The Epiphany of the Lord
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.” Our spiritual lives play out in the rhythm of the Liturgical Year. We live in concert with the changes of the seasons as we welcome the birth of the Christ Child, celebrate new life through him, honor his Passion and Death, then celebrate the joy of his Resurrection, his Ascension into heaven and await his glorious return. Our lives seem to follow a similar pattern. Christmas brings us the joy of something new.  A new day, a new life, a new year, new possibilities, a fresh new start. Ordinary Time brings us the opportunity to learn more, to grow more, to better develop our Catholic faith and our Christian identity. Lent is a season to become less outward and more inward. It is a time to detach more, to pray more, to reflect more and to reevaluate our lives.  It is a great opportunity to take an introspective look within our hearts and within our lives and determine what is hurtful and not helpful to our spiritual lives. It is an opportunity to let go. To be stripped of the things that distract us, that harm our spiritual growth and that keep us from more fully living out our living and dying in Christ. It is the definitive time of the year to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus to Jerusalem. It is there where we mourn and suffer the hurt and effects of our sin. It is a moment of joyous hope and joyful expectation at the thought of being transformed through God’s grace into the risen Christ. We conclude the year by taking a retrospective look back to measure how we did. We identify what needs to change and determine if we are better prepared for the moment when Christ comes again in all his glory. The entire year is most important and critical to our spiritual journey. But in a special way we hold Holy Week close to our hearts as a the most sacred part of the Liturgical Year and the Season of Grace. It is at the heart of our Christian faith. In the institution of the Holy Eucharist, we come to understand the source and summit of our faith. Jesus literally becoming food for us. Not just spiritual food but “True Food and True Drink” for the journey. As we enter into this New Year, let us make each day a new day, a new beginning, a new life in Christ.

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 ...