A message from Father Pete

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42 The last words of the gospel strike a sensitive cord: “Amen. I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” [Matthew 10:42] On face value it sounds wonderful. We like rewards. We like getting something for our hard work or just something as a present. Reading the preceding lines, Jesus says, “And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink ...” [Matthew 10:42] It certainly seems to be the direction that Jesus showed His whole life and taught us to follow: loving, caring, generous, forgiving. We approve. Yet the rest of the reading strikes up a much deeper reaction of insensitivity and downright hurting of those we love: “Whoever loves … more than Me … is not worthy of me.” Jesus gives four examples of this. Is He saying that if I love my parents … my children … more than Jesus … AND if I don’t take up the crosses my life brings and I have to give my life totally, I’m not going to make it

Jeremiah 20:10-13; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33 How does God feel about me? Maybe this reflection might go deeper if I ask, How do I feel about myself ? If I’m all wrapped up in myself and not aware of others, my world could seem very lonely. I exist just for me. Others don’t care about me because I don’t really care about them. I’m just here in this world alone. It would seem that I’m just an object on the Christmas tree without any real difference from the ornaments around me … I just hang there … I can be replaced easily by another ornament. However I respond to this reflection, the bottom line is that I need to feel needed. I need to feel I’m of value. I need to know that I am good for something. I need to know that I’m cared about and loved. I need to know that I have something to do, to accomplish what is worthwhile, to be a person who has meaning, more than just paying this bill a merchant hands me or the tax the government levies on me. Who am I? Am I important to God? Do

Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-58 Today is a day to celebrate in a focused way what we celebrate and believe every time we gather at the Lord’s table for the Sacrament of the Eucharist. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” is a quote that goes way back to the Roman poet Sextus. It describes the great affection we have for family, relatives and friends, especially when we are separated.  We’ve experienced this in a way we never would have imagined these last three months.  We love the Eucharist. We’ve been separated from the Eucharist during times of extended sickness and travel. But this absence has been especially painful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even now, with restrictions present, people are hesitant to take the chance to receive the Lord. Dispensations have been granted for the aged and vulnerable class ... with which I’m not too comfortable because that is me. The deeper lesson for appreciating

Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-28 We have known special people in our lives. The ones who personally stand out are those who have a deep-seated desire to bring out the best in us. They perceive our gifts and talents in the way that the Holy Spirit has formed us. They are very special to us and we are deeply blessed to have them in our lives. Do we ever make the jump and put God in this classification? Do we believe and live our lives knowing God cares for us deeply, watches out for us and is leading us closer to our promised goal of heaven? How else can we interpret the first line of today’s gospel: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” [John 3:16] This desire and help from God is recorded in each reading today: Exodus 34:6: “The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.”