Posted by Maria Ruiz on 6/07/18
Ophidiophobia Genesis 3:9-15 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35
A recent survey shows that 51% of people’s number one fear is… snakes (ophidiophobia). I know people who not only refuse to be near or touch a snake but will cover their eyes or change the TV station if there’s a ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 6/07/18
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Exodus 24:3-8 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16,22-26
We celebrate today the great feast celebrating the tremendous gift that leads us to holiness: the Eucharist. The celebration of the Eucharist is a fundamental aspect of our Catholic faith and today ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 5/25/18
Holy Trinity Sunday
Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40 Romans 8:14-17 Matthew 28:16-20
As we re-enter Ordinary Time we pause this Sunday to reflect on and celebrate our faith in the holy Trinity, one of the most fundamental doctrines of Christianity. May our reflecting on the oneness of the Triune God empower us to ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 5/16/18
“I have called you friends”
Acts 10:25-25,34-35,44-48 1 John 4:7-10 John 15:9-17
What is your image of Jesus? Do you see him as a judge? As a king on a regal heavenly throne? Is your image of him as your shepherd? As your Lord? There are various images ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 4/07/18
Transformed by Resurrection Faith Acts 4:32-35 1 John 5:1-6 John 20:19-31
In the first reading today we see how the lives of the people of the Early Church were transformed by their faith in the Risen Lord: united in heart and mind, everyone supported each other, the idea ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 3/26/18
Holy Drama
Isaiah 50:4-7 Philippians 2:6-11 Mark 14:1-15:47
Beginning this Palm Sunday we enter into a special time of holy drama: welcoming crowds, suspicion, betrayal, a sacred meal, love, condemnation, suffering, broken hearts, death and, finally, hope and the empty tomb.
Let us maintain throughout this week ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 2/20/18
Staying Focused
Genesis 9:8-15 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:12-15
For many of us it is very easy to be distracted. We may start out focused on a project that lies before us and then something happens and we do not complete our mission. This is exactly what happens to ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 1/17/18
Repent to be Filled with Love
Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20
This week the entire Catholic Church is celebrating “The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25.”
Jesus’ proclamation in today’s gospel; “Repent and believe in the Gospel” is like that of ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 1/08/18
Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6 Matthew 2:1-12
As we begin this new year we can ask ourselves this Epiphany-themed reflection question: What am I really looking for? Wealth can be nice, but there’s no guarantee that the search for and the attainment of wealth will be peace to your heart, ... Read More »