Reflections from the Heart – August 25, 2024

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” At times, we also think and believe Jesus’ sayings are hard and difficult to receive and difficult to understand but the reality is his words directed personally and lovingly right at you are meant to free and heal you and to speak directly to what is aching and broken inside of you. The truth will always set you free, therefore, what is unloved and unresolved inside of you, what is aching and hurting inside of you and what is unreconciled and unforgiven inside of you, always needs to hear the truth, only the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, for lies do not heal. They can only hurt us even more. Why is it so easy to listen to and believe a lie? Why is it so socially acceptable to take confidence in an untruth, tell a little lie, or encourage deceit and deception? Why does listening to a fallacy, believing in what is not accurate or proposing a falsehood seem like music to your ears? Why do we believe a lie never hurts anyone yet the truth is that saying a lie to your spouse, your friends or your loved ones always hurts everyone. Not telling the truth unfortunately is what our poor ears and hearts are accustomed to hearing, listening to and believing. Lies flood our hearts, our families and our ears drowning out truth to the point that we unfortunately do not really know, believe or understand what the truth sounds like. With wounded ears and a lack of forgiveness in our hearts, we say that the truth hurts when in reality the truth will always set you free. Lies distort our image of God. They cause us to question who God really is. God is the face of mercy, the heart of love, the grace that heals you, the compassion that receives you, a poor sinner, into his heart, his house, his family and his home. Lies make us believe that it is difficult to change, to let go, to trust, to believe that God can be so merciful and that he has forgiven you. If only you would listen, hear and believe him. Our Lord graciously tells us not to be afraid, not to let our hearts be troubled but to listen and believe that he truly is the way, the truth and the life that sets us free, so stop disbelieving and believe. Now that you know the truth, stay and let Jesus heal you with the truth that sets you free.