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 – January 7, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - January 7, 2023
The Epiphany of the Lordby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Where is the newborn king?”  The heart of the Gospels reveals to ...

Reflections from the Heart – December 31, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - December 31, 2023
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Josephby Fr. Ivan Olmo “He who obeys his father brings comfort ...

Reflections from the Heart – December 24, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - December 24, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Adventby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Nothing will be impossible for God.” I recall in my youth, in my ...

Reflections from the Heart – December 15, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - December 15, 2023
Third Sunday of Adventby Fr. Ivan Olmo “In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for ...

Reflections from the Heart – December 10, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - December 10, 2023
Second Sunday of Adventby Fr. Ivan Olmo “The Lord is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but ...

Reflections from the Heart – December 3, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - December 3, 2023
First Sunday of Adventby Fr. Ivan Olmo “O LORD, you are our father: we are all the work of your ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 26, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - November 26, 2023
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” The Liturgy of the ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 19, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - November 19, 2023
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.” One of the ways I ...

Reflections From the Heart – November 12, 2023

Reflections From the Heart - November 12, 2023
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo ​“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.” One of ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 5, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - November 5, 2023
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “For they preach but they do not practice.”  When I hear the ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 29, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - October 29, 2023
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo "Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 22, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - October 22, 2023
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “I am the LORD and there is no other, there is no ...