Author: purposejoyandpositives

PURPOSE, JOY AND POSITIVES is a blog created to promote thoughts and ideas about gaining clearer PURPOSE in our lives, JOY in who we are and what we do, and sustaining POSITIVES. We are all on the journey called 'life' which has many paths for each of us. Sometimes, the path is clearer with PURPOSE and more JOY filled than others. Often, there will be crossroads........again we must chose. May our choices be about a fulfilling PURPOSE, JOY in the simple and profound, and abundant POSITIVES to sustain us on the journey. PJP

Parable of the Sower and the Seed: (Matthew 13:1-9)

purposejoyandpositivesLeave a comment

Bishop Barron (Wednesday July 23, 2025 Daily Reflection) paraphrases the parable: “The sower sows far and wide, some of the seed landing on the path, where the birds eat it up; some falling on rocky ground, where it is scorched in the sun; some sown among thorns, where life is choked off; and some sown on rich soil, where it bears thirty, sixty or a hundred fold”.

Being a product of a Midwest farming family and community, this parable always speaks to me, reminding me of my roots of my faith and my family. I can see and smell the dark rich soil my father planted the corn and beans in and the wonderful rich soil where we as a family planted the HUGE garden….. I mean really big and it held a lot of weeds. But it provided all of our vegetables and some of our fruits for a whole year, until the next year’s harvest. Of course, that meant freezing and canning. Summer fun!!

The analogy to this is what we plant in the soil of our soul. If we have planted roots of our faith in the Lord and continue to nourish that faith with prayer and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the produce of our lives will be good and sustainable. No, not perfect, but definitely good and sustainable. On the other hand, if we only sometimes pray, pick and choose which commandments to follow, or stray from Mass or church services, we will be overcome by the weeds of life and the trends of today’s culture: the biggest weed being sin itself. Smothered by this weed, our faith cannot grow and flourish. It has no roots of rich soil of consistent prayer, reading of scripture, and reception of the sacraments. Then we have the seed that is planted on rocky ground and cannot grow. These are the times that yes we hear about prayer, sacraments, and the Lord’s teachings, scripture readings; but we CHOSE to do nothing about what we hear and see. We don’t practice; thus, faith cannot grow and it will die eventually.

It’s up to each of us individually to decide, to chose, to act on how rich we can make the soil of our soul. Furthermore, soil that is rich enough and has grown deep faith roots, an explosion of fire within us, so that we can pass that faith on to our family and friends.

Blessings for the richness of faith in our lives.

PJP

ORDINARY TIMES: 14th and 15th Sunday

purposejoyandpositivesLeave a comment

The last two Sunday’s gospels have dealt with Jesus sending out his disciples in pairs to preach the gospel of peace and the parable of the Good Samaritan, respectively. They go hand in hand in my mind.

First in week 14, the primary message is one of discipleship: with difficulties, challenges and joys encountered. We are to be the hands, ears, eyes, mouth and feet of Jesus here on earth that others may know of His mercy, peace and all encompassing love for all. It is not always easy to share this message, and at times we may even be fearful of sharing the message. However, that being said, we have all been called to share in the Good News of our Lord. Maybe it is in a simple conversation with a friend; maybe it is in responding to someone asking for prayers; maybe it is in a kind unrequested deed to someone. Always it is as we model Jesus way in keeping of the 10 Commandments. That is a given. I do believe that it is true that others may never remember what you say, but they will remember what you did or did not do.

This past Sunday week 15 in the parable of the Good Samaritan, a man has been attacked and left to die along the road. Three people pass him: one goes across the road; the second does basically the same; but the third, a Samaritan, tends to the man. Not only does he rescue him, but he goes the next step and provides for his care during recovery. He a the good neighbor, compassionate, caring and loving the other.

Which one are we in our life journey? Are we the first, second, or are we the Good Neighbor, even to those we do not know? That choice is ours and it must come from our heart, freely given without cost or repayment of our time, effort or money.

Blessings to you Good Neighbor,

PJP

Feast of Corpus Christi: Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ:

purposejoyandpositives

This most joyful beautiful day is the celebration of the wonderful gift of the Eucharist, which Our Lord gave to us at the Last Supper (Luke 9:11b-17). It places honor in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Yes, He is truly present, not just a symbol of his presence, but truly the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus……our most precious spiritual life giving nourishment. Just as our bodies must be nourished daily to be in good health to feed our physical hunger, so too, the Eucharist is our soul’s nourishment to satisfy our deep spiritual poverty. Historically, this universal feast in the church was established by Pope Urban IV in 1264.

The above picture was from in front of our altar this past Sunday, depicting bread, wine and the chalice, symbols in Christianity that refer to Christ’s flesh and blood. What a joy it is that we as Catholics can receive Christ’s nourishment for our souls everyday at Mass if we choose.

The second topic for this post is that the month of June is celebrated as the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Many Christians have a picture of the Jesus and his Most Sacred Heart displayed in their home and there are numerous prayers that can be said to honor His Sacred Heart and to petition Him for our needs. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a priest about some various things. As I was finishing the conversation, the priest told me to say an Our Father and place this along with someone/or something in Jesus most wounded Sacred Heart……one prayer for each entity I wanted to tuck away in His Heart. I tucked in His Heart each of my children, each grandchild, each sibling, friends I knew that were in need, health issues and a few other things pertinent in my life. Along with several Our Father’s and quite a few minutes later, I had a profound sense of peace. On occasion, I have continued to do this at home.

Happy end of June and my you be blessed by His Most Sacred Heart and His Mercy that flows from His heart.

PJP

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

purposejoyandpositivesLeave a comment

On the first Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity reminding us of what God tells us about the Trinity….one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The teaching in most Christian denominations is that these three persons are distinct but share the same divine essence. The teaching further says that they eternally exist together, not separate, or one before or after the other. John 10:30 : “I and the Father are one” .

Last Sunday during the sermon, the priest gave an excellent analogy of the Trinity. Here it is: So, take an earthly father. He has the job as a father to his children; a job as a spouse to his wife; and a job as either an employer or employee for a company. Each job has a different role, but each role exists within this same man and each role has a different purpose he must fulfill.

For me, this was a helpful analogy. God our Father is the creator role, Jesus the Son is the redeemer role, and the Holy Spirit unites the believer with Christ providing those seven gifts we receive at Baptism, Confirmation and come to us again in Pentecost. (Shared last week on the blog).

Yes the Holy Trinity is complex, but isn’t it beautiful and the essence of our faith.

PJP

MEMORIAL DAY

purposejoyandpositivesLeave a comment

A day to remember; a day to give thanks; a day to appreciate our freedom that was won by others gone before us. Many are out there still fighting for our freedom; thank you!

When I was a kid, this day was called Decoration Day and our family met with other family members to decorate the graves of our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Then there would be a big picnic after the visitation of the graves at the park. To this day, I still decorate several of those same graves and a few new ones that have been added to the group. It is a good tradition and one that I hope I pass on to my own children and grandchildren.

Many also observe the 3PM moment when Americans may chose to participate in the “National Moment of Remembrance”, moments of silence and prayer to honor those who have died in the military. Sacrifices were made for each of us so that we could experience the freedoms provided through their sacrifices.

My own father was in the Army as a communication radio operator. He knew Morse code like you would not believe. He was overseas for 2 1/2 years in many European countries during WW II and was a part of the Normandy landings, Omaha Beach June 4, 1944. He survived this and came home, but it is the one thing my dad never talked about…..ever.

Thank you for each and every life that participated; those lives that were lost and for those who have and/or currently serve to protect our great country ….The United States of America!!

PJP

MOTHER’S DAY:

purposejoyandpositivesLeave a comment

In honor of all Mothers, Grandmothers, Step Mothers, Adoptive Mothers, Mothers to Be, New Mothers and to all who aspire to be Mothers one day and to those who have been Mothers to us in our lives in many ways. Above all, we honor and thank our heavenly Mother, Mary, in all things.

Blessings to you all on this beautiful day!

PJP

THE AMAZING WEEK:

purposejoyandpositivesLeave a comment

What a week friends and a very exciting one at that!! The world now has a new Shepherd, Pope Leo XIV, to lead us, an American and a Peruvian citizen. Our new Pope is a continuation of the ministry that Jesus himself began with Peter. From Matthew 16:18 : “ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

I hold great hope in Pope Leo XVI words: “ We have to look together how to be a missionary church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receive with open arms for everyone. Like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.”

May the Holy Spirit guide, protect and bless Pope Leo XIV.

PJP

Mercy

purposejoyandpositives1 Comment

This past Sunday we celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday, which was dedicated by Saint John Paul II April 30, 2000. This is a spiritual practice, based on the diary writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, we can personally participate in by attending Mass, receiving the Eucharist and reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet along with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It is a beautiful way to build our faith. Christ’s Mercy is always available to us, not just this particular day; all we need to do is ask for his Mercy.

As our beloved Pope Francis said: “There is no sin that God’s mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father.” (Jubilee Year of Mercy, November 2016).

As we continue to pray for Pope Francis, we thank him for shepherding his flock these last 12 years. We also pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the papal conclave of the College of Cardinals in the choosing of a new Pope to shepherd us on our journey.

PJP

EASTER SUNDAY

purposejoyandpositivesLeave a comment

ALLELUIA! CHRIST HAS RISIEN!

Today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate the glorious event of the Resurrection of Christ from the dead, destroying sin, and providing the promise of our own eternal life one day. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”. Psalm 118:24.

Easter is not just this one day; it is a season. We celebrate the Easter season for fifty days, ending Pentecost Sunday. Each day we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ reflecting on Jesus’ time He remained on earth before His Ascension to Heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father. It is to be a time of joy, renewal, and spiritual reflection with various customs in different countries. Some of the common symbols are eggs (new life), the lamb (representing Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb of God), water (which is used in Baptism), and fireworks (representing joy and light, especially in Greek and Italian customs), taken from Eastertide: How it’s Celebrated in the Americas and Across Europe: Peptide Sciences Ebook.

However you chose to celebrate this wonderful Day of Resurrection, may you be filled with purpose, joy and positives with a heart blessed with hope and renewal. Christ is Risen: Indeed, He is risen!

PJP

GOOD FRIDAY

purposejoyandpositivesLeave a comment

Today marks the day that we as Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary. We believe that this day is the most momentous day since the beginning of time in our world. From Corinthians 15:3-4: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”.

He willingly did this for us, a sacrifice for our sins, victory over sin and death. It is said that the cross is the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness, the perfect reminder of God’s love and the promise of eternal life through the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

I recently read this very powerful reflection on one of the Christian sites I subscribe to. The author (and I can’t find the reference sorry) asked that as we go through the Good Friday services, to place ourselves in front of Jesus when he falls with the cross on his back, to make eye contact with Him. Envisioning this ……..Jesus will say to you, looking you in the eye “It’s okay. I did it for you”.

That my friends is a deeply moving thought which I will hold in my heart.

PJP