Staying Focused / Mantengase Enfocada

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 »

Repentance and Love / Arrepentimiento y Amor

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 »

WHAT ARE YOU REALLY LOOKING FOR?

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 »

Holy Family Sunday – Domingo de la Sagrada Familia

Posted by Maria Ruiz on 12/31/17

  Holy Family Sunday  Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3     Hebrews 11:8,11-12,17-19     Luke 2:22-40

    A humble family comes into the great Temple of Jerusalem to dedicate their first born son.  While they’re there two revered senior members of the community speak wondrous things about the child and give glory to God.  ... Read More »

Use What God Has Given to You / Use lo que Dios te Ha Regalado

Posted by Maria Ruiz on 11/21/17

 Use What God Has Given to You

Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31     1 Thessalonians 5:1-6     Matthew 25:14-30

  In today’s Gospel parable we see people who have received gifts from God not all the same ones or the same amount, but all have received talents.  This affords us the opportunity to reflect ... Read More »

Setting a Good Example / Dar un Buen Ejemplo

Posted by Maria Ruiz on 11/03/17

Setting a Good Example

Malachi 1:14-2:2b,8-10 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9,13 Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus gives a stinging rebuke to the leaders of the people in today’s Gospel reading. He tells the people to respect their authority, but not to follow their example. This gives us an opportunity to reflect on the ... Read More »

ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE/ INCENTIVAR UN ENTENDIMIENTO MÁS PROFUNDO DE LA ESCRITURA

Posted by Maria Ruiz on 10/06/17

Encourage Deeper Understanding of Scripture

Now we hear the second of the three parables we indicated last Sunday: the murderous vinedressers. The parable is a good example of how violence generates more violence. The farmers who rented the vineyard thought that killing the servants of the owner was the ... Read More »

Struggling to say “YES” / Luchando por decir “SI”

Posted by Maria Ruiz on 9/28/17

Struggling to say “YES” Ezekiel 18:25-28     Philippians 2:1-11     Matthew 21:28-32

We see two sons responding to their father’s request today, one just says “yes” without actually doing what the father asks and the other initially says “no” but has a change of heart and ends up doing his father’s ... Read More »

Do it Now Before it’s Too Late/ Hagalo Ahora Antes Que Sea Muy Tarde

Posted by Maria Ruiz on 9/28/17

Do it Now Before it’s Too Late Isaiah 55:6-9     Philippians 1:20-24,27     Matthew 20:1-16

So many people fall into the trap of procrastination.  We say, “Oh, not now, I’ll take care of it later.”  Then “later” never arrives or it’s too late.  Isaiah tells his listeners to seek God now ... Read More »

FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER/SISTER FROM YOUR HEART / PERDONA A TU HERMAN@ DE TU CORAZON

Posted by Maria Ruiz on 9/15/17

Forgive your brother/sister from your heart

An essential part of our Christian living is forgiveness of others.  Just as God is patient and forgives us, so we must be with others.  At the conclusion of this Sunday’s Gospel we hear that God will not forgive us if we don’t ... Read More »