A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, August 28, 2022 Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14 We have an unusual Gospel today where Jesus goes to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. We are talking about wealth and living in affluence. One of the amazing traits of Jesus is that He was comfortable with all types, all cultures, and those from different circumstances, both rich and poor. He loved them and touched them all … leading them closer to His Father. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples have left everything to follow Him [Luke 18:26-30]. Luke narrates several of Jesus’ parables that show the foolishness of being possessed by wealth: the rich farmer who dies before bigger barns can be built [Luke 12:13-21] and the rich man who refuses to notice Lazarus dying at his doorstep and, after his death, bargains with Abraham for an escape from hell. We are to be as aware of others’ needs as the Good Samaritan. [Luke 10:30-36]. Jesus suggests repeatedly that instead of feasting...

For Sunday, August 21, 2022 Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30 In Luke’s gospel someone asked Jesus a question. Let's think about this for a moment: If you were present at that time in that place and had heard much about this miracle worker and heard His lectures; If you had come to believe that He was special, very holy and close to God; And you were very faithful in following the dictates of your faith and treated those around you with compassion, love and forgiveness; And you loved family members, fellow workers and neighbors, and tried to encourage and stiffen their resolve to practice the Mosaic law and be God-fearing and God-loving; But consistently you heard the reply, “I’m not interested … that type of religion is for hypocrites … maybe when I get closer to my end days, I might consider it … I’m just not ready to be a holy person …” Would you not want to ask Jesus if there is any hope for these “people I love?” The question, “Lord, will only a few people ...

For Sunday, August 14, 2022 Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53 I look at Jesus’ words and actions, especially His miracle cures and care for those who were hurting. No matter the individual’s disease, disorder of the mind or body, or whatever had ostracized them from the community, it did not matter to Jesus. They were hurting and Jesus’ full attention was absorbed in their need. Very quickly, He became known as a “healer” … a miracle worker. It did not matter whether the afflicted was a member of the privileged class or considered the “scum” of society; they were hurting, and Jesus hurt with them. He was full of compassion and had pity and mercy on them. Today’s readings add a significant expansion to what it means to be a Christian. We look at the Gospel of Luke, the physician who was so sensitive to those hurting that he portrayed Jesus as one of gentleness, care and comfort for all peoples ... especially those hurting and even more those who were marginalized. We ...

For Sunday, August 7, 2022 Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-22, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48 I spent 17 years teaching Religion in Catholic High Schools, then five more in administration. Let’s take a journey back to those years. Remember the shock you felt as a student when the teacher “greeted” you as class began with the announcement,  “Clear your desks, take out a sheet of paper … we are having a pop quiz” ... or test ... or some other surprise? As a teacher, I heard: “You didn’t tell us you were going to do this” … “We’re not prepared” … “Is this going to count?” ... “Can we have a little time to study?” ... “I’ve been sick and missed the last two classes!” Excuses galore. And today Jesus tells us: “You also must be prepared for an hour you do not expect, the Son of man will come.” [Luke 12:40] I think the best way to get in touch with the context of today’s readings is to focus on remembrances and hope: looking back on the outstanding, heroic, courageous, beautiful people God has place...