Feast of the Holy Family
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” Have you ever stopped to consider how easy it is for us to change our minds but how difficult it is for us to change our hearts? We change our minds so often, so quickly. We don’t give it a second thought. How often have we set our mind on purchasing a particular item online or in a store and have decided we want it because it’s the best, it’s on sale, it’s 50% off, only to end up buying something else? Research says on average we make 35,000 decisions a day. That’s a lot of choices to consider. I wonder how many of those decisions come from simply changing our minds. There are even moments when we change our mind so many times that we cannot even make a final Decision. Imagine being in the Temple hearing Jesus speak for the first time in a public setting. All those who heard him speaking in the Temple were astounded. They were amazed at the profound wisdom that came from the heart of this twelve year old boy who spoke the truth with such confidence and eloquence that they couldn’t stop listening to him speak about the Father, about Moses, about the prophets, about the one who was to come into the world to redeem the house of Israel. Why did they change their minds so quickly about Jesus? He never changed his message. He consistently preached the Good News of forgiveness, of God’s love and of our salvation. How sad to consider that those who heard Jesus speak when he was twelve were probably the same teachers, the same scribes, the same elders who later questioned his relationship with the Father, diminished his authority, did not believe he was the chosen Messiah and would not accept he was the Son of God. He was only the carpenter’s son or the son of Mary his mother. God is unchanging. He remains without change. God has always been loving, merciful, kind and compassionate. He will never change. Then why is it so easy for us to change our minds when it comes to God? We question his love, his law, his will, his commands, his Decisions; yet he never stops loving us. Perhaps this is the new year when we will finally change our hearts and minds about God and come to know and believe him without a doubt, for he truly loves us.

Reflections from the Heart – November 22, 2020

Reflections from the Heart - November 22, 2020
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe ​“Thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 15, 2020

Reflections from the Heart - November 15, 2020
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. ​“Master, I knew you were a demanding person.” What is your image of God? This ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 8, 2020

Reflections from the Heart - November 8, 2020
“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.” A thirst develops from a lack of moisture just like ...

Reflections from the Heart – November 1, 2020

Reflections from the Heart - November 1, 2020
Solemnity of All Saints. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 25, 2020

Reflections from the Heart - October 25, 2020
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, ...

Reflections from the Heart – October 18, 2020

Reflections from the Heart - October 18, 2020
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”  I ...
The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.