Reflections from the heart – March 16, 2025

Second Sunday of Lent
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.” Away from the noisy busy sounds of the metropolitan cities. Far, far away from the distortion and overshadowing of noisy light pollution, are places in our small tiny world that are off the beaten path, off the power grid, off our list of popular places to visit that simply take in and enjoy the everlasting beauty of a clear sunny day and the breathtaking views of the awesome night sky. It is truly a remarkable sight to see and behold. To look up and be able to see and gaze into the endless night sky radiating with the twinkling of pure natural light streaming forth from a countless array of beautiful stars individually hand painted and created by God. Far wider than any of our emerging seas. Much deeper than any of our ocean floors. Further reaching than the stretching of any coast-to-coast comparisons. The incredible night sky seems to pierce into eternity and never ceases to reach the heavens or reflect the glory of God’s illuminating light filling our hearts with warmth, our lives with clarity, and our world with peace. The gentle glow of the expansive night sky. Fulfilling truth, revealing beauty, reflecting goodness, reminding us of the serenity of that quiet, silent, peaceful holy night our dear Savior was born. Imagine the glow of God’s heart and the smile on his face as he created this awesome spectacle for you and for me. To consider the quiet, silent, holy night he created for us. To give us the eyes and the opportunity to gaze upon this natural beauty, to ponder its wholesome goodness, and be overwhelmed and filled with the awe and wonder of its unchanging truth. The infinite beauty of God’s creation, the unfathomable nature of his goodness, and the unchanging truth of his transcending love. God created such beauty, goodness and truth to captivate our attention and give us cause to look up and realize how special we are and remind us who we are and belong to, for as sacred scripture tells us, the Apostle testifies and the night sky witnesses and reveals we are God’s children. Descendants of heaven, citizens of a New Jerusalem, and members of the household of God. Who do you know that could or would create such a massive endless sky, an unfathomable numberless countless array of stars simply to get you to look up and remind you of how many we are, how grand is our family, the family of God.