Third Sunday of Advent
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Not obtaining spiritual guidance or direction, or receiving spiritual counsel, is like a person going on a journey to a familiar place or an individual traveling to a remote place for the first time without planning the course or seeking the best route to travel feeling no need for assistance or guidance along the way.  At times, we travel life busy and hurried.  We move from one place to another or from one conversation to another, never stopping to look around, to notice where we are, where we came from or where we are heading.  We travel without really knowing where we are going or where life is taking us.  Where are you heading, moving so quickly, so fast, so hurried?  Do you know?  Stopping and asking the Lord for spiritual direction is like a person who realizes they are lost or moving so quickly and anxiously not going anywhere.  We move but fail to reach our true destination, which is divine intimacy and right relation with God. Rather than stopping and asking the Lord for direction, we tend to move through life hurried and fast paced without seeking input from the Lord or discerning with him where he wills to take us.  Without God’s assistance or without God’s presence, we travel life all by ourselves, all alone, self-directed with no real end or purpose in mind.  We live life in the fast lane rather than slow it down, stopping to look around, listening for God’s voice guiding us this way or that way.  We avoid asking for direction.  We avoid prayerful contemplation and taking the beautiful peaceful, scenic route.  We avoid contemplating with the Lord his guidance and direction as he directs us on our faith journey. As he guides us along the everlasting way.  This is the will of God the Father, for you his child in Christ Jesus his Son.  This is the cause of our joy and the reason for our gratitude and thankfulness.  God knows where he desires you to be, walks with you, carries you and brings you safely into his arms and heart, into his life and love, into his eternal presence and your heavenly home.  Christ is the way and destination the Father has chosen for you, the Holy Spirit your spiritual guide and director, the Word of God and Blessed Eucharist your sustenance, Mary and Joseph your beacon and light.  What is missing is gratitude. To say thank you.

Reflections from the Heart – December 8, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - December 8, 2024
Second Sunday of Adventby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of ...

Reflections from the Heart – December 1, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - December 1, 2024
First Sunday of Adventby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Brothers and sisters: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 24, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - November 24, 2024
The Solemnity of Christ the Kingby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Listening ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 17, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - November 17, 2024
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo "But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 10, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - November 10, 2024
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo "Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink." One of ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 3, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - November 3, 2024
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 27, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - October 27, 2024
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo Many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 20, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - October 20, 2024
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 13, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - October 13, 2024
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 6, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - October 6, 2024
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 29, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - September 29, 2024
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant; let it not rule over ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 22, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - September 22, 2024
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul ...