Dictate of the Heart | Fr. Arlon, osa

• Ezekiel 33: 7-9
• Psalm 95:1-2,6-7,8-9
• Romans 13:8-10
• Matthew 18:15-20

Today is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. It was a busy weekend for me here at St. Teresa, and I am praying that I will be given extra grace to do my job and to stay healthy to accomplish all the tasks given to me. I believe that only God can sustain us in all that we do for His glory.

We are invited again to reflect on the inspiring readings of this Sunday. We must be receptive to all these readings and to listen to God’s voice. The psalm today warns us against hardening our hearts toward God. This is a challenge!!!

The first reading from the book of the Prophet Ezekiel narrates to us God’s calling of Ezekiel to go to His people in order to encourage them to change their behavior by announcing to them that God wants them to transform their hearts and lives. This is his mission that God wants him to fulfill. As a prophet, Ezekiel received God’s warning saying, “I will hold you responsible for his death.” He faces a big responsibility to abide by God’s commands. He was a prophet of Israel who was so attentive fulfilling what God wanted him to do. He had to speak to the people about their wickedness or else they would die.

The second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans is a reminder for us that we must love our neighbor as ourselves. He says, “Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” If we are unable to love others, we need to question how we treat ourselves. Our inability to love causes us misery and resentments. We won’t be happy at all. Our unwillingness to love is the same as unwillingness to forgive.

The gospel today is taken from St. Matthew. Jesus gives practical advice to His disciples and to us about any conflict in the community. This is how Jesus is able to devise strategy for intervention with regards to personal and communal conflicts. This is important so that we would be guided and conduct ourselves as genuine followers of Christ.

First, it should not be confrontational. When we want to correct others in the context of fraternal corrections, our intention of correcting others must be pure and good rather than to demean and to utter humiliation towards them. This process of intervention takes great care to be helpful to the person; however, if that fails, do something more public in order to shed some truth of the matter.

Second, there should be no pressure to another, as if he is guilty of some mistakes or crimes so that he will admit that he is wrong and be punished. It is an exercise of love for the brother who is a sinner, or even weak and lost. Our primary intention is to embrace our brother with love and bring him back from being a sinner to a joyful person, opening up the possibility to change and to repent.

Third, the call of bringing the unrepentant to the community and to the Church is when the person does not heed the call to change despite the presence of a witness. Summoning the person, for one-on-one conversation to an assembly of the Church, is actually pointing out that the sin has broken the individual relationships with the community of believers, the Body. It is God’s desire to give importance to one sinner rather than the unrepentant others. God is manifesting the depth of His love to rescue one sinner. This is how much patience God is giving us sinners, an opportunity to be forgiven and to be loved.

Fourth, there must be no condemnation, and what we need is to pray for the grace to love the sinner and to see in him our brethren who needs to be moved by our care and love. We ask for the grace to do whatever it takes to bring the sinner to repentance and to welcome him back to our faith-community.

Whenever we are hurt or we seriously hurt others, our tendency is to do some form of revenge, but this is an old law, “an eye for an eye.” This gospel which Jesus had preached proposes love as a solution to any conflict according to the new covenant. We are also in a modern age where we express our frustrations and anger thru social media. We hear ranting, constant shouting on social media, and complete exposition of faults and denial of any accountability without asking, “who are we to judge?” There is no making efforts for justification because it remains always “Me” as the correct one and no fault, rather than to be open for reconciliation and to exercise love for the other, seeking joy, humility and peace with an open heart for dialogue and being grateful that we too are redeemed sinners.

Let us not harden our hearts to God.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón:  Vigesimotercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año A

• Ezequiel 33:7-9
• Salmo 95:1-2,6-7,8-9
• Romanos 13:8-10
• Mateo 18:15-20

Hoy es el Vigesimotercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año A. Fue un fin de semana ocupado para mí aquí en Santa Teresa de Ávila. Le pido a Dios me dé la gracia para hacer mi trabajo y me de salud para cumplir con todas las tareas que se me han encomendado. Creo que sólo Dios puede sostenernos en todo lo que hacemos para cumplir su voluntad y para Su mayor gloria.

Estamos invitados nuevamente a reflexionar en las lecturas de este domingo, para que nos inspiren a vivir una vida más plena. Debemos ser receptivos a estas lecturas y escuchar la voz de Dios. El salmo de hoy nos advierte contra el endurecimiento de nuestro corazón hacia Dios. ¡¡¡Esto es un desafío!!!

La primera lectura del libro del Profeta Ezequiel nos narra el llamado de Dios a Ezequiel para ir a su pueblo a animarlos a cambiar su comportamiento, es decir, anunciarles que Dios quiere que transformen sus corazones y sus vidas. Esta es la misión que Dios quiere que él cumpla. Como profeta, Ezequiel recibió la advertencia de Dios que le dijo: “Te haré responsable de su muerte”. Se enfrenta a la gran responsabilidad de cumplir los mandamientos de Dios. Fue un profeta de Israel que estuvo muy atento cumpliendo lo que Dios quería que hiciera. Tenía que hablarle a la gente acerca de su maldad o de lo contrario morirían.

La segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos nos recuerda que debemos amar a nuestro prójimo como a nosotros mismos. Él dice: “El amor no hace mal al prójimo; por tanto, el amor es el cumplimiento de la ley”. Si no podemos amar a los demás, debemos cuestionarnos cómo nos tratamos a nosotros mismos. Nuestra incapacidad para amar nos causa miseria y resentimiento. No seremos felices. Nuestra falta de voluntad para amar es la misma que nuestra falta de voluntad para perdonar.

El evangelio de hoy está tomado de San Mateo. Jesús da consejos prácticos a sus discípulos y a nosotros sobre cualquier conflicto en la comunidad. Así Jesús supo idear una estrategia de intervención en los conflictos personales y comunitarios. Esto es importante para que podamos ser guiados y comportarnos como genuinos seguidores de Cristo.

En primer lugar, no debería generar confrontación. Cuando queremos corregir a otros en el contexto de las correcciones fraternales, nuestra intención de corregir a los demás debe ser pura y buena en lugar de degradarlos y humillarlos. Este proceso de intervención tiene mucho cuidado en ser de ayuda a la persona, sin embargo, si eso no coopera, y falla, haz algo más público para arrojar algunas verdades sobre el asunto.

En segundo lugar, no hay presión sobre los demás como si fuera culpable de algún error o delito para poder admitir que se equivocó y ser castigado. Es un ejercicio de amor hacia el hermano pecador, o incluso débil y perdido. Nuestra intención principal es abrazar a nuestro hermano con amor y hacerlo volver de ser un pecador a una persona alegre y abierta a la posibilidad de cambiar y arrepentirse.

En tercer lugar, el llamado a traer a los impenitentes a la comunidad y a la Iglesia es cuando la persona no atiende el llamado al cambio a pesar de la presencia de un testigo. Después de convocar a la persona en una conversación cara a cara a una asamblea de la Iglesia, se le señala que el pecado ha roto las relaciones individuales con la comunidad de creyentes, el Cuerpo. Dios desea darle más importancia a un pecador que a los demás impenitentes. Dios está manifestando la profundidad de Su amor para rescatar a un pecador. ¡Cuánta paciencia nos tiene Dios a nosotros, pecadores, la oportunidad de ser perdonados y amados!

Cuarto, no debe haber condenación, pero lo que necesitamos es orar por la gracia de amar al pecador, de ver en él a nuestros hermanos que necesitan ser conmovidos por nuestro cuidado y amor. Pedimos la gracia de hacer lo que sea necesario para llevar al pecador al arrepentimiento y darle la bienvenida nuevamente a nuestra comunidad de fe.

Siempre que nos lastiman o lastimamos gravemente a otros, tendemos a buscar algún tipo de venganza. Pero se trata de una ley antigua, el “ojo por ojo”, en este evangelio que Jesús había predicado propone el amor como solución a cualquier conflicto según la nueva alianza. También estamos en una era moderna en la que expresamos nuestras frustraciones y enojos a través de las redes sociales. Escuchamos y escuchamos desvaríos, gritos constantes en las redes sociales, exposición completa de las faltas y negación de cualquier responsabilidad sin preguntar: “¿Quiénes somos nosotros para juzgar?” No hay manera de hacer esfuerzos de justificación porque sigue siendo siempre “Yo” como el correcto y sin culpa, en lugar de abrirnos a la reconciliación y ejercer el amor por el otro, buscando la alegría y la paz con el corazón abierto y agradecidos de que También somos redimidos, los pecadores. No endurezcamos nuestro corazón a Dios.

Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlón, osa

• Galatians 5:25, 26; 6:1-10
• Luke 7:11-16

Today is the 15th Sunday after Pentecost. In the introit prayer, we say, “Have mercy on me Oh Lord, for I have cried to Thee all day. Give joy to Thy servant for to thee, Oh Lord, I have lifted up my soul.” Truly, we must offer all our humility, our sadness, frustrations, heartaches and sufferings for the Lord because He will always heed our prayers and supplications to lift us up constantly. The Lord never plays deaf to us for He sees what is best for us.

The epistle is taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians. St. Paul writes, “If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit.” He is teaching us that if we truly embrace the life of Christ, we will certainly manifest the life of the divine because the Holy Spirit has brought us into the life of Jesus by way of our attitude, how we conduct ourselves, in union with God and in whom we are aware of the indwelling of the Spirit that is at work in us. He continues that we must “Bear ye another’s burden, and so you shall fulfill the law of Christ.” I cannot imagine that our Christian life is a personal matter. It has something to do with our relationship with others; we journey with others towards the path to holiness and to Christ. We feel good when others share the load of the burden with us. It becomes easy to carry all our trials, like problems in the family, loss of job, and attacks by the devil. We can overcome them with the help of our brothers. This passage encourages us to practice the spirit of generosity, especially to those who are in need. In our work of ministering to others, we are called to reflect the attitude of Jesus to those who are poor, widowed, possessed by evil and the sick. We are obligated to extend our hands to those people.

The gospel narrates to us how compassionate He is, especially to the widow who lost her only begotten son. He was with His disciples as they went to the City of Naim. Jesus saw a funeral and was deeply moved with compassion. He approached the funeral and spoke to the dead man, “Young man, I say to thee, Arise.” The dead man sat up and began to speak. Jesus then turned him over to his mother. We are invited to learn and reflect on lessons we can derive from this story.

First, God is truly compassionate and merciful. In the scripture, it says that Jesus had shown compassion to the widow. The fact was that becoming a widow during those times had been difficult. Because of the death of her son, that woman became a second class citizen with no voice in society. Jesus knew so well about her future which would be vague and unpredictable. However, Jesus came to her rescue to make her life better by having her only son live again to take care of her.

Second, God has always been on a journey with His people, especially in times of suffering and needs. Shortly after Jesus noticed the funeral procession, He could have continued to do other business and be unmindful of what was going on. He could have been insensitive to the plight of this poor widow; however, Jesus took that big step to cancel His other plans. He could have walked away from the funeral procession, but instead He immediately responded to that grieving widow. Jesus offered comforting words, “Don’t cry.” Then He turned the atmosphere to happiness because Jesus raised her son from the dead.

Third, God certainly gives us a glimpse of what is heaven and earth for us. When Jesus manifested His power to raise the dead, it was a clear signal that Jesus is the true Messiah. He revealed His own power to defeat death. He was not concerned of His own actions with regards to His safety and comfort; He just wanted to tell us that even during His time, the promise of the resurrection had been revealed to many people thru that wonderful story of raising the widow’s son from the dead.

After the performance of this great miracle by Jesus, the widow was touched by what she saw in a positive way, maybe leading her to change and to believe in Jesus. Touching the dead body of that man, Jesus would risk being uncleaned according to the old law; however, His priority was not about being allowed to enter the temple, but it was about that human being, who certainly needed help to be restored again to her community.

In our life, we search for God’s consolation and blessings upon us. Just like this inspiring story about the widow, who we were taught would be left helpless throughout her life. Now we figure out that in our lowest point in our life, Jesus has been inserting himself to be part of our story. How many of us are able to realize that we cannot just be by ourselves to feel lonely and to suffer alone?

Today, we are given the vision that God provides, which is an opportunity to take part in our private life. There is an attitude that must permeate such a significant relationship with God for we cannot handle everything that comes our way. Our greatest source of help is God, who is all-knowing, all-powerful and ever loving. He knows what you need. Let us abandon ourselves to His care today because He truly cares.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Jeremiah 20:7-9
• Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
• Romans 12:1-2
• Matthew 16:21-27

Today is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. I can feel the morning breeze as I travel to the Latin Mass early in the morning. This is a blessing after the hot summer, but sometimes the weather is unpredictable these days.

The first reading taken from the book of the prophet Jeremiah narrates to us that as if he was duped or tricked God. He said, “The word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all day.” This is an expression of the inner sentiments of Jeremiah, but he knows that his work is not predicting what will happen like a fortune teller. His main task is to be the “spokesperson” of God. Jeremiah is a prophet who is to inform or remind the people when they don’t do what God wants and when they run the world according to their own plans and not God’s. The prophet’s work is difficult, and sometimes nobody listens. Many times, based on my experience when I write something, many just see it but never try to validate through writing some comments of their own realization and witnessing. I am sure God wouldn’t dupe us.

In the second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Paul presents to us that by God’s mercy, “to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship” (v.1). Since God is giving us mercy, we should submit ourselves to him. Our bodies are to be given to God in worship as a living and continuous response to Him. We are set apart for Him, to serve Him and to be holy and pleasing to God. We must be faithful and sensible people responding to God by “not conforming to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind” (v. 2). Our standard of behavior is no longer the society around us but is according to our conscious effort to God’s way. I believe that God’s instructions are not arbitrary rules just to test us but to avoid causing sin inflicting pain on ourselves and others.

The gospel is somewhat of a difficult challenge for Jesus’ disciples and for us. Three things are required:

First, we are asked to offer ourselves as “living sacrifice.” This resonates the words of St. Paul that our “bodies are living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God,” which basically reminds us that we are created in the image of God and the temple of the Holy Spirit. I guess it isn’t easy to understand this; however, our lives must be different. We need to accept that the world around us offers different challenges, and yet the same demand remains to resist conforming to what is around us, what the secular world calls success, but rather for St. Augustine is seeking the will of God. We often ask what are the great questions in life, and perhaps this gospel offers the definitive question: What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

Second, we heard these words from Jesus, “deny oneself, take up your cross.” This is some advice by the Lord, not in a literal sense, but rather Jesus is asking us to actualize this in a more interior following of Him just as He lived by His showing up as an example to imitate Him interiorly. Jesus interiorly knew Himself to be the one carrying for us our own “Cross,” more than the wood of Calvary, but the flesh and spirit. He is our destiny for our whole life, our Savior, for He is offering us His embrace of the totality of our reality being limited. I may say that some of us are prone to “pain-avoidance,” or we are avoiding the Cross for we are pampered in a culture or society promoting “painless” existence. In many hospitals, they have these classic words, “Comfort Care,” for people who are terminally ill, but I believe it is about silently killing the patient, making the person’s life shorter, by “Euthanasia, or mercy killing!” The Encyclopedia Britannica defines it as “act or practice of painlessly putting to death persons suffering from painful and incurable disease or incapacitating physical disorder or allowing them to die by withholding treatment or withdrawing artificial life-support measures.” Developed countries resort to immoral actions, and many medical workers cannot understand the Christian concept of “redemptive suffering.” Hospitals favor insurance companies to save money rather than to save lives.

Third, Jesus says, “follow me.” Following Jesus means being with him in the pattern of who He is, who is giving a total gift of self for us. Following Him also involves taking up a mission. It is a mission given and carried out with complete surrender. Sometimes what hinders us is our thought of self-preservation and that to follow Jesus is hard. As Catholics, we have the ability to discern well our choices that will preserve our life, thrive to succeed with the happiness and meaning, and avoid unhealthy patterns which put us to defeat and disappointments.

Jesus shows us the way and opens our eyes to see our lives from a transformed viewpoint with eternal life as our central focus and desire. We must be prophets to speak about God to others and to our society. God is waiting for us to conform with Him in all things.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón: Vigésimo Segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año A

• Jeremías 20:7-9
• Salmo 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
• Romanos 12:1-2
• Mateo 16:21-27

Hoy es el Vigésimo Segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año A. Puedo sentir la brisa de la mañanamientras manejó a la Misa en latín temprano en la mañana. Esto es una bendición después del caluroso verano, pero a veces el clima es impredecible estos días.

La primera lectura tomada del libro del profeta Jeremías nos narra que le dijo a Dios que el Señor lo engañó. Él dijo: “La palabra del Señor me ha traído escarnio y oprobio todo el día”. Esta es una expresión de los sentimientos internos de Jeremías, pero él sabia que su trabajo no es predecir lo que sucederá como un adivino. Su principal tarea es ser el “portavoz” de Dios. Jeremías es un profeta que debe informar al pueblo cuando no hacen lo que Dios manda y cuando dirigen el mundo según sus planes y no los de Dios. La labor del profeta es difícil y, a veces, nadie escucha. Muchas veces, según mi experiencia cuando escribo algo, muchos simplemente lo ven pero nunca intentan validarlo escribiendo algunos comentarios de su realización y testimonio. Estoy seguro de que Dios no nos engañaría.

En la segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos, Pablo nos presenta que por la misericordia de Dios, “ofrezcan ustedes mismos como una ofrenda viva, santa y agradable a Dios” (v.1). Dado que Dios nos está dando misericordia, debemos someternos a él. Nuestros cuerpos deben ser entregados a Dios en adoración como una respuesta viva y continua a Él. Estamos apartados para Él, para servirle y para ser santos y agradables a Dios. Debemos ser personas fieles y sensatas que respondan a Dios “no conformándonos a las costumbres de este siglo, sino transformandonos por la renovación de nuestra mente” (v. 2). Nuestro estándar de conducta ya no es la sociedad que nos rodea, sino nuestro esfuerzo consciente por seguir el camino de Dios. Creo que las instrucciones de Dios no son reglas arbitrarias sólo para ponernos a prueba, sino para evitar causar pecado e infligir dolor a nosotros mismos y a los demás.

El evangelio es un desafío algo difícil para los discípulos de Jesús y para nosotros. Se requieren tres cosas:

Primero, se nos pide que nos ofrezcamos como “sacrificio vivo”. Esto resuena con las palabras de San Pablo de que nuestros “cuerpos son sacrificios vivos, santos y agradables a Dios”, lo que nos recuerda que somos creados a imagen de Dios y templo del Espíritu Santo. Supongo que no es fácil entender esto; sin embargo, nuestras vidas deben ser diferentes. Necesitamos aceptar que el mundo que nos rodea ofrece diferentes desafíos y, sin embargo, permanece la misma exigencia de resistirnos a conformarnos con lo que nos rodea, lo que el mundo secular llama éxito, sino de buscar la voluntad de Dios. A menudo nos preguntamos cuáles son las grandes preguntas de la vida, y quizás este evangelio ofrezca la pregunta definitiva: ¿De qué le serviría a uno ganar el mundo entero y perder su vida?

En segundo lugar, escuchamos estas palabras de Jesús: “Niégate a ti mismo, toma tu cruz”. Este es un consejo del Señor, no en un sentido literal, sino que Jesús nos pide que lo actualicemos en un seguimiento más interior de Él, así como Él vivió mostrándose como ejemplo para imitarlo interiormente. Jesús interiormente se sabía quien llevaba por nosotros nuestra propia “Cruz”, más que el madero del Calvario, sino la carne y el espíritu. Él es nuestro destino para toda nuestra vida, nuestro Salvador, porque Él nos está ofreciendo su abrazo de la totalidad de nuestra realidad siendo limitada. Puedo decir que algunos de nosotros somos propensos a “evitar el dolor”, o que evitamos la Cruz porque somos mimados en una cultura o sociedad que promueve una existencia “sin dolor”. En muchos hospitales tienen estas palabras clásicas, “cuidados reconfortantes”, para las personas con enfermedades terminales, pero creo que se trata de matar silenciosamente al paciente, acortar la vida de la persona, mediante la “eutanasia o el asesinato por piedad”. La Enciclopedia Británica lo define como el “acto o práctica de dar muerte sin dolor a personas que padecen una enfermedad dolorosa e incurable o un trastorno físico incapacitante o permitirles morir reteniendo el tratamiento o retirando las medidas artificiales de soporte vital”. Los países desarrollados recurren a acciones inmorales y muchos trabajadores médicos no pueden entender el concepto cristiano de “sufrimiento redentor”. Los hospitales prefieren a las compañías de seguros para ahorrar dinero en lugar de salvar vidas.

En tercer lugar, Jesús dice: “Sígueme”. Seguir a Jesús significa estar con él según el modelo de quien es Él, que se entrega totalmente por nosotros. Seguirlo implica también asumir una misión. Es una misión dada y realizada con total entrega. A veces lo que nos obstaculiza es nuestro pensamiento de autoconservación y que seguir a Jesús es difícil. Como católicos, podemos discernir bien nuestras decisiones que preservarán nuestra vida, prosperar para tener éxito con felicidad y significado, y evitar patrones nocivos que nos lleven a la derrota y a la decepción.

Jesús nos muestra el camino y nos abre los ojos para ver nuestra vida. Desde un punto de vista transformado con la vida eterna como nuestro enfoque y deseo central. Debemos ser profetas para hablar de Dios a los demás y a nuestra sociedad. Dios está esperando que lo pongamos en primer lugar en todas las cosas.

Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlón, osa

• Galatians 5:16-24
• Matthew 6:24-33

Today is the 14th Sunday after Pentecost. I can feel the morning breeze as I travel this morning, not anymore from Reno, but from Carson City. I received a new assignment from Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg, DD, to fill the vacancy at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church as the Parochial Vicar, effective last Friday, September 1, 2023. The appointment letter states that I will continue to be your priest with the given faculty to use the Extraordinary Form. The Bishops says, “I am confident that you will carry out your responsibilities inspired by the example of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who came to serve and not to be served.” This is how we operate as a priest and a missionary; like a marine, we strike anywhere to serve and to fulfill our duty.

The epistle today, from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, provides us with Paul’s guides to live according to the way of the Spirit. Confusion happened that time amongst the Galatians converts from the Jewish tradition. It was a misunderstanding of the gospel being preached to them. It is in the uniqueness of the Gospel that Paul insisted to them that it is not about attacking and being in conflict with each other, however the remedy is to accept the dual nature of every believer and consider that a conflict started between the flesh and spirit. St. Paul is trying to live out the gospel of Christ by way of its character on how the spirit is the true means of living our freedom in the service of love.

St. Paul says, “Walk in Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh; for the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary one to another.” In short, Paul is trying to make us understand that having a Spirit-filled life of love is only through the power of the Spirit, and the finished work on the cross was the law fulfilled (Rom. 8:3). I believe this is for believers’ understanding on how to conduct themselves according to the Spirit, rather than the letter of the law. The Spirit is the guidance for their day-to-day lives as the struggle with their sinful nature begins to wage war. Since the entrance of sin into the world, the flesh and spirit are constantly in conflict with each other making it difficult for the Galatian Church. It is simple to think that the “flesh” can be described as the “old self” while the “Spirit,” by virtue of Jesus Christ’s redeeming power, is how we experience a new kind of spiritual re-birth.

St. Paul’s message is direct and clear with the emphasis on this function of the work and character of the Spirit. Like, for example, when we desire anger, resentments, lustful desires, or exposing ourselves to evil desires, let us go back to our senses to seek this inner force which we must totally submit ourselves to and be governed by the Spirit. This is precisely the new way of St. Paul’s encouragement to us, that is, living in a way that consists of walking with the Holy Spirit, who has the supernatural power to deny the desires of the flesh. Our victory depends on our relationship with the Spirit and all about how our sinful deeds of the flesh mentioned in the epistle are total contradictions to our calling to live and to be with God in order to inherit the Kingdom.

The gospel today from Matthew 6:24-33 opens our minds and hearts to accept that God is the very center of our existence. Material things, like money and properties, are just gifts and a means to persevere in our willingness to serve God and others. Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters, for he will hate the one and love the other… you cannot serve God and mammon.” It means that we will faithfully serve God so that we will be protected from all challenges we encounter in our daily existence.

Our main focus as faithful servants of God is to sustain and to strengthen our belief in living in the presence of God. In our journey through life, having strong faith in Him means that you are willing and lovingly entrusting everything to Him with your life because, ultimately, we are happy and contented. Of course, it requires a certain amount or quality of a loving relationship. St. Paul says that we walk in faith, not in sight, always believing that God will provide our needs. This is my life as a religious; everything comes from God, and I just need to continue serving Him. Maybe money is an essential thing to live in our daily existence, but it must not be the center of our lives. It is God; just believe in Him and never lose hope, for He will never fail us.

Today, we are reminded that the measure of our freedom has to start with love which is an expression of our faith. “Seek ye therefore first His kingdom of God, and His justice; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Hence, seeking God’s love connects to our fruitful harvest in all things. Let love motivate us in all we do.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 22:15, 19-23
• Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8
• Romans 11:33-36
• Matthew 16:13-20

Today is the Lord’s Day, the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time. The whole Augustinian Family all over the world celebrates tomorrow a joint Feast of Saints Augustine and Monica. This is a joyous blessed celebration for me and other Augustinians around the world.

We give praise and express gratitude to God for their spiritual assistance. St. Monica continues to inspire us to follow the Lord with patience, sacrifices and faith. Our spiritual founder, St. Augustine, teaches us wisdom and humility to abandon the restlessness of life to God, which led him to conversion. As one of the Doctors of the Church, Augustine dedicated his life fully to God and to the Church whom he loved deeply with much fervor. St. Augustine’s journey, together with his community and friends, embraced the Church and the Body of Christ as their clear path to eternal salvation.

The essence of coming together had been adopted many centuries ago, which I believe has been inspired by the early Christians and by those who follow the ideals of St. Augustine to answer some challenges for the Church today. The act of walking together as the People of God “journeying together and gathering in assembly, summoned by the Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel,” is what the Catholic Church calls everyone to Synodality. We are called to be in communion with each other to build a community, for we realize that there is strength and beauty in being together as a community.

In today’s 1st reading, taken from the Book of Isaiah, the prophet made a critical observation about the master of the palace, named Shebna. Shebna is apparently power hungry, putting himself over and above others. His concern is mainly his social status to favor his own family alone. During those times, the master of the palaces was given so many privileges; therefore, absolute powers corrupt for personal gain. The Prophet Isaiah predicted the downfall from his office and that he would be replaced by a true honest servant of God. (This sounds familiar to our politicians nowadays.) Eliakim will be receiving the key and the robe of the office that will bring back honor to Jerusalem, the family of God. He will rule with justice and fairness as his calling from God. The giving of “keys” represents God’s power over all things and that God must be in control.

The second reading of St. Paul to the Romans is an acknowledgement of Paul’s conviction that God has been rich and profound in His wisdom in dealings with Israel. God did not fail His people throughout history. Maybe the Israelites did not understand that human experience limits their situation. Therefore, we cannot think of categories beyond our range of experience or sensation. St. Paul wonders at the greatness of his God, and says, “For who has known the mind of the Lord, who has been His counselor?” (v. 34) God’s knowledge and wisdom fill us with the mystery and hope for the future.

The gospel today from St. Matthew has this question from Jesus: “Who do you say I am?” I invite you to reflect with me with total submission to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

First, Simon Peter confessed, “You are Christ the Son of the living God.” When Jesus heard Peter’s confession, Jesus was amazed because Peter was gifted with the true revelation about His identity and said these words, “For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” It is an eventual lead to entering the divine realm to completely understand Jesus is the true “Messiah,” the fulfillment of God’s promise and the purpose of human redemption.

Second, Jesus told Peter as the “Rock” that, “upon this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Peter had been chosen by Jesus to be the foundation of His Church. The authority given to Simon Peter is a power that he exercises on earth.

The prophet Isaiah revealed that Eliakim had been chosen to replace Shebna to further advance the will of God for His people. It is in accordance with the Divine will that the true Church leader was not made by men or self-proclaimed prophet, but was chosen by God Himself. Ask yourself, Who is the founder of your church community? Is it connected with Christ and His Apostles?

Third, Jesus said to Peter, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” The “keys” which Peter received point to his authority to govern and “feeding the sheep,” like Jesus who received that power from His Father. It is a symbolic key handed to Peter and to His church so that we would be open and receptive to accept all the things God had created which are good, to mold us to become His children in order to love, to forgive and to be merciful. On the other hand, the keys could also shut out darkness and evil and death with which the enemy is trying to dominate the world and all God’s creation.

This gospel does not only indicate Jesus giving authority to Peter, but is also to make us realize that the first Vicar of Christ here on earth fully cooperated and accepted the call and exercised with great responsibility to care and to lead the whole Church. St. Peter and other Apostles and the present leaders of the Catholic Church have completely affirmed the necessity to continue the mission. Relationships and communion, as we walk together as the Church founded by Jesus Christ, lives this form of intimacy and now passes it on to us. How am I chosen? What gifts has God given us to collaborate with our role as modern evangelizers?

God bless us. Saints Augustine and Monica, intercede for us!

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón: Vigésimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año A

• Isaías 22:15, 19-23
• Salmo 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8
• Romanos 11:33-36
• Mateo 16:13-20

Hoy es el día del Señor, el Vigésimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario. Es una celebración gozosa y bendecida para mí y para toda la Familia Agustiniana al celebrar mañana la Fiesta de San Agustín y Santa Mónica. Alabamos y expresamos nuestra gratitud a Dios por el testimonio espiritual del amor y la misericordia de Dios. Santa Mónica continúa inspirándonos a seguir al Señor con paciencia, sacrificio, fe y perseverancia. Nuestro fundador espiritual, San Agustín, nos enseña sabiduría y humildad para abandonar las inquietudes de la vida a Dios, que lo llevó a la conversión. Como uno de los Doctores de la Iglesia, San Agustín después de su conversión dedicó su vida plenamente a Dios y a la Iglesia a la que amaba profundamente y con mucho fervor. El camino de San Agustín, junto con su comunidad y amigos, abrazó a la Iglesia y al Cuerpo de Cristo como su camino claro hacia la salvación eterna.

La esencia de reunirse fue adoptada hace muchos siglos, y ha sido inspirada por los primeros cristianos y por quienes siguieron los ideales de San Agustín para responder a algunos desafíos de la Iglesia actual. El acto de caminar juntos como Pueblo de Dios “caminando juntos y reuniéndonos en asamblea, convocados por el Señor Jesús en el poder del Espíritu Santo para proclamar el Evangelio”, es a lo que la Iglesia Católica llama a todos a la Sinodalidad. Estamos llamados a estar en comunión unos con otros para construir una comunidad, porque nos damos cuenta de que hay fuerza y belleza en estar juntos como comunidad.

En la primera lectura de hoy, tomada del Libro de Isaías, el profeta hizo observaciones críticas sobre el señor del palacio, llamado Sebna. Shebna tiene hambre de poder y se pone por encima de los demás. Su preocupación es principalmente su estatus social para favorecer únicamente a su propia familia. En aquellos tiempos, al señor de los palacios se le daban muchos privilegios; por lo tanto, los poderes absolutos corrompen para beneficio personal. El profeta Isaías predijo la caída de su cargo y que sería reemplazado por un verdadero siervo honesto de Dios. (Esto les suena familiar a nuestros políticos hoy en día.) Eliaquim recibirá la llave y el manto del cargo que devolverá el honor a Jerusalén, la familia de Dios. Gobernará con justicia y equidad como su llamado de Dios. La entrega de “llaves” representa el poder de Dios sobre todas las cosas y Dios debe tener el control.

La segunda lectura de San Pablo a los Romanos es un reconocimiento de la convicción de Pablo de que Dios ha sido rico y profundo en Su sabiduría en sus tratos con Israel. Dios no le falló a su pueblo a lo largo de la historia. Quizás los israelitas no entendieron que la experiencia humana limita su situación. Por lo tanto, no podemos pensar en categorías más allá de nuestro rango de experiencia o sensación. San Pablo se maravilla de la grandeza de su Dios y dice: “¿Quién ha conocido la mente del Señor, quién ha sido su consejero?” (v. 34) El conocimiento y la sabiduría de Dios nos llenan de misterio y esperanza para el futuro.

El evangelio de hoy de San Mateo tiene esta pregunta de Jesús: “¿Quién dices que soy yo?” Los invito a reflexionar conmigo con total sumisión a los impulsos del Espíritu Santo.

Primero, Simón Pedro confesó: “Tú eres el Cristo, el Hijo del Dios vivo”. Cuando Jesús escuchó la confesión de Pedro, se asombró porque Pedro recibió la verdadera revelación sobre su identidad y dijo estas palabras: “Porque esto no lo ha revelado carne ni sangre, sino mi Padre celestial”. Es una guía eventual para entrar en el reino divino y comprender completamente que Jesús es el verdadero “Mesías”, el cumplimiento de la promesa de Dios y el propósito de la redención humana.

En segundo lugar, Jesús le dijo a Pedro “Roca” y “sobre esta roca edificaré mi Iglesia, y las puertas del infierno no prevalecerán contra ella”. Pedro había sido elegido por Jesús para ser el fundamento de Su Iglesia. La autoridad dada a Simón Pedro es un poder que ejerce en la tierra. El profeta Isaías reveló que Eliaquim había sido elegido para reemplazar a Sebna para promover aún más la voluntad de Dios para su pueblo. Es de acuerdo con la voluntad Divina que el verdadero líder de la Iglesia no fue creado por hombres o profetas autoproclamados sino que fue elegido por Dios mismo. Pregúntese: ¿Quién es el fundador de su comunidad eclesial? ¿Está relacionado con Cristo y sus apóstoles?

En tercer lugar, Jesús le dijo a Pedro: “Te daré las llaves del reino de los cielos”. Las “llaves” que recibió Pedro señalan su autoridad para gobernar y “apacentar las ovejas”, como Jesús, que recibió ese poder de su Padre. Es una llave simbólica entregada a Pedro y a su iglesia para que estemos abiertos y receptivos a aceptar todas las cosas buenas que Dios había creado, para moldearnos y convertirnos en sus hijos para amar, perdonar y ser sus hijos. Por otro lado, las llaves también podrían excluir la oscuridad, el mal y la muerte con la que el enemigo intenta dominar el mundo y toda la creación de Dios.

En el evangelio de hoy no sólo indica que Jesús dio autoridad a Pedro, sino que también nos hace darnos cuenta de que el primer Vicario de Cristo aquí en la tierra cooperó plenamente y aceptó el llamado y ejerció con gran responsabilidad el cuidado y la dirección de toda la Iglesia. San Pedro y otros Apóstoles y los actuales líderes de la Iglesia Católica han afirmado plenamente la necesidad de continuar la misión. Las relaciones y la comunión, mientras caminamos juntos como Iglesia fundada por Jesucristo, vive esta forma de intimidad y ahora nos la transmite. ¿Cómo soy elegido? ¿Qué dones nos ha dado Dios para colaborar con nuestro papel de evangelizadores modernos?

Dios los bendiga. ¡San Agustín y santa Mónica, intercedan a Dios por nosotros!

P. Arlón, osa

• Galatians 3:16-22
• Luke 17:11-19

Today is the 13th Sunday after Pentecost and the last Sunday of the month of August. We are blessed and grateful because truly God has been so generous to us in all things. The blessings of a good life and gratitude for healing, which we experience as we go through the passing of time, are not because we are getting old; it is that we are simply blessed. Next week we will be entering a “Ber” month, which means three months of waiting for December again. The year 2023 is nothing but a spur of the moment. Time flies by so fast and, before we realize it, is suddenly gone.

The epistle today, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians 3:16-22, clearly elucidates the argument presented by St. Paul about the passing of time, when he said, that “What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.” He wrote this to justify and to prove that the inheritance of God’s promises is based on God’s promise, not the law, as he reflected upon the Old Testament. (“In your Seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Gen 22:18.) Furthermore, St. Paul states that the fulfillment of this promise to Abraham was in the person of Jesus. The law had nothing to do with it. “To Abraham were the promises made, and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to Thy seed, which is Christ.” The fact that “seed” has no “s” to make it plural tells us Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise that all nations will be blessed. Why? Because “God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.” (v.18)

The gospel is clearly indicating that Jesus is the promise to Abraham and to us. Jesus liberates us for He is greater than the law, the personified “Son of God,” who has lived with us. Today’s gospel gives us an account from St. Luke about the ten lepers who were outcasts due to their contagious skin disease. They were so-called marginalized people, and society during that time never cared for them. They were not allowed to mingle with other people, so they were completely prohibited to go to the temple to worship. Their last hope was to beg Jesus’ attention to heal them. The last recourse of their hopelessness was to call out to Jesus and cry aloud, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When Jesus tells them to show themselves to the priest, on the way they are all healed, but only one turns around to express gratitude to Jesus, praising and worshipping Him.

What are the life lessons for us to ponder? Why does only one leper come back to Jesus to thank and to praise Him?

First, “They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ ”(vv.12b-13) Calling Jesus’ name to beg for mercy is an indication of having previous knowledge about Jesus’ identity. Lepers recognized Him, who is the only one who could give them something. I guess they were looking for something like material benefits of which Jesus had a reputation for compassion. The lepers uttered these words, “have pity,” which doesn’t mean asking for healing but for whatever Jesus can offer.

Second, “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan.” (17:15-16) Actually, all ten lepers were healed, but only one went back to Jesus praising God for His mercy in healing him, and he was a Samaritan. Maybe remembering himself shouting to Jesus, he realized the same loudness of heart clamoring for pity, and he would equal his boldness to thank the Lord. To thank in the Greek language is eucharisteō, “to show that one is under obligation, to feel obligated to thank and to express appreciation for benefits or blessings.” We derive our word “Eucharist” from this Greek word.

The grateful leper’s response by throwing himself at Jesus’ feet is a sign of utter humility. He touches Jesus, no doubt, and Jesus receives his thanks graciously. The leper may not know that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, but certainly he credits Jesus as being God’s instrument for his healing. For sure, the Samaritan gives glory to God and thanks Jesus.

Third, “Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’ “ (17:19) This expression, “faith has made you well,” means “to save” within the context of salvation and rescuing someone from afflictions, specifically, safe or free from disease. In this case, from Jesus’ intervention, he receives deeper salvation. His faith prompted him to return to Jesus, not only with gratitude for the healing of his skin but for a personal and spiritual healing of his soul.

We must learn from this story. My observation is that outsiders are more responsive to God than us. Sad to say, many of us believe superficially, resulting in spiritual blindness. The refusal to see ourselves as spiritual lepers is a major hindrance to salvation. We must have a vision to grow in a mature way, to cry aloud in prayer to Jesus, to return to Him at all times to thank Him, and to rise and go to announce the Good News to others because our Faith also made us well. Remember, the healing didn’t take place until after they obeyed; it was not instantaneous healing, and the Faith here is shown as an on-going process.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
• Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6-7
• Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
• Matthew 15:21-28

For the past few days, I engaged in a discussion with the Seventh Day Adventists with regards to their claim that they are better than Catholics because they honor and keep the Sabbath Day which is Saturday to follow God’s commandments rather than violating it and to change it to Sunday. I kindly pinpointed to them that Christ came to fulfill the law and not to abolish it. When Jesus came, he establishes the new covenant. On the day that He died, the curtain of the temple was torn into two to signify the breaking of the old customs and giving way to the new horizon which raises Jesus for the redeemed. (Matt. 27:51) The tearing of this curtain is an indication of losing Jerusalem Temple as the center of worship. Jesus declared that the house of God was forsaken (Luke 13:33) for Jesus himself is the new temple with no curtain barring us from intimacy with Him. In Addition, the torn curtain reveals that all believers have anew and unequaled access to the Father in Christ. Furthermore, He has risen from the dead on the first day of the week which is Sunday. Our profound understanding about Jesus’ real purpose of coming into this world is to rejoice about the new covenant established by God, in Him, through Him and with Him.

Meditating on the first reading taken from the Prophet Isaiah, this passage describes a God who invites us to a relationship open to all peoples who sincerely seeks and accepts that “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” God’s love and salvation generously promised by God for all people of all time which I am reminded of the Holy Father, Pope Francis message to the youth all over the world during the recently concluded WYD 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal. The Pope says, “There is no abstract love. Love is concrete. It’s tangible. It requires us to get our hands dirty.” Furthermore, he says, “On the boat of the Church, there has to be room for everyone: all the baptized are called on board to lower their nets, becoming personally involved in the preaching of the gospel…when dialogue, co-responsibility and participation are lacking the Church grows old.” Thus, the love and mercy of God is encompassing and not exclusive, all of us together, as Church. God calls each one by name.

Likewise, in the second reading, St. Paul’s passionately preached that “For God delivered all to disobedience, that He might have mercy upon all.” It means that God’s mercy is intended for all, whether Jew or Gentile.

The message of God’s love and mercy is for all to know that we are welcome and embrace by God, however, we don’t want to fall into temptation making judgment upon others. Yes, salvation is for all but there is judgment that awaits all of us.

I am mentioning this because some extreme groups are quick to criticize the Church’s stance on inclusivity, however, walking together, and not to fall into discrimination, is the new process that the Church has been called to Synodality which means to pursue a greater Communion, Participation and Mission.

The gospel today from Matthew narrates to us about Jesus’ gesture of love towards the Canaanite woman who calls out to Him, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus seemingly ignored her for not saying a word in answer to her.

Perhaps, we do not comprehend what is in the heart of the Lord. Let us spend time to contemplate the attitude of Jesus towards the Canaanite woman.

First, with courage, the Canaanite woman went and kneeled before Jesus and said, “Lord, help me.” Jesus told her, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26). She answered Jesus, “even the dogs get to eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Jesus was surprised to her response, Jesus exclaimed, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly” (Matthew 15:28).

In our display of faith, it can move Jesus’ heart to act in our favor. Sometimes we give up our faith easily, but we must be consistent even in times of great trial. We need to be firmed with absolute trust in God who knows what is best for us.

Second, Jesus’ response, that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24), it means that Jesus was to minister to the Jews first, consequently, their faith would be a witness to the Gentiles, and they would then glorify God for how He fulfilled His promises (Isaiah 53:6-8; Romans 15:8-9).

Third, why did Jesus compare the Canaanite Woman to a Dog? Calling someone a “Dog” is not derogatory name-calling, but it means a metaphor for “Gentiles.” Since the Jews used this word to refer to people under the ceremonial impurity for not being counted as “Chosen People of God. So most of His disciples were Jews, hearing Him calling the woman a dog, I presumed that they approved it unanimously. They understood that she was an outsider.

In many instances, Jesus’ mission is calling all men to Himself, including the Gentiles. Pharisees, scribes, Jewish religious leaders, the Samaritans, Levites, and Canaanites whom He considered as the Israel’s lost sheep. Jesus has to fulfill prophecy to bring them back to God by preaching and holy examples. Jesus, as Messiah, is the One whom the Old Testament prophesied would gather the lost sheep (Ezekiel 34:23-24; Micah 5:4-5). He must fulfill His ministry by preaching to the Jews was His priority.

Can we learn anything from the Canaanite Woman’s Story? Let us reflect on Canaanite woman’s attitude of being frank yet humble, persistent but patient, and courageous to approach Jesus with much faith. We can all do the same and encourage others to do so as well.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón: Vigésimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año A

• Isaías 56:1, 6-7
• Salmo 67:2-3, 5, 6+8
• Romanos 11:13-15, 29-32
• Mateo 15:21-28

Durante los últimos días, participé en una discusión con los Adventistas del Séptimo Día sobre su afirmación de que son mejores que los católicos, porque honran y guardan el día de reposo, que es el sábado para seguir los mandamientos de Dios en lugar de violarlo y cambiarlo al domingo. . Amablemente les señalé que Cristo vino a cumplir la ley y no a abolirla. Cuando Jesús vino, estableció el nuevo pacto. El día de su muerte, el velo del templo se rasgó en dos para significar la ruptura de las viejas costumbres y dar paso al nuevo horizonte que suscita Jesús por los redimidos. (Mat. 27:51) El rasgado de esta cortina es una indicación de la pérdida del Templo de Jerusalén como centro de adoración. Jesús declaró que la casa de Dios fue abandonada (Lucas 13:33) porque Jesús mismo es el nuevo templo sin cortinas que nos impide tener intimidad con Él. Además, la cortina rasgada revela que todos los creyentes tienen acceso nuevo e inigualable al Padre en Cristo. Además, resucitó de entre los muertos el primer día de la semana, que es el domingo. Nuestra profunda comprensión del verdadero propósito de Jesús al venir a este mundo es regocijarnos por el nuevo pacto establecido por Dios, en Él, por Él y con Él.

Meditando sobre la primera lectura tomada del profeta Isaías, este pasaje describe a un Dios que nos invita a una relación abierta a todos los pueblos que sinceramente busca y acepta que “mi casa será llamada casa de oración para todos los pueblos”. El amor de Dios y la salvación son generosamente prometidos por Dios para todas las personas de todos los tiempos. Recuerdo el mensaje del Santo Padre, el Papa Francisco a los jóvenes de todo el mundo durante la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud “JMJ” 2023 recientemente concluida, en Lisboa, Portugal. El Papa dice: “No hay amor abstracto. El amor es concreto. es tangible Requiere que nos ensuciemos las manos”. Además, dice, “En la barca de la Iglesia tiene que haber sitio para todos: todos los bautizados están llamados a subir a bordo para echar las redes, implicándose personalmente en la predicación del evangelio… cuando el diálogo, la corresponsabilidad, y falta la participación, la Iglesia envejece”. Así, el amor y la misericordia de Dios son abarcadores y no excluyentes, todos nosotros juntos, como Iglesia. Dios llama a cada uno por su nombre.

Asimismo, en la segunda lectura, San Pablo predicaba apasionadamente que “Dios entregó a todos a la desobediencia, para tener misericordia de todos”. Significa que la misericordia de Dios está destinada a todos, sean judíos o gentiles.

El mensaje del amor y la misericordia de Dios es que todos sepan que somos bienvenidos y acogidos por Dios, sin embargo, no queremos caer en la tentación de juzgar a los demás. Sí, la salvación es para todos, pero hay un juicio que nos espera a todos.

Menciono esto porque algunos grupos extremos se apresuran a criticar la postura de la Iglesia sobre la inclusión, sin embargo, caminar juntos, y no caer en la discriminación, es el nuevo proceso al que la Iglesia ha sido llamada a la Sinodalidad que significa buscar una mayor Comunión, Participación, y Misión.

El evangelio de hoy de Mateo nos narra el gesto de amor de Jesús hacia la mujer cananea que le grita: “¡Ten piedad de mí, Señor, Hijo de David! Mi hija está atormentada por un demonio”. Pero Jesús aparentemente la ignoró por no decir una palabra en respuesta a ella.

Quizás, no comprendemos lo que hay en el corazón del Señor. Dediquemos un tiempo a contemplar la actitud de Jesús hacia la mujer cananea.

Primero, con valor, la mujer cananea fue y se arrodilló ante Jesús y dijo: “Señor, ayúdame”. Jesús le dijo: “No está bien quitar el pan de los hijos y echárselo a los perros” (Mateo 15:26). Ella le respondió a Jesús: “Hasta los perros comen las migajas que caen de la mesa de sus amos”. Jesús se sorprendió por su respuesta, Jesús exclamó: “¡Oh mujer, grande es tu fe! Te sea hecho como deseas. Y su hija fue sanada al instante” (Mateo 15:28). En nuestra demostración de fe, puede mover el corazón de Jesús para actuar a nuestro favor. A veces renunciamos a nuestra fe fácilmente, pero debemos ser constantes incluso en tiempos de gran prueba. Necesitamos estar firmes en la confianza absoluta en Dios que sabe lo que es mejor para nosotros.

Segundo, la respuesta de Jesús, que Él fue enviado solamente a las ovejas perdidas de Israel (Mateo 15:24), significa que Jesús debía ministrar primero a los judíos, en consecuencia, su fe sería un testimonio para los gentiles, y ellos luego glorifican a Dios por cómo cumplió sus promesas (Isaías 53:6-8; Romanos 15:8-9).

Tercero, ¿por qué Jesús comparó a la mujer cananea con un perro? Llamar a alguien “Perro” no es un insulto despectivo, sino que significa una metáfora de “gentiles”. Ya que los judíos usaban esta palabra para referirse a las personas bajo la impureza ceremonial por no ser contados como “Pueblo Elegido de Dios”. Entonces, la mayoría de sus discípulos eran judíos, al escucharlo llamar a la mujer un perro, supuse que lo aprobaron por unanimidad. Entendieron que ella era una extraña.

En muchos casos, la misión de Jesús es llamar a todos los hombres hacia Él, incluidos los gentiles, fariseos, escribas, líderes religiosos judíos, samaritanos, levitas y cananeos, a quienes consideraba como las ovejas perdidas de Israel. Jesús tiene que cumplir una profecía para traerlos de regreso a Dios mediante la predicación y ejemplos santos. Jesús, como Mesías, es Aquel de quien el Antiguo Testamento profetizó que recogería la oveja perdida (Ezequiel 34:23-24; Miqueas 5:4-5). Debía cumplir Su ministerio predicando a los judíos era Su prioridad.

¿Podemos aprender algo de la historia de la mujer cananea? Reflexionemos sobre la actitud de la mujer cananea de ser franca pero humilde, persistente pero paciente y valiente para acercarse a Jesús con mucha fe. Todos podemos hacer lo mismo y animar a otros a que también lo hagan.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• 2 Corinthians 3:4-9
• Luke 10:23-37

Today we heard from the epistle and the gospel about our belief that all gifts come from the mercy and love of God. Though we are unworthy, God sustains us with every good gifts to do laudable service that “we may not run without stumbling towards the attainment of His promises.” This is the collect prayer we utter signifying our total dependence on God alone.

The epistle today, taken from the second book of St. Paul to the Corinthians, affirms that “Not that we are sufficient to think anything of ourselves, as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from God.” (2 Co 3:5) It is true that as Children of God, we are not able by our own limited capacity and power to do without the grace of God. The cooperation to the given grace of God makes us able to perform our works consistently for others. St. Augustine teaches that both faith and good works must come from God’s grace, which dictates for us to be receptive and be able to be strengthened to accomplish our primary responsibility, which is to dispense charity and service. It is clear that we are not in ourselves sufficient to do anything good by our own power. In humility, we are worthless ourselves in that we not only can do nothing, it is impossible by our own strength, and all our power to do good is derived from God. This grace comes from God alone which is necessary for the exercise of our ministry and good deeds. We are in the new covenant which we all believe that we are under the fulness of grace and truth revealed and given by our Lord. So St. John says, “The law was given by Moses, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ ” (John 1:17).

The gospel today taken from St. Luke narrates to us three points to remember:

Firstly, the consequence of committing a sin is man’s misery: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him and having wounded him, went away, leaving him half dead.” This is a story of how sin affects humanity with such miseries, for the power of evil is real, “and fell among the thieves, who are devils taken the control.” St. Timothy says that “they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2 Tim 2:26) The man being wounded means violation by sins which cause much hurt. St. Augustine’s concept is that sins have taken away from the person integrity, beauty, virtue, and salvation.

Secondly, it has revealed to us Christ’s abundant mercy upon the sinner, “A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him he had compassion for him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, “Take care of him; and whatsoever you shall spend more, when I come again I will repay thee.” How gracious is the Lord in baptism, Psalm 147:3, “He heals the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds.” Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and for our salvation.

Thirdly, the rule which is given to us for imitation: “Go and do thou in like manner/likewise.” Brothers and Sisters, the clear message that we need to absorb is that regardless of what culture or religion, beliefs, and nationality, etc. we are from, we should be willing to help those who are in need. Even if they are different from us, they are still our neighbors so we should love them the way we love ourselves.

This gospel story reminds us that no matter how much we differ from each other, we must be obedient to God the way He loves. We should help each other even though we are not the same. Our neighbors are the ones who help us through anything. What have we done so far in the name of charity? When people measure charity according to the written policy, (Oh I don’t wanna give because it is against the policy), then that person is blinded by his ungrateful heart. Helping others from your loving heart is what makes you feel good about yourself.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
• Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16
• 1 Corinthians 15:20-27
• Luke 1:39-56

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast has been traced back as far as the third century according to some historians. After profound reflection on this essential teaching of the Church that Mary was assumed, both her corporal body and soul, into heaven, this dogma was defined in the Papal declaration called “Munificentissimus Deus” which means “The most bountiful God,” announced by Pope Pius XII as divinely revealed dogma on November 1, 1950.

St. John, the Apostle, wrote the book of Revelation. However, in this particular chapter 11:19, the early Christians onward took this passage, “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars,” which was often quoted and influenced their Christian consciousness is that the Blessed Mother Mary made history as part of the mystery of the Incarnation. She continues to this day to inspire and to aspire the richness of her glory with God.

Our second reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians deals with the resurrection, both Christ’s resurrection and our own. Paul was reacting to their doubts of the resurrection about which he worked hard because he was confronted with Jewish concepts about the Old Testament abode of the dead, that they called “Sheol” which means “grave.” The Old Testament never uses the word resurrection but has several allusions to resurrection. They had no understanding in their belief system until it progressed in the direction of resurrection as we can read in Isaiah 26:19, “Your dead shall live. My dead bodies shall arise,” and more passages in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, some Jews denied any possibility of resurrection or life after death like the Sadducees, while other Jews did believe in the resurrection of the dead like the Pharisees. St. Paul wants the Corinthian Christians to know that belief in the resurrection, both Christ’s resurrection and the general resurrection of believers in the last days is foundational to the Christian faith. When Paul says that the resurrected Christ is “the first fruits of those who are asleep,” he is telling us that Christ’s resurrection is just the beginning. His resurrection indicates the abundance of resurrections yet to come, that is, the resurrection of all those who have faith in Christ, our Lord.

Today, I am not trying to equate resurrection with the Assumption of the Blessed Mother Virgin Mary. Mary’s “Assumption” into heaven is the unprecedented privilege given to Mary being the chosen vessel of the Incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. According to St. Augustine, “the Virgin Mary who did not have original sin, fell asleep in the Lord, died, and was raised body and soul into Heaven by God.”

Brothers and Sisters, this is not only a dogma to be blindly accepted, but we must comprehend well the merits of this teaching:

Frist, it is an assurance that being a Catholic, Mary who is fully human is able to reach the pinnacle of holiness and grace by experiencing God’s promise of her final destiny. God has won, for God possesses strength stronger than death. Mary was taken up body and soul into heaven; there is even room in God for the body. Heaven is no longer far and unknown to us. We have a mother in Heaven. It gives me great joy to share in the inheritance for those who are faithful and obedient to follow God’s will.

Second, many of us are influenced by secularism, and we tend to view our existence as independent from God. Our tendency is to ignore God’s role and to see ourselves as self-actualizing individuals and not placing God at the center of our existence and the universe. We become self-inflated and, sadly, tempted to put down those who are less successful.

According to II Vatican Council, “Mary shines forth on earth as a sign of certain hope and comfort to the Pilgrim people of God.” We are pilgrims here on earth; thus, this Assumption of Mary points us to eternity as the ultimate meaning and horizon of our existence.

Third, this feast of the Assumption of Mary is the source of encouragement. God made the perfect abode for His Son in Mary’s heart. It is a very beautifully accepted truth that both humanity and divinity are completely at home with Mary. Thus, relationship is a great encouragement to all of us, like the love between Jesus and His mother, Mary. Jesus wanted His mother to be with Him in Heaven without passing thru corruption and decay. It is only fitting to know the inseparable life for both of them in all eternity. Mary has been called “Blessed from all generations because her soul magnifies the Lord.”

Mary is always available to us. We can ask her for the grace to help us overcome our temptations. She knows God’s plans and she can help us in discerning His plans for us. She will assist us on our journey toward heaven. She witnesses to the future that is open to every human to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light (Col 1:12).

Mary was conceived without sin and prays for those who have recourse to you.

Fr. Arlon, osa