Blessed Be Trinity Sunday

Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday within the Church. As is my custom, I’ve gone back over the last three years and re-read those posts dealing with Trinity Sunday. After all, I need to express its meaning without sounding like a broken record.

Trinity Sunday is both the acknowledgement and celebration of three beings in one God. How is that possible? Moreover, if we are created in the image of God, are we not also a trinity of beings in a single person? The answer to that is a resounding yes. Have you every heard anyone say they need to pull themselves together or something along those lines? It’s not just a saying – it is a reality. That means get your head, your heart and your body on the same page. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially when our heart says one thing, our head another, and the body, although willing, is no longer able.

Our minds were created in the image of God the Father – the all knowing, all wise God. Granted, we aren’t all knowing or all wise. Some of us are down right stupid in the decisions we’ve made along the way. Nevertheless, we can learn, so there is hope for us yet. Our physical being (not the skin color or all those superficial aspects of our physical self but the existance of a physical being) represent God the Son. We laugh, we cry, we love and enjoy life. We hurt; we experience hunger and loneliness just as He once did. The second person of the Trinity is our physical nature. The third aspect of the Trinity is the easiest to comprehend – it is the soul. That part of us that continues long after the body has given out. It is that part of us that longs to be in the presence of Our Lord. That part of our existence that connects us to one another and to our creator; God the Father.

When you get to be my age (as the expression goes, older than dirt), faith somehow seems more in tune to everyday existence. By now, most of our really stupid decisions are behind us. (Praise be!) By now, we realize the greatest gift of all is that of forgiveness. Love grows out of forgiveness and where there is love there is no room to hate anyone or anything. Except maybe Brussels Sprouts. I hate Brussels Sprouts.

There are things going on in my life today that I know will only serve to make me stronger, more determined than ever to fully, wholly embrace the gifts given to me, and to use those talants to glorify God. As His child, I have a purpose. Part of that purpose (and it’s not mine alone) is to share the knowledge that we are all loved more than we can comprehend, more than we deserve. Become the becon that shines the light of love bring light into the darkest recesses of the heart. God created each of us for a purpose, and He does not create mistakes.

Sundays are the Lord’s Day. Sundays are made for family. Hold your children close. Tell your husband or wife just how much they mean to you. We only get so many moments on this earth. There is no bartering for more, so make each one count.

Orange-Glazed Chicken
1 tablespoon Butter
3 boneless Chicken Breasts
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
1 cup Chicken Stock
1/2 cup Orange Marmalade
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Cook chicken breasts for 20 minutes, turning half way to brown both sides nicely. Remove from skillet, keep warm.

In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch, stock, marmalade and lemon juice. Whisk mixture until smooth. Pour the marmalade mixture into the now empty skillet, bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, until a thick glaze, stirring constantly.

Return chicken to the skillet. Reduce heat to low. Cook another 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, swirling sauce frequently to prevent scorching.

Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Pour glaze over and around the pieces, serve and enjoy.

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Sautéed Italian Green Beans
16 oz frozen Green Beans
2 tablespoon Olive Oil
4 Garlic Cloves
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
Kosher Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

Rinse green beans under cold water until thawed. Place in the basket of a vegetable steamer; steam beans until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.

While the green beans are steaming, peel and finely mince garlic. Prepare a bowl of ice water for the beans, set aside.

When the green beans have steamed long enough, plunge beans into the ice-water bath to stop the steaming process. Drain and set aside.

In a fry pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Sauté seasoned garlic for about a minute. Add green beans to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly in oil and seasoned garlic. Cook an additional 5 minutes, until hot. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Rice Pilaf makes a nice addition to this beautiful supper.

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Our soul waits for the Lord,
who is our help and our shield.