28th Sun in Ord Time C

Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR•October 10, 2019

2 Kgs 5:14-17; 2 Tim 2:8-13

Lk 17:11-19.

Leprosy even today evokes fear and some sense of repulsion. In the time of Jesus it was most feared because of its visible effects in the skin of the person and also because it was contagious; one could easily be contaminated. Thus, the leper had to cry out “unclean” or ring a bell so no one would come near. Lepers had to live in isolated places away from others. Thus one did not only have the feeling of loneliness but also being rejected by everyone. The Gospel explicitly says that the ten lepers hailed Jesus from a distance.

In the 1^st reading, Naaman expected Elisha the prophet to come out and pray over him, and command the leprosy to leave him; but Elisha simply gave orders that he go and bathe in the Jordan river seven times. As the highest ranking officer in the army of Aram he hated being ordered. But at the insistence of his officers he relented and obeyed. His leprosy was thus healed and his skin became fresh as of a child. Obedience meant humility and faith in the words of the prophet; he must really be a man of God. He returned to Elisha to express his thanks and gave a gift which the prophet refused to accept because the power to heal was a gift freely given by God and must be freely given out to others. Naaman realizes that only the God of Israel has healed his leprosy, then he must be the true God and no other. He is the God to be worshiped. Why bring two cart loads of soil from Israel? It was the belief that each god has his own territory and people. The land of Israel belonged to Yahweh thus if Naaman had to worship Yahweh he had to worship him on his own soil. This was his way of expressing his gratitude.

When the Samaritans were exiled in Assyria, they intermarried with foreigners and were no longer the pure blooded descendants of Abraham. Thus they were shunned by the other tribes. St. Luke in his Gospel exalts the Samaritan as foreigner, because the Greeks for whom he wrote his Gospel were non-Jews. Only St. Luke gives us the parable of the Good Samaritan, and now the Samaritan in this story of the ten lepers, where the faith of this foreigner has brought him salvation. Faith, not the Jewish blood, not being descendant of Abraham in the flesh, brings salvation to this Samaritan, so will faith bring salvation to the Greek gentiles for whom St. Luke wrote his Gospel. Jesus has healed his leprosy, then God must be in Jesus, and to him he gives thanks in a loud voice. He fell at the feet of Jesus in an act of worship just as Naaman would worship no other God but Yahweh on his own soil.

From these two foreigners, we who are also non-Jews, can learn that the best way to express our gratitude is to render worship to the Lord in thought, word and action.

In Isaiah 56, there is an important message for us non-Jews, or foreigners: v. 3, “Let not the foreigner say, … ‘The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.’ … v. 6, The foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ministering to him, loving the name of the Lord, and becoming his servants, all who keep the Sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, v. 7, Them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their holocausts and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 66:18, “I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. … v.21, Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the Lord. …v. 23 All mankind shall come to worship before me, says the Lord.”

The healing of Naaman and the Samaritan leper was just an introduction to the universal call to salvation, that God wants all men to be saved. In Acts 10, St. Peter opened the way by baptizing the Roman centurion Cornelius and his whole household. Later, Paul and Barnabas went out from Antioch to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles throughout the Roman empire. The best way to express our gratitude for the gift of faith in the Gospel is to heed the Word of God and put it into practice in thought, word and deed. -0-

Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR

Priest/Religious/Bible Professor of the Order of Augustinian Recollects in the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.

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< 2023 >

May

S	M	Tu	W	Th	F	S
	1 All day May 1, 2023 DAY OF THE RELIGIOUS BROTHERS ENCOUNTERS IN FORMATION Via Zoom Conferencing Inclusive Dates: May 1-15, 2023 (Attention: Friars assigned in the seminaries and vocation promoters) BIRTHDAY Sis. Evelyn Leongas, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (2010-2023) Fray Mark Ryan Prado DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Mamerta Filipino, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	2 All day May 2, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Monica Legaspi, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Teresita Castro, SAR (Urbiztondo Chapter) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (2009-2023) Fray Jose Prudencio Castillo Fray Hector Gonzales Fray Giovanni Gil Magbojos Fray Alexus Mansueto Fray Joseph Cyprian Panaligan Fray Jess Marco Sanchez (2015-2023) Fray Virgilio Calalang, Jr. Fray Julius James Tinapao Fray Cristito Rey Tepace DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Margarita Ponce, AR +Sis. Eulalia Kabajar, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	3 All day May 3, 2023 PART 2 (COLLOQUIA ON OAR CHARISM) via Zoom Conferencing / Sponsored by REAP BIRTHDAY Fray Roland Cepe Fray Invenzor Melgazo Sr. Myrna Gimena, AR Sis. Alejandra Arnaiz, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Jovencia Savilla, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Bro. Samuel Pascua, SAR (Cebu Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Felicitas Lucinario, AR +Sis. Lourdes Tupas, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)	4 All day May 4, 2023 PRAYER INTENTION: FOR VOCATIONS BIRTHDAY Sis. Elvira Ignacio, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Sis. Lydia Rivera, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Jasmin Parreño, SAR (Bacolod Chapter) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (1991-2023) Fray Sixto Bitangjol Fray Reynaldo Jaranilla Fray Antonio Zabala, Jr. (2008-2023) Fray Ken Oliver Lao DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Maria Abellanosa, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Bro. Remedio Alugar, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	5 All day May 5, 2023 BIRTHDAY Br. Don Carlos Fernandez (postulant) Sr. Araceli de Vera, AR Sis. Dalia Santos, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Myrna Montejo, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Bro. Danielito David Diesta, SAR (Manila Chapter) Ronald Capulong (RAY-Urbiztondo)	6 All day May 6, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Bendicta Rodriguez, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Ma. Libbie Badenas (Brooke’s Point Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Angustias del Divino Amor, AR
7 All day May 7, 2023 5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER BIRTHDAY Fray Leopoldo Estioko Bro. Elmar Malvar, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Julieta Liagao, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Sis. Urbana Panit, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Nathaniel Jade Riego (RAY-Cavite) Lourdes Isabella Corpuz (RAY-Cebu)	8 All day May 8, 2023 PRIOR GENERAL’S FRATERNAL VISIT TO PANAMA Inclusive Dates: May 8-23 BIRTHDAY Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista, D.D. (Diocese of Imus) Fray Dionisio Cachero Bro. Wilson Sy, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Sis. Victoria Baluran, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Erlinda Reyes, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Gloria Arroyo, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Fe Violeta Taring, SAR (Valencia Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Norberto Vingson, SAR (Talisay Chapter)	9 All day May 9, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Teresita Caballero, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Sis. Alain Gallego, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Gina Fernandez, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Kenneleen Slam Alvarado (RAY-Talisay) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Fortunato de la Rosa, SAR (Miranila Chapter) +Bro. Alfredo Panelo, SAR (Baguio Chapter) +Sis. Isabel Ursal, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	10 All day May 10, 2023-May 11, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Ma. Elisa Cañete, AR DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Rodolfo Dayag, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Andrea Sonsona, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	11 All day May 11, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Sylvia Selda, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Lonie Silang, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Soledad Pacita Requiena, SAR (Cebu Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Restituta Torres, AR +Sis. Emerencia Espeña, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Letecia Alemania, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Luz Kilayko, SAR (Talisay Chapter)	12 All day May 12, 2023 417TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF PIONEER RECOLLECTS IN THE PHILIPPINES (1606-2023) BIRTHDAY Fray Joseph Granada Sis. Lilibeth Layumas, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) Sis. Josefina Lanase, SAR (Talisay Chapter) Sis. Erlinda Blancia, SAR (Talisay Chapter) Sis. Loreta De Castro, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Lido Cerna (RAY-Miranila) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (2007-2023) Fray James Castelo Fray Ralph Laureen Ciceron Fray Invenzor Melgazo Fray Nestor Raras Fray Rellyric Delos Santos DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Eduviges de la Virgen del Carmen, AR +Sr. Amanda de la Virgen del Carmen, AR +Sr. Paz Reandelar, AR +Bro. Manuel Magalona, SAR (Manila Chapter)	13 12:22 PM May 13, 2023 8TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY (2015-2023) OF RECOLETOS DE TAMBO COMMUNITY PRESBYTERAL ORDINATION OF FR. ROBERTO CARLOS ALVARADO RAMÍREZ, OAR (Province of San Nicolas de Tolentino) EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF MOST REV. BOB JOHN KOROMA, D.D. (new Bishop of Makeni, Sierra Leone) BIRTHDAY Fray Jayferson Baldelovar Sr. Ma. Gracelda Bendoval, AR Sr. Loraine Lechago, OAR (Bacolod Monastery) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Aurora Sison, SAR (Miranila Chapter) +Sis. Lucrecia de la Cerna, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
14 All day May 14, 2023 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER INSTALLATION OF MOST REV. BOB JOHN KOROMA AS BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF MAKENI (Sierra Leone) BIRTHDAY Sis. Lina Guevara, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Nicolasa del Espiritu Santo, AR +Sr. Escolastica Calsado, AR +Sr. Natalia Paunil, AR +Mo. Ma. Bibiana Vendiola, AR +Sis. Bonifacia Ancajas, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	15 All day May 15, 2023 PATRONAL FIESTA – SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR PARISH, CASIAN ISLAND, TAYTAY, PALAWAN BIRTHDAY Bro. Isidore Vincent Adolfo, SAR (Bacolod Chapter) Sis. Mildred Mutia, SAR (Brooke’s Point Chapter) Sis. Corazon Treyes, SAR (Talisay Chapter) Ma. Señora Agbuya (RAY-Urbiztondo) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Gertrudes del Espiritu Santo, AR +Sis. Remedios Querubin, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Belen Rigonan, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Rosario Amores, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Concordia Dalugdugan, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)	16 All day May 16, 2023 14TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY (2009-2023) OF RECOLETOS DE CASIAN COMMUNITY BIRTHDAY Sis. Marilou Labrador, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Gracia Pil, AR +Sis. Ma. Aurora Hong, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)	17 All day May 17, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Trezsia Agpaoa, AR Sis. Glenda Arañez, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) Sis. Margarita Parro (Miranila Chapter) Mark Lorenzo Negre (RAY-Talisay) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Lucina Cabili, AR +Sis. Gliceria Enriquez, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Clarita Matanoza, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	18 All day May 18, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Precilla Loor, SAR (Cavite Chapter) Sis. Erlinda Mababangloob, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Mildred Carlos, SAR (Inagawan Chapter) Ella Jabagat (RAY-Talisay) Rose Ann Dag-um (RAY-Provincialate) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Prudencia Martinez, AR	19 All day May 19, 2023 PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE SICK BIRTHDAY Br. Nigel Cabigon (aspirant) Sr. Ma. Cecilia Bongcawel, AR Bro. Sergio Javillo, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Lolita Caabay, SAR (Brooke’s Point Chapter) En Sueno (RAY-Miranila) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Paula de la Purisima Concepcion, AR +Sis. Juliet Tano, SAR (Valencia Chapter)	20 All day May 20, 2023 BIRTHDAY Fray Don Besana Sis. Evelyn Abutin, SAR (Miranila Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Dolores Cañeda, AR +Sis. Andrea Rabillas, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
21 All day May 21, 2023 ASCENSION FIESTA – OUR LADY OF PEACE AND GOOD VOYAGE PARISH, TONDO BIRTHDAY Br. Christian Joseph Codilla (aspirant) Sr. Victoria Sandiego, AR Sr. Sulpicia Geronimo, AR Sr. Cynthia Camuta, AR Sis. Virginia Cosca, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Vicenta Abanggan, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Mary Ann Cayabyab (RAY-Urbiztondo) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Francisco Pacabis, SAR (Laray Chapter) +Sis. Celerina Velarde, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	22 All day May 22, 2023 SECTION FOR VOCATIONS MINISTRY SUMMER WORKSHOP FOR LVPs Inclusive Dates: May 22-23 Venue: University of Negros-Occidental, Bacolod City BIRTHDAY Br. Alvin Laserna Jr. (postulant) Sr. Ma. Emy Catalonia, OAR Sr. Ma. Quiteria Ragundiaz, OAR Sis. Encarnacion Campomanes, SAR (Cebu Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Potenciana Gomez, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Estela Taburada, SAR (Manila Chapter)	23 All day May 23, 2023 PRIOR GENERAL’S FRATERNAL VISIT TO CUBA Inclusive dates: May 23-30 BIRTHDAY Bro. Antonio Diesta, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Desideria Quinto, SAR (Cavite Chapter) Sis. Epetecia Tonggoy, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Alita Garcia, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Carmelina Villasor, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) Sis. Anna Cristina Sta. Marina, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Marites Regala (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Elizabeth Guzman, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) Bro. Fernando Antonio Francisco, SAR (Miranila Chapter / Trial) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Caridad de la Virgen del Rosario, AR +Sis. Eva Sy, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	24 All day May 24, 2023 DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH IN CHINA USG (UNION OF SUPERIORS GENERAL) ASSEMBLY Rome / May 24-26 BIRTHDAY Sr. Justina de Leon, AR Sr. Vicenta Climacosa, AR Bro. Jose Ely Honrado, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Christine Salabsab (RAY-Laray) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (1986-2023) Fray Eduardo Celiz, Jr. Fray Emilio Edgardo Quilatan DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Dulcessima Arellano, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	25 All day May 25, 2023 61st ANNIVERSARY OF UNO-R, BACOLOD 38th FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY (1985-2023) OF THE RECOLETOS DE MIRANILA COMMUNITY BIRTHDAY Sr. Ma. Nicholasa Sabado, AR Sr. Christine Gay Peñarejo, AR Sis. Milagros Santos, SAR (Urbiztondo Chapter) Sis. Annabella Buhayan, SAR (Laray Chapter / Trial) Ella Aiza Jabagat (RAY-Talisay) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Auxiliadora Somosot, AR +Sis. Virginia Auman, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)	26 All day May 26, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Avelina Tatel, AR Sis. Leah Espacio, SAR (Talisay Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Angustias Librea, AR +Bro. Norberto Tancino, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Camila Puyat, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Dolores Nipales, SAR (Talisay Chapter)	27 All day May 27, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Alfreda Lobitaña, AR Sis. Menchie Bautista, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Corazon Miranda, SAR (Cavite Chapter) Sis. Erlinda de Guzman, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Milagros Comahig, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Jocelyn Nengasca, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Julita Asubar, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Maila de Rivera (Baguio Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Albina Panelo, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
28 All day May 28, 2023 PENTECOST 57th WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS Theme: Speak with the heart ‘The truth in love’ (Eph 4:15) PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE MISSIONS WORLD DAY OF HUNGER CARES, BAGUIO: TRANSITIO ET FORMATIO / COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES 2:00 PM BIRTHDAY Sr. Emilia Buenaseda, AR Sis. Delia Española, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Sis. Jean Blanco, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Carmen Bolaños, AR +Sis. Esmeralda Degamo, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	29 All day May 29, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Ma. Salome Paderogo, AR Sis. Elsa Claver, SAR (Talisay Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Leontina Mira, AR	30 All day May 30, 2023 BIRTHDAY Fray Cristituto Rey Tepace Sis. Josefina Parentela, SAR (Manila Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Teresita Salada, AR	31 All day May 31, 2023 FEAST OF THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY PATRONAL FIESTA OF OUR LADY OF THE VISITATION PARISH (Pasibi East, Urbiztondo, Pangasinan) Fiesta Mass: 5:00 p.m. Presider & Homilist: Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, D.D. Other Activities: 8:00 a.m.: First Communion 9:00 a.m.: Sport Fest: Basketball and Volleyball (Recoletos Friars vs Lingayen-Dagupan Clergy; OAR Seminarians vs Parish Youth) 4:00 p.m.: Procession of Sagalas 7:00 p.m.: Street dancing BIRTHDAY Br. Nestor Lloren Jr. (postulant) Sis. Priscilla Salazar, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Almario de la Cerna, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

28th Sun in Ord Time C

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Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR

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