I can’t believe we’re already talking about Lent, can you? In two weeks, we’ll celebrate Ash Wednesday, so I think this is a good opportunity to start making a game plan for Lent. So where do we begin? Ok, before we begin, don’t get hung up on vocabulary. I’m a Catholic and I’m going to … Continue reading "19 Preparing for Lent"

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1: Jeremiah 17:5-8 Psalm: Psalm 1:1-4, 6 Reading 2: 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20 Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26 A few months ago, a friend came over for a visit. One day we decided to check out a nearby mountain. Now it was a very foggy and overcast day, but we … Continue reading "18 What Are My Priorities"

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary TimeReading 1: Is 6:1-2A, 3-8Psalm: Ps 138:1-5, 7-8Reading 2: 1 Cor 15:1-11Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into!” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say this in pastoral counseling. Hola! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal and I want to reflect on our readings … Continue reading "17 I Didn’t Know What I was Getting Myself Into!"

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 Psalm: Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15,17 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 Gospel: Luke 4:21-30 What happens when people can’t be bothered by the Truth? In the first reading, God warns Jeremiah that the people will fight against him. Well that news can’t be easy to … Continue reading "16 How Will You Respond to God’s Love"

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1 – Nehemiah 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm – Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15 Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 Gospel – Luke 1:1-4 China 2008. A mother gives birth to baby girl. The baby has a severe cleft lip and palate. She’s so little and so fragile. She can’t … Continue reading "15 We Are One Body"

2nd Sunday ordinary time Mass Readings Reading 1 – Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm – Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10 Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Gospel – John 2:1-11 Today we’re going to talk about the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. In today’s Gospel, we hear the familiar story about the Wedding Feast at Cana. In … Continue reading "14 Our Gifts"

Hello! Today we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Today’s Gospel comes from Luke 3:15-16, and 21-22. There is so much going on in today’s readings! We can’t possibly cover them all in the few minutes we have together, but hopefully this podcast will serve as a good supplement to what you … Continue reading "13 The Baptism of the Lord"

This great feast of epiphany should be an epiphany for each of us – a manifestation when we want to recommit to having an encounter with Jesus Christ; an encounter that leads to transformation.

I suggest to you that many families live the image of the Holy Family. In our families, we walk together from birth through life and eventually to the grave. It’s not always easy and frankly it’s not always fun. But we face the challenges of life out of the love we have for one another. May the Holy Family inspire each of our families to selflessly walk together come what may.

Our hope is in the Lord, (Psalm 121:2). Jesus is the Joy we celebrate at Christmas!