“So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Matthew 24:44) The major theme for this first Sunday of advent focuses on the upcoming of our Lord Jesus Christ into our world and lives. Today the Church begins a new liturgical year in which we are invited to reflect again on God’s economy of salvation through the life of Jesus Christ, beginning with His birth within the human history, the mystery of the Incarnation (Christmas) and ending with His final victory and glorification as the King of the Universe (Christ the King). Today is the “Sunday of Anticipation and Hope” in God and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, through whom God has promised to save and redeem His people. Today we begin our yearly re-enactment of the drama of our salvation. It is our yearly pilgrimage through the scenes and events of our history of salvation applied to our lives. Advent is a time of preparation, anticipation and longing for the coming of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “arrival.” Its corresponding Greek word is “parousia,” which is commonly used for the “second coming of Christ,” that has three different perspectives: (1) the physical nativity, the historical birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, (2) the reception of Christ in the heart of the believer that we welcome him into all areas of our lives, and (3) the eschatological Second Coming of the “Son of Man” as our judge at the end of time. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us .... [click to continue]

" También ustedes estén preparados, porque a la hora que menos lo piensen, vendrá el Hijo del hombre". (Mateo 24:44) El tema principal de este primer domingo de adviento se centra en la venida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo a nuestro mundo y nuestras vidas. Hoy la Iglesia inicia un nuevo año litúrgico en el que estamos invitados a reflexionar nuevamente sobre la economía salvífica de Dios a través de la vida de Jesucristo, comenzando con Su nacimiento dentro de la historia humana, el misterio de la Encarnación (Navidad) y terminando con Su victoria y glorificación final como Rey del Universo (Cristo Rey). Hoy es el “Domingo de Anticipación y Esperanza” en Dios y en Su Hijo unigénito, Jesucristo, a través de quien Dios ha prometido salvar y redimir a Su pueblo. Hoy comenzamos nuestra recreación anual del drama de nuestra salvación. Es nuestra peregrinación anual por los escenarios y acontecimientos de nuestra historia de salvación aplicada a nuestra vida. El Adviento es un tiempo de preparación, anticipación y anhelo por la venida de Nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo. La palabra “Adviento” proviene de la palabra latina “adventus”, que significa “llegada”. Su palabra griega correspondiente es “parusía”, que se usa comúnmente para la “segunda venida de Cristo”, que tiene tres perspectivas diferentes: (1) la natividad física, el nacimiento histórico de Jesús en Belén, (2) la recepción de Cristo en el corazón del creyente que lo acojamos en todas las áreas de nuestra vida, y (3) la Segunda Venida escatológica del “Hijo del Hombre” como nuestro juez al final de los tiempos. Desde los primeros días de la Iglesia, la gente ha estado fascinada por la promesa de regreso de Jesús. Pero las lecturas de las Escrituras durante .... [Haz click para continuar]

You and your family are invited to the 91st annual Procession and Mass to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego in East L.A. on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will gather in front of Our Lady of Solitude Parish, 4561 E. Cesar Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, where the procession will start at 10:30 a.m. The Mass celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez will start at 1 p.m. at East Los Angeles College Stadium, 1301 Cesar Chavez Ave., Monterey Park, after the end of the one-mile procession. Themed this year “Holy Mary of Guadalupe, mother of life and peace, pray for us,” the annual Procession and Mass was established in East L.A. in 1931 by Mexican Catholics who fled persecution by the Mexican government during the Cristero War. For information about the celebrations in East L.A., and to contribute with donations to this year’s Procession and Mass, please visit lacatholics.org/guadalupe. -- ESPANOL -- Todos están invitados a la 91 Procesión y Misa anual en honor a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y San Juan Diego en el Este de Los Ángeles el domingo 4 de diciembre de 10:30 a. m. a 4 p. m. La procesión está programada para comenzar a las 10:30 a. m. frente a la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, 4561 E. Cesar Chavez Avenue, Los Ángeles 90022, con representantes de diferentes grupos parroquiales y ministerios en toda la Arquidiócesis, incluidos los grupos Guadalupanos. La Misa celebrada por el Arzobispo José H. Gomez inicia a la 1 p.m. en el Estadio del Colegio del Este de Los Ángeles, 1301 Cesar Chavez Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754. Para obtener información sobre la Procesión y Misa Anual de 2021 en honor a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y San Juan Diego, y para contribuir con donaciones a la Procesión y Misa de este año, visite lacatholics.org/guadalupe.

“Y le decía a Jesús: "Señor, cuando llegues a tu Reino, acuérdate de mí". Jesús le respondió: "Yo te aseguro que hoy estarás conmigo en el paraíso" (Lucas 23:42-43). El tema principal de esta Solemnidad de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Rey del Universo, se centra en la realeza universal y eterna de nuestro Salvador. La celebración de hoy finaliza nuestro presente año litúrgico y nos prepara para entrar en el próximo con el Adviento, la venida de nuestro Señor, que verdaderamente es el Rey de Reyes, y el Señor de Señores, el Rey más grande del universo. La celebración de la Solemnidad de Cristo Rey es una incorporación relativamente reciente al calendario litúrgico occidental. El Papa Pío XI la instituyó en 1925 con su carta encíclica "Quas Primas", en respuesta al creciente nacionalismo y secularismo del mundo y en el contexto de la Cuestión Romana no resuelta (es decir, la disputa política entre el Gobierno italiano y el Papado en 1861 a 1929). La fiesta de hoy tenía como objetivo recordar a los gobiernos totalitarios de Mussolini, Hitler y Stalin que Jesucristo es el único Rey Soberano Verdadero, y traer el reinado de Cristo y los valores cristianos de vuelta a nuestras vidas, sociedad y arena política. El Papa Pablo VI la hizo Solemnidad en 1969 para desafiarnos a ver a Cristo como nuestro .... [Haz click para continuar]

“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43). The major theme for this Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe focuses on the universal and eternal kingship of our Savior. Today’s celebration finalizes our present liturgical year and prepares us to enter the next one with Advent, the coming of our Lord, who truly is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, the greatest King of the universe. The celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King is a relatively recent addition to the western liturgical calendar. Pope Pius XI instituted it by his 1925 encyclical letter “Quas Primas,” in response to growing nationalism and secularism of the world and in the context of the unresolved Roman Question (i.e. the political dispute between the Italian Government and the Papacy from 1861 to 1929). Today’s feast was intended to remind the totalitarian governments of Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin that Jesus Christ is the only True Sovereign King, and to bring Christ’s rule and the Christian values back into our lives, society and political arena. Pope Paul VI made it a Solemnity in 1969 to challenge us to see Christ as our King in everyone, especially in .... [Click to continue]

All are invited to join Archbishop José H. Gomez and other religious leaders as we remember the souls of all our brothers and sisters who have died experiencing homelessness this past year. Since January 2022, a reported 1,035 people have died on the streets of Los Angeles experiencing homelessness. Join the Archbishop on Dec. 21, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels to acknowledge and honor their lives. For more information contact the Office of Life Justice and Peace at (213) 637-7477.

“Si se mantienen firmes, conseguirán la vida." (Lucas 21:19). El tema principal de este 33º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario se centra en el “fin de los tiempos”, el “Día del Señor”, la “Segunda Venida de Jesús” en gloria como nuestro juez, Señor y Salvador al final del mundo y nos advierte sobre los últimos días, nuestra propia muerte y el gran juicio que enfrentaremos. Este tema del tiempo del fin puede asustar a algunas personas y causar mucho miedo e inquietud. Sin embargo, todos los que estamos vivos no podemos evitar encontrarnos con la realidad de nuestra muerte. Recordé cuando el mundo se dirigía al año 2000, algunas personas estaban preocupadas por los problemas del Y2K de que la falla de la computadora causaría parálisis en todo el mundo. Los aeropuertos, las terminales de ómnibus, las estaciones de tren, los teléfonos celulares, las computadoras, las estaciones de TV y radio, los sistemas de defensa nacional, etc., todo se volvería defectuoso y causaría el caos. Algunas personas predijeron que grandes calamidades como grandes terremotos, poderosas tormentas, gigantescos tsunamis y severas sequías, grandes inundaciones como diluvios ocurrirían de nuevo, y que dos tercios de la población mundial perecerían. De nuevo, también recordé cómo la gente predecía el fin del calendario maya, que fue el 21 de diciembre de 2012, sería el Fin del Mundo, porque después de esa fecha no había más registro en el calendario maya. Todos perecerían. Ante el Fin del Mundo la gente reaccionó diferente. Algunas personas se asustaron mucho, se desilusionaron y se volvieron pesimistas. Se encerraron en su sótano con algunas provisiones de comida y agua potable pensando que podrían sobrevivir a las próximas catástrofes mundiales. Otros festejarían y beberían como si no hubiera un mañana. Renuncian a sus trabajos y otras obligaciones para divertirse y obtener el último momento de "diversión" o "alegría" en la vida tanto como puedan antes de morir. Sin embargo, la Iglesia, a través de las enseñanzas del Evangelio y de Jesucristo, pide a nosotros .... [Haz click para continuar]

“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” (Luke 21:19) The major theme for this 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on the “end of time,” the “Day of the Lord,” the “Second Coming of Jesus” in glory as our judge, Lord and Savior at the end of the world and warns us about the final days, our own death, and the great judgment that we will face. This end time theme may frighten some people and cause much fear and unease. However, all who are alive cannot avoid meeting the reality of our death. I remembered when the world was turning to the year 2000, some people were worried about the Y2K problems, that the computer glitch would cause paralysis to the entire world. The airports, the bus terminals, the train stations, the cellular phones, the computers, the TVs and radio stations, the national defense systems, etc., all would malfunction and cause chaos. Some people predicted enormous calamities, such as huge earthquakes, powerful storms, gigantic tsunamis and severe drought, big floods would deluge or diluvium would happen again, and that two-thirds of the world population would perish. Again, I also remember how people predicted the end of the Mayan calendar, which was on Dec. 21, 2012, would be the End of the World, because after that date there was no more record on the Mayan calendar. All would perish. Facing the End of the World people reacted differently. Some people became very frightened, disillusioned and pessimistic. They locked themselves in their basement with some food provisions and drinking water thinking they could survive the upcoming world catastrophes. Others would party and drink like there is no tomorrow. They quit their jobs and other obligations to party and get the last moment of “fun” or “joy” in life as much as they could get before they die. However, the Church through the teachings of the Gospel and Jesus Christ asks us to .... [Click to continue]

St. Monica Catholic Community hosts its 43rd Annual Thanksgiving Feast from 1-4 p.m. on Nov. 23. The Dinner and Clothing Boutique will be held at 701 California Ave., Santa Monica. All are welcome! For details on how to volunteer or donate, go to stmonica.net/thanksgiving. For questions please contact Delis Alejandro, Pastoral Associate, at delis@stmonica.net

“Porque Dios no es Dios de muertos, sino de vivos, pues para él todos viven." (Lucas 20:38). El tema principal de este 32º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario se centra en la realidad de nuestra vida después de la muerte, lo que implica la relación entre nuestra vida presente en este mundo y la posibilidad de una vida futura de gloria en el cielo o de castigo y sufrimiento en el infierno. En otras palabras, se trata de la resurrección de los muertos que algunas personas no creen en ella o la rechazan. Sin embargo, la “resurrección” de los muertos es la base central de nuestra fe cristiana, el dogma indiscutible y la esencia de nuestra fe, nuestra confianza en Dios y Señor y Salvador Cristo Jesús, sin la cual no seremos auténticos “cristianos”. La resurrección o anastasis es el concepto de volver a la vida después de la muerte, una creencia escatológica estándar en las religiones abrahámicas. Como concepto religioso, se usa en dos aspectos distintos: (1) de todas las almas juntas resucitadas como se explica en la escatología cristiana, o (2) de una resurrección individual singular de los muertos al final del mundo. Además, continúa el debate sobre la resurrección, ya sea (1) una resurrección espiritual con un cuerpo espiritual al Cielo, o (2) una resurrección material con un cuerpo humano restaurado. Mientras que la mayoría de los cristianos creen que la resurrección de Jesús de entre los muertos y la ascensión al cielo fue en un cuerpo material, algunos creen que fue espiritual. San Pablo escribe específicamente sobre la .... [Haz click para continuar]

“And he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” (Luke 20:38) The major theme for this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on the reality of our life after death, which implies the relationship between our present life in this world, and the possibility of a future life of glory in heaven or of punishment and suffering in hell. In other words, it is about the resurrection of the dead in which some people do not believe or some even reject. However, the “resurrection” of the dead is the central tenet of our Christian faith, the indisputable dogma and essence of our faith, our trust in God and Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, without which we will not be authentic “Christians.” Resurrection or anastasis is the concept of coming back to life after death, a standard eschatological belief in the Abrahamic religions. As a religious concept, it is used in two distinct respects: (1) of all souls together resurrected as explained in the Christian eschatology, or (2) of a singular individual resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. Furthermore, the debate of the resurrection .... [Click to continue]

Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries (CCM) will host a Vigil Prayer Service at San Fernando Mission Cemetery & Mission Hills Mortuary in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Nov. 1, All Saints Day. (To offer Mass intentions for your beloved family members or friends at St. Clement, please use the special envelopes at the front of the church, write their names and return the envelopes to us. Fr. Joseph will place those special envelopes on the altar and all Masses in November will be offered for them.) The CCM celebration will also be returning in-person at Santa Clara Cemetery & Mortuary in Oxnard on Saturday, Nov. 5. This year’s celebrations will offer a unique opportunity for families to enjoy a Catholic tradition that unites faith, prayer and cultural heritage to honor the faithful departed. The celebration on Nov. 5 at Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard. (2370 North H St. 93036) will begin at noon with a Mass presided by Fr. Leon Hutton, Episcopal Vicar for the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region. Both events will include a procession plus children’s crafts, snacks and entertainment, including a special performance by Ballet Folklorico Ollin and the award-winning all-female mariachi ensemble Las Colibrí. Sacred art specialist Lalo Garcia and a group of artists from Southern California will exhibit their art pieces. The pilgrim images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego will be present at the celebration at Santa Clara Cemetery. San Fernando Mission Cemetery & Mission Hills Catholic Mortuary in Mission Hills (11160 Stranwood Ave., Mission Hills, CA 91345) will open its doors at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, All Saints Day. Festivities will begin with a welcome at 6:45 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Vigil Service presided by Bishop Marc Trudeau, Auxiliary Bishop for the San Pedro Pastoral Region. The service will include traditional altars in honor of the departed, one especially built by 8th graders of North Hollywood’s St. Charles Borromeo School to honor the students and teachers killed in the Uvalde massacre. The evening celebration will also feature large-scale projections, and a special performance by Mariachi Charros de Oro de Adrian Cruz, by the Aztec dancers group Azteca Águilas del Tepeyac, and the Ballet Folklorico Ollin. Dia de Los Muertos art will also be on display. The celebrations are free, open to the public, and fun for the entire family. They will also include blessing of the altars in honor of the departed, built with a special message by different parish groups and ministries, and the cemeteries’ patrons. This year, Santa Clara Cemetery staff will include a large-scale altar to celebrate the life of their patrons, deceased personnel and members of their communities. Free food samples and refreshments will be provided by Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries.

“But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance.” (Wisdom 11:23) The major theme for this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on the benevolent and forgiving mercy of God for sinners and the response of repentance and conversion that God expects from us. God’s mercy is infinitely superabundance to all. He is always ready to reach out to us to save us, to rescue or redeem us, to repair our broken relationship with Him and with one another, to bring us back to the original state of grace, joy, peace, goodness and love that we first enjoyed in the paradise, the garden of Eden. Such is the desire and plan of God with humanity, his creation, the economy of our salvation. Our true wisdom then, is to recognize and appreciate God’s infinite compassion and mercy, to acknowledge and to repent for our sins, to have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to cooperate with God’s grace in the Holy Spirit, to re-establish a rightful relationship with Him, to obtain the eternal life. Such a teaching is also mentioned in St. Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle.” She indicates that the first step of our prayer life and the practice of our Christian discipleship is to gain self-knowledge. In other words, she wants us to acknowledge the reality of our sinful state and the marvelous grandeur of God who resides at the center of the “castle” (i.e. the soul). There is no need for us to .... [Click to continue]

“Te compadeces de todos, y aunque puedes destruirlo todo, aparentas no ver los pecados de los hombres, para darles ocasión de arrepentirse." (Sabiduría 11:23). El tema principal de este 31 domingo del Tiempo Ordinario se centra en la misericordia benevolente y perdonadora de Dios por los pecadores y la respuesta de arrepentimiento y conversión que Dios espera de nosotros. La misericordia de Dios es sobreabundante e infinita para todos. Él siempre está listo para acercarse a nosotros para salvarnos, rescatarnos o redimirnos, para reparar nuestra relación rota con Él y entre nosotros, para traernos de vuelta al estado original de gracia, gozo, paz, bondad y amor que disfrutamos primero en el paraíso, el jardín del Edén. Tal es el deseo y el plan de Dios con la humanidad, su creación, la economía de nuestra salvación. Nuestra verdadera sabiduría, entonces, es reconocer y apreciar la infinita compasión y misericordia de Dios, reconocer y arrepentirnos de nuestros pecados, tener fe en Jesucristo como Señor y Salvador, cooperar con la gracia de Dios en el Espíritu Santo, restablecer una relación legítima con Él, para obtener la vida eterna. Tal enseñanza también se menciona en el “Castillo Interior” de Santa Teresa de Ávila. Ella indica que el primer paso de nuestra vida de oración y la práctica de nuestro discipulado cristiano es ganar conocimiento propio. En otras palabras, quiere que reconozcamos la realidad de nuestro estado pecaminoso y la maravillosa grandeza de .... [Haz click para continuar]

“En aquel tiempo, Jesús dijo esta parábola sobre algunos que s tenían por justos y despreciaban a los demás" (Lucas 18:9). El tema principal de este 30 domingo del tiempo ordinario se centra en la virtud de la humildad y el arrepentimiento como condiciones necesarias y características de todas nuestras oraciones, motivadas y guiadas por la gracia infinita y compasiva de Dios que nos ha sido dada para nuestra salvación, sin la cual no podremos ser salvo y perdonado por Dios. Todas las Sagradas Escrituras nos advierten de los pecados de la justicia propia, que también se llama santurronería, sentenciosidad y actitudes de “más santas que tú.” Es un sentimiento o demostración de superioridad moral (generalmente petulante), vanagloria derivada de la sensación de que las creencias, acciones o afiliaciones de uno son de mayor virtud que las de la persona promedio, y que podemos ganar nuestra salvación por nuestras buenas obras. sacrificios, autosuficiencia y esfuerzo, crítica y falta de respeto hacia los demás, especialmente descuidando o ignorando la situación de los pobres y necesitados. Las personas farisaicas suelen ser hipócritas e intolerantes con las opiniones y los comportamientos de los demás y no están interesadas en buscar un estándar desinteresado u objetivo del bien y el mal, independientemente de cómo interactúan con otras personas. Ciertamente, las personas con una actitud y un pensamiento .... [Haz click para continuar]

“Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.” (Luke 18:9) The major theme for this 30th Sunday in ordinary time focuses on the virtue of humility and repentance as the necessary conditions and hallmarks of all our prayers, motivated and guided by God’s compassionate and infinite grace given to us for our salvation, without which we will not be saved and forgiven by God. All Holy Scriptures warn us the sins of self-righteousness, which is also called sanctimoniousness, sententiousness and holier-than-thou attitudes. It is a feeling or display of (usually smug) moral superiority, vainglory derived from a sense that one's beliefs, actions, or affiliations are of greater virtue than those of the average person, and that we can gain our salvation by our good deeds, sacrifices, self-sufficiency and efforts, critical of and disrespecting others, especially neglecting or disregarding the plight of the poor and the needy. Self-righteous individuals are often hypocritical and intolerant of the opinions and behaviors of others and being uninterested in seeking an unselfish or objective standard of right and wrong, independently of how they interact with other people. Certainly, people with such a wrongful attitude and thinking will not .... [Click to Continue]

The St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles will host the 40th Annual Red Mass of Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 5:30 p.m. Archbishop José H. Gomez will be the celebrant and Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, will be the homilist at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels., 555 W. Temple St. Los Angeles. The Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez, who serves as the Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, will deliver closing remarks after the Mass, followed by a hosted reception with members of the clergy, bench, and bar. Lector for the Mass will be the Honorable Rozella A. Oliver, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California. First celebrated in Paris in 1245, the Red Mass is a tradition celebrated annually at the opening of the Judicial Year, significantly that of the U.S. Supreme Court each October. Judges and lawyers attend in a body, joined by public officials and law faculty members. The Red Mass received its name from the Celebrant's vestments in red, and the Lord High Justices robes of brilliant scarlet. In Los Angeles, this annual tradition is sponsored by STMSLA. Federal and State judges, as well as local public officials, normally attend the Mass and lead the entrance procession.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles invites healthcare professionals to celebrate the caring service you provide to our community. The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles on October 23, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. Catholic healthcare professionals and all who provide the beautiful ministry of care, are our reasons to celebrate this annual Mass each October. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has reminded us how vital our Catholic healthcare providers are, as they provide healing in mind, body and spirit in their work and ministry. This year the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will honor all healthcare professionals: physicians, nurses, chaplains, physical therapists, mental health caregivers, chiropractors, receptionists, dietary staff, lab workers, and administrators. All healthcare professionals and those involved in the care ministry, such as visiting the sick and homebound, are invited to have their hands blessed during this special Mass. Please RSVP to catholichealthcare@la-archdiocese.org or 213-637-7655.

“Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.” (Luke 18:1) The major theme for this 29th Sunday in ordinary time focuses on the necessary virtue of persistence or constancy in prayer, trusting God completely as we pray. The virtue of persistence in prayer is challenging to many people today because many people have a mistaken idea about what prayer is and how to pray. Many people have the misconception that prayer is to say a “magical spell” or a “preset of words” like an incantation that, once those words are pronounced, the magic will happen immediately. And if events or things in our lives have not changed according to our expectations, then, we did not “pray” correctly or failed to “follow” the correct procedure, and have jeopardized the desired outcome. Prayer comes from the Latin word “precaria” or “oratio” which means 'petition.' It is an invocation, supplication, intercession that seeks to communicate with God for the purpose of petition, thanksgiving or praise. St. Teresa of Avila explains that prayer is “nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.” For St. Teresa of Avila, prayer is not about saying magical words or phrases, but it is about relationship. In other words, how do we deepen our personal relationship, faithful trust, confidence in God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in all aspects of our lives. Persistent prayer means .... [Click to Continue]

“En aquel tiempo, para enseñar a sus discípulos la necesidad de orar siempre y sin desfallecer, Jesús les propuso esta parábola" (Lucas 18:1). El tema principal de este 29 domingo del tiempo ordinario se centra en la virtud necesaria de la persistencia o constancia en la oración, confiando plenamente en Dios mientras oramos. La virtud de la persistencia en la oración es un desafío para muchas personas hoy en día porque muchas personas tienen una idea equivocada sobre qué es la oración y cómo orar. Mucha gente tiene la idea errónea de que la oración es decir un "hechizo mágico" o un "preajuste de palabras" como un encantamiento que una vez que se pronuncian esas palabras, la magia sucederá de inmediato. Y si los eventos o cosas en nuestras vidas no han cambiado de acuerdo con nuestras expectativas, entonces, no “oramos” correctamente o fallamos en “seguir” el procedimiento correcto que ha puesto en peligro el resultado deseado. Oración proviene de la palabra latina “precaria” u “oratio” que significa ‘petición'. Es una invocación, súplica, intercesión que busca comunicarse con Dios con el propósito de petición, acción de gracias o alabanza. Santa Teresa de Ávila explica que la oración “no es más que un íntimo compartir entre amigos; tomar tiempo con frecuencia para estar a solas con Aquel que sabemos que nos ama”. Para Santa Teresa de Ávila, la oración no se trata de decir palabras o frases mágicas, sino de relación. En otras palabras, cómo profundizamos nuestra relación personal, confianza fiel en Dios y nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo en todos los aspectos de nuestras vidas. La oración persistente significa .... [Haz click para continuar]