Day 2…Thanks to Our Faithful Team members!

The Passion of Jesus – Source of Lenten Power

            When the Season of Lent comes around, we think about what we will do to make this time a holy and fruitful one. It is great to have a plan regarding what we will “give up,” what sacrifice we will make, what changes we will make in our daily life to draw us closer to Our Lord. I believe that we should also consider what to read and what the source of our meditation will be that will lead us into a more profound prayer of union with Jesus. I have a few suggestions.

            First, we should turn to the Passion narratives found in the Gospels, and especially the one found in St. John’s Gospel that is read in church every Good Friday. Why is this important? Because it tells us the way salvation comes to us and manifests the unconditional love that God has to offer. God Himself becomes one of us in the Incarnation of the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary. He then takes Himself, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, to suffer and die in reparation for the sins of the whole world on the altar of the Cross. During Lent, we must contemplate the great act of love the Passion of Jesus is. We see that Jesus invites each one of us to enter into the great mystery of His suffering and death so that we may glimpse the amazing beauty of His self-sacrificing love. We read the Passion account as a means of stepping into this mystery of God’s love for us.

            Second, we look at our own life and the lives of other people to recognize the suffering that enters our human existence and into the lives of each of us in his or her own way. As we contemplate the suffering that touches everyone’s life, we question why it happens, and what its purpose is. In faith, we realize that it is only in the suffering of Jesus in His Passion and Death that we can find meaning in our own suffering. A wonderful document for us to read that will provide some amazing insights into the purpose of our suffering is Pope St. John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris (On the Meaning of Human Suffering). The Holy Father explores the Christian meaning of human suffering as a path to salvation, spiritual maturity, and union with Christ’s Passion.

            Third, we come to understand that our suffering in union with the Passion and Death of Jesus places tremendous power in our hands. We have the ability to offer our own suffering and pain, united with the Passion and Death of Our Lord, in reparation for our sins and the sins of others. We also possess the capacity to heal others and ask God to pour His grace upon so many who need His love and mercy. Through our suffering united with Jesus’ Passion, we become instruments of consolation and peace for the world. We have the ability to heal the world from the evil of abortion, from the violence done to women who do not choose life for their children, from the evil of human trafficking, from the violence of war, and from the destruction of marriage and family life. By the merits of Jesus’ shedding of His Precious Bood in the Passion, we can become channels of healing, peace, mercy and love in the lives of others.

            As we begin our Lenten season, let us go to the very source of salvation and reparation, to the Passion and Death of Jesus made present every time the Mass is celebrated. Let us be amazed at the power God has placed in our hearts and our hands!

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid

Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh

Keep reading for today’s sidewalk stories!

Nikki & Mark

It was a busy morning at PP today, about 5 abortion bound couples went in while I was there. I was able to give out about 4 of Judy’s Valentine blessing bags, although I saw one couple give it back to Glenn inside. We just do what we can, and then leave the rest to God. Those couples were prayed for, and they were given options…and their babies did not die without someone advocating for them. I could really sense a dark presence there again this morning, just as I did yesterday afternoon. I think the devil does not like it when we bring Jesus there as we did on Tuesday. But, after Anthony came to pray, he seemed to bring a peace with him. He is such a strong pray-er, and led the rosary non-stop, things seemed to brighten up. Thanks to Mark for breaking up the slippery ice all along the sidewalk where we stand! he got all muddy from the splattering, but now the area is much safer for us! Thank you Mark! And thanks to Randy for being there, to add to our strong presence this morning!

One bright note, a young woman pushing a baby in a stroller stopped to ask if we had a pregnancy test for her. I told her yes and was going to go down to the Little Lamb with her, but she was late for work and said she will stop back around noon to get it. She said if she is pregnant she needs help. She took a blessing bag. I told the people scheduled for noon to be on the lookout for her.

Sue & Cheryl

Busy day for abortions, gave out some blessing bags. Gave a couple with a baby a blessing bag, and was surprised when they went into PP.  I saw the guard took the lovely blessing bag before they went back. Cheryl prayed non stop on the side. Anthony led Randy and I in all the mysteries of the rosary and divine mercy. Sue

Bev, Ed & Sam

The woman that Nikki told us about came back around noon and asked for the pregnancy test. We took her into the Little Lamb, and she did the test. Thankfully it was negative!

Cil, Fr. Jim & Carolyn

Decent weather to start our 40 Days.  Just sprinkled a little. Thanks to Karen, Carolyn’s daughter, who spent the shift with us.  Carolyn woke up under the weather so we pray she’s feeling better soon! Same with Diane… She wasn’t feeling well and decided to pray from home.  Both ladies will hopefully be well for next week. Thanks to Fr Jim who drove Eva and I down and for Fr Jim’s attendance at the kickoff.  We are blessed with his faithful participation! They prayed 2 rosaries and the chaplet of divine mercy while I tried to reach out to those passing by.  Some were receptive and a few stopped to talk.  At the end I decided to try handing out the chocolate in the bin with a resource item.  I was more successful with that.  With Valentine’s Day passed, figured we should use up the candy. Bill came very early.  He stayed with us a little then took a break before Pete arrived as I suggested. Prayers for hearts 💕 to be changed and lives saved! 

Pete & Bill

It was good to be back for the 3-5 shift with shift buddy Bill.  It was also good to see the baby models there; they are witnesses to those walking by of the reality of life.  Unfortunately, when faced with that truth, some react negatively as witnessed by a woman pushing the models to the ground.  But we just pray that our witness will win over those who seem so lost.