Category Archives: Deacon Jim Olson’s Reflections

Deacon Jim Olson’s ReflectionDecember 5, 2021 – Second Week in Advent005 12-5-21 2ND SOA Luke 3:1-6   John was filled and led by the Spirit. John’s prophetic calling and mission preceded his conception and birth. The angel had announced to Zechariah that his barren wife will conceive a son, and “you shall call his name John,”Continue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Reflection-12-5-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyNovember 28, 2021003 11-28-21 First SOA Luke 21:25-28, 34-36  Meditation: How good are you at reading signs, especially signs which God sends our way? The people of Jesus’ time expected that the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied by extraordinary signs and wonders. Jesus’ first coming was clouded in mystery and surprising wonderment:Continue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily-11-28-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s ReflectionMay 24, 2021572A 5-24-21 8th WOT John 19:25-34 “The spotless purity of John’s whole life makes him strong before the cross. Don’t forget that purity strengthens and invigorates the character” (St Escriva, The Way, 144). Our Lord’s gesture in entrusting His Blessed Mother to the disciple’s care, has a dual meaning. ForContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily-5-24-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s Reflection058 5-16-21 ASCENSION Mark 16:15-20 Jesus ascends in glory to the Father. Today’s first reading tells of the Ascension of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s prayer, in the second reading, asks for wisdom and insight, that we may know the Lord clearly, and, thus, have hope in Him. Continue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily-5-16-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyMay 10, 2021291 5-10-21 6th WOE John 15:26-16:4 The Person and role of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus approaches the hour He was to be glorified – through his death on the cross and His resurrection – He revealed more fully to His disciples the person and role of the Holy Spirit.  WhatContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily-5-10-21”

A Statement of LOVE Sing to the Lord a new song; His praise is in the assembly of the saints. We are urged to sing a new song to the Lord, as new children who have learned a new song.  A song is a thing of joy; more profoundly, it is a thing of love.Continue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily-5-3-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyApril 19, 2021273 4-19-21 3rd WOE John 6:22-29  Meditation: What do you most hunger for – wealth, peace, health, love, the good life?     Jesus addressed this issue with those who sought him after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. Were they simply hungry for things which satisfy the body or for thatContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 4-19-21”

Deacon Jim OlsonHomily for April 12, 2021267 4-12-21 2nd WOE John 3:1-8 We are sons and daughters of God and citizens of His kingdom.To be reborn in the Spirit is to enter that society in which God is honored and obeyed. Those who willingly accept God’s rule in their lives become citizens of God’s heavenly kingdom andContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 4-12-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyApril 5, 2021 We are sons and daughters of God and citizens of His kingdom.To be reborn in the Spirit is to enter that society in which God is honored and obeyed. Those who willingly accept God’s rule in their lives become citizens of God’s heavenly kingdom and members of God’s family – His adoptedContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 4-5-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyMarch 29, 2021257 3-29-21 Monday of Holy Week John 12:1-11 God’s Love is unbounded and poured out in gratitude. The Gospel of John records that, the whole house was filled with the perfume of the ointment (John 12:3).  What Mary had done brought sweetness not only in the physical sense, but the spiritual sense as well.Continue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 3-29-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyMarch 22, 2021047A 4-18-21 3rd SOE Luke 24:35-48 In the Gospel of John, the Lord says: “In this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for each other.”                                    Continue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 3-22-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyMarch 15, 2021244 3-15-21 4th WOL John 4:43-54 27.1 27 PERSONAL PRAYER When Jesus had a need for prayer, He found a place to pray in, which was usually off byHimself away from other people. There are many passages in the Gospel narrating that Jesushas withdrawn from the crowds and has goneContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 3-15-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyMarch 8, 2021237 3-8-21 3rd WOL Luke 4:24-30 Nothing in John of God’s early life foreshadowed his future sanctity. He ran away as a boy from his home in Portugal, tended sheep and cattle in Spain, and served as a soldier against the French, and afterward against the Turks.  When about fortyContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 3-8-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyMarch 1, 2021230 3-1-21 2nd WOL Luke 6:36-38 Overcome evil with mercy and goodness How can we possibly love those who cause us grief, harm, or ill-will? With God all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who trust in His love and who seek His wisdom and help.Continue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 3-1-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyFebruary 22, 2021535 2-22-21 1st WOL Matthew 16:13-19 This is a book report. The book is “Faith of our Founding Father.”By Janice Connell Today is the birthday of the father of our nation George Washington. When the news media mentions George Washington, they will invariably mention that he was a Mason. Masons believeContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 2-22-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyFebruary 15, 2021335 2-15-21 6th WOT Mark 8:11-13 Let us open our hearts to Jesus and the sign that He has given all mankind. Was Jonah really three days & three nights in the belly of the whale? Many years ago, some fellow workers at Chrysler said to me that Jonah wasContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 2-15-21”

Deacon Jim Olson’s HomilyFebruary 8, 2021329 2-8-21 5 th WOT Mark 6:53-56 Faith is an entirely free gift which God makes to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Believing and trusting in God to act in our lives is only possible by the grace and help of the Holy Spirit who moves theContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 2-8-21”

323 2-1-21 4th WOT Mark 5:1-21 Jesus took pity on the man who was overtaken by a legion of evil spirits.  The destructive force of these demons is evident for all who can see as they flee and destroy a herd of swine.  After Jesus freed the demoniac the whole city came out to meetContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 2-1-21”

519 1-25-21 Conversion of Paul 3rd WOT Mark 16:15-18 The Grace of God changed St Paul from a persecutor of Christians to a messenger ofthe Gospel.This fact teaches us that our faith has its basis in grace and the free correspondenceof each person.The best way to bring about the unity of Christians is to encourageContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-25-21”

311 1-18-21 2nd WOT Mark 2:18-22 The presence of the Bridegroom, by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.“From the time that the incarnation of our Savior was first promised to the patriarchs,it was always awaited by many upright souls with tears and mourning – until he came.From that time when, after his resurrection, he ascended to heaven, allContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-18-21”