Happy Monday!
I hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend. In So CA, we had moderate temperatures and blue skies. It was a great weekend to soak up some vitamin D and enjoy hikes and bike rides. Sometimes just getting outside for a bit changes our perspective and lightens our mood.
We commemorate the Feast of Saint Patrick this week. There’s also a Hindu festival known as Holi, also referred to as the Festival of Love, the Festival of Colors, and the Festival of Spring. Interestingly, both days celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
Holi is the celebration of spring, love, the beginning of the harvest, and a time of forgiveness. Some of the traditions involve colorful paint and powder that’s liberally used to color others with a water gun or water balloons. People travel through towns meeting with family and friends and taking time to mend relationships.
St. Patrick is widely recognized as the Patron Saint of Ireland who, despite being kidnapped as a youth and taken to Ireland as a slave worker, returned as a cleric and missionary in the country’s northwestern part. He’s credited with evangelizing the countryside from Celtic polytheism to Christianity. He’s also credited with removing the snakes from Ireland, although some say there were never snakes in the region, and for turning his walking stick into a living tree.
With both festivals, we see beautiful colors, a time of celebration, and a time of honoring a tradition that includes reconciliation. That means blessings abound. It also implies fellowship and joy to bring people closer together.
There are several Irish blessings that I found, but I appreciate the following:
The message is what we hope for daily and what we strive to provide for those we love. We need love and laughter, so we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We need friends to remind us that we don’t have to be alone. We need peace and plenty to bless and be blessed. And we need to understand that every season offers a new opportunity to choose the best possible course of action.
Here are some passages in Scripture that I find relevant:
“And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (AMP)
“There are persons for companionship, but then there are friends who are more loyal than family.” Proverbs 18:24 (CEB)
“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.” John 15:13 (MSG)
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)
Such marvelous and comforting words, and what a terrific week to spend time working on those social wellbeing muscles! Have fun with colors, friends, joy, and reconciliation this week. Just watch out for colorful powder being tossed your way, and be careful about that green beer!
May your day be touched
With a bit of Irish luck,
Brightened by a song in your heart,
And warmed by the smiles
Of the people you love.
Have a wonderful week!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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