A message from Father Pete

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 Today we are celebrating the feast of All Saints — what does that mean? Every person in heaven is a saint. They have accomplished the plan God has for each person — eternal life with Him forever. God laid out the plan but they didn’t exactly latch on to it right away. They had so many different plans and goals they wanted to achieve. But they came to discover in so many different ways that God loves them. It’s very special to know that we are loved. Hopefully, we've heard it many times in our lives, perhaps every day. We have said “I love you” to a whole array of people who have touched us, encouraged us, taught us, been examples for us, even plucked us out of the gutter. Our “thank you” is spoken from the depths of our being. Each of us has experiences of this uncomplicated, sincere, giving and caring love from those who are special to us. So then what is heaven? This is God’s place where He is embracing those who have loved H...

Exodus 22:20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40 The readings today ask very practical questions about God’s command of love and Jesus’ triple command of loving God … loving our neighbor … loving ourselves. How am I doing with these? Am I better at one and not so good with the others? Which one(s) give me the hardest time? How do I interpret these commands? Do I tend to place exceptions in interpreting and acting? Do I really believe that Jesus meant no exceptions, none excluded? Do I find myself helping only the “group” that I am on good terms with, or is my caring all-inclusive? How can I live when many are concerned only with themselves? Are these commands unreasonable or am I unreasonable? How do I live love today? The readings help interpret God’s command of love. Exodus begins with the story of Moses leading God’s people from Egyptian slavery. They leave in the 12th chapter … cross the Red Sea in the 14th chapter … are fed by God with quail and manna in the 16th chapter ...

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21 Is God a God to everyone on Earth? What about to those of different religious affiliations? What about those who have no association with God? Does God care for everyone equally? Do we as Catholics have an upper hand? God is the giver of all gifts, we know this. Does God give His gifts equally or does it help that we are baptized and belong to the Church? The themes in today’s readings are faith and civil law. Do we have a problem with these being considered together? With presidential elections looming, can we ever find a candidate who expresses only Christian-based values? What basic Christian values are … or should be … a part of civil law? How would this impact the fairness of the law for people who are non-Christians? We turn to the readings today to help us understand God’s plan and our response. Isaiah is one of the major prophets relaying and interpreting messages from God. Often these messages come in response to an inq...

Isaiah 25:6-10; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22: 1-14 The readings are asking us today, How do I view God? Do I view God as judgmental? Do I feel God is after me for the evil and sins I have done? Do I really believe that God has a special place prepared for me in heaven? Do I believe that God is best at His mercy and invites me to heaven despite my shortcomings? Do I believe that it’s not about my being unworthy or ready for heaven but about God’s unconditional love and mercy? How do I view God, and does my view agree with Jesus’ teaching about Him? We take time to sit and reflect on the readings and our feelings toward God and His love. “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples …” [Isaiah 25:6] In Isaiah's divinely inspired messages, some mountains represent human pride. We become so caught up in our ways and thoughts that they obscure God’s view and plan. We feel as if we know more than God. But then our own agendas lead us to selfishness, hardships...

Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43 What is it that I want in life? What is it that God wants of me in my life? Are these two the same? If not, why not? If God wants the fullness of life, love and happiness for me that leads closer to being with Him in heaven, isn’t that my goal too? If my goal is solely concerned with myself, are my relationships with others happy and fulfilling? If my relationships are based on a disproportionate dwelling on myself or my attainments, do I find an honest, truthful and warm intimacy with those closest to me? Or do I leave these encounters with a sour taste in my mouth? The readings today direct us to God and how He refuses to give up on us but continually offers His grace. This enables us to be closer to Him and others in a real, caring, honest, unselfish way ... closer to the real meaning of love. What is in me that makes me comfortable? What is in me that I seem to rebel against? Why do I make war within myself and with God? We turn now...