Trust can sometimes be a difficult word. Many of us have experienced times or situations in our lives where people we trusted have hurt us in some way. {This is probably not what you wanted to read right before St. Valentine’s Day, but bear with me}. In our first reading from Jeremiah, we are told that people we may trust will often disappoint. The great prophet tells us instead to put our total trust in the Lord. He will never fail us and if we do this, we will be like a well planted tree and be able to stand strong.
St. Paul reminds us that sometimes as Christians we may face ridicule from those who do not understand or believe in God. I am sure we can all relate to that! It is only through the power and grace of Jesus Christ that we can stand up in a world that often doesn’t stand for anything. It will not be easy. Past experience and hurts may hamper us. People we trust may betray us. Yet this is exactly what happened to our Lord. In today’s Gospel from St. Luke Our Lord gives the “Sermon of the Plain” and lists some problems we may face. However He tells us that in the end we will be comforted, fed, happy and blessed when we are persecuted for His name sake. We may not feel it at the time, but feelings are fleeting. One thing remains sure, put your trust in God and He will never fail you. He may not always answer in the way you think He should, but His ways are not our ways and He sees the full picture of our lives. So on this day, put your love and trust in Him who knows you best and will not forsake you and that will be the greatest blessing of all. May God richly bless all of you…