A message from Father Pete

Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28-34 How far do I feel that I am from the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus told the scribe in today’s Gospel that he wasn’t far from the Kingdom of Heaven. When asked what I think He would say to me, I get nervous. I feel I’m doing well but as Paul writes in Romans 7:15-19, “What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I concur that the law is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. … For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.” So It seems that I’m on a different path than the scribe in the Gospel, but actually I’m on the same path ... just putting the question in a different way. The scribe wants to know which of all the commandments is the most important. Jesus probably does a “double take” here since many of the other religious leaders see Him as a threat and this man sees an opportunity to learn from the best. So he asks a q

Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52 What do I want from God? My response would be: a lot! While reflecting on this, I have to ask further clarifications because it’s good to examine my own motivation. Do I want things mainly for myself or for those I love? Do I consider a wider audience than just family and friends? Do I feel I have to be in a  “holy mode ” … a less-than-a-sinner mode ... to be able to ask God for help? Is my appeal for things rather than help in living the life I’m called to live? Do I believe that God loves me so much that He wants me to have all I want and need? Am I selfish in my wanting? Do I limit asking God because too many ask God continually and I can get along by myself? Does my God fulfill my every wish, my every want, my every need? Do I want a God who fixes my problems and cures my ills and brings happiness? Is my wish list too incredible for God? Does my wish list contain things that can become obstacles to faith? Is my image of God the same

Isaiah 53:10-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45 Who do I trust when the going gets rough? Who is the person who seems to be my confidant? Could I single out the qualities of these people or this person if they're the same? What makes them different ... completely trustworthy? Could it be the confidence they have in themselves and in me? Could it be their ability to sort through life’s difficulties in a thoughtful, non-hurried way? Do they have the quality to be a leader who is well-respected, honest and caring? Could it be their lives that have weathered many storms without being overcome, while still maintaining a positive and calm outlook on the present and future? In reviewing this list I would say, all of the above! The blessedness of these questions is that all of us have been in these situations and hopefully have found a wisdom figure who has brought us to the other side of our dilemmas. What are my qualities for this Wisdom Figure? Cynthia Bourgeault is an Episcopal priest

Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30 What are the most challenging words of Jesus? Which are the most difficult to put into our lives on a regular basis? What words of Jesus are most uncomfortable? Those words probably could be used interchangeably in the questions above. “Great crowds were traveling with Jesus and He turned and addressed them, ‘If anyone comes to Me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even their own life, they cannot be my disciple.’” (Luke 14:25-33) “So you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51) “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek turn the other one to them as well.’” (Matthew 5:38) “Again, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me. And these will go off to

Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16 How is my relationship with God? How is my relationship with my spouse? How is my relationship with my closest friend? How is my relationship with my siblings? How is my relationship with my parents? How is my relationship with the people of God? And the BIG question: Why is this so? Am I the one lacking in love? What can I do? Jesus teaches us God’s Law of Love in Matthew 22:37-40: “Teacher, which commandment in the Law is the greatest? Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole Law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.’” There is no question about it: We learn love from those who love us and those whose lives radiate love. Today’s readings focus on married love. Marriage can be beautiful. Marriage can be shattered. Jesus’ words t