Author: purposejoyandpositives

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This past Sunday we entered into the most Holy Week of the year, seven days leading up to the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Let’s begin with Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday is a happy joyful day when we relive Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. It is recorded in all four of the Gospels. On this day, Christ is hailed as King, riding on a donkey, cheered and hailed as the people lay down cloaks and palm branches shouting “Hosanna” Messiah as He enters Jerusalem. It is the first step on His journey to Calvary, where He will suffer, be crucified and die, all for us.

There are many ways to celebrate this Holy Week and one of the most important is to really take time to reflect on how the events of Palm Sunday, the rest of the events leading to Calvary and ultimately the crucifixion impact our lives today. Two thousand years later, how do we react to what the Son of God did for us? What do we believe this means in our life? What does it mean for our salvation?

We move on through the Week to Holy Thursday which commemorates the Last Supper, the washing of the apostle’s feet, the establishing of the Eucharist, and the institution of priesthood. This marks the first day of the Paschal Triduum. This is one of my favorite liturgies in that it is a reminder that we are all called to wash our brother’s feet, to be a humble servant, serving others as best we can. We are blessed to be given the sacrament of Holy Communion/Eucharist that we may have eternal life.

The next blog will be about Good Friday. Until then, may you have a quiet, reflective and prayerful week.

PJP

“Life has many seasons
Each with different purpose and reason.

Some are filled with renewal, growth and grace.
Others are shaped by expectations within the journey, yet have a strong foundational base.

Seasons filled with sunshine, warmth and God’s loving hand;
Questions, choices, nuances subtly written, hard to understand.

There also will be rain and surprise storms of which in the beginning one cannot know. Yet, trust in the journey; the Hand that leads only takes us where He wills for us to go.

Life’s seasons have a rhythm of their own, set in motion through our Creator’s perfect hand.
Only at the end will it be told so that we truly understand.

Until that day, we pray for the Grace that lights our path, so as not to go astray. Just letting it be with complete trust
and love for every gift of that day. “

PJP