Pentecost Sunday
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  The heart and foundation of Ignatian Spirituality is simple.  It relies on the principle that God in his great love, desiring nothing more than to share himself, created us that we may have a share in his goodness, therefore enjoy his friendship and happiness for all eternity.  Finding God in all things becomes our life long goal. Once we find God and are in God’s presence, we can forget ourselves, our hurts, our pains, our past and current sufferings and truly be present to God who is presence himself.  When we are truly present to God and truly, with him without hesitation, reservation, fear or resistance we are in need of nothing more than what God has graciously offered us, the gift of his endless joy, the grace of perpetual peace and the profound healing that leads us and brings us reconciliation.  God graciously provides the true gifts we need, desire and long for more than honor, riches, wealth, titles, fortune and fame.   The gift and fruits of the Holy Spirit are most helpful for our journey.  They inspire and encourage us to live a life of blessedness, which is joyful, and not a life of unforgiveness, which is sorrowful.  Ignatius of Loyola informs us and invites us to consider there are two spirits that are always at work within us, as well as within the world, competing to get our attention. The good spirit, that is the Holy Spirit, gently draws us, attracts us and leads us to find God in all things, people and circumstances, therefore encountering joy, healing, love, hope, blessedness, faith. The Holy Spirit floods us in difficult situations and even floods us in joyful celebrations with his gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and counsel, helping us to better understand what is happening, shedding light on why people are yelling, so angry, overacting or hurting, so we can better respond in a way that is helpful, useful and not hurtful. The bad spirit, the Devil, forcefully distracts us and even spiritually snatches us away from God, causing us grief, sorrow, heartache, headaches and pain.  The enemy robs us of goodness and interior joy and then draws us to encounter darkness, turmoil, desolation, depression and negative emotions that cause us to want and pursue disordered desires that wound us.  The good spirit helps us to forgive and forget, giving us lasting joy and freedom.  The bad spirit makes us slaves of unforgiveness and there is no joy in that.

Reflections from the Heart – October 30, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - October 30, 2022
31st Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 23, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - October 23, 2022
30th Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 16, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - October 16, 2022
29th Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Jesus told his disciples to pray always without becoming weary.” Are you ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 9, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - October 9, 2022
28th Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “The Lord has made his salvation known; All the ends of the ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 2, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - October 2, 2022
27th Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “We are unprofitable servants.” A command tends to come to us from ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 25, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - September 25, 2022
26th Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 18, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - September 18, 2022
25th Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “The steward said to himself, what shall I do; I am not ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 11, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - September 11, 2022
24th Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “I have been mercifully treated.”  I am often asked by family and ...

Reflections from the Heart – September 4, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - September 4, 2022
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be ...

Reflections from the Heart – August 28, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - August 28, 2022
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Humble yourself and you will find favor with God.” When I contemplate ...

Reflection from the Heart – August 21, 2022

Reflection from the Heart - August 21, 2022
21st Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when ...

Reflections from the Heart – August 14, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - August 14, 2022
20th Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me ...