A message from Father Pete

Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 Am I aware that the Holy Spirit works within me? Do I realize that every time I am kind, helpful, compassionate, caring and forgiving, I am using the gifts that Holy Spirit has conferred on me to reach out and share with others? Do I know that this means I am being Jesus to those in need? The readings today center on powerful images acknowledging the presence and work of the Holy Spirit: “… a noise like a strong driving wind … tongues of fire … that came to rest of each … to speak in different tongues. …” This had to be an unforgettable event. Even the people assembled from all over heard these Galileans speaking but they were hearing what was said in their native tongue. How is this possible? This is the most amazing thing I have ever heard … what does all this mean … and they are talking about this Jesus? Still more amazing things are happening: These eleven apostles, who ran away scared from the Garden of Gethsemane -- only Joh...

Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians, Peter 1:17-23, Matthew 28: 16-20 With Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, what are the burning questions that come up in our hearts? The apostles asked: “Lord, at this time, are You going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?” [Acts 1:6] They were envisioning the kingdoms under Saul, David and Solomon. They realized Saul was concerned about himself and developed a jealousy for David. David was the ideal king, yet he was consumed with his own humanity and sins but witnessed to the Lord as did his son, Solomon. A combination of the gifts and talents of these two would bring back the glory days of Israel. This is what the apostles wanted. This never was God’s plan, which was to lead all people to the glories of the heavenly kingdom of love and peace with Him forever. The two men in white said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen Him going into h...

Acts 8:5-8, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21 It is good for each of us to stop and take a God check. What does this mean and how do I go about this God check? It means every person was brought into this world by our loving Father who loves them unconditionally every moment of their life. God doesn’t end there; He desires that each person will choose to live in heaven with Him for eternity. The God check is an assessment on how I am doing. Have I seen growth in my living that exhibits choosing: good over evil, caring over refusing, compassion over avoidance? The readings today focus on examples that help with this time-out reflection. I start with the Gospel from John because historically this happened first in time. Jesus states it completely and succinctly: “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” [John 14:15] Jesus is at the Last Supper with His disciples and He is speaking not only to them but to everyone at all times who choose to follow Him. Judas has left the scene, th...

Acts 6:1-7; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12 In today's second reading, Peter comes up with one of the deepest, to-the-point, inspiring and simultaneously challenging definitions of what it means to be a Christian and Catholic today: You are “a chosen race [Isaiah 43:20-21], a royal priesthood [Exodus 19:6], a holy nation [Exodus 19:6], a people of His own [Malachi 3:17], so that you may announce the praises” of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. [1 Peter 2:9] Today’s readings focus on our role in following Jesus and living the faith. We are not to sit still. Each day brings a different challenge to live Jesus’ life of love. People look to us, Jesus’ followers, for examples and inspiration. Living as a disciple is not a “me and God” religion. If that were the case why would the Holy Spirit have given us unique gifts that express living a life of caring, compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love? It doesn’t make sense to hoard these because their natur...

Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10 Today we are celebrating what is commonly referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday. The first part of the tenth chapter of John’s Gospel refers to Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Psalm 23, the Responsorial Psalm, is one of the favorite images of God in the psalms. It is selected by most families at the funeral of a loved one. We know quite a bit about shepherds and sheep from many past sermons. Sheep are very docile; some can be rambunctious and adventurous and the others can follow them. Sheep need both protection and nourishment. At night they are protected by a corral-type enclosure made of branches, with one opening that the shepherd lies across.The sheep will not cross over the shepherd, and preying animals will not venture into the corral. The sheep will gnaw at one patch of grass down to the dirt and then starve instead of looking over the next hill for a fresh pasture. They are totally dependent on the shepherd to lead them to the best g...