Fourth Sunday of Easter
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you.”  The word “repent” is an interesting yet important word to consider in our own individual relationship with God and our first and primary vocation as his beloved children.  Repentance is important, necessary, and referred to several times in scripture and even highlighted as the theme for penitential services and certain liturgical seasons throughout the year.  We need to repent but why and how.  We hear scripture cry out to us when John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” However, what does that mean to you when you hear the word repent?  Does repenting scare you or make you nervous or do you welcome it and are grateful to God for the gift and opportunity to repent?  We hear Jesus echo John’s words to us in scripture and even begin every Lenten Season with the call to “Repent, and believe in the gospel.”  However, what does that mean and what exactly is Jesus asking you to do?  It seems repenting is required in order to obtain the keys to unlock the doorway to heaven and enter the realm where angels get to sing, adore and play and all the holy saints of God get to worship, praise and pray.  However, do you know how to repent?  If asked to describe what repentance looks like will you be able to do so with ease or even provide a helpful definition to explain the concept of repenting off the top of your head and without using an on-line search? Can you explain the role of repentance to another with confidence or personally share the life-giving benefits derived from a life and spirit of repentance?  Repenting is significant to our daily spiritual pilgrimage leading us to the things pertaining to heaven. It is also important in those deep revealing meditative earthly moments during a desert retreat or the deep contemplative state of divine intimacy. Repentance calls for true contrition, a change of heart, amendment of life and behavior.  The invitation we receive is for one to turn away from selfish disordered desires that give rise to disobedience and rebellion in our heart towards God and to “Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.”  We repent when we feel sorrow or we can genuinely express sincere regret.  We repent when we freely say we are sorry and humbly ask for forgiveness from the heart. 

Reflections from the Heart – March 31, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - March 31, 2024
Easter Sundayby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above.”  As ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 24, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - March 24, 2024
Palm Sundayby Fr. Ivan Olmo “He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 17, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - March 17, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”  At the deepest core of our ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 10, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - March 10, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 3, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - March 3, 2024
Third Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you out of the land ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 25, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - February 25, 2024
Second Sunday of Lent by Fr. Ivan Olmo “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”  Perhaps the most essential ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 18, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - February 18, 2024
First Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo "See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 11, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - February 11, 2024
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,” and you took ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 4, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - February 4, 2024
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  ...

Reflections from the Heart – January 28, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - January 28, 2024
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo Moses spoke to all the people, saying: “A prophet like me will ...

Reflections from the Heart – January 21, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - January 21, 2024
Third Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God ...

Reflections from the Heart – January 14, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - January 14, 2024
Second Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”  The Spiritual Exercises of Saint ...