Dictate of the Heart | Fr. Arlon, osa

• Exodus 2:1-15A
• Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34
• Matthew 11:20-24

Today’s responsorial Psalm expresses all what God wants us, “Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.” (Ps. 69) Oftentimes, we rely much on ourselves and never appreciate the great movement of the Spirit telling us to turn to the Lord always.  We are quick to reproach others, but we are never quick to realize that we should not only think of ourselves but for the greater good of everyone.  Moses and Jesus reproached others, ultimately for the good of everyone, according to God’s design.

In the first reading today, we heard about the birth of Moses, how he was rescued and then when he grew up he reproached the Hebrews, consequently, his goodness turned against him because Pharaoh sought Moses to kill him.  So, he fled from away and “stayed in the land of Midian.”  Moses turned to God, and he was protected from all dangers.

The gospel today, Jesus also reproached those towns, Chorazin, and Bethsaida where Jesus performed mighty deeds.  Jesus also warned his own town, Capernaum, where he spent time performing miracles.  I was able to set foot in Capernaum when I went to Holy Land, a small place situated along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where he stayed for three years and cured sick people, like the servant’s maid, the mother in law of Peter, etc., however, these places are deserving of “woes”, because they saw miracles of the Lord, but the people’s hearts were far from being touched by His works of healing and call to conversion. Compared to Tyre, and Sidon, they heed the call for repentance, conversion, and unity.  Jesus says, “It will be tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Repentance is to free us from our attachment to sinful ways and firmly listen to God, whose voice is calling us.  We pray for our liberation from the bondage of sins and seek the freedom in Christ by uniting ourselves with God’s manifold grace in order to achieve what we need to do with trust and patience.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 55:10-11
• Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
• Romans 8:18-23
• Matthew 13:1-23 or 13:1-9

Today is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. The readings are good reminders of the wonders of nature to supplement our own Christian life and the wisdom of God which has been revealed to guide us. Summer gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy the heat of the sun. Though some are not used to hot weather, there are those who are farmers and backyard gardeners who love cultivating the land to produce all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. I am sure they are excited to have all the bounties of the earth as they toil the land with much diligence. Two weeks ago, I planted three varieties of cherries and one apple. I like fruit bearing trees so that I can reap their fruits for me and others to enjoy.

The first reading taken from the book of Isaiah speaks about the snow and the rain that come down to water the earth; however, they remain on the soil to make it fertile and fruitful. It is the bounty of the earth that is a sign of God’s blessings. The Prophet Isaiah uses familiar agricultural images to remind the people that God is the giver of all things, and God’s work is the holiness of the people. Our fruitfulness speaks about how we remain to listen to His words and fulfill God’s will.

In the second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Paul wants us to understand two things. First, the present time is marked by sufferings because of man’s fall into sin. Second, the future will be marked by glory for believers as God fulfills all His promises to us. Thus, by hearing God’s words, if we keep our eyes on the future promised glory, then we can endure present sufferings with perseverance and hope.

Our faith needs endurance, and therefore we should not be surprised when God sometimes takes what is perfect and subjects it to a humble status so that a greater good might be accomplished. Take hope! This stage of suffering is merely a transitional period, but somehow, through God’s amazing grace in the face of man’s awful sin, ultimately we will end with good and greater results!

The gospel from St. Matthew begins with a story of Jesus leaving a lake-side house, addressing crowds in parables from a boat. It is an inspiring story of Jesus, which narrates to His disciples about the seeds carried off by birds, scorched by the sun, choked by thorns, but then some of them take root in deep soil, yielding abundantly. It was somewhat a dramatic contrast between a series of unpromising beginnings and the abundant harvest which is hard to imagine by Jesus’ hearers.

Our simple understanding of this parable would lead us to the following reflection points:

First, this is the familiar parable of the Sower. When Jesus says, “You already know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; it has not yet been given to them.” Then, we have to remember that Jesus had already been talking about the scripture, or quoting the words of Isaiah, reminding them that the chosen people of Israel failed to fulfill the prophesy and its fulfillment is in those outsiders. The seed, which is the “The Word of God,” was taken for granted by those who first heard it, yet was fulfilled by “outsiders,” the Gentiles. Disgusting is the heart of these people first chosen and entrusted with the word but who have hardly heard with their ears and have closed their eyes.

Second, we are the receivers/recipients who have been prepared to cultivate and make the soil fertile. Therefore, we should also consider the role of the Sower, God, who visualizes ourselves as the ones who are inclined to take, to listen, and not to cast the seeds into the dirt. I think that the Word of God is so powerful to inspire us to share by spreading the seeds of the Gospel, and we need to share our seeds of faith with others. In addition, listening with purpose to the Word of God with an open heart, we might grow in grace and faith.

Third, for most of us, the parable was likely described by our teachers as God as the Sower and our hearts as the ground. Sometimes our hearts are open to his word, and the message of God grows in us and is apparent in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Sometimes our hearts are like the scorched earth, and the word of God does not take root and we, too, wither. Therefore, hear with our ears, and understand with our hearts and be converted, and the Word of God will heal us.

We are so blessed with our eyes because they see and our ears because they hear. I believe that we have already been given what we need for understanding, conversion, healing, and fruitful collaboration in Jesus’ mission. All we need is to wake up to fulfill the vast majority of the land on earth to be sown with His seeds of wisdom to those with a fertile heart. To share our seeds of faith is by how we live our lives, for our actions speak louder than our words. Are our daily thoughts focused on the teachings of the Gospel, or are they focused on things we can get in this world that are trivial?

“Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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

• Isaías 55:10-11
• Salmo 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
• Romanos 8:18-23
• Mateo 13:1-23 o 13:1-9

Hoy es el Decimoquinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año A. Las lecturas nos recuerdan las maravillas de la naturaleza, para complementar nuestra propia vida cristiana y la sabiduría de Dios, que ha sido revelada para guiarnos. El verano nos permite disfrutar del calor del sol. Aunque algunos no estemos acostumbrados al clima cálido, algunos son agricultores y jardineros a los que les encanta cultivar la tierra para producir todo tipo de frutas, verduras y plantas ornamentales. Ellos están emocionados de tener todas las bondades de Dios, mientras trabajan la tierra con mucha diligencia. Hace dos semanas planté tres variedades de cerezos y un árbol de manzana. Me gustan los árboles frutales para poder cosechar sus frutos para que yo y los demás disfrutemos.

La primera lectura, tomada del libro de Isaías, habla de la nieve y la lluvia que descienden para regar la tierra; sin embargo, permanecen en el suelo para hacerlo fértil y fructífero. Es la generosidad de la tierra que es un signo de las bendiciones de Dios. El profeta Isaías usa imágenes agrícolas familiares para recordarle al pueblo que Dios es el dador de todas las cosas, y que la obra de Dios es la santidad del pueblo. Nuestra fecundidad habla de cómo permanecemos para escuchar sus palabras y cumplir la voluntad de Dios.

En la segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos, Pablo quiere que entendamos dos cosas. Primero, el tiempo presente está marcado por el sufrimiento a causa de la caída del hombre en el pecado. En segundo lugar, el futuro estará marcado por la gloria de los creyentes a medida que Dios cumpla todas sus promesas para con nosotros. Así, al escuchar las palabras de Dios, si mantenemos los ojos en la gloria futura prometida, entonces podemos soportar los sufrimientos presentes con perseverancia y esperanza.

Nuestra fe necesita perseverancia y, por lo tanto, no debemos sorprendernos cuando Dios a veces toma lo que es perfecto y lo somete a un estado humilde para que se pueda lograr un bien mayor. ¡Ten esperanza! Esta etapa de sufrimiento es simplemente un período de transición, pero de alguna manera, a través de la asombrosa gracia de Dios frente al terrible pecado del hombre, ¡finalmente terminaremos con buenos y mejores resultados!

El evangelio de San Mateo comienza con una historia de Jesús saliendo de una casa junto al lago, dirigiéndose a la multitud en parábolas desde un bote. Es una historia inspiradora de Jesús, que narra a sus discípulos acerca de las semillas arrebatadas por las aves, quemadas por el sol y ahogadas por las espinas, pero luego algunas de ellas echan raíces en tierra profunda, dando abundantemente. Fue algo así como un contraste dramático entre una serie de comienzos poco prometedores y la abundante cosecha que es difícil de imaginar para los oyentes de Jesús.

Nuestra simple comprensión de esta parábola nos llevaría a los siguientes puntos de reflexión:

Primero, esta es una parábola familiar del sembrador. Cuando Jesús dice: “Vosotros ya conocéis los misterios del reino de los cielos; aún no se les ha dado.” Entonces, hay que recordar que Jesús ya venía hablando de la escritura, o citando las palabras de Isaías, recordándoles que el pueblo escogido de Israel no cumplió la profecía y su cumplimiento está en esos de afuera. La simiente, que es “La Palabra de Dios”, fue dada por sentada por los primeros que la oyeron, pero fue cumplida por los “foráneos”, los gentiles. Asqueroso es el corazón de este pueblo primero escogido y encargado de la palabra pero que apenas han oído con los oídos y han cerrado los ojos.

Segundo, somos los receptores/destinatarios que han sido preparados para cultivar y hacer fértil el suelo. Por lo tanto, también debemos considerar el papel del Sembrador, Dios, que nos visualiza como aquellos que están dispuestos a tomar, a escuchar y no a tirar las semillas en la tierra. Creo que la Palabra de Dios es tan poderosa para inspirarnos a compartir esparciendo las semillas del Evangelio, y necesitamos compartir nuestras semillas de fe con los demás. Además, al escuchar con propósito la Palabra de Dios con un corazón abierto, podemos crecer en gracia y fe.

Tercero, para la mayoría de nosotros, nuestros maestros probablemente describieron la parábola como Dios como el sembrador y nuestros corazones como la tierra. A veces, nuestro corazón está abierto a su palabra, y el mensaje de Dios crece en nosotros y se manifiesta en nuestros pensamientos, palabras y obras. A veces nuestro corazón es como la tierra arrasada, y la palabra de Dios no echa raíces y nosotros también nos marchitamos. Por tanto, oíd con nuestros oídos, entended con nuestro corazón, y convertíos, y la Palabra de Dios nos sanará.

Somos tan bendecidos con nuestros ojos porque ven y nuestros oídos porque oyen. Creo que ya se nos ha dado lo que necesitamos para la comprensión, la conversión, la sanación y la colaboración fructífera en la misión de Jesús. Todo lo que necesitamos es despertar para llenar la gran mayoría de la tierra en la tierra para sembrar con Sus semillas de sabiduría a aquellos con un corazón fértil. Compartir nuestras semillas de fe es por cómo vivimos nuestras vidas, porque nuestras acciones hablan más que nuestras palabras. ¿Están nuestros pensamientos diarios enfocados en las enseñanzas del Evangelio, ¿O se centran en cosas que podemos obtener en este mundo que son triviales?

“En verdad os digo que muchos profetas y justos desearon ver lo que vosotros veis, pero no lo vieron, y oyeron lo que vosotros oís, pero no lo oyeron”. Dios lo bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Romans 6:19-23
• Matthew 7:15-21

Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus: jubilate Deo in voce exsultationis, All ye nations, clap your hands: shout unto God with the voice of JOY. This introit taken from Psalm 46:2 is to remind us that we always rejoice to come and celebrate this eucharistic mass, for the Lord is worthy to be praised without end. When we live and die, our hearts are set to give glory to our great eternal King and God.

Our first reading today from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans invites us to Paul’s exhortation that “because of your infirmity of your flesh; for as you have yielded your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity for iniquity, so now yield your members to serve justice unto sanctification.”

The apostle is fully pressing the necessity of holiness in this chapter, his exhortations to holiness to everyone and mortification, or vivification, which means dying to sin and living to righteousness. It is an expression putting off the old man and putting on the new, ceasing to do evil and learning to do well.

The body of sin must be destroyed (v. 6). The corruption that dwelleth in us is the body of sin seriously affecting our body, not only our physical body, but it also includes the church, the community. This is the root to which the axe must be laid. We must not only cease from the acts of sin, but we must get the vicious habits and inclinations weakening and destroying us from within. Let us be fervent to cast away the idols of iniquity out of the heart; thus, we should not serve sin. Please do not make a trade of our goodness with the devil. We are all called to sanctity.

The Gospel spoke to us today that we must develop our ability to discern false teaching from true teaching by way of our sanctification, perseverance in the faith and mortification.

There are two things that we need to reflect on. Jesus calls on his disciples and to all of us to be careful not to be fooled by someone who claims to be of Christ. What do you think our best measuring stick should be?

First, Jesus says, “beware of false prophets.” (Matthew 7:15) Jesus tell his disciples to be on guard. Surprisingly, he doesn’t say beware of the temptations of the flesh or snares of the devil. Here Jesus tells them to watch out for “false prophets.” He explained that they would come in sheep’s clothing, but they are actually violent, dangerous wolves to scare and confuse them. They use deception to gain trust and infiltrate fellowship in order to spread their teaching and lead sheep off of the difficult road that leads to the narrow gate. There is always great danger when we allow the enemy to destroy us. The Lord is actually concerned with what is happening in the Church. Many Christian and Catholic churches across the United States and the world today have been infiltrated by false teachers. This is a critical problem today and must be addressed; therefore, this passage is very important and relevant. We must be careful and critical not to accept any and all teachings that they come in contact with. They should be diligent to test all teachings according to the Truth and moral teachings of the Church. Our primary nourishment is from the bishops, pastors and credible teachers who are in communion with the Church.

Second, Jesus says, “By their fruits you shall know them.” (Matthew 7:16–23) We might probably be deceived by their lies. Check the facts and look closely at the outcome of their witnessing. Please don’t be deceived by their words, but examine the quality of their life. People are easily deceived and that’s why Jesus gave this warning. He knew that Christians would struggle to stay on the difficult road headed toward heaven as voices called out to them. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (v. 21).

Brothers and sisters, let us use God’s given gift of wisdom in order to seek and to discern false prophets from true prophets. Jesus explained that just because someone comes into the midst of the church and claims the name of Christ, we could be easily deceived. We must cling to Christ by clinging to His Word. We are journeying down the difficult road toward our eternal home. Be always on guard, be wise and be prudent.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a
• Psalms 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19
• Matthew 10:1-7

There are many families experiencing rivalry among siblings. They fight among themselves because of inheritance, jealousy, and pride. These days when conflict continues to affect everyone in the family, disunity and division prevails over harmony. The common belief is gone like “blood is thicker than water.” It seems that blood relationship doesn’t matter anymore; it is survival. It is a sad reality but true. Let us pray for our family, especially the broken and dysfunctional families.

What has been happening today affecting families is exactly what we heard in today’s reading from the Book of Genesis 44:18-29, 45:1-5. Joseph’s story in Genesis is a classic example of how his siblings sold him as a slave to Egypt. He lived in Egypt until he helped the Pharaoh interpret his dream, and he was rewarded and became a governor. When famine struck Egypt and other neighboring places, Joseph took charge of the grain distribution, and when giving the rations to poor people, he was able to recognize his other brothers. Despite what they did to him and after seeing them, he turned away from them and he wept. Joseph was moved with pity towards them and helped them without rancor in his heart. Joseph became grateful and faithful to God, and he became a mirror of God’s justice and compassion.

The gospel spoke to us about the reality of Jesus calling his 12 Apostles to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. We know that Jesus came for the “lost sheep of Israel,” which is the main reason why He came. Because of their rowdy attitude, He called upon them for renewal and for them to be able to return to God. The apostles were a mix of people with flaws and weaknesses, yet they were called to a certain mission and to be transformed.

Maybe we are anxious about why Jesus prevented the apostles from going to pagan and Samaritan territories. This is not about discrimination, but Jesus’ primary mission is to bring the chosen people, the Israelites, back to God. After Pentecost, all the Apostles had been working hard to extend their dedication to bring Jesus to the Gentiles and to the whole world.

We are reminded that the “Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” This is the same concept of St. Mark when he wrote, “the Kingdom of God” where Jesus is the King to whom we need to abide, to submit and to follow. However, this kingdom is not a place but rather exists in our hearts.

The Kingdom of God is here now when we become agents of God’s mercy and forgiveness of others, especially our own family. Through Jesus’ humility and love, He restores the fallen world.

May God bless your families.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Zechariah 9:9-10
• Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
• Romans 8:9, 11-13
• Matthew 11:25-30

Since I was a seminarian, I always encounter these words, humility and meekness, many times. In fact, I believe that Jesus has been inculcating to all His followers about being humble. He knows that laboring humbly for the Gospel brings a higher percentage of success. I have also heard the same pattern from our Father St. Augustine, an experiential teaching that after his conversion to God, he affirms that humility and meekness are important in our Christian life. By knowing the truth about God, who prepared all of us, we need His teaching that humility is primarily imparted to us thru Christ’s passion and death on the cross. This is the remedy of sin and cause of salvation and to think that it gives us happiness in life. Among all other virtues, it is a necessary virtue to understand and to capture the truth of God. The first part is humility, the second is humility and the third is humility, according to St. Augustine. He expounded clearly that Christ himself said in today’s reading from Matthew 11:28-29 that people should learn from Him because of His meekness and humility, and not focus on His numerous miracles. Our salvation is possible by Christ’s example of humility that gives us an opportunity to change. Our sinful pride is a disaster to Jesus’ plan of redemption. Furthermore, we cannot rely on ourselves like St. Augustine’s exposure to sinful living which caused him much pain; however, as soon as he surrenders himself to God, He leads him to the greatest comfort and joy. Sad to say, the world teaches counterculture for us to think that it is power and fame that make us great. No, that makes us more prone to unhappiness and depression. Hence, we are nothing without being humble before God.

Today is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and in the first reading from the book of Zechariah, the chosen people of Israel are consistently bowing to welcome a King who could save them. Thus, this passage is calling Israel to rejoice when the Lord says, “Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you.” Yes, indeed, the King came not as they expected with power, big adulation, and grandeur but as a King with simplicity and humility. He shall engage in peace to the nations and “banish the weapons and instruments of war.” This is the promise that the believers long for that remains within one’s heart. Are there any among us who don’t need that promise of God’s kindness and love?

The second reading, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, speaks to us that, “You are not in the flesh, on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.” Therefore, it is important that God has chosen us by molding everyone according to His Spirit in order to understand the spiritual truths of God. We are given our birthright by baptism as His children through Jesus Christ. Do we realize that we are much more than our flesh because the Spirit of God dwells within us? We are given this spiritual gift as our true existence. The Spirit dwells within us to gain victory in Jesus Christ for His words spoken. Indeed, it gives us victory in Christ the Lord.

Today’s gospel from St. Matthew offers an invitation from Jesus: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” These words are for everyone who wants to follow our Lord Jesus. I believe those who would be receptive to Jesus’ invitation are simple people, sick and those who found themselves in the periphery which gives them everlasting Hope. Let us reflect on this preaching of Jesus:

First, Jesus’ words, “Come to me,” means a loving invitation to be intimate with Him. It is obviously an offering of divine intervention.

Second, Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labored and are heavily burdened,” which is an assurance of healing and relief for those weary people, exhausted men carrying their unbearable sufferings and crosses in life, and also to remember that Jesus takes the burden for them on His shoulders, and cares for them.

Third, Jesus finally says, “and I will give you rest.” Maybe our lives are in the midst of burdens, anxieties, troubles, and indifferences in this imperfect world. Jesus knows that it is only through Him that we absolutely experience the fullness of being under His power to enjoy complete repose. However, we need to come to our interior life and find that presence of God because of St. Augustine’s thought, “In our restlessness, we find rest only in God.”

Our readiness to completely understand Jesus is through humility and acceptance of the “yoke.” The yoke of Jesus is not heavy, but rather easy for it comes from a very personal relationship He totally offered. It implies that if we learn from Him, we can effortlessly relate in oneness with Him. We walk side by side with Jesus, cooperating with Him knowing that He is there to guide and to love us with His merciful heart.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Decimocuarto Domingo del Tiempo ordinario, año, A

• Zacarías 9:9-10
• Salmo 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
• Romanos 8:9, 11-13
• Mateo 11:25-30

Desde que era seminarista, siempre me encontré con estas palabras; humildad y mansedumbre. Yo creo que Jesús ha inculca a todos sus seguidores a ser humildes. Sabe que trabajar humildemente por el Evangelio trae un mayor satisfacción y éxito. También lo he oído a nuestro Padre San Agustín, enseñanza que el experimento después de su conversión a Dios, afirma que la humildad y la mansedumbre son importantes en nuestra vida cristiana. Al conocer la verdad acerca de Dios, quien nos preparó a todos, necesitamos Su enseñanza de que la humildad se nos imparte principalmente a través de la pasión y muerte de Cristo en la cruz. Este es el remedio del pecado y causa de salvación y pensar que nos da felicidad en la vida. Entre todas las demás virtudes, es una virtud necesaria para comprender y captar la verdad de Dios. La primera parte es humildad, la segunda es humildad y la tercera es humildad, según San Agustín. Expuso claramente que Cristo mismo dijo en la lectura de hoy de Mateo 11:28-29 que la gente debe aprender de Él por Su mansedumbre y humildad, y no enfocarse en Sus numerosos milagros. Nuestra salvación es posible a través del ejemplo de humildad de Cristo que nos permite cambiar. Nuestro orgullo pecaminoso es un desastre para el plan de redención de Jesús. Además, no podemos confiar en nosotros mismos como la exposición de San Agustín a una vida pecaminosa que le causó mucho dolor; sin embargo, tan pronto como se entrega a Dios, Él lo conduce al mayor consuelo y alegría. Lamentablemente, el mundo nos enseña contracultura para que pensemos que es el poder y la fama lo que nos hace grandes. No, eso nos hace más propensos a la infelicidad y la depresión. Por lo tanto, no somos nada sin ser humildes ante Dios.

Hoy es el decimocuarto domingo del tiempo ordinario, y en la primera lectura del libro de Zacarías, el pueblo elegido de Israel se inclina constantemente para dar la bienvenida a un Rey que podría salvarlos. Por lo tanto, este pasaje llama a Israel a regocijarse cuando el Señor dice: “¡Alégrate de corazón, hija de Sion, da voces de júbilo, hija de Jerusalén! Mira, tu rey vendrá a ti. Sí, de hecho, el Rey no vino con el tipo de poder que esperaban con adulación y grandeza, sino como un Rey con sencillez y humildad. Se comprometerá en la paz con las naciones y “desterrará las armas y los instrumentos de guerra”. Es la promesa que anhelan los creyentes la que permanece en el corazón. ¿Hay alguno entre nosotros que no necesite esa promesa de la bondad y el amor de Dios?

La segunda lectura, tomada de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos, nos habla de que “No estén en la carne, al contrario, estén en el espíritu, si el Espíritu de Dios habita en ustedes”. Por lo tanto, Dios debe elegirnos moldeando a todos según Su Espíritu para comprender las verdades espirituales de Dios. Se nos da nuestra primogenitura por el bautismo como Sus hijos a través de Jesucristo. ¿Nos damos cuenta de que somos mucho más que nuestra carne porque el Espíritu de Dios mora dentro de nosotros? Se nos da este don espiritual como nuestra verdadera existencia. El Espíritu mora dentro de nosotros para obtener la victoria en Jesucristo por Sus palabras habladas. De hecho, nos da la victoria en Cristo el Señor.

El evangelio de hoy de San Mateo ofrece una invitación de Jesús: “Venid a mí todos los que estáis trabajados y cargados, y yo os haré descansar”. Estas palabras son para todos los que quieren seguir a nuestro Señor Jesús. Creo que quienes serían receptivos a la invitación de Jesús son personas sencillas, enfermas y aquellas que se encuentran en la periferia que les da la Esperanza eterna. Reflexionemos sobre esta predicación de Jesús:

Primero, las palabras de Jesús, “Venid a mí”, significan una invitación amorosa a tener intimidad con Él. Es una ofrenda de intervención divina.

En segundo lugar, Jesús dice: “Venid a mí todos los que estáis trabajados y cargados”, lo cual es una garantía de curación y alivio para aquellas personas cansadas, hombres agotados que llevan sus insoportables sufrimientos y cruces en la vida, y también para recordar que Jesús lleva la carga por ellos sobre sus hombros, y se preocupa por ellos.

Tercero, Jesús finalmente dice: “Y yo os haré descansar”. Tal vez nuestras vidas están en medio de cargas, ansiedades, problemas e indiferencias en este mundo imperfecto. Jesús sabe que sólo a través de Él experimentamos la plenitud de estar bajo su poder para disfrutar del completo reposo. Sin embargo, necesitamos llegar a nuestra vida interior y encontrar la presencia de Dios debido al pensamiento de San Agustín: “En nuestra inquietud, encontramos descanso solo en Dios”.

Nuestra disposición a comprender completamente a Jesús es a través de la humildad y la aceptación del “yugo”. El yugo de Jesús no es pesado, sino fácil porque proviene de una relación muy personal que Él ofreció. Implica que si aprendemos de Él, podemos relacionarnos sin esfuerzo en unidad con Él. Caminamos al lado de Jesús, cooperando con Él sabiendo que Él está allí para guiar a un y amarnos con su corazón misericordioso.

Dios lo bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Romans 6:3-11
• Mark 8:1-9

Today is the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, and we are back to seeing the color green. It is nice to see the green vestments to remind us that we are growing and maturing in our faith which the Lord always supports and guides all of us to have a closer relationship and encounter with Him. Through the scriptural readings today, we are all invited to ponder on the different spiritual insights unfolded before us.

The epistle today from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans leads our understanding that St. Paul reminds us that “all who are baptized in Christ Jesus are baptized in His death…that as Christ is risen from the dead, by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in the newness of life.” Paul is speaking with great faith that receiving baptism in Christ is something already happening, living more fully day by day and not waiting for the end of time. We clothe ourselves with God’s grace for St. Paul is speaking here in truth.

In order to comprehend what we heard from St. Paul, we must believe in the resurrection. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Jesus’ death means that he died for the sins of humanity once for all, but the life He lives is perfectly in union with God. This is not about the future; this is about the present and that the life we live in God through Jesus Christ will be our life to eternity because God wants us to be united in the joy of the Kingdom.

Some of us have difficulty understanding the concept of resurrection; but as we live, work and worship together as one body, calling nothing our own, we learn to anticipate the glory of the communion of saints in which all joys are shared. Serving others, ministering to them, gives us hope in order to reach the promise of God to abide in Him. Every act of prayer, service and love draws us closer to His divine love which points to our own resurrection.

St. Mark, the evangelist, loves to talk about the miracles of Jesus. The gospel today is about the feeding of the four thousand which is very similar to the feeding of the five thousand back in Chapter 6:30-44. Some biblical scholars think they’re the same event. This duplication of the event, most probably, is St. Mark just sending a strong message about Jesus’ miracle, which is a good story to ponder on and one for us to constantly remember, because God provides for His people repeatedly with amazing divine assistance and provisions for both physical and spiritual existence.

There are three reflection points to make from this gospel passage.

First, Jesus says, “I have compassion on the multitude.” (vv. 1-3) Jesus was very concerned for the crowd following Him as they have been with Him for three days. It means that He had shown much interest in them. There were all sorts of people, pagans and sinners, who were with Him in a deserted place to listen to His preaching. They were moved deeply within, especially for the feeding of them with much care and love by Jesus. Though they were undeserving, however Jesus’ compassion is too great for what they truly deserve. I believe they did not feel the physical hunger but that they had become hungry for God’s everlasting words. Because of their total disposition to Jesus, consequently He did a miracle of feeding them which they had not asked for. It was an awareness of their condition.

Their curiosity to see Jesus led them to listen, learn and grow. Some were probably healthy, sick, poor and only attracted to Jesus, but all these don’t matter to Christ. All that mattered to Jesus was that the crowd stayed with Him even after three days with nothing to eat. This is convincing to believe that what caught Jesus’ attention was their openness, the listening attitude of them, and the need to absorb the content of His preaching.

Second, Jesus says he has compassion for the crowd and wants to feed them The disciples answered, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” The disciples had forgotten the miracle of God when He provided Israelites with the Manna from heaven as they journeyed towards the promised land. In their hearts, it is a pure impossibility and not an opportunity for Christ to reveal His power. I guess our sins we constantly commit are our forgetfulness of Him as God. When we are confronted with doubts, it is hard to believe in God who can do something we seldom see with our own naked eyes. Why do we tend to regard Jesus as if He is just another person among many and as if He has no power to provide? Jesus was preparing a miracle for us through this Eucharist. Christ’s provision does have a transformative effect on our human existence. He directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples. Jesus uses normal things like bread and fish in order for you and me to work miracles in this world. With our hearts ablaze with the love of God, we walk in this fullness of the Spirit if we will draw closer towards the reception of the Holy Communion.

Third, Jesus fed them and they were satisfied. Scripture recorded this event in this way, “And they ate and were satisfied.” The meal that Jesus had provided was not just an ordinary meal, but it is totally and fully satisfying. It is the Bread of Heaven which was broken for us by Jesus upon the cross because Jesus fulfilled His mission to appease God’s anger to satisfy our need of forgiveness.

Our life becomes unsatisfied of so many things in this world, always craving for food, always hurting and sinning, but only Jesus’ constant nourishment and miracle gives us the fullness of life now and forever.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67
• Psalm 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5
• Matthew 9:9-13

I would like to encourage everyone to watch the movie: “Sounds of Freedom.” It is a documentary film about child trafficking. It raises our awareness of the reality of modern slavery worse than before in human history, but we seem silent and doing nothing about it. Indeed, I believe that God’s children are not for sale. We need to act and do something. Today’s opening prayer reminds us that we must not be wrapped in the error of darkness but stand in the bright light of truth.

The gospel from Matthew narrates to us about Jesus calling Matthew and said, “Follow Me.” Matthew was a tax collector, and it was not easy for him to leave his lucrative profession. But he opened his house and welcomed Jesus together with his fellow tax collectors and sinners. Jesus had an opportunity to meet them, however, the pharisees were adamant to Jesus being with public sinners. Then Jesus said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.”

Many times, we isolate ourselves with the sinners and draw a perimeter so that we won’t be like one of them. Making this certain demarcation and practicing such attitude of exclusivity does not help our community. The reason why we should make friends with the sinners, is not to think that we could also be partakers of their sins, but rather to influence them to change for the better and bring them closer to Christ. We should avoid becoming a pharisee to others whose attitude is more on self-righteousness, but we must always support and inspire others to bring them to Jesus.

“Follow Me,” says Jesus to all of us, so we must respond with utmost desire to heed this invitation of the Lord. Jesus says, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not call the righteous but sinners.” Like Matthew, we are sinners, we have flaws. In our meditation we use this as our “mantra,” “Follow Me.” So that our attitude must not be condescending but always make our hearts, the heart of Jesus and hence, we become available to show mercy to others and to ourselves. Maybe, the greatest obstacle to showing mercy is the fact that we have not forgiven ourselves. Let us allow Christ’s mercy to touch ourselves that we could truly encounter the Lord and listen to Him. If we can find God in all things, we must protect everyone, those who are vulnerable especially children. In our prayer we ask Jesus for mercy and the grace of commitment to follow Him.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a
• Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
• Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
• Matthew 10:37-42

I have a friend who is expecting a baby in October.  She was actually not planning it because it would be her third child.  She thinks of her successful career and was thinking of terminating the baby when she knew she was pregnant.  It was a hard decision for her to make.  She finally went to pray in the church to seek wisdom and understanding from God, and in the end, she accepted it with a loving heart, together with her husband and her two children.  After that, it turned out to be easy for her, and it made all her relatives and friends happy.  When something difficult happens in life, especially when we’re not sure what to do, what is needed is our surrender and prayer which makes everything clearer to accept God’s plan for us.  It is perfectly right to enter into a relationship with God so that He can relate to us what is our best action and decision.  Maybe, as with Shunem in our first reading, it is a good welcome blessing from God that will happen.  Our attitude to trust God’s work is a quality of holiness.

The first reading today, taken from the 2nd Book of Kings, narrates about the Prophet Elisha who frequently stopped over to see his friend, Shunem, a woman of influence.  Shunem and her husband were friends of Elisha.  The couple offered him food and a place to stay overnight at their house.  Elisha asked his servant how he could be of help to the couple.  The servant told him that because her husband is getting on in years, they need a son.  Elisha called Shunem and made a promise to her saying, “This time next year you will be fondling a baby son.”

The second reading, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, focuses on the reality of who we are and for what God has called us in union with Him in baptism.  We are called to do and accomplish something to share ourselves with others just like Christ.  Being one with Christ, we are also prepared to take all the risks as His followers wherever we go.  We are all baptized in Christ; thus, the newness of life we have received in Christ brings us to live for God in Christ Jesus.

From the gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus is actually inviting us to love the way He loves and to accept His cross and to listen to what He says, “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.”  The cross He wants us to carry is not literally the wooden cross per se, but the cross of love and sacrifice.  If we love without self-sacrifice, we become narcissistic or self-absorbed, and our relationship with the other can become totally selfish.  That love will always focus on self-needs, and it will be about control or manipulation of the other.

I believe that the greatest dissatisfaction of my life is when I realize that my pursuit of happiness is fixed on me, feeding my ego-tripping, and making myself look good for others so that I may be recognized.

Unfortunately, it always leaves me somehow empty, with a meaningless quest for personal glory craving for more.  From our own experience, if we always make ourselves the center of the world, we become miserable and unhappy people.

Now I am beginning to be wise, knowing that I am more fulfilled in giving more to others.  I guess this is precisely what Jesus is telling us, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”  Self-emptying or losing oneself is to make my heart become more filled with Jesus so that I may have the heart for others.  Like Jesus’ love, I am sure of my true identity and develop much confidence and fulfillment.

Today, Jesus guides us in the way of true loving, that is, self-emptying which is the gift of self for the other.  I humbly pray that we may be more and more like Jesus who is loving, selfless and free.  Let us discover the love of our heart and pattern our hearts to Jesus’ heart.  St. Teresa of Avila says in her prayer, “Make our hearts like unto Thine.”

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Decimotercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año, A

• 2 Reyes 4:8-11, 14-16a
• Salmo 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
• Romanos 6:3-4, 8-11
• Mateo 10:37-42

Tengo una amiga que está esperando un bebé. Ella no estaba planeando tener otro bebé. Su plan era tener una carrera exitosa, y la idea de no tener el bebé cruzó por su mente. Pero sabía que sería una decisión difícil de tomar. Luego, escuchó a su corazón y vino a orar por la sabiduría, la guía y la comprensión de Dios. Con Gratitud y amor mi amiga, su esposo y sus hijos aceptaron al bebé y la voluntad de Dios. Su familia, parientes y amigos estaban felices de escuchar sobre la llegada de un nuevo bebé. Supongo que cuando sucede algo difícil y esperado en la vida, especialmente cuando no estamos seguros de qué hacer. Es necesario entregarse en oración a Dios y aceptar el plan de Dios para nosotros. Está perfectamente bien entrar en una relación con Dios. Tal vez como Sunem en nuestra primera lectura, es bueno recibir las bendiciones de Dios que sucederán. Nuestra actitud de confiar en la obra de Dios es una cualidad de santidad.

La primera lectura de hoy, tomada de la segunda carta del Libro de los Reyes, narra la historia del profeta Eliseo, quien frecuentaba a su amiga Sunem, una mujer influyente. Sunem y su marido eran amigos de Eliseo. La pareja le ofreció comida y un lugar para pasar la noche en su casa.

Eliseo le preguntó a su sirviente cómo podía ayudar a la pareja, entonces el sirviente le dijo que debido a que su esposo estaba envejeciendo, necesitaban un hijo. Eliseo llamó a Sunem y le prometió diciendo: “El próximo año por esta época estarás acariciando a un bebé”.

La segunda lectura, tomada de la carta de San Pablo a los Romanos, se enfoca en la realidad de quiénes somos y qué Dios nos ha llamado en unión con Él en el bautismo. Estamos llamados a hacer y lograr algo para compartirnos con los demás como Cristo. Siendo uno con Cristo, también estamos preparados para asumir todos los riesgos como sus seguidores dondequiera que vayamos. Todos somos bautizados en Cristo, por lo tanto, la novedad de vida que hemos recibido en Cristo nos lleva a vivir para Dios en Cristo Jesús.

Desde el evangelio de San Mateo, Jesús nos invita a amar como Él ama aceptar Su cruz y escuchar lo que Él dice: “El que no toma su cruz y me sigue, no es digno de mí”. La cruz que Él quiere que llevemos no es la cruz de madera per se, sino la cruz del amor y del sacrificio. Si amamos sin abnegación, nos volvemos narcisistas o egoístas, y nuestra relación con el otro puede volverse egoísta. Ese amor siempre se centrará en las necesidades propias, en el control o manipulación del otro.

Creo que la mayor insatisfacción de mi vida es cuando me doy cuenta de que mi búsqueda de la felicidad está fijada en mí, alimentando mi egoísmo y haciéndome bueno para los demás para que pueda reconocerme. Desafortunadamente, siempre me deja de alguna manera vacío, con una búsqueda sin sentido de la gloria personal anhelando más. Por nuestra propia experiencia, si siempre nos hacemos el centro del mundo, nos convertimos en personas miserables.

Ahora empiezo a ser sabio, sabiendo que me realizo más dando más a los demás. Supongo que esto es precisamente lo que Jesús nos está diciendo: “El que pierda su vida por causa de mí, la encontrará”. Vaciarse o perderse es hacer que mi corazón se llene más de Jesús para tener un corazón para los demás. Como el amor de Jesús, estoy seguro de mi verdadera identidad y desarrollo mucha confianza y realización.

Hoy, Jesús nos guía por el camino del verdadero amor, es decir, del despojo que es don de sí mismo por el otro. Ruego humildemente que seamos cada vez más como Jesús, que es amoroso, desinteresado y libre. Descubramos el amor de nuestros corazones y modelemos nuestros corazones al corazón de Jesús. Santa Teresa de Ávila dice en su oración: “Haz nuestros corazones hacia el tuyo”.

Dios lo bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa