Dictate of the Heart | Fr. Arlon, osa

• 2 Corinthians 6:1-10
• Matthew 4:1-11

Today, after our pre-Lent program, we are celebrating the first Sunday of Lent. We are called to give much time to our daily meditation, sacrifices and fasting for the remission of sins. We must do some kind of penance, personal and communal, and for our constant omission of the practice of Christian piety. We are called to focus on our spiritual redirection of our life towards God.

On the first Sunday of February, February 4th, some of us missed fulfilling our Sunday obligation because of the snowstorm. There were 10 to 12 inches of snow on the ground, and most of the roads were hardly passable for the commuters. Drivers experienced the difficulty to see their own direction because of the heavy snow. This is an image of our own burden and the sins we carry for so long that we lose track of our own direction, and we don’t realize to stop, look, and listen to signs and warnings available for us to know where we are in our relationship with God and others.

Today is an opportunity to heed and listen to the Words of God to journey around here on earth, with confidence and determination, to reach our destiny of eternal life with God.

The epistle today, taken from the 2nd letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, begins by calling the people, including us, to work together and that the grace and love of God, which St. Paul has been preaching, is not to be in vain. One way of doing this is to be reconciled with God and others. St. Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah (49:8): “In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.” Right now, he tells us, is an acceptable time; the day of our salvation is right here. God is bestowing favor and salvation at this very moment as he addresses his letter to us too.

This epistle relates also to our experience of finding joy, happiness, and peace in the midst of hardship, pain, rejection and persecution. There is always peace that Christ bestows upon us, which no one can take away. More importantly, our common experience that living out the gospel of love and peace overcomes those difficult and threatening experiences of hatred and violence. If we compare ourselves with St. Paul, most of us will find that we give up too easily in the face of crisis. I believe that Christ has been present in every experience. Our sufferings are indeed, as were for him, a privileged time to share in the sufferings of his Lord.

The gospel of St. Matthew narrates to us the temptation of the Lord as part of his public appearance. Satan tempted Jesus in three specific ways: (1) to turn stones into bread, (2) to cast himself off the temple, and (3) to worship him. We are often tempted in similar ways. What lessons could we get from this gospel pericope as we journey through Lent?

The evangelist Matthew tells us, “The Spirit led Jesus out into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” Though Satan tried to tempt Him, he was not successful in deceiving Jesus, for He is the new breed of humanity, faithful to listen to the voice of God and being driven by the Spirit, who was guiding Jesus in this experience of temptation. Jesus came out victorious because He was prepared by the Spirit to encounter and to face temptations from the enemy of God. Jesus never succumbs to temptations, even during the most vulnerable moment before His passion, when Satan seduced Him to abandon His mission; however, He placed Himself in His Father’s hands, completely keeping His Father’s will.

Satan challenged Jesus to prove His divinity and, in doing so, meet his own need for food. Satan said, “Tell this stone to become bread.” Temptation takes advantage of the situation of Jesus meeting His physical need; however, Jesus trusts His Father despite His own ability to perform a miracle.

Jesus is not teaching a spirituality which overlooks physical need. Jesus declared that man does not live by bread “alone.” Of course, we need food to live, but there are other needs of man besides food. This broadens the scope of temptation to all material things, like desires for money, cars, wealth, and other possessions. While it is fine to have and enjoy those luxuries, it is our attitude towards them that counts. Where is our heart? Jesus sets the right priority. We are simply called upon to trust God to provide our needs in His time, in His way, and with His result. Fulfilling the Will of God and being obedient to Him is more important than food and other attractions to material things.

Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and asked Jesus to throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple to show that God had been watching over the care of His Son. Satan was demanding the fulfillment of the promise. This is also our temptation when we jump into a task or position in our community to appear that we are doing God’s work, and we become presumptuous and unwittingly fall prey to Satan’s temptations.

Satan took Jesus to a very high mountain and shows Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.” Satan added, “All these I will give Thee, if falling down Thou wilt adore me.” Satan has temporary power as an enemy of God, but the kingdoms of the world absolutely belong to God and Christ, His Son. Thus, Satan builds on deception and false claim to gain power through idolatry. When we continue to worship other things or people and offer wrong allegiance with our hearts and affection, other than to God, to gain power is idolatry, which will result in our spiritual disaster.

As we journey deeper into this Lenten season, may we be attentive to the inner and outer voices that shout their false promises. Let us seek out Jesus, even in deserted places. May this gospel give clarity that we worship God alone by following Christ’s example.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Joel 2:12-19
• Matthew 6:1-21

Today is the beginning of our journey towards this season of Lent. It begins with the blessing of ashes and the imposition of blessed ashes on our forehead to remind us of who we are, “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19) It means that we should humble ourselves and seek and follow God, for our time on earth is too short as compared to eternity.  Prophet Joel says, “Rend your hearts, not your garments and return to the Lord.” (Joel 2:13) Another formula we hear, “Repent and believe the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15) It implies that by renewing our faith in God, believing in the gospel, and obediently proclaiming His gospel through our lives for His glory, are all our serious business.  Our own conversion is urgent before it is too late. 

The gospel today, taken from St. Matthew, speaks about the three pillars of piety, Almsgiving, Fasting and Prayer. Some are good at fasting from food or giving up something, but Lent is more than just fasting from things we like to eat. It is serious dedication to prayer and the work of charity. 

I have learned that medical terms with the suffix “itis” come from the Greek adjective for inflammation or disease, for example, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), arthritis (inflation of joints), hepatitis (virus that attacks the liver which causes inflammation), etc.  We also have a spiritual disease which causes inflammation of ego, and that is “perfectionitis.”  People suffering from this spiritual malady have no cure.  Why? It is because of a person’s belief that the season of Lent is just a Church’s tradition, and there is no expectation for change at all.  Today’s liturgy for Ash Wednesday is geared towards a decision about our spiritual and relational lives. 

We must grow in understanding the riches of Christ’s teachings and our goal for Lent.  We ask that we might pursue the effects of those riches by worthy conduct. We can do this through prayer and fulfilling our Lenten discipline.

It is an invitation for total renewal of our hearts. Our hearts will be renewed to the degree that we open them to God, seek God’s grace, turn away from our sins, and embrace the good news proclaimed by Jesus. 

Are we ready to start our journey of Lent by preparing ourselves to reflect on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection in how we relate ourselves to God and His creation and others?  This Lenten journey is not about giving up things to deprive our appetite and desires, but it is to aid us to return to God and to believe in His goodness, love, and mercy.   Lent is indeed both a holy and a joyful season, more than Christmas, because God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The middle four letters of the word, “Valentine” are LENT.  It is obvious that the word lent means, “springtime”.  It is a new beginning of a more meaningful love and relationship.  Here is a story of young adults….

Katie said to her mom, “Mom, my brother has a new girlfriend, and her name is Helen.”  Then Katie’s brother, Dominic, responded, “No, mom: she is not.”  Katie asked, “Why?  You told me awhile ago.”  Dominic again responded: “Well, I have given her up for Lent.” Happy Valentine’s Day to all.  God loves us all.  Let us pray:

Lord, thank you for giving us this time to become freer, to get closer to you, and to love others with your own heart. Keep showing us your love so we can trust enough to let go of whatever it is we cling to, instead of you. Let us enjoy more quiet, more space, and less distractions, so we can begin to identify how we can better be your generous servants and your faithful disciples.  Amen.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón

Miércoles de Ceniza, Novus Ordo y Forma Extraordinaria, TLM

• Joel 2:12-19
• Mateo 6:1-21

Hoy es el comienzo de nuestra jornada hacia la cuaresma. Comienza con la bendición de las cenizas y la imposición de ellas en nuestra frente, para recordarnos quiénes somos: “polvo eres, y al polvo volverás”. (Génesis 3:19) Que significa que debemos humillarnos, buscar y seguir a Dios, porque nuestro tiempo en la tierra es demasiado corto en comparación con la eternidad. El profeta Joel dice: “Rasguen sus corazones, no sus vestidos, y vuelvan al Señor”. (Joel 2:13) Otra fórmula que escuchamos es: “Arrepiéntanse y cree en el Evangelio”. (Marcos 1:15) Implica que renovar nuestra fe en Dios, creer en el evangelio y proclamar obedientemente Su evangelio a través de nuestras vidas para Su gloria. Nuestra conversión es urgente antes de que sea demasiado tarde.

El evangelio de hoy tomado de San Mateo habla de los tres pilares: Limosna, Ayuno y Oración. Algunos son buenos ayunando de comida o renunciando a algo. La Cuaresma es más que solo ayunar de cosas que nos gusta comer, sino una dedicación seria a la oración y la caridad.

He aprendido que los términos médicos con el sufijo “itis” provienen del adjetivo griego para inflamación o enfermedad como, por ejemplo, encefalitis (inflamación del cerebro), artritis (inflación de las articulaciones), hepatitis, el virus que ataca al hígado que causa inflamación), etc. También tenemos una enfermedad espiritual que causa inflamación del ego, es decir, la “perfeccionitis”. Las personas que padecen esta enfermedad espiritual no tienen cura. Porque, debido a la creencia de una persona de que la temporada de Cuaresma no es más que una tradición de la Iglesia y que no hay expectativa de cambio alguno. La liturgia de hoy está orientada a una decisión sobre nuestra vida espiritual y relacional.

Debemos crecer en la comprensión de las riquezas de las enseñanzas de Cristo y nuestra meta para la Cuaresma. Pedimos que podamos perseguir los efectos de esas riquezas mediante una conducta digna. Podemos hacer esto a través de la oración y cumpliendo con nuestra disciplina de Cuaresma.

Es una invitación a la renovación total de nuestro corazón. Nuestros corazones se renovarán en la medida en que los abramos a Dios, busquemos la gracia de Dios, nos alejemos de nuestros pecados y abracemos la buena nueva proclamada por Jesús.

¿Estamos listos para comenzar nuestra jornada de Cuaresma, preparándonos para reflexionar sobre la vida, muerte y resurrección de Cristo, en la forma en que nos relacionamos con Dios, su creación y con los demás? Está jornada de Cuaresma no se trata de renunciar a cosas para privarnos de nuestro apetito y deseos, sino de ayudarnos a regresar a Dios. Creer en su bondad, amor y misericordia. La Cuaresma es en verdad una temporada santa y alegre, más que la Navidad, porque tanto amó Dios al mundo que dio a su único Hijo, para que todo aquel que crea en él, no perezca, sino que tenga vida eterna. (Juan 3:16)

Las cuatro letras del medio de la palabra “San Valentín” en Ingles son LENT que significa CUARESMA. La palabra cuaresma significa “primavera”. Es un nuevo comienzo de un amor y una relación más profunda.

Esta es una historia de un joven….

Catalina le dijo a su mamá: “Mamá, mi hermano tiene una nueva novia, se llama Elena”. Entonces el hermano de Catalina, Domingo, respondió: “No, mamá. No es.” Catalina dijo: “¿Por qué? Me lo dijiste hace un tiempo. Domingo respondió: “Bueno, la he dejado por la Cuaresma”. Feliz Día de San Valentín a todos. Dios nos ama a todos. 

Oremos:

Señor, gracias por darnos este tiempo para ser más libres, para acercarnos a Ti y para amar a los demás con tu propio corazón. Sigue mostrándonos tu amor, para que podamos confiar lo suficiente como para dejar ir aquello a lo que nos aferramos, en lugar de a ti. Disfrutemos de más tranquilidad, más espacio y menos distracciones, para que podamos comenzar a identificar cómo podemos ser mejor tus generosos servidores y tus fieles discípulos. Amén.

Dios los bendiga

P. Arlón, osa

 

• Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
• Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11
• 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
• Mark 1:40-45

On January 31, 2024, I was invited by one of my parishioners to go skiing with him at Mt. Rose Ski Resort. I was challenged to try that sport on a windy and freezing day, overcoming all sorts of fears as a neophyte. The following day I could hardly walk because of sore leg muscles. However, my consolation that moment was to admire the beauty of the mountain where I struggled to manage being humble following my instructor’s advice and lessons for the skills to learn faster and for me to easily navigate alone skiing with much enjoyment. I remember the words of St. Paul today, “whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” I am grateful to God that I was not hurt despite the experience of falling several times, and I said to myself, “I have achieved a new height of success at my age.” Thus, we are called to overcome fears in life and all sorts of sickness, only to seek the Lord, and glorify Him.

Today is the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. In life we learn many things that give us consolation for the things we do. We have beautiful readings today that would inspire and guide us. The responsorial psalm today affirms that we must “turn to the Lord in times of trouble and to fill us with the joy of salvation.” (Ps. 32).

The first reading today, taken from the book of Leviticus, cites to us that leprosy is a dreadful disease. The people with leprosy are treated by segregation and are faced with shame even up to this day in time. Moses dealt with a response to the people, that anyone who has skin scabs, which appear to be the sore of leprosy, “he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest or to one of the priests among his descendants.” It was the priest who determined whether a person had the disease. Just imagine, a man with the disease would be ostracized and it was announced to all that he is unclean.

This book of Leviticus deals mostly with laws contributing to proper order in the life of the Hebrew people resulting from God’s direct word through Moses and or Aaron.

The second reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians reminds us that we must follow Paul to imitate Christ. We need to avoid offending people, acting not for self but for others, and doing everything for the glory of God. Our concern for the marginalized of our society and the church is to act on their behalf, not to assert our rights, but to be true to the name we are called, Christians!

The gospel today narrates to us about Jesus, the healer. The leper came to Jesus with his profound act of faith, saying, “If you wish you can make me clean.” Jesus touched the leper, considered to be “unclean,” saying, “I will do it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately. According to the law, Jesus told the man to go and show himself to the priest who would declare him clean. He also told him to keep the healing a secret. Jesus wasn’t ready for people to get king or Messiah ideas about him. Sadly, the man didn’t listen to Jesus and spread, not the disease of leprosy, but the good news, which is the story about Jesus’ works of healing which he had received.

Who would dare to touch a leper? Only Jesus. Jesus doesn’t follow the norm of avoiding a leper, and instead He shares His righteousness and holiness which made the leper be restored to his well-being. Jesus took the man’s suffering, pain, and shame into His own merciful heart.

It is an inspiring story to know that no matter how dark our life is, we trust Jesus to remove those spots of darkness and sins as He did top the man with leprosy. We just approach Jesus with our simple hope and faith. Literally, Jesus has the power to cleanse us from physical and spiritual illness, but more importantly He brings us back into a relationship. We must surrender and allow ourselves to be touched by His tenderness and His love to make us whole and holy.

If we cannot simply approach Jesus, our leprosy might be our pride and arrogance. Therefore, we would be missing that opportunity to be healed. Today, during this celebration of the eucharist, let us encounter Jesus, then come to Him, kneel down and after admitting the truth about ourselves, Jesus constantly expressing His desire to cleanse us. “I do will it,” is His way to embrace us for our integral healing. We pray with honesty for the grace to be reached out by Jesus so that we won’t be alienated again.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El dictado del corazón
Sexto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• Levítico 13:1-2, 44-46
• Salmo 32:1-2, 5, 11
• 1 Corintios 10:31-11:1

Marcos 1:40-45

El 31 de enero de 2024, uno de mis feligreses me invitó a ir a esquiar con él en Mt. Rose. Me desafiaron a probar un nuevo deporte en un día ventoso y helado, superando todo tipo de miedos como principiante. Sin embargo, mi consuelo cuando estaba en la cima de la montaña fue admirar la belleza de la naturaleza, donde me esforcé por ser humilde y tratar de seguir los consejos de mi instructor, quien me enseñaba habilidades para aprender más rápido y poder navegar solo, esquiando con facilidad. Al día siguiente apenas podía caminar, me dolían los músculos de las piernas. Lo disfrute Mucho. Recordé las palabras de San Pablo hoy: “Hagas lo que hagas, hazlo todo para la gloria de Dios”. Agradezco a Dios que no me allá lastimado a pesar de la experiencia de caerme varias veces, luego me dije: “He alcanzado una nueva altura de éxito a mi edad”. Por lo tanto, estamos llamados a superar los temores en la vida y todo tipo de enfermedades, sólo para buscar al Señor y glorificarlo.

Hoy es el Sexto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B. En la vida aprendemos muchas cosas que nos dan consuelo por las cosas que hacemos. Las lecturas de hoy son hermosas y deberían inspirarnos y guiarnos. El salmo responsorial de hoy afirma que debemos “A ti recurro, Señor, en el tiempo de angustia, y me llenas del gozo de la salvación.” (Sal. 32).

La primera lectura, tomada del libro de Levítico, nos cita que la lepra es una enfermedad terrible. Los enfermos de Lepra son tratados con desunión y avergonzados incluso hasta el día de hoy. Moisés dio una respuesta al pueblo, que cualquiera que tuviera una costra en la piel que pareciera ser una llaga de lepra, “será llevado al sacerdote Aarón, o a uno de los sacerdotes de su descendencia”. Era el sacerdote quien determinaba si una persona tenía la enfermedad. Imagínense, un hombre con una enfermedad sería condenado al destierro y se anunciaría a todos que era impuro. Este libro de Levíticos trata principalmente de leyes que contribuyen al orden apropiado en la vida del pueblo hebreo como resultado de la palabra directa de Dios a través de Moisés o Aarón.

La segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los Corintios nos recuerda, que debemos seguir a Pablo para imitar a Cristo. Necesitamos evitar ofender a las personas, actuar no por nosotros mismos sino por los demás y hacer todo para la gloria de Dios. Nuestra preocupación por los marginados de nuestra sociedad y de la iglesia es actuar en su nombre, no para hacer valer nuestros derechos, sino para ser fieles al nombre que somos llamados, ¡cristianos!

El evangelio de hoy nos narra sobre Jesús, el sanador. El leproso se acercó a Jesús con su profundo acto de fe, diciéndole: “Si quieres, puedes limpiarme”. Jesús se compadeció de él, y extendiendo la mano, lo tocó y le dijo: “¡Sí quiero: ¡Sana!” La lepra lo abandonó inmediatamente. Según la ley, Jesús le dijo al hombre que fuera y se mostrara al sacerdote, quien lo declararía limpio. También le dijo que mantuviera la sanación en secreto. Jesús no estaba preparado para que la gente tuviera ideas de rey o de Mesías sobre él. Lamentablemente, el hombre no escuchó a Jesús, pero no difundió la enfermedad de la lepra sino la buena noticia, que es la historia de las obras de curación de Jesús que había recibido.

¿Quién se atrevería a tocar a un leproso? Sólo Jesús. Jesús no sigue la norma de evitar a un leproso, sino que comparte Su justicia y santidad que hicieron que el leproso recuperara su salud. Jesús tomó el sufrimiento, el dolor y la vergüenza del hombre en Su propio corazón misericordioso.

Es una historia que debe inspirarnos, saber que incluso cuán oscura es nuestra vida, confiamos en que Jesús eliminará esas manchas de oscuridad y de pecado, que le hizo al hombre con lepra. Simplemente nos acercamos a Jesús con nuestra sencilla esperanza y fe. Jesús tiene el poder de limpiarnos de enfermedades físicas y espirituales, pero lo más importante es que nos devuelve a una relación. Debemos rendirnos y dejarnos tocar por Su ternura de Su amor para hacernos íntegros y santos.

Si no podemos simplemente acercarnos a Jesús, nuestra lepra podría ser de orgullo y arrogancia. Por lo tanto, estaríamos perdiendo esa oportunidad de ser sanados. Hoy, durante esta celebración de la eucaristía, encontremos a Jesús, luego acerquémonos a Él, arrodillémonos y, después de admitir la verdad sobre nosotros mismos, Jesús expresa constantemente su deseo de limpiarnos. “Yo sí lo quiero”, la forma en que Jesús nos abraza para nuestra sanación total. Oramos con honestidad para que Jesús nos alcance la gracia para que no seamos impuros nuevamente.

Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlón, osa

• 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
• Luke 18:31-43

Today is the Quinquagesima Sunday, a Sunday before the 1st Sunday of Lent in the Extraordinary Form. I pray that the three consecutive Sundays Pre-Lent have provided opportunity to prepare well for the observance of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. It makes sense having a PRE-LENT preparation to process our hearts and minds to plan out our spiritual journey which needs more focus and attention. There are many disruptions like the 58th National Football League game with so much cursing and derogatory words that come out of our mouths or from hearing other people’s untamed tongues.

Today’s epistle is taken from the famous letter of St. Paul to the 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13:1-13. The love has been beautifully described poetically by Paul to stir the hearts of the many readers. But this passage is good to our ears, simply warming our hearts, because it speaks about love, but it is also a challenge by calling us to repentance. It also helps us to understand this important knowledge of Love.

First, love, or charity, is our priority (vv1-3). I believe that when we go to the pearly gate of heaven, St. Peter would not ask us how much knowledge we have about the bible, whether we have that faith, or if we come to church daily, or how much money we have in the bank; rather, the most important question he would be asking is how faithful are you loving God and neighbor by concretizing that love. St. Paul says, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” He further said that even giving all our possessions to the poor, if there is no love it is nothing. Love must be there in all we do. I guess the people of Corinth were very proud of themselves which I think mirrors our own present attitude. Hence, St. Paul reminds us that without love all our spiritual gifts, talents and qualities are useless. We have gifts to build our community and church, not to boost or nurture our personal pride. Let love motivate our own behavior.

Second, we must know Love’s properties and what it looks like. (vv.4-7) St. Paul is direct to say that “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking…..always trust, hope and persevere.” This gives us a clear scenario about the people of Corinth being proud rather than humble, being rude and unforgiving, and some were taking others to court rather than reconciling their differences amicably. Thus, the behavior of the people of Corinth was falling far short of the standard of love that Paul was expecting from them. We too are guilty of pride rather than humility, of impatience rather than patience, and of evil rather than doing good according to the standards of God.

Third, from this passage we know that love is permanent. (vv.8-13). We are preparing for Valentine’s Day on Ash Wednesday. I heard that the imposition of ashes can be done by making the “Heart” symbol on your forehead. Well, it can be done in place of the Cross because Jesus Christ died for us because of His love. We also believe that “Love never ends.” St. Paul says, “Charity never falleth away.” (v.8) It means it will last forever. It is a virtue that never ends, and love or charity will always remain because it is a serious business to get to heaven. We will enjoy the love of God and the love of people, if we imitate the way Jesus loves us and His Church. The life of Jesus shows us the perfect example and encouragement to practice what He did.

The gospel narrates to us the willingness of Jesus, together with the 12 apostles, to go up to Jerusalem so that all things shall be accomplished. Jesus needs to fulfill the plan of His Father to save the world. Why? Because of His love, offering Himself completely was the only way to save us. He was not afraid or distracted. He was focused on His wisdom and love rather than being threatened by the opposition of many.

Our life with Jesus is to be like Him, to keep ourselves focused on the offering of our time and sacrifices in this coming season of Lent. By focusing on Jesus, then we will surely overcome all sorts of challenges. Be receptive of the Words and Sacraments as means to sanctify and heal us. The blind man said to Jesus, “I want to see.” It was a statement of Faith in the Lord. He believed Jesus could respond to his need in a situation of utter desperation.

Like the blind man, we are all beggars in front of Jesus, who is willing to meet our need for love, acceptance, forgiveness, purpose, and a new beginning. For by the grace and mercy of God, we too can see and grow in love.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Job 7:1-4, 6-7
• Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
• 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
• Mark 1:29-39

Today is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.  We are invited to reflect on the readings today, which guide everyone to understand our life’s situation, and no matter what situation we are in we just acknowledge the power of God. We are healed by God in so many ways which according to psalm 147 states, “The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Therefore, after we are healed, there is a task we need to do, and that is our willingness to collaborate for the advancement of God’s kingdom.

The first reading, taken from the book of Job, is a story of a man with much suffering in his life. He had a hard time more so than anybody else. The devil claimed that when Job was confronted by human sufferings and discomfort, he would give up his faith, become pessimistic, and think life is unfair. These are the most natural responses to human sufferings. However, in the case of Job, the devil says that he is a man of faith because he stayed faithful to God, even to the point that he lost everything except the value and meaning of his personal life and that of all humankind.

In the second reading from the 1st Corinthians, St. Paul attests to the fact that what gives meaning to his life is the mission given to him to preach the gospel. Preaching the good news and sharing it with others intensifies our freedom from condemnation through Jesus Christ. St. Paul had done the unusual interior work of hearing, believing and preaching what he had heard about Jesus.

The gospel, taken from St. Mark, continues to present the healing miracles of Jesus as He works hard to establish the Kingdom through preaching, healing, expelling demons, and good deeds. He liberates men from all sorts of diseases that impede them from doing their usual tasks. Let us recall the actions of Jesus in this gospel pericope.

First, Jesus went to Simon Peter’s house with Andrew, James, and John after a long day’s ministry. Probably, Jesus wanted to pay a visit and to have private time with the family of Peter. However, Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed because of a fever. Jesus told her to rise, and He grasped her hands. The gesture of the Lord seizing her hands speaks of His resurrection, giving her back something good for her well-being.

Second, after sunset, many people brought to Him many who were ill with various diseases or were possessed by demons. They were cured both physically and spiritually and were made well. He spends most of the day healing the sick, and they keep coming and coming while Jesus keeps on serving the people. However, Jesus felt the need to rest in prayer.

Third, the next morning, before anyone else was up, he went to a deserted place to communion with the Father. Simon and other disciples were looking for Him. Upon finding Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Jesus responded, “Let us go to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.” This is the urgency of Jesus’ mission to evangelize and to minister to other people as well. Jesus could have hidden and disappeared from those people who are waiting for Him, and yet He simply wants to serve and respond to ease the misery of the people for He is merciful.

Today we are all reminded that when Jesus extends His healing hands upon us, we must not stay in bed. We are called to do something for the Lord and His Church to serve Him in gratitude. Just as Job and the mother-in-law of Peter and Paul had received from God another chance of knowing the meaning of their lives and the “purpose of their beings,” they never lost HOPE. They became remarkable people and, in the end, they remained humble servants of God.

I would like to say that in no inch of a doubt, God works through you and me. Let us faithfully follow Jesus’ style of service, commitment, and prayer so that we may resist our tendency of seeking self-satisfying arrogance and conceit. We pray that the graciousness of our inspiring life, and the growth given and sustained by God through the words we have heard and the Sacraments we have received, will form us to be an integral part of Christ’s Body.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Quinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año B

• Trabajo 7:1-4, 6-7
• Salmo 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
• 1 Corintios 9:16-19, 22-23
• Marcos 1:29-39Hoy es el Quinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B. Estamos invitados a reflexionar sobre las lecturas de hoy, que guían a todos a comprender la situación de nuestra vida, no importando la situación que nos encontremos, simplemente reconocemos el poder de Dios. Dios nos sana de tantas maneras que, según el Salmo 147, dice: “El Señor sana a los quebrantados de corazón y venda sus heridas”. Por lo tanto, después de ser sanados, hay una tarea que debemos hacer, y es nuestra disposición a colaborar para avanzar al reino de Dios.La primera lectura, tomada del libro de Job, es la historia de un hombre con mucho sufrimiento en su vida. Él pasó momentos difíciles. El diablo afirmó que cuando Job se enfrentara al sufrimiento y la incomodidad humana, abandonaría su fe, se volvería pesimista y pensaría que la vida era injusta. Éstas son las respuestas más naturales al sufrimiento humano. Sin embargo, en el caso de Job, el diablo dice que es un hombre de fe porque se a mantenido fiel a Dios, hasta el punto de perderlo todo menos el valor y el sentido de su vida personal y de toda la humanidad.En la segunda lectura de 1 Corintios, San Pablo da testimonio de que lo que da sentido a su vida es la misión que le ha sido encomendada de predicar el evangelio. Predicar la buena nueva y compartirla con otros intensifica nuestra libertad de condenación a través de Jesucristo. San Pablo había realizado el inusual trabajo interior de escuchar, creer y predicar lo que había oído acerca de Jesús.El evangelio, tomado de San Marcos, continúa presentando los milagros curativos de Jesús mientras trabaja duro para establecer el Reino mediante la predicación, la curación, la expulsión de demonios y las buenas obras. Libera a los hombres de toda clase de enfermedades que les impiden realizar sus tareas habituales. Recordemos las acciones de Jesús en esta perícopa evangélica.

  Primero, Jesús fue a la casa de Simón Pedro con Andrés, Santiago y Juan después de un largo día de ministerio. Probablemente, Jesús quería hacer una visita y tener un tiempo privado con la familia de Pedro. Sin embargo, la suegra de Simón estaba en cama debido a la fiebre. Jesús le dijo que se levantara y le tomó las manos. El gesto del Señor tomando sus manos habla de su resurrección, devolviéndole algo bueno para su bienestar.

  En segundo lugar, después de la puesta del sol, muchas personas le trajeron muchos que padecían diversas enfermedades o estaban poseídos por demonios. Fueron curados tanto física como espiritualmente y sanaron. Pasa la mayor parte del día
  sanando a los enfermos, y ellos siguen viniendo y viniendo mientras Jesús sigue sirviendo al pueblo. Sin embargo, Jesús sintió la necesidad de descansar en oración.

  En tercer lugar, a la mañana siguiente, antes de que nadie se levantara, fue a un lugar desierto para tener comunión con el Padre. Simón y otros discípulos lo buscaban. Al encontrarlo, le dijeron: “Todos te buscan”. Jesús respondió: “Vayamos a las aldeas cercanas para predicar también allí”. Ésta es la urgencia de la misión de Jesús de evangelizar y ministrar también a otras personas. Jesús podría haberse escondido y desaparecido de aquellas personas que lo esperan y, sin embargo, simplemente quiere servir y responder para aliviar la miseria del pueblo porque es misericordioso.

  Hoy se nos recuerda a todos que cuando Jesús extiende sus manos sanadoras sobre nosotros, no debemos quedarnos en la cama. Estamos llamados a hacer algo por el Señor y Su Iglesia para servirle con gratitud. Así como Job, la suegra de Pedro, y Pablo habían recibido de Dios otra oportunidad de conocer el significado de sus vidas y el “propósito de sus seres”, nunca perdieron la ESPERANZA. Se convirtieron en personas extraordinarias y, al final, siguieron siendo humildes servidores de Dios.

  No tengo duda de que Dios obra a través de ti y de mí. Sigamos pues, fielmente el estilo de servicio, compromiso y oración de Jesús. Para que podamos resistir nuestra tendencia a buscar ser servido, la arrogancia y la vanidad. Oramos para que la gracia de nuestra vida inspiradora y nuestro crecimiento dado, sean sostenidos por Dios a través de las lecturas que hemos escuchado. Y los Sacramentos que hemos recibido puedan formarnos para ser una parte integral del Cuerpo de Cristo.

  Dios los bendiga

  P. Arlón, osa

• 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9

Luke 8:4-15

Today we are celebrating Sexagesima Sunday, one of the Sundays as part of the pre-Lent program of the Extraordinary Form. This is important to warn us of the need to place ourselves well disposed to the time allotted for us by the Church as we prepare to enter the season of Lent.

From the epistle today taken from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul narrates to us an account of his labors and sufferings. This was not to boast about the struggles he had been through, but to give honor to God, who enabled him to endure for the cause of Christ. St. Paul’s account of his dangers and hardships, his endurance, perseverance, and diligence paid off compared to all the trials due to his faithfulness to the Lord. Here we learn from St. Paul that by our utmost diligence and devoted preparation during this pre-Lent observance, we strictly keep the truth of being disciplined and increased mortifications intended, not only for ourselves, but by our constant desire to glorify God who would bless us forevermore. In our journey, we succumb to temptations and perils of all kinds, weariness, hunger and thirst, in fasting and nakedness, but St. Paul was being told that anything he asked to be removed from his life won’t be removed for the strength God gives is sufficient and enough. We remember that His grace is always enough, and it’s the power which finds its expression through our weakness. When we are weak, we always sense more deeply the mighty power of God. Our resilience like St. Paul comes from our reliance and trust in God, in spite of the circumstances we are going through, that enable us to walk stronger in faith. It is because of God who holds us and keeps us from falling. In this you must greatly rejoice!

The gospel today taken from St. Luke 8: 4-15 is the parable of the Seed and the Sower. We are familiar from our own hearing about this parable, and sometimes, we always presume that the homily of the priest is just recycled ideas and teachings. I hope that this gospel will lead you to an inspiring message to intensify your spiritual life and love for the Word of God.

In this parable today, Jesus is the Sower, the Word of God is the seed, and the different types of soil are the dispositions of every human heart. We need to think about it more deeply.

Jesus told His disciples, “To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.” After these words, Jesus explains the parable. There is a hidden spiritual meaning and moral lessons embedded within His parable. Those who were not disciples of the Lord may look and see but not perceive, hear, and understand. They must be totally on board and on the same page as Jesus. Oftentimes, they were lost regarding the mysteries of Christ’s life. I believe this may also contribute to the understanding of Jesus depending on the level of faith.

Jesus today still challenges us to comprehend His Word within the context of our lives and our own human experiences. God continues to sow the Seed in our hearts so that it may grow. How do we prepare our hearts for God’s continuous action of sowing the seeds? What He wants is to sow the Seed on fertile soil in order to produce more good fruits. Jesus wants us to look beyond with more understanding and ability to relate and often depending on our faith in Him. Are we willing to apply the Word of God to our life?

I want to share the wonderful thought of Henri Nouwen, who was a Dutch Catholic priest who lived from 1932 to 1996. He was also a professor at Harvard, a writer, and a renowned theologian. Fr. Henri says that we need to create an atmosphere in which we can listen to God through His Word in the scriptures, and an atmosphere of silence and solitude that is conducive to deep thought without distractions. He further describes this in his book entitled, “The Way of the Heart,” saying, “not speaking, but listening to God and solitude as, not being alone, but being alone with God.” It is indeed true that we need to find the right time and place to contemplate His Word which is critical to cultivate it to grow in the fertile soil of our hearts.

St. Augustine wrote these words in his Confession, “With Your word You pierced my Heart, and I love you.” (10,vi.8) He was gratefully thankful to God for the opportunity with Him in that moment. Thus, we need to open our heart in prayer so that the Holy Spirit guides us through the grace of understanding His Word as we read and reflect upon it. Take a deeper chance to receive God’s unique revelation in order to grow in virtue and holiness and to become a better and faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us condition our soil to make it more fertile. Jesus shows us the way!

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Deuteronomy 18:15-20
• Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
• 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
• Mark 1:21-28

Today is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. Many people are calling me about someone who is being possessed. The evil spirit continues to disturb our sanity, especially our existence here on earth, with no one who can heal and have the authority to expel demons and the unclean spirit except Jesus, who demonstrates his teaching and his power over them. Do we really know and abide in the Truth of Who Jesus is?

I invite you to reflect on the readings today which I believe would change our views and our lives. Our own way to accept the Lord’s teaching and power is not from learning new ideas we heard and read, but by being immersed in a personal encounter with God through events that impacted our lives to make decisive change.

In the first reading today from the book of Deuteronomy, we hear from Moses’ warning about listening to sorcerers and other kinds of fortune tellers. The people of that time did these things. Moses tells them that a prophet will arise from their ranks to speak on God’s behalf, and they should listen to him. This prophet will speak for their guidance because his authority comes from God validated by how he lives and his lifestyle. They must listen to him, and false prophets shall not be tolerated because if he isn’t the prophet who speaks God’s message then, as a result, he would be punished. How do people know he is a real prophet? Moses gives a concrete reply. If he is a fake prophet, all his uttered messages would fail, and the true prophet would amaze the people because what he has spoken would be fulfilled.

In the second reading from the 1st letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Paul is not giving a treatise here on marriage and singleness. He is giving pastoral advice to a particular spiritual guidance for the people of Corinth, but he is doing so while drawing from true and godly principles. Again, this is what we need to discern if we are going to apply this passage to our own lives and earn new insights when St. Paul says, “I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.”

The gospel from St. Mark narrates to us about a man with an unclean spirit. The demons listen to Jesus and obey. There are action moments in the gospel on which we need to reflect in order that we are moved to carry us through deeper contemplation.

First, the unclean spirit cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” In this story, the unclean spirit identifies the miracle working Jesus and His authority to defeat this evil which is the enemy of God.

Second, the man further said, “I know who you are – the Holy One of God.” This evil spirit reveals Jesus’ identity. The unclean spirit makes a surprising declaration about the presence of the eternal Good, Jesus the Holy One of Israel. However, Jesus’ desires to announce His real identity for the good of His followers must not come from the unclean spirit, but from the righteousness He does and from the Father’s will glorifying Him as the Son of God, the Messiah.

Third, Jesus said, “Quiet! Come out of him.” In the later gospel of Mark, we encounter the story about Jesus and His disciples crossing to the other side of the lake when strong winds rock their boat. The disciples were frightened while Jesus was asleep. Jesus woke up and commanded the sea and the wind to calm down when He uttered, “Quiet”. He calls out to nature with such authority and power. This is an event to recognize Jesus as being the Anointed. Hence, Jesus is calling out the unclean spirit not to continue attacking the man. The unclean spirit was no match for Jesus’ commands and words, and by His mere words the evil spirit vanished; He had destroyed the evil one.

Fourth, people were amazed and asked one another, “What is this?” A new teaching with authority. The people are amazed at this, and the voice of Jesus is powerful. This is a manifestation of God’s creative love who wishes to restore our human dignity and be freed from the domination of the unclean spirit of possession and disruption. People who witnessed made statements of faith saying, “He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

Today, this gospel reveals to us the message of St. Mark who wants to evidently pass the truth to accept Jesus as the Son of God, Savior and Lord. I do understand that the fullness of God’s revelation is to follow the death and resurrection of Jesus. This story allows us to accept Who Jesus is, One Who speaks with new authority and power.

We admire the teachings and miracles of Jesus. But do we really abide in the truth about Who He is? Jesus is not merely a “good man,” but the Holy One of God. He is more than a prophet of the olden times, for He is God. May our personal encounter and experience of His presence be our consistent way to fully accept this Truth, that would change our lives. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón: Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B

• Deuteronomio 18:15-20
• Salmo 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
• 1 Corintios 7:32-35
• Marcos 1:21-28

Hoy es el cuarto domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B. Mucha gente me llama por alguien que está siendo poseído. El espíritu maligno continúa perturbando nuestra cordura, especialmente nuestra existencia aquí en la tierra. Nadie puede sanar y tener autoridad para expulsar demonios y espíritus inmundos excepto Jesús quien demuestra su enseñanza y su poder sobre ellos. ¿Sabemos y permanecemos en la Verdad de Quién es Jesús?

Los invito a reflexionar sobre las lecturas de hoy, que creo cambiarían nuestros puntos de vista y nuestras vidas. Nuestra manera de aceptar la enseñanza y el poder del Señor no es aprendiendo nuevas ideas que escuchamos y leemos, sino al estar inmersos en un encuentro personal con Dios a través de eventos que impactaron nuestras vidas para lograr un cambio decisivo.

En la primera lectura de hoy del libro de Deuteronomio, escuchamos la advertencia de Moisés acerca de escuchar a los hechiceros y a otro tipo de adivinos. La gente de aquella época hacía estas cosas. Moisés les dice que un profeta se levantará de sus filas para hablar en nombre de Dios y que deben escucharlo. Este profeta hablará para guiarlos porque su autoridad proviene de Dios, validada por su forma de vivir y su estilo de vida. Deben escucharlo, y los falsos profetas no serán tolerados porque si él no es el profeta que habla el mensaje de Dios, entonces sería castigado. ¿Cómo sabe la gente que él es un verdadero profeta? Moisés da una respuesta concreta. Si es un falso profeta, todos sus mensajes pronunciados fracasarían, y el verdadero profeta asombraría al pueblo porque lo que ha dicho se cumpliría.

En la segunda lectura de la primera carta de San Pablo a los Corintios, Pablo no da aquí un tratado sobre el matrimonio y la soltería. Está dando consejos pastorales y una guía espiritual particular para el pueblo de Corinto, pero lo hace basándose en principios verdaderos y piadosos. Nuevamente, esto es lo que necesitamos discernir si vamos a aplicar este pasaje a nuestras propias vidas y obtener nuevas ideas cuando San Pablo dice: Les digo todo esto para bien de ustedes. Se lo digo, no para ponerles una trampa, sino para que puedan vivir constantemente y sin distracciones en presencia del Señor”.

El evangelio de San Marcos nos habla de un hombre con espíritu inmundo. Los demonios escuchan a Jesús y obedecen. Hay momentos de acción en el evangelio sobre los que debemos reflexionar para sentirnos impulsados a llevarnos a una contemplación más profunda.

Primero, el espíritu inmundo gritó: “¿Qué tienes con nosotros, Jesús de Nazaret? ¿Has venido a destruirnos? En esta historia, el espíritu inmundo identifica a Jesús hacedor de milagros y su autoridad para derrotar este mal que es enemigo de Dios.

En segundo lugar, el hombre dijo: “Sé quién eres: el Santo de Dios”. Este espíritu maligno revela la identidad de Jesús. El espíritu inmundo hace una sorprendente declaración sobre la presencia del Bien eterno, Jesús el Santo de Israel. Sin embargo, el deseo de Jesús de anunciar Su verdadera identidad para el bien de Sus seguidores no debe provenir del espíritu inmundo sino de la justicia que Él hace y de la voluntad del Padre glorificándolo como el Hijo de Dios, el Mesías.

En tercer lugar, Jesús dijo: “¡Silencio! Sal de él”. En el evangelio posterior de Marcos, encontramos la historia de Jesús y sus discípulos cruzando el otro lado del lago cuando fuertes vientos tostaron su bote. Los discípulos se asustaron mientras Jesús dormía. Jesús se despertó y ordenó al mar y al viento que se calmaran, a lo que Él pronunció: “Tranquilo”. Él llama a la naturaleza con tanta autoridad y poder. Este es un evento para reconocer a Jesús como el Ungido. Por lo tanto, Jesús llama al espíritu inmundo, los mandatos y palabras de Jesús no tienen rival para que el espíritu maligno continúe atacando al hombre. Por sus simples palabras había desaparecido y destruido al maligno.

Cuarto, la gente estaba asombrada y se preguntaban unos a otros: “¿Qué es esto? Una nueva enseñanza con autoridad. La gente está asombrada de esto y la voz de Jesús es poderosa. Esta es una manifestación del amor creativo de Dios que desea restaurar nuestra dignidad humana y ser liberados del dominio del espíritu inmundo, de posesión y perturbación. Las personas que presenciaron, hicieron declaraciones de fe diciendo: “Él manda incluso a los espíritus inmundos, y ellos le obedecen”.

Hoy, este evangelio nos revela el mensaje de San Marcos que quiere transmitir la verdad para aceptar a Jesús como Hijo de Dios, Salvador y Señor. Entiendo que la plenitud de la revelación de Dios seguirá a la muerte y resurrección de Jesús. Esta historia nos permite sugerir Quién es Jesús, que habla con una nueva autoridad y poder.

Admiramos las enseñanzas y milagros de Jesús. Pero ¿permanecemos en la verdad acerca de quién es Él? Jesús no es simplemente un “buen hombre” sino el Santo de Dios. Él es más que un profeta de los tiempos antiguos, porque Él es Dios. Nuestro encuentro y experiencia de Su presencia sea nuestra manera consistente de alcanzar plenamente y aceptar esta Verdad, eso cambiaría nuestras vidas. “Si hoy escuchas su voz, no endurezcas el corazón”.

Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlón, osa

• 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:1-5
• Matthew 20:1-16

Last Sunday we were celebrating the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany, and today we celebrate the Septuagesima. Most probably we are scratching our head understanding the liturgical cycle of the Extraordinary Form. In the Novus Ordo, we have the “Ordinary Time” which the Latin calls it the “Time after Epiphany” and “Time after Pentecost”.

Septuagesima begins today. The liturgical seasons in the 1962 Extraordinary Form include a Pre-Lent season called Septuagesima. It is an extra season and the shortest season in the 1962 Extraordinary Form. The word Septuagesima is Latin for “seventieth.” Pre-Lent consists of 3 Sundays with particularly numbered names, Septuagesima (seventieth), Sexagesima (sixtieth), and Quinquagesima (fiftieth). These numbers do not really reflect that number of days before Easter, as their names suggest. The titles seem to be arbitrarily chosen, since the 1st Sunday in Lent was called Quadragesima (fortieth), and the three Sundays before Quadragesima were named after the nearest round figures, 70, 60 and 50.

The Septuagesima season was to help people into Lent as a kind of a preconditioning program. Liturgically, it looked like Lent because the Gloria and Alleluia are no longer allowed, which set the tone of penitential with a purple vestment that I am wearing. It is more interesting to be more familiar with the Liturgical calendar and the season we are celebrating.

Aside from knowing the liturgical calendar, there is another event that we are looking forward to, the 58th Super Bowl game this year in Las Vegas. To win in any sports game, there must be teamwork, determination, sacrifice, discipline, perseverance and fitness. We heard from St. Paul how “athletes exercise self-control in all things” (1 Cor 9:25) to get a victory. It is necessary also for all Christians, exercising our faith, that we should strive to be like that victor. The medal is not the prize we aim for, but the imperishable reward in heaven is what we strive for. Our aim is proclaiming the good news to others (V.23) because we are motivated to heed His call. We cannot do this alone but as brothers and sisters bound up in community of faith brought together by God. According to St. Paul, the journey of faith is not easy but demands us to endure and to await the reward of eternal life which is immaterial, yet richly present now.

The gospel today from St. Matthew narrates to us a parable of the Tenants. At the very end of the parable, the owner of the vineyard uttered these words, “Are you envious because I am generous? So, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (vv.15-16). There are moments that we are part of the story as laborers, who worked the whole day. However, the way the master of the vineyard deals with us on how he would pay us was always under his discretion, unless we have agreed upon an amount for the service we render. Here are some reflective points to ponder:

First, the logic of God is incomprehensible and unfathomable. Our human mind is different from Jesus’ point in this parable. We focus on what is fair and what we deserve and obscure our minds to understand God’s generosity. Please get rid of that mindset. When you work harder than someone else that does not mean you will get paid more. Sometimes other workers receive an insurmountable amount of tips from the customers.

Second, this parable also has a deeper spiritual meaning just like Jesus‘ other parables which connote rich teachings about life and our relationship with God. Think of the many occasions when we are late coming workers being called and hired, and yet we have earned an enormous amount of grace and mercy from God than the others.

Third, sometimes we earned it or perhaps it was given gratis or free! But some will still not be satisfied because they think they won’t have enough. We must be always grateful to God. There are many stories in the gospel that surprise us because the undeserving ones become recipients of God’s grace. God’s grace overturns everything which we think isn’t aways fair. But none of us have earned it.

I don’t always share jokes. I seldom do that but when it is related to the gospel I do because I want to put emphasis on my point. So here it is. A man dies and meets Peter at the pearly gates of heaven. Peter said, “Before I accept you to enter heaven, please convince me and present 300 point credits of good things you have done on earth.” “Well,” the man said, “I was married once and faithful to my wife and family.” Peter said, “You earned 3 points. What else did you do?” The man continued, “I was a hardworking person who treated my co-workers fairly with love and respect.” Peter said, “Acceptable good work, you get another 2 points.” He continued with St. Peter’s encouragement and replied again, “I earned lots of money and I regularly pay my church tithing, but I thought it was enough without being charitable to those who are in need and to my pastor.” St, Peter said, “Good but you earned only 2 points because of your neglect and being unmindful to becoming generous. You only need two hundred and ninety-three more.” The man responded, “What?” Peter says, “yes!” Then, the man continued, “But that’s impossible! It will only be by the grace of God that anyone earns that many points.” Peter says, ‘You are correct!” and immediately opens the pearly gates to let him enter the kingdom of heaven.

St. Augustine says, “Too late have I loved you, O Beauty and so ancient and so new. Too late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside myself and there I sought you! In my weakness, I ran after the beauty of the things you have made. You were with me, and I was not with you.” (Confession book 10: Chapter XXVII)

It is true, too late have we loved God. We cannot imagine how God is generous to give us the grace we don’t really earn. No one deserves what God has given us; we’ve only to realize that at the end of our journey we receive a full day’s wage. This is what the parable reminds us all.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

• Jonah 3:1-5, 10
• Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
• 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
• Mark 1:14-20

Today is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. St. Mark wrote the shortest gospel compared to the other evangelists; however, if we concentrate with full attention to St. Mark’s writings, he wrote with many details of every event. I believe that St. Mark has in mind to present to his readers the life of Jesus so that we may appreciate the continuous invitation of God for us that requires an affirmative response.

In the first reading from the book of Jonah, God called Jonah and sent him to Nineveh to announce repentance and faith in God, or they would all be destroyed. Jonah did as God wants for his people to repent. The whole city of Nineveh repented, and God changed His mind and spared the city and its inhabitants from destruction.

In the 2nd reading from the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul says, “The present form of this world is passing away.” Paul wants to emphasize that the coming of Christ has already effected a change in our lives. The values and attitudes in accordance with our faith in Christ must become operative as believers. Our old attitudes toward everyday life and its affairs must be transformed; thus St. Paul is calling us to a radical understanding of our relationship to the world. This new attitude is to benefit ourselves, those close to us, and all those whom Jesus saves to make the world more as God desires it.

The gospel of St. Mark narrates to us the beginning of the ministry of Jesus in Galilee. Jesus announces the “kingdom of God is at hand,” which is demanded of us to heed the call to repentance, a change of heart or “metanoia.”

Today, we are invited to reflect on God’s faithfulness to us in his unconditional love that keeps constantly, but gently, inviting us towards Him with the necessary response: To repent, to believe and to embrace the coming of the kingdom of God. There are three important progressions of Jesus’ calling:

First, St. Mark has mentioned that John was arrested. John directly put direct consciousness to his rightful place being the precursor of the Lord. The evangelist Mark presented Jesus as the “Son of God,” and led us to focus attentively to Jesus, the Savior of the world.

Second, this gospel proceeds to the first two Apostles, Simon and Andrew, called by Jesus. They were attracted quickly to His call, to be His friends and brothers to form a new way of fishing, not about their former lifestyle of fishing, but becoming “fishers of men.”

Third, the third call and response was made to two more brothers, James, and John. Those fishermen did not have the luck to get more catch, not having been too successful that day and instead they mend their nets to clean up. They heard the invitation of Jesus, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” Without question or further thought, they surrendered everything to follow Jesus. Why did they respond?

From Mark’s gospel, he introduces to us about Jesus, as the Son of God. Jesus himself is the message and the messenger for us to believe in the Goodnews that He is bringing. Those apostles who heard Jesus’ invitation is the very life that only God can give. This invitation has been granted to us by God to assure us of the fullness of “Life” which is continually coming to us and inviting response from us.

Let us be open to move into a deeper relationship that includes the promise that God won’t ever abandon us. When we respond to God’s calling, our trials and difficulties won’t end; instead we become true to ourselves, being ready to grow into a person whose values and commitment perfectly reflect as redeemed children of God.

May the words of Jesus fill the emptiness of our souls so that we respond to be well-informed and committed disciples of Jesus.

God bless you.

Fr. Arlon, osa

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El Dictado del Corazón
Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, año B

• Jonás 3:1-5, 10
• Salmo 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
• 1 Corintios 7:29-31
• Marcos 1:14-20

Hoy es el tercer domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año B. San Marcos escribió el evangelio más corto en comparación con los demás evangelistas, sin embargo, si ponemos atención en las escrituras de San Marcos, él escribió mas detalladamente los eventos, San Marcos tenía en mente presentar a sus lectores la vida de Jesús para que apreciemos la continua invitación de Dios para nosotros que requiere una respuesta afirmativa.

En la primera lectura del libro de Jonás, Dios llamó a Jonás y lo envió a Nínive para anunciar el arrepentimiento y la fe en Dios o todos serían destruidos. Jonás hizo lo que Dios quería que su pueblo se arrepintiera. Toda la ciudad de Nínive se arrepintió, y Dios cambió de opinión y salvó a la ciudad y a sus habitantes de la destrucción.

En la segunda lectura de la primera carta a los Corintios, Pablo dice: “La forma actual de este mundo está pasando”. Pablo quiere enfatizar que la venida de Cristo ya ha producido un cambio en nuestras vidas. Los valores y actitudes acordes con nuestra fe en Cristo deben hacerse operativos como creyentes. Nuestras viejas actitudes hacia la vida cotidiana y sus asuntos deben ser transformadas, por eso San Pablo nos llama a una comprensión radical de nuestra relación con el mundo. Esta nueva actitud es para beneficiarnos a nosotros mismos, a quienes están cerca de nosotros y a todos aquellos a quienes Jesús salva para hacer el mundo más como Dios lo desea.

El evangelio de San Marcos nos narra el inicio del ministerio de Jesús en Galilea. Jesús anuncia que “el reino de Dios está cerca”, lo que exige que prestemos atención al llamado al arrepentimiento, a un cambio de corazón o “metanoia”.

Hoy, estamos invitados a reflexionar sobre la fidelidad de Dios hacia nosotros en su amor incondicional que nos mantiene constante pero gentilmente invitándonos hacia Él con la respuesta necesaria: arrepentirnos, creer y abrazar la venida del reino de Dios. Hay tres progresiones importantes del llamado de Jesús:

Primero, San Marcos mencionó que Juan fue arrestado. Juan puso directamente la conciencia directa en el lugar que le corresponde siendo el precursor del Señor. El evangelista Marcos presentó a Jesús como el “Hijo de Dios” y nos llevó a centrarnos atentamente en Jesús, el Salvador del mundo.

En segundo lugar, este evangelio continúa hasta los dos primeros apóstoles, Simón y Andrés, llamados por Jesús. Rápidamente se sintieron atraídos por Su llamado, a ser Sus amigos y hermanos para formar una nueva forma de pescar, no por su antiguo estilo de vida de pesca, sino por convertirse en “pescadores de hombres”.

En tercer lugar, el tercer llamado y respuesta se hizo a dos hermanos más, Santiago y Juan. Esos pescadores no tuvieron la suerte de conseguir más pesca, ya que no tuvieron mucho éxito ese día, sino que remendaron sus redes para limpiarlas. Escucharon la invitación de Jesús: “Síganme y haré de ustedes pescadores de hombres”. Sin dudar ni pensar más, entregaron todo para seguir a Jesús. ¿Por qué respondieron?

En el evangelio de Marcos, nos presenta a Jesús, como el Hijo de Dios. Jesús mismo es el mensaje y el mensajero para que creamos en la Buena Nueva que Él trae. Aquellos apóstoles que escucharon la invitación de Jesús son su propia vida que sólo Dios puede dar. Esta invitación nos ha sido concedida por Dios para asegurarnos la plenitud de la “Vida” que continuamente llega a nosotros e invita a nuestra respuesta.

Estemos abiertos a avanzar hacia una relación más profunda que incluya la promesa de que Dios nunca nos abandonará. Cuando respondemos al llamado de Dios, nuestras pruebas y dificultades no terminarán; en cambio, nos volvemos fieles a nosotros mismos y estamos listos para convertirnos en personas cuyos valores y compromisos se reflejan perfectamente como hijos redimidos de Dios.

Que las palabras de Jesús llenen el vacío de nuestras almas para que respondamos a ser discípulos de Jesús bien informados y comprometidos.
Dios los bendiga.

P. Arlón, osa

• Romans 12:16-21
• Matthew 8:1-13

Today is the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany. When we completely go through all the liturgical festivities, we tend to be strong in our faith. The grace from God is enormously flowing to recreate us according to His own image. May God, who is merciful and kind, slow to anger and abundant in love reflect the way we treat others.

The first reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans narrates to us how Paul continues to call for the good behavior for those who receive the renewal of mind and spirit as their rightful response to God’s mercies. Paul exhorted them to, “Think the same thing toward one another; do not think highly of yourself, but associate with the lowly; do not become proud in your own estimation.” Paul echoes Jesus in calling attention to love as the key moral norm for God’s people. He assumes that his audience knows that they are to love; he exhorts them to make their love for each other genuine. Paul begins his exhortation to “let love be genuine” (verse 9), and then shows what this love looks like. Generally, true love is summed up like this: Hate what is evil and cling to what is good (v9b). Those who have offered their bodies as a living sacrifice and renewed their minds may discern what is good (vv1-2).

In this context, Paul’s purpose is to press Christians to live in the light of God’s mercies, not future vindication. Our primary job is to show love, not to act as judge. Paul showed what happens when people pass judgment on others: they end up falling under judgment themselves (Romans 9:12:21). We must show mercy by tending to enemies in need. By treating opponents like family, then opponents are shamed (Proverbs 25:21-22a). The image of the heaping of burning coals on the enemy’s head suggests making him red in the face. In doing so, we overcome evil with good, showing that if we “cling to what is good,” we are expressing the definition of true love.

The gospel from St. Matthew reminds us that Jesus Christ has authority over everything; thus we are to live our lives in total submission to His will. It is only through humble resignation to Him that we can experience the healing power we seek from Him. This is what happened to both the leper and the Centurion. There are two stories in the gospel today.

First, Jesus heals and transforms a leper. In the Book of Leviticus, lepers were considered “unclean” because leprosy was a feared disease. They were considered marginalized people, people in the periphery. They were outsiders. However, a leper came to Jesus with humble expression of faith, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” It was from his heart, expressing his genuine need and dependence on Jesus. That was an act of poverty in spirit. Jesus responded, “I WILL. BE THOU MADE CLEAN.” Jesus’ gesture touching the leper was “a contagious touch of His holiness.” He was not afraid of being infected with the leprosy. The leper was made clean.

This leper who was an outsider taught us to be direct in asking Jesus about any of our needs because of his humility and faith. Also, the world today needs Jesus’ touch. It is through us that we effect any kind of change to other people who are suffering from various problems and diseases by leading them to Christ. Authentic Christian service communicates love through contact and identification with others. It requires our loving tender touch.

Second, Jesus welcomed the request of the Roman Centurion to heal his servant. The Centurion felt unworthy to even have the Lord come into his house. However, his profession of faith amazed Jesus when he uttered these powerful words, saying, “Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should enter under my roof; but only say the word and my servant shall be healed,” This is a clear recognition of Christ’s authority, which is sufficiently enough to effect the healing he expected without being present. This is a strong affirmation of his faith as compared to any other person. Being a Roman Officer, he did not impose or demand something, but he came in a spirit of humility and confidence in the Lord for his servant. One good thing, the centurion threw himself on God’s mercy. Hence, Jesus made this Centurion a model of faith for us.

Some of us lack humility and genuine faith. Jesus today reminds us that for self-righteous people it is difficult to experience a miracle of healing. Proud people seem to ignore that we need Jesus’ healing and intervention and fail to perceive our own unworthiness. Relying too much on personal effort, prayer may or may not happen because there is no genuine recognition of God’s presence and grace which we desperately need.

May we learn from these two stories Christian values and acknowledge our own dependence upon God as believers and followers! Let us be open to be healed and to heal others, especially the least among us.

God bless you!

Fr. Arlon, osa