Twenty-seventhSunday in Ordinary Time
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” A wedding is a joyous occasion. It is a new beginning, a grand celebration, a happy feast, a great day. We know a wedding involves lots of coordination, preparation, planning, prayer. When the big day arrives, the invited guest, relatives and family, friends and neighbors, peers and coworkers come together, they gather to share in this happy day. Throughout our lives, we have many opportunities to celebrate joyous moments and happy occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, baptisms, retirements. Did we remember to invite everyone? Was Mary part of your coordinating, preparing, planning, prayer? How about Jesus? Did you remember to invite him, to ask him for help, support, encouragement, prayer? We tend to forget to invite the members of the Holy Family to our events, our family gatherings or daily prayer. They love when we call upon them – they are happy to join us, intercede for us, to be with us in all stages of life, in every happy occasion and in every sad moment. They are happy to help. One of the prayers I recite often, especially when I am about to  start something new, like a new project, a new assignment, a new meeting, a new gathering is to say, “Lord, may everything I do begin with your loving inspiration, continue with your help and come to perfection under your guidance through Christ our Lord.” In other words, Lord, I invite you to join me before starting anything and to help me see it through. It is important that we understand before undertaking anything, especially something new, to ask Mary and Jesus to please accompany us along the way. To please come into this moment, into this idea, into this plan, into this celebration, into this situation, into this project – come so that everything begins, continues and finishes with you. The scene of the Wedding at Cana tells us that the couple took the time to invite Jesus and Mary to their special day. It was important for them to have Jesus and Mary there and share in their joy. As Mary so graciously does, she anticipates a need and asks Jesus to help. Although Jesus says, “Woman, how does your concern affect me?”, Jesus remains lovingly obedient to his Mother because she loves us. She is our Mother of Perpetual Help. Have you invited Jesus and Mary into the planning and preparation of your day, of your life, of your family? Have you asked them to join you?

 

 

Reflections from the Heart – April 30, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - April 30, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Easterby Fr. Ivan Olmo Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you.”  The ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 23, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - April 23, 2023
Third Sunday of Easterby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn while you speak ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 16, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - April 16, 2023
Divine Mercy Sundayby Fr. Ivan Olmo “I was hard pressed and was falling, but the LORD helped me.”  Scriptural images ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 9, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - April 9, 2023
Easter Sundayby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”  From the ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 2, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - April 2, 2023
Palm Sundayby Fr. Ivan Olmo When he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, "Who is this?"  If ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 26, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - March 26, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word.”  Will you ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 19, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - March 19, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.”  I recall ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 12, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - March 12, 2023
Third Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “True worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth.” The Holy Spirit ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 5, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - March 5, 2023
Second Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 26, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - February 26, 2023
First Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Led by the Spirit into the desert… Jesus fasted for forty days and ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 19, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - February 19, 2023
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who ...

Reflections from the Heart – February 12, 2023

Reflections from the Heart - February 12, 2023
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Timeby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more ...