Dictate of the Heart | Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 2:42-47
• Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• John 20:19-31

Today is the Second Sunday of Easter, and we also celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy. This Feast of the Divine Mercy was introduced to us by St. John Paul II and St. Faustina, both of them of Polish descent. We need to remember that the mercy of God is biblically founded and functional attribute of God’s infinite and eternal love in the history of man’s salvation. Both in the Old and New Testament, God manifests His constant compassion for the chosen people up to the time when Jesus Christ came into this world for our redemption. Jesus did not only perform miracles and goodness to the people but reveals to us that God is merciful, compassionate and loving at all times. Everything He does is an expression of mercy which is eternally in action.

The first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles reminds us of an ideal witnessing of Christian calling for their love and oneness of heart; they are indeed the Body of Christ. In this Acts of the Apostles, it is wonderful to know and understand how the early church was able to share their everything, their food and material possessions and to care for one another with continuous breaking of bread celebrating their own identity and the life as Jesus’ believers. Their way of life has been very attractive to others.

The second reading from the first epistle of Peter is very encouraging to continue our struggles of life due to the fact that God is ever persistent in His love; thus, we must be triumphant and victorious in all things.

We read in the gospel today the story of Thomas the Apostle struggling to believe the testimony of his fellow apostles about the Risen Jesus. Maybe some of us are also not so keen to believe the story of others regarding the familiar testimonies on how they believe in the resurrection. And then this story makes us understand and accept how Thomas was changed to be more faithful to the Lord. We can perfectly use this gospel in our spiritual maturity.

First, in this gospel passage, Thomas had spoken about His complete faith and trust after the invitation from Jesus to touch His wounds. In our journey as believers, we encounter the living God through Jesus’ wounds. We can feel His wounds through the poor and the abandoned, the weak and the sorrowful, and the rich people who need companions to make them feel that they too are loved and cared for. In all these, we truly encounter the Lord’s bleeding hands and side.

Second, Thomas is invited to touch Jesus’ wounds, and those wounds draw out of him the realization of being less acquainted with his companions’ experience of the Risen Jesus because he had been absent. Thus, I believe that his faith towards his co-apostles was that in questioned, not his faith in Jesus, the Lord and Master. Jesus showing his wounds connects to Thomas’ inner wounds and he was healed.

Third, Thomas is healed and can move from doubt to his confession of faith. He said,” My Lord and My God.” What a powerful way for him to declare his full and complete trust in Jesus, as Lord and God.

In today’s feast day of the Divine Mercy, we are called to have an intimate encounter with the Lord, showing much of His mercy and compassion for us. I have experienced so many times a sense of failure because there is a lack of fruitfulness in my ministry when I commit sin, yet God never stops me from pursuing me to confession so my mission will be more efficient and fruitful. To my amazement He has shown me numerous times how He clearly intervenes in my life. I have found blessings more than enough to prove His never-ending love and unfathomable works of mercy.

We are invited as His children to be open and to be willing to experience God’s presence in actions, beliefs, and presence of other believers. Again today, He assured us of His merciful presence in our lives. We, therefore, accept the mission that God is asking, to go and be God’s real presence in the world today. Let us live out our faith in Jesus.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Segundo Domingo de Pascua, Año A (Domingo de la Divina Misericordia)

• Hechos 2:42-47
• Salmos 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
• 1 Pedro 1:3-9
• Juan 20:19-31

Hoy es el Segundo Domingo de Pascua, y también estamos celebrando la Fiesta de la Divina Misericordia. Esta Fiesta de la Divina Misericordia nos la introdujeron San Juan Pablo II y Santa Faustina, ambos polacos. Siempre debemos recordar la misericordia de Dios, que tiene un fundamento bíblico y es el mayor atributo del amor infinito y eterno de Dios en la historia de la salvación del hombre. Tanto en el Antiguo como en el Nuevo Testamento, Dios manifiesta Su constante compasión por Su pueblo escogido hasta el momento en que Jesucristo vino a este mundo para nuestra redención. Jesús no solo realizó milagros y bondad para todas las personas, sino que también nos reveló que Dios es misericordioso, compasivo y amoroso. Todo lo que hace es una expresión de misericordia.

La primera lectura de hoy de los Hechos de los Apóstoles nos recuerda un testimonio ideal de cristianos que piden su amor y unidad de corazón; ellos son de hecho el Cuerpo de Cristo. En los Hechos de los Apóstoles, es maravilloso conocer y comprender cómo la iglesia primitiva pudo compartir todo, sus alimentos y bienes materiales, y cuidarse unos a otros con la continua fracción del pan, celebrando la propia identidad y vida. como creyentes de Jesús. Su forma de vida ha sido muy atractiva para los demás.

La segunda lectura de la primera epístola de Pedro es muy alentadora para continuar con nuestra lucha en la vida porque Dios es siempre persistente en su amor; por lo tanto, debemos ser triunfantes y victoriosos en todas las cosas.

Leemos en el evangelio de hoy sobre el Apóstol Tomás, luchando por creer el testimonio de sus compañeros apóstoles acerca de Jesús Resucitado. Tal vez algunos de nosotros tampoco estamos tan dispuestos a creer la historia de otros sobre los testimonios familiares sobre cómo creen en la resurrección, y luego intentan hacernos entender y aceptar cómo Tomás fue cambiado para ser más fiel al Señor. Podemos usar perfectamente este evangelio en nuestra madurez espiritual.

Primero, en este pasaje del evangelio, Tomás había hablado de su completa fe y confianza después de la invitación de Jesús de tocar sus heridas. En nuestro caminar como creyentes, encontramos al Dios vivo a través de las heridas de Jesús. Podemos sentir sus heridas a través de los pobres y los abandonados, los débiles y los afligidos, y los ricos que necesitan compañeros para sentirse amados y cuidados. En todo esto, verdaderamente encontramos las manos y el costado sangrantes del Señor.

En segundo lugar, Tomás es invitado a tocar las heridas de Jesús, y esas heridas le provocan la perturbación de conocer menos la experiencia de Jesús Resucitado de sus compañeros por haber estado ausente. Por lo tanto, creo que su fe fue que sus compañeros apóstoles lo cuestionaron, no su fe en Jesús, su Señor y Maestro. Jesús mostrando sus heridas conecta las heridas internas de Tomás.

Tercero, Tomás es sanado y puede pasar de la duda a su confesión de fe. Él dijo: “Señor mío y Dios mío”. Qué manera tan poderosa para él de declarar su completa confianza en Jesús, como Señor y Dios.

En la fiesta de hoy de la Divina Misericordia, estamos llamados a tener un encuentro íntimo con el Señor, mostrando Su misericordia y compasión por nosotros. He experimentado tantas veces una sensación de fracaso porque me encantaría ver frutos en mi ministerio, pero Dios nunca me impide seguir mi misión. Para mi asombro, me ha mostrado numerosas veces cómo interviene en mi vida. He encontrado bendiciones más que suficientes para probar Su amor infinito y sus insondables obras de misericordia.

Estamos invitados como Sus hijos a estar abiertos y dispuestos a experimentar la presencia de Dios en acciones, creencias y la presencia de otros creyentes. Nuevamente hoy, Él nos aseguró Su presencia misericordiosa en nuestras vidas. Nosotros, por tanto, aceptamos la misión que Dios nos pide, ir y ser la presencia real de Dios en el mundo de hoy. Vivamos nuestra fe en Jesús y nunca dejemos de decir Jesús, en Ti confío.

Padre Arlón, osa

• 1 John 5:4-10
• John 20:19-31

Today is the Low Sunday of Easter. We are continuously enjoying our new birth, which is the effect or the evidence of what resurrection is about. What signs have you ever perceived that the Risen Lord has caused you to be a transformed person?

The epistle from 1 John 5:4-10 reminds us; “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith.” I believe that it is God’s grace that definitively causes the transformation of our minds and hearts. However, we have a role to play to love sinners and to continue to bring them to the Lord. Where He goes, we will go and be willing to participate in His mission to save others. We don’t want to think only of our own salvation but also to do a deeper work of faith and love in your life.

The gospel today speaks about the disciples gathering together in the upper room that first Easter evening. They were in fear because of what they witnessed before Jesus was crucified. They were emotional at the last supper and the washing of the feet. They were with Jesus while praying in the garden, but they fell asleep. They witnessed Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial and then Jesus’ arrest, trial, passion, and crucifixion. Then there was confusion when the body of Jesus disappeared from the tomb. The apostles experienced terrible mixed emotions of sadness, grief and confusion until He appeared to them in the upper room.

I would like to accompany you to reflect on important events that happened when they saw Jesus.

First, Jesus said to them, “Peace Be with You” to ease the doubts of those frightened disciples and to give them the grace of mercy, forgiveness, and love. Jesus showed them His hands and His side. His disciples rejoiced to see Jesus alive and among them.

Second, “As the Father has sent Me.” Jesus did not only show Himself being alive, but made them remember that He was sent by His Father. It is an opportunity to remember His disciples’ primary concern which is to be prepared for their great task rather than to succumb to their fears, doubts, and anxieties. They too were sent to the world.

Third, Jesus said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” which means that the disciples need not worry but continue to remain with Him for He is there to provide a gift, which is something greater to accomplish their mission. Jesus breathed on those apostles, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” I can imagine how God created us; He breathed unto us His breath of Life. We all share the same gift in baptism and confirmation for we are made new creations in Christ. We are now brothers and sisters in Christ, who will live forever with our crucified and risen Lord.

Fourth, the mentioning of Thomas’ name because he was not there when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples becomes an important teaching lesson for Jesus. We are not sure why, but I’ve always wondered if Thomas was not happy with the other disciples’ claim that they had seen the Lord. Thomas famously said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” When Jesus appeared again and Thomas was present, He said to Thomas, “Put your fingers here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Jesus manifests His patience to Thomas and Jesus’s patience with you and me.

This beautiful gospel story is really about each and everyone of us, trying to be worthy followers of Jesus. We are struggling with doubt and constantly falling short of what we know that Jesus expects from us. He says every time we attend mass, the peace which surpasses all understanding, the peace which the world cannot give, and the peace that only comes from our Lord, Jesus Christ when we most need it.

Brothers and sisters, like all disciples, we are also empowered by the
promptings of the Holy Spirit, who sends us out to the world to continue our mission. This is what our Lord does for each and every one of us. That, too, is what the miracle of Easter means for us.

May God continue to strengthen us with His grace to be witnesses of His resurrection.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Acts 3:1-10
• Psalm 105:1-9
• Luke 24:13-35

Based on my pastoral experience as a priest, I have encountered so many people struggling to believe in the resurrection of Jesus with little evidence left to make them fully convinced. They would not even depend on scripture accounts. It is sad; however, I am positive that someday their understanding and faith will be there. Many skeptics are there who need help from those gifted with strong faith. Maybe they just probably need some enlightenment and guidance. It’s not yet too late. If we recognize Jesus, who has risen and lives with us, walks with us and leads us, then time will tell that we share that glory promised for us with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles narrates to us about Peter performing a miracle and publicly proclaiming the message of Jesus that through Him there is salvation.

Wonders after wonders and graces after graces flow tremendously to the Apostles as we read in the first reading today from the Book of Acts after JESUS’ resurrection. Peter was in the temple and the power of healing emanates from him by healing the crippled man. The man was able to walk by the power of Jesus thru His apostles. The power of healing is now in the hands of the Apostles to continue His ministry and presence with us.

The gospel today reminds us of the two men on the road to Emmaus. As they were walking, these two disciples of the Lord failed to recognize with whom they were walking. Probably they were grieving and were preoccupied with other concerns, or they probably were focused on explaining and re-telling the gospel about what happened to Jesus. Accepting Him as the “Suffering Messiah,” they could hardly understand.

This story encourages us to have a sense of understanding of the events that happened after the crucifixion, which will lead us to a greater transformation of mind and spirit. We have to remember that the disciples of Jesus did not remain as followers but as transformed and inspired leaders to propagate the Goodnews about Jesus, our Lord. They became effective evangelizers.

My personal prayer today is that during this Easter season, we have personal transformation happening within us so that we too become true disciples of the Risen Lord.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazon
Dentro de la Octava de Pascua, Miércoles

• Hechos 3:1-10
• Salmo 105:1-9
• Lucas 24:13-35

Basado en mi experiencia pastoral como sacerdote, me he encontrado con muchas personas que luchan por creer en la resurrección de Jesús. Ni siquiera las sagradas escrituras son evidencia para convencerlos completamente. Hay muchos incrédulos que necesitan la ayuda de aquellos bendecidos con una fe fuerte. Tal vez solo necesiten algo de iluminación y orientación. Es triste; sin embargo, estoy seguro de que, si abren su mente y su corazón para permitir que Dios se manifieste a ellos, llegarán a creer. Todavía no es demasiado tarde. Si reconocemos a Jesús, que ha resucitado y vive con nosotros, camina con nosotros y nos guía, entonces el tiempo dirá que compartimos esa gloria prometida para nosotros con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo.

La primera lectura de los Hechos de los Apóstoles nos narra acerca de Pedro realizando un milagro y proclamando públicamente el mensaje de Jesús, de que a través de Él hay salvación. Maravillas tras maravillas y gracias tras gracias fluyen tremendamente hacia los Apóstoles como leemos en la primera lectura de hoy del Libro de los Hechos de los apóstoles después de la resurrección de JESÚS. Pedro estaba en el templo y el poder de curar emana de él al sanar al paralítico. El hombre pudo caminar por el poder de Jesús a través de sus apóstoles. El poder de sanidad está ahora en manos de los Apóstoles para continuar Su ministerio y Su presencia con nosotros.

El evangelio de hoy nos recuerda a los dos hombres en el camino a Emaús. Mientras caminaban, estos dos discípulos del Señor no supieron reconocer con quién caminaban. Probablemente estaban afligidos y cabizbajos por otras preocupaciones, o probablemente estaban concentrados en explicar y volver a contar el evangelio sobre lo que le sucedió a Jesús. Aceptándolo como el “Mesías sufriente”, difícilmente podían entender.

Esta historia nos anima a tener un sentido de comprensión de los acontecimientos que sucedieron después de la crucifixión, lo que nos llevará a una mayor transformación de mente y espíritu. Tenemos que recordar que los discípulos de Jesús no quedaron como seguidores sino como líderes transformados e inspirados para propagar la Buena Nueva de Jesús, nuestro Señor. Se convirtieron en evangelizadores eficaces.

Mi oración hoy es que, durante esta temporada de Pascua, tengamos una transformación personal dentro de nosotros para que, nosotros también seamos verdaderos discípulos del Señor que ha Resucitado.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Acts 2:36-41
• Psalm 33:4-22
• John 20:11-18

Today we still remember what happened to us during Holy Week and Easter. I was personally exhausted hearing confessions and preparing for the Triduum Liturgy and homilies; however, I believe that it is an offering of sacrifice and am humbled to be chosen to minister to you. I have written many reflections in order to convey their meaning and have inspired others to be renewed and to return to God, which is indeed a big challenge and task.

In the epistle from the Book of Acts, Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let the whole of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” The crowds were cut to the heart because Peter shared the message revealed to him about who Jesus was.

The gospel again opens our mind to reflect on the experience of Mary of Magdala. Jesus specifically instructs Mary Magdalene to go and tell the other disciples what she has personally witnessed. Jesus commissioned her to “Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will see me.”

Whatever we have experienced during this Easter, blessings, graces, and personal insights, must be shared as part of our testimony. We have seen the goodness of the Risen Lord, and His love continues to pour out upon us so that we have the courage to remain with Him.

Our way of gratitude to the Risen Lord is our faithfulness to act as renewed and transformed persons. Believing in the Resurrection has renewed our relationship with God and each other through a deeper self-knowledge and awareness towards genuine love of the beloved.

Happy Easter!

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Dentro de la Octava de Pascua, Martes

• Hechos 2:36-41
• Salmo 33:4-22
• Juan 20:11-18

Hoy todavía recordamos lo que vivimos durante la Semana Santa y la Pascua.  Yo estaba personalmente exhausto; escuchar confesiones, haciendo preparaciones para la Liturgia del Triduo y las homilías, más aparte la preparación del servicio de las últimas siete palabras de Jesús el Viernes Santo.  Sin embargo, es una ofrenda de sacrificio y me siento honrado de ser elegido para ministrar al pueblo de Dios, esperemos en Dios que los frutos sean abundantes.  He escrito muchas reflexiones para transmitir el significado del servir a Dios y he inspirado a otros a renovarse y volver a Dios, lo cual es un gran desafío y una gran tarea.

En la epístola del Libro de los Hechos, Pedro dijo al pueblo judío: “Que todo Israel sepa con certeza que Dios ha hecho Señor y Mesías al mismo Jesús, a quien ustedes han crucificado”.  Las multitudes se conmovieron porque Pedro compartió el mensaje que le fue revelado acerca de quién era Jesús.

El evangelio abre nuevamente nuestra mente para reflexionar sobre la experiencia de María Magdalena. Jesús instruye específicamente a María Magdalena para que vaya y les cuente a los otros discípulos lo que ella personalmente había presenciado.  Jesús le encargó: “Ve y diles a mis hermanos que vayan a Galilea, allí me verán”.

Cualquier cosa que hayamos experimentado durante esta Pascua; bendiciones, gracias y percepciones personales, deben ser compartidas como parte de nuestro testimonio.  Hemos visto la bondad de Jesús Resucitado, y su amor sigue derramándose sobre nosotros para que nos atrevamos a permanecer con Él.

Nuestra forma de gratitud a Jesús Resucitado es nuestra fidelidad para actuar como personas renovadas y transformadas. Creer en la Resurrección ha renovado nuestra relación con Dios y entre nosotros a través de un autoconocimiento más profundo y una conciencia hacia el amor genuino de Dios.

 ¡Felices Pascuas!

  Padre Arlón, osa

 

• Acts 10:34a, 37-43
• Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
• Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
• John 20:1-9

Happy Easter to everyone! Our sacrifices, prayers and penance have paid off as we prepare for something that is important in our life, more than just our own birthday. It is the greatest feast, that is the celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection. Hearing the two readings and the gospel brings incredible joy in our hearts. That we are saved from the ultimate power of sin and of death itself comes to us from Jesus as a great relief and as a tremendous liberation. Truly Jesus lives, and you and I will live! The mystery of death will be overcome – we will live forever!

In the first reading for this great celebration, Peter is reminding everyone about the life and the beautiful experiences of being with Jesus. By preaching, he recalls Jesus’ ministry, good works and His passion and death and mentioned that on the third day, God raised Him and “granted that He be visible, not to all the people but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.” This is a kind of review of the life and being with Jesus after His resurrection.

His apostles continued with their preaching and witnessing of those who believe and face the troubles of the world, standing firmly in the mystery they could hardly comprehend.

The second reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, reminds us on this Easter Sunday that “our life is hidden with Christ in God.” Because of the gift of baptism, there is new life in Jesus continuously and actively growing within us which is efficaciously showing the grace that we too “will appear with Him in glory.” Thus, let us think what is above “where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” We are encouraged not to be distracted by this present life but rather focus on our journey towards our heavenly goal.

The gospel taken from John 20:1-9 is about the first experience of some of the apostles who went to the tomb early in the morning of the first day of the week. Mary of Magdala, John, the beloved, and then Simon Peter arrived. John ran and went to the tomb, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

Apparently, we have to look deeper into this gospel pericope in order to understand our Christian Faith.

First, we rely on the testimonies of the apostles. Peter relates how Jesus had been seen by believers and about their living faith in the Lord. They worked hard to foster Jesus’ ministry of healing. The result of Peter’s profound proclamation of who Jesus is had touched Cornelius and others to ask for the Sacrament of Baptism. Hence, the weight of the Apostles’ witnessing gained more followers to the faith.

Second, Mary informs Peter and the “disciple whom Jesus loved” of her experience and so, they run back with differing times of arrival. They are moving slowly into something dawning on them. Jesus is not there. They believe what they see with only the white linen left and they begin living what they believe. This is exactly how history began becoming news, Good News. These two runners did not just sit down and try to figure out how this whole thing happened. Instead, they remembered and believed, and they left Jesus’ tomb and began Jesus’ resurrection in them.

Third, because of Jesus’ promise that after three days He would rise, we are saved from the ultimate power of sin and of death itself. It comes to us as a great relief, as a tremendous freedom and liberation. The good news is that “the Lord has risen.” Through numerous harvests, and to those who accepted the Lord as their Savior and God, it adds something that we too must believe. The good news is that we believe that Jesus has risen and so have we. We have risen above the natural earthly demand for more light, for more catch and gain for the Risen Lord.

We know that tomb will be empty and remain empty forever as a sign that our lives will not really end, but will only be transformed. Today, we believe that death holds no power over us. We can walk each day with courage and freedom, in the grace being offered us to give our lives away in love.

Happy Easter and more blessings to you and your loved ones.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Domingo de Pascua, Año A

• Hechos 10:34a, 37-43
• Salmo 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
• Colosenses 3:1-4 o 1 Cor 5:6b-8
• Juan 20:1-9

¡Felices Pascuas para todos! Nuestros sacrificios, oraciones y penitencias han dado resultado. Cuando nos preparamos para algo importante en nuestra vida, más que nuestro cumpleaños. La fiesta más grande, es la celebración de la Resurrección de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Escuchar las dos lecturas y el evangelio de hoy con una alegría increíble en nuestro corazón. Que estemos salvados del poder del pecado y de la misma muerte, nos llega como un gran alivio, como una tremenda liberación de Jesús. ¡Verdaderamente Jesús vive, tú y yo viviremos! El misterio de la muerte será superado: ¡viviremos para siempre!

En la primera lectura de esta gran celebración, Pedro les recuerda a todos la vida y las hermosas experiencias de estar con Jesús. Al predicar, recuerda el ministerio de Jesús, las buenas obras y su pasión y muerte. Y mencionó que, al tercer día, Dios lo resucitó y “concedió que Él fuera visible, no a todo el pueblo, sino a nosotros, los testigos elegidos de antemano por Dios, que comieron y bebieron con Él después que resucitó de entre los muertos.” Esta es una especie de revisión de la vida y el estar con Jesús después de su resurrección.

Sus apóstoles continúan con su predicación y dan testimonio de aquellos que creen y enfrentan los problemas del mundo, permaneciendo firmes en el misterio que apenas podían comprender.

La segunda lectura tomada de la carta de San Pablo a los Colosenses nos recuerda en este Domingo de Pascua que “nuestra vida está escondida con Cristo en Dios”. Por el don del bautismo, hay una nueva vida en Jesús que crece continua y activamente dentro de nosotros y que muestra eficazmente la gracia de que nosotros también “apareceremos con Él en Gloria. Así pues, pensemos en lo que está arriba “donde está Cristo sentado a la diestra de Dios”. Se nos anima a no distraernos de esta vida presente, sino a concentrarnos en nuestro viaje hacia nuestra meta celestial.

El evangelio tomado del evangelio de Juan 20:1-9 trata sobre la primera experiencia de algunos de los apóstoles que fueron al sepulcro temprano en la mañana del primer día de la semana. Llegaron María de Magdalena, Juan, el amado, y luego Simón Pedro. Juan corrió y fue al sepulcro, y les dijo: “Se han llevado del sepulcro al Señor, y no sabemos dónde lo han puesto”. Tenemos que profundizar en esta perícopa del evangelio para comprender nuestra fe cristiana.

Primero, confiamos en los testimonios de los apóstoles. Pedro relata cómo Jesús había sido visto por los creyentes y su fe viva en el Señor, trabajaron duro para fomentar el ministerio de sanidad de Jesús. El resultado de la profunda proclamación de Pedro, de quién en Jesús tocó a Cornelio y a otros a pedir el Sacramento del Bautismo. De ahí que el peso del testimonio del Apóstol gane más adeptos a la fe.

En segundo lugar, María informa a Pedro y al “discípulo a quien Jesús amaba” de su experiencia y así vuelven corriendo con diferentes tiempos de llegada. Se están moviendo lentamente hacia algo que se les viene encima. Jesús no está allí. Creen lo que ven y solo les queda lino blanco y comienzan a vivir lo que creen. Así es como la historia empezó a convertirse en noticia, Buena Noticia. Estos dos corredores no solo se sentaron e intentaron descubrir cómo sucedió todo esto. En cambio, recordaron, creyeron y abandonaron la tumba de Jesús y comenzaron la resurrección de Jesús en ellos.

Tercero, por la promesa de Jesús de que después de tres días resucitaría, somos salvados del poder supremo del pecado y de la misma muerte, que nos llega como un gran alivio, como una tremenda libertad y liberación. La buena noticia es que “el Señor ha resucitado”. A través de numerosas cosechas, aquellos que aceptaron al Señor como su Salvador y Dios, añaden algo que también nosotros debemos creer. La buena noticia es que creemos que Jesús ha resucitado y nosotros también. Nos hemos elevado por encima de la demanda terrenal natural de más luz, de más capturas y ganancias para el Señor Resucitado.

Sabemos que la tumba estará vacía y permanecerá vacía para siempre como señal de que nuestra vida no terminará, sino que solo se transformará. Hoy creemos que la muerte no tiene poder sobre nosotros, podemos caminar cada día con valentía y libertad, en la gracia que se nos ofrece para dar nuestra vida en amor.

Felices Pascuas y más bendiciones para ti y tus seres queridos.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
• Mark 16:1-7

Happy Easter Sunday, Christ is Risen Alleluia! Congratulations to Greg and Carolyn, Kevin and Max for receiving the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

During the Easter Vigil, we have the blessing of fire and water, reception of the sacraments for the catechumens and the renewal of our baptismal promises. We need to recognize this mystery which we celebrate, the mystery in which we have been incorporated into Christ, and we have made that choice. That Cross has been driven deep into our hearts, the Cross with the Word of God right on it. That Cross becomes the symbol of victory over death and sin; Jesus has conquered it in order to save us.

In just a moment, as we renew our baptismal vows, we will once again renounce Satan and all his works and all his empty promises, and we will once again profess our faith in God the Father, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit. Just as this church, which this morning was like a void and empty waste, is now once again filled with beauty and will once again be filled with our Resurrected Lord, so too will this temple of our body be restored to its beauty and will also be filled with Our Resurrected Lord in whom we profess our Easter faith.

The epistle today is taken from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 5:7-8. According to God’s design, the blood of Jesus is necessary for Him to institute the New Covenant to save the chosen people and the rest of humanity. That offering of Jesus restores the whole Body of Christ, the Church. Therefore, all the members of the Church, as His body, receive a new identity in Christ. It means that brethren who are falling into misbehaving and sins are deceivers. Christ died to deliver us from our sins. Sin does not belong in our lives, and so we deny it access. We remember that we ourselves died unto sin, but we are alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. If Christ Jesus saved us from our sins, and He did, then we have no reason to continue living in them! We have new life in Him, a life that Father God wants to fill with good works rather than sins (Ephesians 2:10) and to grasp these simple grace teachings from this epistle, (1 Corinthians 5:8), “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” This is a metaphorical, symbolic, or figurative usage. The “leaven” here is “malice and wickedness”—that which jeopardizes/infects our Christian true identity.

The gospel today is taken from Mark 16:1-7 where we notice the time when some of the apostles discovered that Jesus was not anymore in the tomb. The evangelist mentioned Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, who brought spices to anoint the body of Jesus.

How do we understand this episode in the light of Jesus’ resurrection?

First, St. Mark 16:2 reads, “And very early in the morning, on the first day of the by week, they came to the sepulcher, the sun being now risen.” It implies clearly that we are drawn to the story as participants in the action of coming to the tomb.

Second, as the women were on their way, they were discussing the difficulty to remove the stone, which was very large, but then they discovered it had already been rolled back. “And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.” They were startled. We are drawn into the presence of this “young man”telling them not to be astonished, saying, “Be not affrighted, ye Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.” The message we hear is the heart of the Easter proclamation then and now: “He is risen; he is not here. Behold, (Look) the place where they laid him” (16:6b).

Third, “But go and tell His disciples.” These two imperative verbs, Go and Tell, convey an ongoing action and immediacy to the commissioning. Jesus is already going on ahead of them to the place of his early ministry in Galilee. The disciples are the sheep who have been scattered in the traumatic events that led up to and followed Jesus’ crucifixion. The crucified and risen Lord comes among his followers as the shepherd who goes before the sheep (16:7).

With the events that we have witnessed at the tomb, we have been drawn into the early dawn hours of a new day. With the women, we have come to the tomb and the discovery of the large stone rolled away. The message of the young man is addressed to us. We too have received the commission to go and tell.

In so many biblical passages from the book of Genesis up to the New Testament stories, God manifests His living presence. Today we stand in awe and ecstasy of God’s presence among us in the crucified and risen Lord who goes before us,

We, too, become witnesses, even participants with the women, in the action of coming to the empty tomb.

Alleluia! Praise the Lord.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Isaiah 52:13–53:12
• Psalms 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
• Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
• John 18:1–19:42

Today the 7 speakers on the last words of Jesus will touch my heart with very powerful testimonies.  This is the second day of our Triduum celebrations which we enter in prayer in the liturgical year. Good Friday draws us close to Christ’s suffering and to the suffering of others as well. Let us try to emerge into the whole liturgy of the Word, praying for the needs of the Church, with veneration and Holy Communion.

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,”are the last words of Jesus on the Cross in the gospel of Luke 23:46. At the darkest moment of fulfilling His mission for the salvation of men, He has chosen to enter into the deepest human uncertainty, and Jesus sharing our humanity cried out with surrender, trust and hope.

We believe that for Jesus, death is not the end. He promised us that He will rise, and indeed His glory comes in the Resurrection!

Brothers and Sisters, what do we want to surrender into God’s hands today?

First, we may find ourselves in a similar spiritual place as Jesus’ disciples on that Good Friday. Some were at the foot of the Cross, but the rest hid themselves out of fear and being anxious about who would be the next to be killed. Their future is uncertain without their master. How did they live as followers of Christ with that reality of death and forgetting His promise? I do believe that these disciples worked hard to re-learn to trust God, to understand every word they heard from Jesus. We are not far from the reality of the reaction of Christ’s disciples. Today we surrender to God our doubts and anxieties and re-discover our utmost love and trust of God.

Second, we may find ourselves lukewarm in our prayer or conversations with God. How often do we take the time to talk to God and ask for his help? How comfortable are we in praying? We need to have no fear in approaching the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace when we are in need of help. Jesus, even hanging on the Cross, has comforting words for us. I am afraid that many of us neglect our prayer life and stop talking to God. Are we afraid to ask for God’s help? Do we not realize that God wants to hear what is bothering us, to walk with us and bring us joy? God wants to know, so he can bestow His mercy, kindness, and grace on us, ease our burdens and make us better Christians. Let us deepen our prayer life throughout the year. We need to make it a habit to set aside 10, 15, or 20 minutes of quiet moments with God.

Third, today we focus on renewing and strengthening our faith, but we need to continue that effort beyond Easter. Equally as important is to thank Him for His endless love and being at our side, each and every day.

Today, I come to realize that Jesus’ suffering and death are God’s own entry into all that we suffer. Jesus fully understands and is in oneness with us as He continues to save and to change us.

As we “behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the Savior of the world,” we too embrace the whole mystery of love that the cross represents: First, the cross is about my personal infidelity and sins, my own selfishness. Secondly, we are the ones who have been guilty of transgressions and are now forgiven and loved. At the foot of the Cross is the mercy and compassion of God.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón:  Viernes Santo de la Pasión del Señor, Año A

• Isaías 52:13–53:12
• Salmos 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
• Hebreos 4:14-16; 5:7-9
• Juan 18:1–19:42

Hoy, al mediodía, los 7 oradores de las últimas palabras de Jesús tocaron mi corazón con un testimonio profundo y se apoderaron de mi día. Este es el segundo día de nuestras celebraciones del Triduo al que entramos en oración en el año litúrgico. El Viernes Santo nos acerca al sufrimiento de Cristo y también al sufrimiento de los demás. Procuremos emerger en toda la liturgia de la Palabra, orando por las necesidades de la Iglesia, con veneración y la Sagrada Comunión.

“Padre, en tus manos encomiendo mi espíritu”, son las últimas palabras de Jesús en la Cruz en el evangelio de Lucas 23:46. En el momento más oscuro del cumplimiento de su misión para la salvación de los hombres, ha elegido adentrarse en la más profunda incertidumbre humana, y Jesús compartiendo nuestra humanidad clama con entrega, confianza y esperanza.

Creemos que para Jesús, la muerte no es el final. ¡Él nos prometió que resucitaría y ciertamente Su gloria viene en la Resurrección!
Hermanos y hermanas, ¿qué queremos entregar hoy en las manos de Dios?

Primero, podemos encontrarnos en un lugar espiritual similar al de los discípulos de Jesús en ese Viernes Santo. Algunos estaban al pie de la Cruz, pero otros se escondieron por miedo y por la ansiedad de quién sería el próximo en ser asesinado. Su futuro era incierto sin su Maestro. ¿Cómo vivieron como seguidores de Cristo con esa realidad de muerte y olvido de su promesa? Creo que estos discípulos trabajaron duro para volver a aprender a confiar en Dios y entender cada palabra que escucharon de Jesús. No estamos lejos de la realidad de la reacción de los discípulos de Cristo. Hoy entregamos a Dios nuestras dudas y angustias y redescubrimos nuestro máximo amor y confianza en Dios.

Segundo, podemos encontrarnos tibios en nuestras oraciones o conversaciones con Dios. ¿Con qué frecuencia nos tomamos el tiempo para hablar con Dios y pedir su ayuda? ¿Qué tan cómodos nos sentimos al orar? No debemos tener miedo de acercarnos al trono de la gracia para recibir misericordia y hallar gracia cuando necesitamos ayuda. Jesús, aun colgado en la Cruz, tiene palabras de consuelo para nosotros. Me temo que muchos de nosotros descuidamos nuestra vida de oración y dejamos de hablar con Dios. ¿Tenemos miedo de pedir la ayuda de Dios? ¿No nos damos cuenta de que Dios quiere escuchar lo que nos molesta, caminar con nosotros y traernos alegría? Dios quiere saber, para poder derramar Su misericordia, bondad y gracia sobre nosotros, aliviar nuestras cargas y hacernos mejores cristianos. Profundicemos nuestra vida de oración a lo largo del año. Necesitamos hacer que sea un hábito apartar 10, 15 o 20 minutos de momentos de tranquilidad con Dios.

Tercero, hoy nos enfocamos en renovar y fortalecer nuestra fe, pero necesitamos continuar ese esfuerzo más allá de la Pascua. Igual de importante es agradecerle por su amor infinito y por estar a nuestro lado todos los días.

Hoy me doy cuenta de que el sufrimiento y la muerte de Jesús son la entrada de Dios en todos los que sufrimos. Jesús comprende completamente y está en unidad con nosotros mientras continúa salvándonos y cambiándonos.

Al “contemplar el madero de la cruz, sobre el cual colgaba el Salvador del mundo”, abrazamos también todo el misterio de amor que representa la cruz:

Primero, la cruz se trata de mi infidelidad y mis pecados, mi egoísmo.

En segundo lugar, somos nosotros los que hemos sido culpables de transgresiones y ahora somos perdonados y amados.

Al pie de la Cruz está la misericordia y la compasión de Dios.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• 1 Corinthians 11:20-32
• John 13:1-15

Thank you for coming tonight. Today is called Maundy Thursday. What does it mean? Maundy is a word derived from the Latin word “mandatum” or “command”. It is a command coming from Jesus to His disciples, and it is a command to love and to serve!

The epistle today, taken from the first letter to the Corinthians 11:20-32, also describes this sacred ordinance or command. St. Paul teaches that what is eaten is called bread, though at the same time it is said to be the body of the Lord. These inspiring words are to attest that the outward signs signify that it is the real body and blood, broken and shed for us which flow from His death and sacrifice. Therefore, those who partake of it are called to accept Him as Lord and to live with Him as the very source and giver of Life.

In one of the interesting liturgies today, we find how meaningful the washing of the feet is. The Jewish custom of hospitality is to offer guests the opportunity to wash their feet before proceeding to the main house. Here, we find Jesus as the main host of that event at the Last Supper. It was unheard of that a master would wash the feet of His disciples, or that one with superior status would wash the feet of one who was inferior. This explains the astonishment of Peter and the disciples when Jesus removed his robe, donned a towel, and knelt down to wash their feet (verses 4-5). Everything pointed to a role reversal, a master becoming a servant. So, Jesus the Master, the Son of God, shows an act of His humility becoming the servant of all. After He washed their feet, Jesus told them to go and do likewise. This is an important reminder. Jesus says: Love one another just as I have loved you! In the same manner, serve one another as I have served you. We are commanded to do the same today.

According to the gospel reading, Jesus washing his disciplines’ feet before the meal was already in progress knowing that He was to fulfill His Father’s will. Jesus set an example and taught His disciples an act of humility and service. We are being reminded to do the same, to love, and to have a respectful encounter.

Our Holy Spirit community has to live that mission through acts of kindness, to bring healing, hope, and light to the darkness. I am humbled to be doing the washing of the feet of others. I believe this is an opportunity to rethink how we engage in service and in acts of humility, and how we continue to build and share our faith in an ever-changing climate. It has shed light on the act of intentionality and consciousness. Let us be intentionally mindful about how we value human friendship, connection and collaboration and be grateful for those blessings we have received. Jesus showed His disciples what it meant to be Christian. In these difficult times, we must continue to wash the feet of others and show the world what it means for the Word, Jesus, to become flesh.

In the scriptural texts, the duty of those who come to the Lord’s table must do a self-examination which is necessary to enter into the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. If we thoroughly search within ourselves, and fix what we find wrong, we should stop our negativities with a caution against the irregularities of which the Corinthians, like us, were guilty at the Lord’s table of sacrilegious acts. . Let us all come together to God’s worship, so as to enjoy the bounty of God’s presence.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Jueves Santo, Forma Extraordinaria (TLM)

• 1 Corintios 11:20-32
• Juan 13:1-15

Gracias por venir esta noche. Hoy se llama Jueves Santo. ¿Qué significa? “Maundy” es una palabra derivada de la palabra en latin “mandatum” o “comando”. ¡Es un mandato que viene de Jesús a sus discípulos, y es un mandato de amar y servir!

La epístola de hoy, tomada de la primera carta a Corintios 11:20-32, también describe esta ordenanza o mandato sagrado. San Pablo enseña que lo que se come se llama pan, aunque, al mismo tiempo, se dice que es el cuerpo del Señor. Estas palabras inspiradoras son para atestiguar que las señales externas significan que en realidad son el cuerpo y la sangre, rotos y derramados por nosotros, los que fluyen de Su muerte y sacrificio. Por lo tanto, quienes participan de él están llamados a aceptarlo como Señor ya vivir con Él como la fuente misma y el dador de Vida.

Escuchamos en las liturgias de hoy, cuán significativo es el lavatorio de los pies. La costumbre judía de la hospitalidad es ofrecer a los invitados la oportunidad de lavarse los pies antes de dirigirse a la casa principal. Aquí, encontramos a Jesús como el anfitrión principal de ese evento en la Última Cena. Era inaudito que un maestro lavara los pies de Sus discípulos, o que alguien con un estatus superior lavara los pies de uno que era inferior. Esto explica el asombro de Pedro y los discípulos cuando Jesús se quitó la túnica, se puso una toalla y se arrodilló para lavarles los pies (versículos 4-5). Todo apuntaba a un cambio de roles, un amo que se convertía en sirviente. Así, Jesús el Maestro, el Hijo de Dios, muestra un acto de su humildad haciéndose servidor de todos. Después de lavarles los pies, Jesús les dijo que fueran y hicieran lo mismo. Este es un recordatorio importante. Jesús dice: ¡Amaos unos a otros como yo os he amado! De la misma manera servíos unos a otros como yo os he servido. Se nos ordena hacer lo mismo hoy.

Según el evangelio, Jesús lavando los pies de sus disciplinados antes de la comida ya estaba en progreso sabiendo que iba a cumplir la voluntad de Su Padre. Jesús dio ejemplo y enseñó a sus discípulos un acto de humildad y servicio. Se nos recuerda que debemos hacer lo mismo, amar y tener un encuentro respetuoso.

Nuestra comunidad del Espíritu Santo tiene que vivir esa misión a través de actos de bondad, para traer sanidad, esperanza y luz a la oscuridad. Me siento honrado de tener la oportunidad de hoy, también yo, ser el servidor y poder lavar los pies a los demás. Creo que esta es una oportunidad para repensar cómo nos involucramos en el servicio y en actos de humildad, y cómo continuamos construyendo y compartiendo nuestra fe en un clima en constante cambio. Ha arrojado luz sobre el acto de la intencionalidad y la conciencia. Seamos intencionalmente conscientes de cómo valoramos la amistad humana, la conexión y la colaboración y estemos agradecidos por las bendiciones que hemos recibido. Jesús mostró a sus discípulos lo que significaba ser cristiano. En estos tiempos difíciles, debemos seguir lavando los pies de los demás y mostrar al mundo lo que significa que la Palabra, Jesús, se haga carne.

En los textos de las Escrituras, el deber de quien se acerca a la mesa del Señor debe hacer un autoexamen que es necesario para entrar en el Sacramento de la Sagrada Eucaristía. Si escudriñamos a fondo dentro de nosotros mismos y arreglamos lo que encontramos mal, debemos detener nuestras negatividades con una cautela contra las irregularidades de las que los corintios, como nosotros, éramos culpables en la mesa del Señor de actos sacrílegos… Reunámonos todos para la adoración de Dios, para disfrutar de la generosidad de la presencia de Dios.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Isaiah 50:4-7
• Psalms 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
• Philippians 2:6-11
• Matthew 26:14-27:66 or 27:11-54

The Traditional Latin Community has separate celebrations of the Passion Sunday and Palm Sunday. However, the Novus Ordo calls this day both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday, and our liturgy becomes a combination of both the glory and anguish.

Today, we enter into the most solemn week, the Holy Week. It is called Holy Week due to Jesus’ gift of Himself for our salvation. It starts today with Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion which is Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, being welcomed with cheering from the people, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Son of David.” Next comes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to recall the trial, betrayal and suffering of our Lord. Then we have the Triduum celebration starting Thursday with the commemoration of the Last Supper, His gift of the Eucharist, and His great “mandatus”, which means His command to love and serve. Friday is the passion of Christ on the Cross which caused His death. Good Friday is the only day without the celebration of the mass. On Saturday, we are called to continue our reflection on the offering of Jesus’s life for us as we await the vigil celebration of the Resurrection. Easter Sunday culminates our Catholic observance of the Holy Week, realizing that Jesus’ death on the cross is not the end but, through His resurrection, He is risen and is alive.

Palm Sunday is an invitation to reflect on the whole Passion Story from St. Matthew. However, aside from hearing the gospel, we also need to reflect on the significance of the blessed branches and palms we carry today. This is the moment to capture into our consciousness that we have the courage signifying our sense of welcoming Jesus’ entrance into our community. To some, feeling awkward doing it is probably because they hardly welcome Jesus into their hearts. When possessing the blessed palms, bring them home and put them at your altar. Keep them until you return them next year to make the sacred ashes for Ash Wednesday. We are praying with great memories in our liturgy.

The gospel today reminds us of three important things which will be our reflection points.

First, people laid palms before Jesus as he entered into Jerusalem. The palm was their way to acclaim a man who roused their hopes with much accolade. I believe Jesus deserves a great welcome over and above any movie actor or politician because Jesus is Lord and the Messiah. Our celebration today is absolutely different from the first Palm Sunday. People were cheering a very dramatic event, and yet we are here in the comfort of the church already contemplating the price of victory.

Second, this celebration as I have mentioned to you at the beginning of my homily is a combination of those two elements: the glory and the anguish of our sorrows. This might be a real challenge for us as we enter Holy Week. There is glory in the sense that thru Jesus, the Son of God triumphantly enters into Jerusalem giving of Himself just as God gives His very Being unto our hands. Anguish and sorrow cannot be hidden due to the fact that we feel it by knowing that those people who welcomed Him succumbed to human injustice.

Third, people welcomed Him with much expectations to usher in God’s promise. They shout, “Hosanna!” – God, come to save us!” Later, many of the people are persuaded to turn on Jesus. “Crucify him, Crucify him!” People have never realized that their evil desire to let Jesus suffer is tantamount of taking away their Hope. However, the gentleness of Jesus is the complete opposite of their resistance to accept the Truth.

It is appropriate to recall the prophesy of Isaiah speaking of the innocence of Jesus, who lives His own way of doing “no harm” while walking through the shame and guilt which surrounds Him. This is the major contrast then, the gentleness of Jesus colliding with the human resistance to purity and truth.

While listening to the long narrative of the Passion, we realize that Jesus lived and died doing no harm and, more positively, doing the infinitely good thing.

Brothers and Sisters, during this whole week, let us be united with the suffering of our Lord as we try to overcome our personal suffering and the suffering of our work today. In today’s mass, always remember that just as the Father transformed Him in His suffering, we too are now one with Jesus transforming us. We are not alone!

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón Domingo de Ramos, año A En la Procesión con las Palmas Evangelio-Mt 21:1-11

• Evangelio-Mt 21:1-11
• Isaías 50:4-7
• Salmo 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
• Filipenses 2:6-11
• Mateo 26:14–27:66 o 27:11-54

Hoy es Domingo de Ramos, nos encontramos ya inmersos en el Misterio de la Pasión de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. En esta Semana Santa estamos invitados a participar activamente en las festividades pascuales, por la grandeza de lo que Jesús padeció por nuestra salvación. Hoy comienza la Semana Santa. Se llama santo debido al don de Jesús de sí mismo para nuestra salvación. Comienza hoy con el Domingo de Ramos de la Pasión del Señor, que es la entrada triunfal de Jesús a Jerusalén, siendo recibido por la gente vitoreando, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Hijo de David”. Luego vienen el lunes, martes y miércoles para recordar el juicio, la traición y el sufrimiento de nuestro Señor. Luego tenemos la celebración del triduo a partir del jueves, con la conmemoración de la Última Cena, Su don de la Eucaristía, y Su gran “mandatus”, que significa su mandato de amar y servir. El viernes es la pasión de Cristo en la Cruz que causó su muerte. El Viernes Santo es el único día sin la celebración de la misa. El sábado, estamos llamados a continuar nuestra reflexión sobre la ofrenda de la vida de Jesús por nosotros mientras esperamos la celebración de la vigilia de la Resurrección. El Domingo de Pascua culmina nuestra observancia católica de la Semana Santa para darnos cuenta de que la muerte de Jesús en la cruz no es el final sino que, a través de Su resurrección, Él resucitó y vive.

El Domingo de Ramos es una invitación a reflexionar sobre toda la Historia de la Pasión de San Mateo. Sin embargo, además de escuchar el evangelio, también debemos reflexionar sobre el significado de las ramas y palmas benditas que llevamos hoy. Este es el momento de capturar en nuestra conciencia que tenemos el coraje de expresar nuestro sentido de acoger la entrada de Jesús en nuestra comunidad. Algunos pueden sentirse incómodos al hacerlo, probablemente porque apenas reciben a Jesús en sus corazones. Cuando poseas las palmas benditas, llévalas a casa y ponlas en tu altar. Guárdelos hasta que los devuelva el próximo año para hacer las cenizas sagradas para el Miércoles de Ceniza. Estamos orando con grandes recuerdos en nuestra liturgia.

El evangelio de hoy nos recuerda tres cosas importantes que serán nuestros puntos de reflexión.

Primero, la gente colocó palmas ante Jesús cuando entró en Jerusalén. La palma fue su manera de aclamar a un hombre que despertó sus esperanzas con muchos elogios. Creo que Jesús merece una gran acogida por encima de cualquier actor de cine o político porque Jesús es el Señor y el Mesías. Nuestra celebración de hoy es absolutamente diferente del primer Domingo de Ramos. La gente vitoreaba. Fue un evento muy dramático y, sin embargo, estamos aquí en la comodidad de la iglesia contemplando ya el precio de la victoria.

Segundo, esta celebración como les he mencionado al inicio de mi homilía es una combinación de esos dos elementos: la gloria y la angustia o nuestros dolores. Esto podría ser un verdadero desafío para nosotros al entrar en Semana Santa. Gloria en el sentido de que Jesús, el Hijo de Dios, entra triunfalmente en Jerusalén entregándose así como Dios está entregando Su propio Ser en nuestras manos. La angustia y el dolor no se pueden ocultar, y es que lo sentimos al saber que aquellas personas que lo acogieron sucumbieron ante la injusticia humana.

Tercero, la gente lo recibió con muchas expectativas de marcar el comienzo de la promesa de Dios. Ellos gritan, “¡Hosanna!” – ¡Dios, ven a salvarnos!” Más tarde, mucha gente es persuadida de volverse contra Jesús. “¡Crucifícale, crucifícale!” La gente nunca se ha dado cuenta de que su malévolo deseo de dejar sufrir a Jesús equivale a quitarles la Esperanza. Sin embargo, la mansedumbre de Jesús es todo lo contrario de su resistencia a aceptar la Verdad.

Espero que tengamos un programa espiritual que pueda, creo, hacer especialmente fructífera nuestra observancia de la Semana Santa y la Pascua. Si tomamos en serio sus palabras, podemos estar seguros de que nuestros corazones y mentes crecerán para estar más abiertos a recibir la abundancia y la riqueza del Espíritu de Cristo, y por la gracia de Dios, nuestra Semana Santa puede ser una ofrenda aceptable para la alabanza. de Dios y por nuestro bien y el de toda la Iglesia.

Por lo que Jesús soportó en la Cruz; no debemos mantenernos a distancia de Él. Más bien, como miembros de su Cuerpo, debemos permitir que todo lo que Él pasó nos toque en lo más profundo de nuestro ser. Finalmente, esta celebración de la Semana Santa significa para nosotros, no sólo Su Pasión y sufrimientos, sino también Su gloriosa Resurrección resucitándonos con Él como creación nueva y redimida.

Dios los bendiga.

Padre Arlón, osa

• Philippians 2:5-11
• Matthew 21:1-9

Today is Palm Sunday, and we find ourselves already immersed in the Mystery of Our Lord’s Passion.  Every day we are invited to take part in the Paschal festivities and participate actively in our liturgy this week for the greatness of what Jesus endured for our salvation. Today begins the Holy Week. It is called holy due to Jesus’ gift of Himself for our salvation.  It starts today with Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, which is Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, being welcomed with people cheering, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Son of David.”  Then comes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to recall the trial, betrayal and suffering of our Lord.  Then we have the triduum celebration starting Thursday, with the commemoration of the Last Supper, His gift of the Eucharist, and His great “mandatus,” that means his command to love and to serve.  Friday is the passion of Christ on the Cross which caused His death. Good Friday is the only day without the celebration of the mass.  On Saturday, we are called to continue our reflection on the offering of Jesus’s life for us as we await the vigil celebration of the Resurrection.  Easter Sunday culminates our Catholic observance of the Holy Week to realize that Jesus’ death on the cross is not the end but, through His resurrection, He is risen and alive.

Palm Sunday is an invitation to reflect on the whole Passion Story from St. Matthew.  However, aside from hearing the gospel, we also need to reflect on the significance of the blessed branches and palms we carry today. This is the moment to capture into our consciousness that we have the courage to signify our sense of welcoming Jesus’ entrance into our community.  Some may feel awkward doing it, probably because they hardly welcome Jesus into their hearts.  When possessing the blessed palms, take them home and put them at your altar. Keep them until you return them next year to make the sacred ashes for Ash Wednesday.  We are praying with great memories in our liturgy.

The gospel today reminds us of three important things which will be our reflection points.

First, people laid palms before Jesus as he entered into Jerusalem. The palm was their way to acclaim a man who roused their hopes with much accolade. I believe Jesus deserves a great welcome over and above any movie actor or politician because Jesus is Lord and the Messiah. Our celebration today is absolutely different from the first Palm Sunday. People were cheering. It was a very dramatic event, and yet we are here in the comfort of the church contemplating already the price of victory.

Second, this celebration as I have mentioned to you at the beginning of my homily is a combination of those two elements: the glory and the anguish or our sorrows. This might be a real challenge for us as we enter Holy Week. Glory in the sense that Jesus, the Son of God, triumphantly enters into Jerusalem giving of Himself just as God is giving His very Being unto our hands. Anguish and sorrow cannot be hidden, and the fact is we feel it by knowing that those people who welcomed Him succumbed to human injustice.

Third, people welcomed Him with much expectations to usher in God’s promise. They shout, “Hosanna!” – God, come to save us!” Later, many of the people are persuaded to turn against Jesus. “Crucify him, Crucify him!” People have never realized that their evil desire to let Jesus suffer is tantamount to taking away their Hope. However, the gentleness of Jesus is the complete opposite of their resistance to accept the Truth.

I hope that we have a spiritual program that can, I believe, make especially fruitful our observance of Holy Week and Easter. If we take His words to heart, we can be confident that our hearts and minds will grow to be more open to receive the abundance and richness of Christ’s Spirit, and by God’s grace, our Holy Week can be an acceptable offering, to the praise of God and for our own good and the good of the whole Church.

Because of what Jesus endured on the Cross; we must not keep ourselves at a distance from Him. Rather, as members of his Body, we must allow all that He went through to touch us at the very core of our being. Finally, this Holy Week observance means to us, not only His Passion and sufferings, but also His glorious Resurrection raising us with Him as new and redeemed creation.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa