Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Father Ivan Olmo
August 24, 2025
“Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts.” What do you know, really know without a doubt, can truly save you, can never change, will remain eternal, and will never cease to be true even if you do not think so or say so? What do you really know is eternal and can never change? The knowledge we hold can be useful, but also it can be hurtful depending on how it is used. True knowledge can assist us in making life-changing and life-saving decisions that are helpful to us, our coworkers, family, friends, and all humanity. The kind of knowledge we honestly gain and confidently impart to others, our youth, young people and everyone in general to help others improve their state in life, assist in medical advancement, can provide useful tools and resources to care for the unborn, the brokenhearted, the poor, the elderly- safeguard our children and provide basic goods and healthcare to those who are unable or unwilling to provide it for themselves. This type of knowledge is helpful to everyone. At times, unfortunately, we seek knowledge to hurt or wound others, or we obtain private, confidential information to tarnish another’s reputation to advance our own image or status in life. When we seek out information that can be self-incriminating or to substantially damage the credibility of another simply for pleasure or to prove a point or for selfish gain or upper hand benefits, we use knowledge not to assist or help another but rather to destroy, cheat and lie to another in order to give the impression that we are good, okay or better. That kind of knowledge is not helpful to anyone. True knowledge that is most helpful to us and to everyone else is to know God with all our heart, mind, strength and being. To know our Lord, God, and Savior, who has loved us for an eternity with all His heart, mind, strength, poverty, Spirit and being. This knowledge is both helpful and eternal and can never change even if you don’t believe it or ever had the grace to experience it. Know that God has forgiven you, truly forgiven you, even if you do not think so. Know God will never leave or abandon you even if you say He has. Know without a doubt, the Lord is always with you and will provide for you, even if you act independently, don’t think you need Him and are rich beyond God’s blessing. God knows He loves you.