kept on procrastinating to the point of denial. I was very low and had a feeling of failure but was not crippled by a spirit of doubt and discouragement.

I would say today that Jesus says, “behold I send Angel before thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.”  This is a sustained movement of God that would change us.

When you suffer any of these kinds of moods or simple doubts and stress, the devil wants to convince you that you are a failure seeking God’s intervention. It just isn’t true.  It isn’t about our lowest point but how God lifts us up.  Jesus is the answer because there are so many biblical testimonies and the promise of blessings.  All of us deal with the greatest compassion and mercy of God.

Jesus complimented John the Baptist with these words, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.” Jesus doesn’t destroy John’s reputation, He exalts it. I like to think that if this is the way Jesus dealt with His forerunner, then He will deal with us in the very same way.

Domine, misericordiam tuam, et salutare tuum da nobis.  O Lord, Thy mercy and grant us Thy salvation.  Advent is a season of change and looking to a future that was not yet clear or known, but being prepared to serve with purified hearts and minds.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

For over two years of faithfully writing the daily gospel reflections on my Facebook account and on my blog just recently, I decided to just upload the two homilies for Extraordinary Form Latin Mass and for the Novus Ordo each week.  Many of my friends have told me that they miss reading the daily “Dictate of the Heart.”  It is really difficult and strenuous on my eyes dealing with gadgets that are tremendously affecting my vision. I am looking forward to better relaxing moments closing my eyes for meditation and prayers.

I encourage you to explore and leave a comment.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

The Dictate of the Heart: First Sunday of Advent, Year A

• Isaiah 2:1-5
• Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
• Romans 13:11-14
• Matthew 24:37-44

Today is the beginning of the new liturgical year A.  It is the first Sunday of Advent.  Advent means, “coming.”  Advent reminds us of the birth of Jesus and directs our hearts to His final coming.

The readings today are indeed a call to closeness with God, in prayer, in charity and in sacrifices. The focus should be on the commemoration of the birth of Jesus and in anticipation of His final coming here on earth.  We should not be preoccupied with so many parties, fancy meals, or be absorbed by consumerism in the department stores.  The whole idea of this season is to rejoice in the coming of the Lord for we need to experience true joy and holy days of preparing for God’s gift of divine presence.

From the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we hear an oracle about the holy mountain which will rise above all others and “all nations stream towards it” to which they will climb to the Lord’s Mountain so that they can learn the instructions and the ways of the Lord.  This is the vision of the Prophet Isaiah about a new place for the presence of the Holy and One God. Just imagine that this vision was announced to the people seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth. This is something that shook the hearts of God’s chosen ones, something that was new in the people’s minds.

This coming of the Advent Season prepares us for a new perspective of faith in the light of this prophetic announcement. The light of the world will come to usher in a new experience of marching towards the mountain, temple, and church, because we have decided to walk and live together within the Light that this Advent candle represents with great symbolisms of hope, faith, joy, and peace.

The second reading from the book of St. Paul to the Romans 13: 11-14 is the favorite biblical passage of St. Augustine, which helped him realize the need for conversion.  St. Paul writes, “Let us throw off the work of darkness and put on the armor of light.  Let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.”  These words struck St. Augustine like a sharpened sword that pierced his heart with such great magnitude. This passage may be ours too. This is a call for rearranging our priorities in this season of Advent.

During the whole liturgical year A, our gospel will be taken from St. Matthew.  He will be our guide and companion to know and understand Jesus.  Today’s gospel begins with His words to His disciples about the downfall of the Jerusalem temple.  It was a shock to some of the Apostles, and they asked Jesus how and when this will happen.  From the minds of the Apostles, they were expecting a prediction about Jerusalem’s political fate, and so they were excited acquiring knowledge from their Teacher.  I invite you to reflect with me on certain points we need to understand.

First, Jesus is not giving certain political statements.  His main concern is to prepare them for a personal presence with God.  Their relationship must be founded in a covenanted manner where there is completeness of trust and faith, total dependence on God, rather than things that are fleeting and temporal.

Second, their hearts must be focused, not on the temporal presence of the constructed temple, but by the very presence of Jesus in their midst.  Jesus is a living temple.  The finality of His coming remains an important lesson for us to be assured of Himself being the “solid stone and the very foundation” of the Kingdom of God.

Third, in the mentioning of the Ark of Noah, people were just unaware of their own disorder and living with no consideration of those warnings given to them. The flood came and wiped out those who were unfaithful. This image painted in the gospel of St. Matthew again gives a lesson of anticipation, for every page of the gospel wants us to pay attention about the warnings and signs of Christ’s final coming. Be attentive to our waiting!

The Holy Mother, the Church, is active and progressive in terms of social media in disseminating and proclaiming the Goodnews; however, we prefer more on FB reels and “tiktoks” which many of those are irrelevant in our relationship with Jesus.  We become so much absorbed with humanity’s degeneration which is detrimental to our spiritual and moral life.

Let us pause during this season of Advent, a season that invites us to assess our relationship with Jesus as we prepare for Christmas.   What can we do to make this season more meaningful in our search for a covenant with God?

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Fr. Arlon, osa

 

Extraordinary Form Latin Mass Homily; First Sunday of Advent

• Roman 13:11-14
• Luke 21:25-33

Today is the first Sunday of Advent.  Advent in Latin is “Adventus, which means the coming.”  Who is coming to us?  Well, we have a scripture record of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, through the Blessed Mother Mary’s cooperation. The coming of Jesus, as announced by an Angel and through the Holy Spirit, lives with us in history.  This is the first coming which we know brought great joy and good news.  The second coming is indeed serious business of which we need to be conscious.  There have been many predictions of His return but all have failed to materialize.

This Advent season, the Holy Catholic Church invites us to set this time in prayer, penance, and sacrifices for more intense waiting of the Lord.  When will this happen?  Well, there is no exact time.  As believers, we don’t need to be anxious but instead be able to continue the normal way of life as long as we are faithful in following His will.

I love this season of Advent as I hear beautiful songs or hymns of anticipation.  I am excited to see beautiful signs of the season, like the Advent wreath, which tells us about Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace. Some are putting up colorful lights, Christmas trees and decorations, to make the atmosphere a joyful waiting.  External preparations for this season are enormous, so let us ask ourselves these questions: What would be the best action plan to make this season meaningful to me?  What have I done with my interior preparation to make me feel this season?  Maybe last year we were so preoccupied and failed to do our daily prayers for Advent or to help my family become closer to God?  What is the best way to practice an act of charity, especially for those who are in need?

As time goes by, we may forget the essence of Advent and jump into the excitement of Christmas because we fail to see signs or anything that reminds us what Advent is about.  Advent was a time of expectation, anticipation, and excitement. Yes, it meant Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, but it also meant to reflect profoundly as we look forward to His second coming, the “Parousia.”

Our first epistle, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, reminds us “Now is the hour for us to rise from sleep.  For now, our salvation is nearer than when we believed.”  These words invite us to work on things that are pleasing to God now, for our salvation is not far and remote.  This is the favorite biblical passage of St. Augustine when he decided to straighten out his life to holiness and a change of heart.

Every 1st Sunday of Advent, we always hear a gospel text from St. Luke 21:25-33 that seems to describe the end of the world and the signs that will accompany that final coming. There will be signs to predict a future of impending end and the final coming. Being aware and understanding signs will lead us to:

First, knowing signs will not make us live in fear, but we will have a greater understanding of how we shape ourselves in accordance with the Lord’s teaching.

Second, our neglect and ignorance to see signs will further push us into the darkness instead of coming back to God and making amends.  “There will be signs” are not Jesus’ words to threaten us.  The signs are not a reason to hang our head in despair or be negative about life.

Third, Jesus never says these are the signs that the end of the world has come. Instead, he says that when we see the signs we are to stand up, raise our heads in prayer, and know that help is on the way; our redemption, our healing, and our Savior have drawn near.

Let us make clear that this advent is a season of well deserved preparation for all of us, realizing that indeed God promised to come again. The signs we hear and are yet to see are our hope and reassurance that God continues to walk with us and is alive in all circumstances of our lives.

We have so many beautiful stories, as well as sad stories, in life which still linger in our minds, such as the pain, worries and brokenness we have faced with resolute will not to give up but to hold on to Jesus, or having issues with a boyfriend or a girlfriend which resulted in a break up, or many years of marriage that were not fixed, or financial bankruptcy or loss of employment, etc. Maybe a faithful friend or a member of our family came to rescue us from discouragement and helped us be able to surpass those difficult moments that we went through and we survived.  Miracles happen, clear signs of God’s presence, and now everything has been resolved because we became aware of those signs of Hope and Love.

Indeed, let us see this Advent season as an opening of new courage, confidence, and hope. Let us continue to do the work God has bestowed upon us. We heard His words today, “My words shall not pass away.  Verba autem mea non transibunt.”   Show O Lord thy ways to me and teach me thy paths.  (Vias tuas, Domine, notas fac mihi: et semitas tuas edoce me.)

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

 

• Revelation 22:1-7
• Psalm 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7
• Luke 21:34-36

Today is the end of the Year of Grace 2022, the end of the liturgical year C.  Tomorrow, we are ready to face the new liturgical calendar, year A. The year 2022 has been a year with so many events in our lives, bad and good; however, we must learn from those experiences.  We must not be weary and feel down,,because God journeys with us, but we must be vigilant at all times. We must quiet our minds with deep meditation and prayer and look at life with a positive outlook.

Today’s readings from the Book of Revelation tell us that the Lord is coming soon… “Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic message of this book.”   This is about the second coming of the Lord – the expectation that night will be no more, that eternal light will shine, and we will be without need of lamps or sun. What is necessary is to set our hearts and eyes on something that is greater and more valuable; therefore, let our lives be impacted by God.

The gospel exhorts us to be vigilant for it solely depends on our prayer and constant preparation to face the reality of His coming.  The day when the Lord comes is not thru a disaster or tribulations, but at an ordinary time when we least expect it. This gospel challenges us to take to heart this warning of the Lord.  We should not be caught unprepared but be ready to welcome Him.

Like a Boy Scout, we must be prepared.  This repeated reminder is to consider seriously and think twice that we can escape tribulations that are imminent before the Son of Man comes. This preparation does not involve storing food, water, money, or any other survival kits, but rather preparing ourselves in terms of behavior, character, and loving relationships with God and others. Am I living out my faith in a concrete way?

Let us embrace Jesus and His gospel and ready ourselves with unblemished hearts.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa