A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, April 21, 2024 Acts 4:8-12, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18 Today we hear the beautiful image Jesus uses in the Gospel to identify Himself: “I am the good shepherd.” [John 10:11] This is an image the people can identify with since King David had come from the fields tending a huge flock for his well-to-do father. Also, flocks of sheep are all over Israel and lamb is “The Meal” for the Passover feast. In the early Church the picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd adorned the catacombs in Rome and the early church in general. A model shepherd is concerned with his sheep — finding them safe pasture, protecting them from predators, even suffering for them. In our culture we are not so familiar with this image except in sermons and throughout scripture study. Today’s readings also suggest another image of a shepherd as a savior or leader. Do I look at Jesus as my savior and leader? Why or why not? This is exactly what He came to do and did: He saved us from our sins of pride — feeli

For Sunday, April 14, 2024 Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48 Jesus, Mary, the apostles and the early followers of Jesus were all Jewish. They went to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate special historic occasions and feasts at the heart of Israel’s most cherished traditions. Following Jesus’ Resurrection they went to the Synagogue and afterward gathered for the “Breaking of the Bread.” We read this in Peter’s introduction address to his fellow Jewish believers. Peter is telling them who Jesus really is: the servant of the God of their ancestors … the long-awaited Messiah … the innocent, suffering servant described in Isaiah and the prophets. Jesus is also a real person rooted in the religious history of a real people . They have hoped and prayed for this Messiah for centuries, but the centuries have conjured up and produced all sorts of dreams … hopes … desires … descriptions of what this Messiah will be like. It's obvious that many will fail to see — understa

For Sunday, April 7, 2024 Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 5:1-6, John 20:19-31 There are so many interesting questions in today’s reading: How did the early Church strengthen and energize their faith? The early Christian community around Jerusalem, no doubt, “had everything in common … didn’t claim their own possessions just for themselves … took care of all the needy … even selling their homes, and the proceeds were given to the needy.” This is quite admirable, and St. Luke, the author of the Acts, adds: “There was no needy person among them.” [Acts 4:34] I’m sure this was an accurate snapshot but it wasn’t the case for the overall period. This was how the Resurrection experience challenged them to see how important it was to witness to Jesus ... to transform their lives by prioritizing those in need. This is a good time for our own spiritual self-analysis: Am I living the “Jesus way?” Certainly my faith doesn’t call on me to do the same ... or does it? Question/reflection: Do I realize that I

For Sunday, March 31, 2024 Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9 Easter Sunday, a day of remembrances … a day of joy … a day of the Lord … a day that brings and gives meaning and fulfillment. Psalm 118 states it so completely and excellently: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” [Psalm 118:24] The last two verses of 118 give us direction: “You are my God, I give You thanks; my God, I offer You praise. Give thanks to the Lord, who is good, whose love endures forever.” [Psalm 118:28-29] I remember Easter Sundays of my youth were extra special because we all wore our Easter best to church. Our parents led us shopping and we picked out special suits and dresses and all the paraphernalia associated with these outfits. As I remember it, they picked them out and we tried to give our input. The church was alive with wonderful music, amazing and beautiful floral arrangements, prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving, and happy people trying to understand the

For Sunday, March 24, 2024 Isaiah 59:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Mark 14:1-15:47 We are beginning this sacred week with many scenes that have been part of our lives from the earliest days of childhood: Jesus, the wonderful, kind person who loved everyone — spoke to huge crowds — healed people with miracles that showed His care and concern for all who were hurting. He told people He loved them — He told them they were important and special to God — He said the Father sent Him to show everyone how very much He loves everyone all the time. The mad, evil people in charge were cruel and hurt Jesus so much. Why were they afraid of Jesus? Why didn’t they listen to Him? Why were they so cruel? Why did they hurt Him so much and kill Him on the cross? I remember a children's story I heard ages ago that concluded this way: And Jesus didn’t want to see us sad … so He rose up from the tomb to make us happy and show us He loves us. Isn’t He great? … I think so. Don’t you? Our remembrances of the P

For Sunday, March 17, 2024 Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:7-9, John 12:20-33 What is the meaning of my life? Why was I born? Why did God create me? Do I have a purpose in life? Or is my life — and everyone’s lives — haphazard, without purpose or meaning? Does what happens to me happen just by chance? Has it ever occurred to me that my life seems to be marked by a plan … has a meaning … makes a difference? I’ve had that feeling. I’ve touched another person and brought meaning … a reason why that person is alive and makes a difference! Many have shared the same experience with me. When I’ve reflected and experienced this, I've realized that I’m an important part of creation that brought about a very meaningful message to this person: that they are important — I am important — all are important — and we are discovering the meaning of why we were created: to be God … to be love … to bring fulfillment to one another.   The first reading is taken from that part of Jeremiah which is sometim

For Sunday, March 10, 2024 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21 As we continue in Lent, our readings today ask us to focus on ourselves and how we are living our lives. Are we living each day with our eyes on heaven, our eternal home? Or are we waiting for the ultimate last moment, or close to it, when we have to prepare actively for heaven? Do I feel that God is a God of love, so I don’t have to worry about heaven as my goal? Do I feel that since God is a God of mercy, He will always forgive all of my transgressions and I don’t have to do anything to “prepare” myself for entrance into heaven? As I continue in the above reflection, do I feel that I have been held captive in my life? So many might immediately respond, “No, I can do what I want … I’m my own person.” Yet our lives can hold us captive in so many ways. If tried to give a descriptive definition of Satan, Lucifer, the Devil (they are all one and the same), it would definitely include keeping us “ensla