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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »