Third Sunday of Easter
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” The tension between taking care of our own needs and following Christ with an undivided heart is the same struggle that Peter and the Apostles faced. We struggle to love Jesus as he loves us, as he deserves, to love him because we desire to love him and not because we are obliged to do so. Thanks be to God for his great love and untiring patience. Even when we are unable to love God perfectly, God still loves us perfectly. God meets us where we are and gently moves us to a better place, a better space, a deeper love. The Lord helps us to move beyond ourselves and draws us closer to him. In his letter “God is Love” Benedict XVI uses the conversation between Peter and Jesus to explain the difference between divine and human love. Jesus speaks about a love that is unconditional, a total self-offering of self.  Peter speaks about a love that is affectionate and fraternal. Jesus says, “Do you love me more than these?” In this question, Jesus is asking do you love me more than anything or anyone else in your life. Peter responds in a manner that seems to say: “Lord you know that I worry and care about you.” Jesus simply meets Peter where he is, loves him, and encourages him to encourage others with his words. Jesus asks Peter a second time, “Do you love me?” Peter responds in the same way as before but Jesus encourages Peter to take care of God’s people and to be more attentive to their needs. In other words, love the people. Jesus asks a third time, “Do you love me?” Peter just says, “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you.” Yes, God knows everything about us. We belong to him. We are his. He knows how much and how little we love him but isn’t it good to hear? Isn’t it good to say? It would be great to say, I love you Lord because I truly mean it.  Father, I love you – Brother, I love you – Holy Friend, I love you. The challenge for us is to learn how to move from human to divine love. To seek God’s gift and share what we have received. We must allow Jesus to nourish us with the gift of divine love so that we can truly say, “Lord, you know that I love you with all my heart, mind, body and soul.”

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 ...

Reflections From the Heart – September 15, 2024

Reflections From the Heart - September 15, 2024
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear; and I ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 8, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - September 8, 2024
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Thus says the LORD: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 1, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - September 1, 2024
Twenty-secondSunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “All good giving and every perfect gift is from above.” Our Lord is ...

Reflections from the Heart – August 25, 2024

Reflections from the Heart - August 25, 2024
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" At ...
The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.