24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“I have been mercifully treated.”  I am often asked by family and friends, “what happened to you?” I smile and take no offense at the question. It’s true. I am different. I have changed. There is something so radically different about me. I am not the person they know or remember me to be. Actually, I am finally myself, the person I was called and created to be.  Deep down inside, I understand the origin of the question and what is being asked of me. In general, people want to know what happened to me. They want to know when and how did I come to know the love of God. When did I know that God was calling me? How did I hear and recognize God’s voice? How did I come to love and trust God? In my response, I share that I have come to know and love God personally and intimately since the time that I better understood his profound love and his divine mercy. It wasn’t always the case. It’s the fruit and grace born from what I consider to be my first good, open, honest, and true confession. Everything was poured out, surrendered and shared. To that point in my life, I never knew nor experienced how profound God’s love was for me and all humanity. I never understood the magnitude of God’s mercy. It’s endless, unfathomable, ever so patient, rich in kindness, unconditionally loving and forever forgiving. Truly, I believe God has forgiven me. He reconciled me to himself. He has truly forgiven me. I have been mercifully treated. God has helped me to receive his forgiveness. God has helped me to forgive others. God has helped me to forgive myself and now I am truly free to be loved by God and to be loving to God, my family, my friends and everyone else. I did not really understand God, his love or his mercy.  I did not really know God because my love was selfish, self serving, conditional and not contrite. My prayer life was the same. I only went and talked to God when I needed him or wanted something or the thought of a certain outcome concerned me or I was afraid of the possibility of failure, embarrassment, or hurt. My love and prayer did not come from the heart. But I have been so mercifully treated. God has given me a second, third and fourth chance. In and through mercy, I have been loved and forgiven and now I never want to sin again.

 

Reflections from the Heart – April 20, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - April 20, 2025
The Resurrection of the Lordby Fr. Ivan Olmo “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.” Perhaps ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 13, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - April 13, 2025
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lordby Fr. Ivan Olmo “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 6, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - April 6, 2025
5th Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 30, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - March 30, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “God has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 23, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - March 23, 2025
Third Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” Sometimes ...

Reflections from the heart – March 16, 2025

Reflections from the heart - March 16, 2025
Second Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.” Away ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 9, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - March 9, 2025
First Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “For to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 2, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - March 2, 2025
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Every tree is known by its own fruit.” One of the most ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 23, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - February 23, 2025
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “The first man, Adam, became a living being, the last Adam a ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 16, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - February 16, 2025
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 9, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - February 9, 2025
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “By the grace of God I am what I am.” Once a ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 2, 2025

Reflections from the Heart - February 2, 2025
Feast of the Presentation of the Lordby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!” ...