A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, February 27, 2022 Sirach 27:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45 What is the meaning of the phrase, “a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing?” This proverb expresses the idea that a small amount of knowledge can mislead people into thinking that they are more expert than they really are … which can lead to a whole bunch of mistakes. So where do I go for advice? Hopefully to someone who knows more than I do. When I was a youngster, my dad would take me to the basement and show me his workbench and all the tools, what they were used for, and the projects he was working on. He was my authority; I relished being taught by him. Today as adults, we are growing in our knowledge of Jesus, our faith and the Church. Where do we go for advice? Our pastor, priests, religious teachers, deacons, religious people who study and are well-versed in Scripture. Do we view ourselves as growing apprentices? Are we constantly learning and searching? Do we realize that as we continue

1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38 How many times in my life have I looked my enemy in the eye? It’s not something I really want to do. In my younger years, if I did, a fight would probably result: me defending my turf, which I felt I was always right; and my enemies defending their turf, which I felt was wrong but they naturally felt was right. This seems to ever perpetuate itself in today’s society unless I learn How To Forgive . Jesus’ opening words: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” [Luke 6:27] I’m quite sure I would have seriously objected to Jesus’ teaching. Get serious, Jesus. Ours is a dog-eat-dog world. I have to take care of myself and my loved ones. I can’t afford to let people push me around. I can’t allow people to take advantage of me. If I do, they will take me places I don’t want to go and make me do things I don’t want to do. Yet is

Sunday, February 13, 2022 Jeremiah 15:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26 Who do you trust? Interesting question! Can I make a list or try to put together the necessary components of a trustful person? I just got a notice from Politico on my cell phone: “World leaders agree that the world is on fire. ... But who is going to put it out?” Yet another interesting topic of discussion and/or debate. Do I put my trust in people or in things of this life? The gospel outline from Living the Word states, “Jesus knows how tenuous life can be, especially when we put all our trust in the things of this life. Those things don’t last. God does.” Where do I fit in today’s Gospel scene? Jesus starts out by commenting on those who are poor … those who are presently hungry ... those who are crying ... us when we are hated, excluded and insulted … even when attacked as being evil. Life does not look pleasant at all. Where can we look to come up with more pleasant living conditions? What

Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11; Luke 5:1-11 Who is the most famous person I have stood next to, been in conversation with, talked one on one with? How did I feel? Was I honored to be with them? Was I listening to their every word, watching their every gesture? Was I impressed or unimpressed with their “persona?” Did I feel important because I was with them? Did they reflect the image of Jesus? This would demonstrate if they “liked themselves” or if they realized the value and importance of each person versus a “nobody.” One song/hymn that seems to get everyone singing in many congregations and churches is How Great Thou Art . It was written by Carl Boberg, a Swedish preacher who wrote the lyrics after a unique experience on the southeast coast of Sweden in 1885. He was caught in a violent thunderstorm. Mormon Channel’s History of Hymns described it thus: “Bobery’s inspiration for ‘How Great Thou Art’ came from a visit to a beautiful country estate on the southeast coast of S