June 7 – The Most Holy Trinity
Here it is, the first weekend in June and we are slowing emerging from two and a half months of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have used the time as an opportunity to grow spiritually and accomplish some long put off goals or projects. Others were stressed out with the lack of community and sense of a loss of freedom and new demands that life became burdensome of a challenge. Which are you? For me, I think I am a combination of both. I did spend some of the time doing spiritual reading, but I never seemed to get around to most of the projects I had planned to do. I did get one project done…..cleaned out the basement of the rectory. At other times, I felt overwhelmed by the ever-changing directives that came from the governor and bishop. I dealt with the stress by what I call the other COVID-19…..the 19 or more pounds I put on by eating every sweet and dessert in sight. But that is now behind me…three things I resolved on Memorial Day weekend to do: 1. Start bike riding again, which I have done every day. 2. Pay more attention to my diet. I have stage III kidney disease since I had a kidney removed four years ago due to cancer. I have to reduce protein, and avoid foods high in potassium, sodium and phosphorus. And since glucose level is at 110, I need to STOP eating bread and sweets. 3. Laugh more! They say laughter is the best medicine, and maybe it just is the best way to deal with all the stresses of this pandemic. So, every night when I go to bed, I take my iPad, go to YouTube and watch an episode of “I Love Lucy” or the “Carol Burnette Show” or “Hollywood Squares” or animals doing goofy things. Anything to make me laugh! And then I try to do something each day to make someone else laugh. That’s been the penances I’ve been giving lately, do something to make yourself laugh and do something to make someone else laugh. Pray for me St. Philip Neri….he gave goofy penances too!
On this Trinity Sunday, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit offers new pathways for us to reflect on his love for us and draw us into an intimate, dynamic, and life-changing relationship. God the Father: “receives us as your own.” The words of Moses remind us that God has created us as his own, loves us, and we belong to him. God the Son: If we forget God’s love for us, we need only look to the cross to be reminded. God the Holy Spirit: Our relationship with the Spirit is not an abstract proposition. The Holy Spirit can impact our lives in concrete and life-changing ways. The Holy Spirit pours out God’s love into our hearts. The Holy Spirit transforms fear into freedom, isolation into community, and sends people out with purpose. May the power of the Blessed Trinity touch your life!
Have a blessed week!
Father Don