Second Sunday of Lent
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”  Trust is such a fragile and delicate thing.  We trust, we want to trust, we need to trust, we offer our trust to another, a spouse, a friend, a family member, an associate, and that trust is often shattered, smashed and betrayed.  We are left bewildered, wondering why a promise was broken, a commitment not kept or a confidence shattered at our expense and at the risk of ending a relationship, a friendship, a fellowship built to last and founded on so much hope. We cannot trust anyone, including ourselves. We also are betrayers of trust.  God has entrusted us with a message of hope, a gospel of life, a mission of love.  Have we maintained the trust that God has placed on all of us to listen to his beloved Son, Jesus?  Have you become a person of great prayer?  Has your poor heart burned with the fire of eternal love by listening to the Word of God proclaimed to you personally at Mass, in liturgy, in prayer?  Have you generously dedicated time from your busy day and schedule to know God more intimately, love him more profoundly, serve him more faithfully and minister in his name to all others?  Can you really be trusted with sharing the Good News, faithfully receiving the Eucharist, joyfully celebrating the Sacraments, extending God’s peace, mercy and forgiveness to another?  Trust is the perfect gift we can offer our Lord this Lenten Season.  God entrusted us with his Son even though he knew we would betray him and crucify him.  We continue to betray Jesus when we break our baptismal promises to renounce sin and temptation rather than believe and trust in God alone.  We say, “Jesus, I trust in you” but do we really mean or understand what we say.  Do we trust Jesus enough to care for us, provide for us, and bestow his infinite love and divine mercy upon us? Do you trust that Jesus can forgive us our trespasses?  Like yourself, I too face difficulty with trust.  Not that God cannot be trusted; God is faithful always in fidelity to covenant. It is difficult to forgive, to heal, and trust again.  Nevertheless, God gives us the remedy and the cure.  Allow God to heal the betrayal you experienced; to flood you with his love, fill you with such gratitude that you will learn to trust again.  Trust God always because he is trustworthy and never betrayed you.  Never has. Never will.  

 

Reflections from the Heart – May 29, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - May 29, 2022
Ascension of the Lordby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.” I once ...

Reflections from the Heart – May 22, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - May 22, 2022
Sixth Sunday of Easterby Fr. Ivan Olmo “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, ...

Reflections from the Heart – May 15, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - May 15, 2022
Fifth Sunday of Easterby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them… ...

Reflections from the Heart – May 8, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - May 8, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Easterby Fr. Ivan Olmo “We are his people, the sheep of his flock.” A priest once shared ...

Reflections from the Heart – May 1, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - May 1, 2022
Third Sunday of Easterby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” The tension ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 24, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - April 24, 2022
Sunday of Divine Mercyby Fr. Ivan Olmo Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 17, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - April 17, 2022
Easter Sundayby Fr. Ivan Olmo “The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 10, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - April 10, 2022
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lordby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” ...

Reflections from the Heart – April 3, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - April 3, 2022
Fifth Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.” In ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 27, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - March 27, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” Pope Francis graciously shared ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 20, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - March 20, 2022
Third Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Repent, says the Lord; the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Retreats are ...

Reflections from the Heart – March 13, 2022

Reflections from the Heart - March 13, 2022
Second Sunday of Lentby Fr. Ivan Olmo “Because the Lord loved you and because of his fidelity he brought you ...