A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, October 20, 2024 Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45 When I pray, how do I come to God? Do I come with smugness , knowing He's going to answer me since I’m one of His priests? Do I come with prideful arrogance for being a priest of Jesus Christ? Do I come with overconfidence because of my own self-importance? Or do I come remembering my past , wondering if I could ever be forgiven for what I’ve done? Do I come with confidence , knowing that He created me and loves me just the way I am each time I come to Him? Do I come to Him in need , knowing He told me to always come to Him with whatever is upsetting, hurting, or worrying me? Or do I come in thankfulness and gratitude for He is my God and I am His creature in need of love? So: How do I come to God in prayer? Jesus continues to ask us — me — to look at the question of discipleship. As we heard last week when the rich young man asked what he would receive for his loyal service, Jesus is saying to look de

For Sunday, October 13, 2024 Wisdom 7:7-11, Hebrews 4:12-13, Mark 10:27-30 Here's a great reflective question to ask yourself: How do I make choices? Do I make quick decisions? Am I slow and deliberate? Am I too hasty? Do I seek out people who have helped me in the past or do I go to people whom I feel give sound advice and have a good outlook on life? Do I tend to go to people who always agree with me? Why do I ask? Today’s readings confront us with the need to make choices in our lives: particularly choices for God. What are these choices about? We all want to be happy in life. We all want to make the kinds of choices that will help us in our future endeavors and guarantee positive results. Generally, as soon as I write this, I realize this is not true or possible in many areas of the world today. Everyone wants security and wellbeing and peace. This should not be just a “pipe dream.” We need wisdom. “I prayed and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to

For Sunday, October 6, 2024 Genesis 2:18-24, Hebrews 2:9-11, Mark 10:2-16 There are all sorts of problems in the world. We know this — we grieve and pray for those who are hurting. And consciously or unconsciously we make our decisions based on cultures, nationalities, religion, politics or just animosity for what we’ve heard or situations we’ve encountered. Could we say we are prejudiced? I would say I am. I imagine some would say I don’t have a prejudiced bone in my body — but that would be a difficult statement even for a saint. What is God’s position on creation, today’s world and its horrid condition, coupled with its admirable giving, caring and compassion? We are witnesses to it: God tells us today! So many weddings I’ve witnessed down through the years have used today’s readings. Some observations: In the first creation story (Genesis 1:31; 2:1-4), God creates male and female human beings together (Genesis 1:26-27). In the second story of creation (today’s first reading), God

For Sunday, September 29, 2024 Numbers 11:25-29; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:8-43, 45, 47-48 I come to the Church to be nourished, knowing I just can’t make it in this world by myself: I need God today. I’m hurting … I need encouragement … I just don’t know where I can turn next … Lord, please help me today, Your suffering servant. Is this where I am today? What do I need from God today for me? So many have asked me to pray for this person and that one … I’m important and I need YOU too, Lord. The decision is ours — God lets us choose if we want to be with Him or not. We don’t make our choices known verbally but rather by how we live our lives. We know this and make resolutions to ourselves: I will change … maybe I’ll begin tomorrow or next week. Let’s put these thoughts in the concrete in a different way: Right now, today, do I consider myself to be spiritual or religious? This can be a very problematic question because it demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of the human person. We e

For Sunday, September 22, 2024 Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37 Liturgically we are still in Ordinary Time, yet we are entering into new “seasons,” “periods” or “phases” during this “time” of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere the days are still warm but will soon become shorter, and coolness will be a common denominator. Elections are coming and people are waiting in anticipation/excitement, dread/hopelessness, indifference/hopefulness. In social media, sports and entertainment, we continue the themes of the Olympics: Who is the greatest? In modern parlance that's who is the G.O.A.T. — or Greatest Of All Time . Today’s readings have a slightly different complexion, with the disciples discussing “who is the greatest” among themselves. We too, often subconsciously or even consciously, compare ourselves to others who are “not as good as I am.” The first two chapters of the Book of Wisdom establish a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. In this passag

For Sunday, September 15, 2024 Isaiah 50:5-9, James 2:14-18, Mark 8:27-35 An interesting question pops up in today’s readings: Is there a simple and authentic way of Christian living? More questions: Is there any cost in being a disciple of Jesus? Does being a Christian involve a change in how I live and interact with people? Can’t I just follow my own specific religious devotions that I have been doing for years — isn’t that enough? I’m not called to be a missionary, nor go into religious life; can’t I just live normally like everyone else? Can’t I just worship Jesus the way I want, in the way it appeals to me? I’m a quiet, reserved person; do I have to do more to be recognized as a Christian and follower of Jesus? These are very good questions — usually ones we do not ask ourselves. Why not? Perhaps one might feel that religion is personal and the way I practice it is up to me. Or maybe I don’t want to find out if there is a right way to live it, because I could doing it the “wrong

For Sunday, September 8, 2024 Isaiah 35:4-7, James 2:1-5, Mark 7:31-37 Have you ever envisioned a time of peace — a time of no suffering — a time of healing for those suffering — a time of cooperation among the nations of the world — a time of people being concerned with each other and extending a hand to help — a time where people can live as one? If you share this vision in a social gathering, you might be told that it's just a pipe dream . If you share this with your Scripture reflection group, some might say “not in my lifetime” or “isn’t that what heaven is all about?” If it were possible to share this with the audiences listening to Isaiah or Jesus or even James when he spoke in Jerusalem, you might actually encounter the people hearing these wisdom preachers who are dreaming the dream. You are sharing the same hope with people who really could match these scenes with what happened when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on the gathered assembly at Pentecost. This “event” could be