21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“Do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him.” I recall and remember so clearly and vividly, a particular day so wonderfully full of graces, blessings, healings, teachings, ministry and prayer, as is every day with the Lord. The day was wonderfully grace-filled and fulfilling. Being so wonderfully tired and spent, so spiritually filled and exhausted, I entered a late night holy hour to thank God for so wonderfully using me throughout the day and to please permit me the profound grace of climbing into his tender arms and hold me like a child in his mighty gentle embrace. As I rested in the Lord, I heard the voice of an angel ask, “what do you know?” As I pondered the question, I understood the question as what did I know to be true, eternal and could never change. So I said, I know the Lord loves me. That he has always loved me and he will never stop loving me. I heard, “good, what else do you know?” Well, I said, I know the Lord has forgiven me and has helped me to forgive myself and to forgive others. Once again, I heard, “good what else do you know?” I said I know my Lord has never abandoned me. He never has. He never will. Once again, I heard, “good, what else do you know?” Finally, I said, I know the Lord has always provided for me. He always has. He always will. The Lord said, “Good, never forget what you know. It will get you through every situation.” I think of how many times I have forgotten the beautiful consoling and inspiring words the Lord graciously shared with me that day. Every time I recall God’s words, I find comfort, strength and peace. Every time I forget, I suffer difficulty, hardship, confusion. Why is it so easy for us to forget the graces and blessings but so easily remember and recall so vividly the hurts and pains, the sufferings and challenges, the trials and the past? We even say we can forgive but can never forget. Thank God that he forgives and forgets and will never stop loving and forgiving us. He will always provide for us and never leave us alone. The enemy’s hope is to get us to forget God and his amazing grace and undeniable love. He makes us recall and remember the past, the embarrassments and the humiliations. Never forget what you know. God is love and he will never stop loving you.

Reflections from the Heart – October 15, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - October 15, 2023
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!” The word ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 8, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - October 8, 2023
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Let me now sing of my friend.” As years pass, we seem ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 1, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - October 1, 2023
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.” ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 24, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - September 24, 2023
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Intimate ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 17, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - September 17, 2023
Twenty-fourthSunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.”  Scripture ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 10, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - September 10, 2023
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 3, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - September 3, 2023
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.” What is ...

Reflections from the Heart – August 27, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - August 27, 2023
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your ...

Reflections from the Heart – August 20, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - August 20, 2023
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo "Lord, help me."  Prayer is such a simple thing, really and we ...

Reflections from the Heart – August 13, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - August 13, 2023
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for his word.”  I ...

Reflections from the Heart – August 6, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - August 6, 2023
Transifuguration of the Lordby Fr. Ivan Olmo Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are ...

Reflections from the Heart – July 30, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - July 30, 2023
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo "Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes."  The word honest ...