A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, July 30, 2023 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52 Question: What do I focus on? Do I concentrate on living my life the best I can? Do I feel that the gifts I’ve been blessed with are used for the betterment of those God has placed in my life? Are the yearnings of my heart and my life in line with God’s plan? In 2005 there was a TV show called “Three Wishes” that focused on granting the wishes of participants. In one episode they focused on the residents of a small town. Many asked for individual needs, but there were a few who focused on the needs of the community. A Girl Scout had collected 6,000 books, and she wished for a library for her small town. Some wished for help for a retired couple who made toys for underprivileged children. One group of students was working together to save the job of their music teacher who was losing her hearing. So inspiring. Unfortunately the show only lasted a year. But the question is an interesting one: What would I wish...

For Sunday, July 23, 2023 Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43 We’ve all been there: A friend shared how the family was off on a long-awaited vacation to the Outer Banks. The car was loaded to the gills with coolers, toys, books, games, swimming gear and loads of food and snacks. The kids were anxious from the moment the car got to I-64 … and then it started. Traffic was terribly slow … the tunnel was stop-and-go … they were stuck behind a slowpoke. The kids were beyond listening to excuses; wisely they absorbed themselves in phones and games. Finally they passed the slowpoke and cruised along, grateful to be moving, trying to make for up lost time ... resenting the rudeness in tailgaters. A few miles later, with peace restored in the car, boom! The car hit a pothole that flattened a tire. Frightened, the children whimpering, envisioning the horror of unpacking the trunk to get at the spare ... wondering what the slowpokes would say ... think ... gesture ... as they p...

For Sunday, July 16, 2023 Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23 There are instances in Scripture where Jesus explains His teaching and parables. Today Matthew goes into great detail explaining the importance of being open to God’s word. I hear people saying: “Why doesn’t God talk to me?” “If I heard directly from Him, I would find it easier to follow Him.” “Is there a way I can hear God more in Scripture? Some historical passages are easy, but then it gets complicated and the names and tribes are too confusing.” It is difficult reading about ancient cultures. Their habits and beliefs were far different from ours. Religiously they believed in gods that controlled and inhabited the land, sea, air and waters. Seemingly unconcerned with humanity, they were to be feared and placated. The Jewish faith was the first to believe in the existence of One God, a supreme being. Moses describes this God in the first five books of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch. God created the entire u...

For Sunday, July 9, 2023 Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30 The Jews are expecting a messiah. Unanimously they anticipate a strong, military type. They want to be free from the tyranny of Rome. But when Jesus comes, He just doesn’t fit their expectations: He comes into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a warhorse. He submits to a violent execution. There's nothing in his life and death that would suggest a violent revolution and fulfill their far-fetched dream. Imagine living in their time. Perhaps watching The Chosen helps us appreciate their times and troubles. They have few rights or privileges. Their lives are dominated by foreigners and are tyrannized by religious leaders. In reflecting on Jesus, imagine the strength found in His meekness. His patience and gentleness are complemented by His deep care for the suffering and compassion for all who dream of freedom but are bound by the fetters of those in power. It would seem that every encouraging word, every a...