Posted by Maria Ruiz on 9/09/18
Ephphatha! Isaiah 35;4-7 James 2:1-5 Mark 7:31-37
A deaf person with a speech impediment is brought to Jesus. Jesus, rather dramatically, restores the person’s hearing and speech uttering the prayer/word “Ephphatha” (meaning “Be opened!).
Jesus says the same to us. What needs to be opened? Perhaps you ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 8/24/18
He never said it was going to be easy Joshua 24:1-2,15-18 Ephesians 5:21-32 John 6:60-69
Being a follower of Jesus and living the message of the Gospel is not easy. When did he ever say it was going to be easy? He actually told it that it would ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 8/18/18
WISDOM HAS BUILT HER HOUSE
Proverbs 9:1-6 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58
Holy Wisdom (“Sophia”) has constructed her house so that we, as God’s children, can be nourished to advance in the way of understanding. Sophia (a feminine image of God) seeks us out to come to her banquet of ... Read More »
Posted by Maria Ruiz on 7/02/18
REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONEWisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15 Mark 5:21-43
There is something important to the human touch. Infants need to touched lovingly and cuddled. Sometimes the best medicine is a good hug from a friend or loved one. Those who are in love hold ... Read More »
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 »