A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, March 31, 2024 Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9 Easter Sunday, a day of remembrances … a day of joy … a day of the Lord … a day that brings and gives meaning and fulfillment. Psalm 118 states it so completely and excellently: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” [Psalm 118:24] The last two verses of 118 give us direction: “You are my God, I give You thanks; my God, I offer You praise. Give thanks to the Lord, who is good, whose love endures forever.” [Psalm 118:28-29] I remember Easter Sundays of my youth were extra special because we all wore our Easter best to church. Our parents led us shopping and we picked out special suits and dresses and all the paraphernalia associated with these outfits. As I remember it, they picked them out and we tried to give our input. The church was alive with wonderful music, amazing and beautiful floral arrangements, prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving, and happy people trying to understand the ...

For Sunday, March 24, 2024 Isaiah 59:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Mark 14:1-15:47 We are beginning this sacred week with many scenes that have been part of our lives from the earliest days of childhood: Jesus, the wonderful, kind person who loved everyone — spoke to huge crowds — healed people with miracles that showed His care and concern for all who were hurting. He told people He loved them — He told them they were important and special to God — He said the Father sent Him to show everyone how very much He loves everyone all the time. The mad, evil people in charge were cruel and hurt Jesus so much. Why were they afraid of Jesus? Why didn’t they listen to Him? Why were they so cruel? Why did they hurt Him so much and kill Him on the cross? I remember a children's story I heard ages ago that concluded this way: And Jesus didn’t want to see us sad … so He rose up from the tomb to make us happy and show us He loves us. Isn’t He great? … I think so. Don’t you? Our remembrances of the P...

For Sunday, March 17, 2024 Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:7-9, John 12:20-33 What is the meaning of my life? Why was I born? Why did God create me? Do I have a purpose in life? Or is my life — and everyone’s lives — haphazard, without purpose or meaning? Does what happens to me happen just by chance? Has it ever occurred to me that my life seems to be marked by a plan … has a meaning … makes a difference? I’ve had that feeling. I’ve touched another person and brought meaning … a reason why that person is alive and makes a difference! Many have shared the same experience with me. When I’ve reflected and experienced this, I've realized that I’m an important part of creation that brought about a very meaningful message to this person: that they are important — I am important — all are important — and we are discovering the meaning of why we were created: to be God … to be love … to bring fulfillment to one another.   The first reading is taken from that part of Jeremiah which is sometim...

For Sunday, March 10, 2024 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21 As we continue in Lent, our readings today ask us to focus on ourselves and how we are living our lives. Are we living each day with our eyes on heaven, our eternal home? Or are we waiting for the ultimate last moment, or close to it, when we have to prepare actively for heaven? Do I feel that God is a God of love, so I don’t have to worry about heaven as my goal? Do I feel that since God is a God of mercy, He will always forgive all of my transgressions and I don’t have to do anything to “prepare” myself for entrance into heaven? As I continue in the above reflection, do I feel that I have been held captive in my life? So many might immediately respond, “No, I can do what I want … I’m my own person.” Yet our lives can hold us captive in so many ways. If tried to give a descriptive definition of Satan, Lucifer, the Devil (they are all one and the same), it would definitely include keeping us “ensla...

For Sunday, March 3, 2024 Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, John 2:13-25 We probably have never thought about this: How many crosses and crucifixes do you have in your house, including those you carry with you? Go on a search party. Close to five, maybe? you might think initially. But have you included the crosses/crucifixes on your rosaries … the ones in pictures … those in your jewelry collections … those heirlooms that have been handed down for generations? I would imagine all of us would come up with a much larger final count. Looking at Jesus hanging on the cross, how often do we know that is where we find God’s power and wisdom? It is God’s plan for all eternity, and we read this from the first pages of Genesis: God created the universe, all creation and humanity out of His total, unconditional love. He promised eternal life with Him forever if we believe, have faith, trust in Him and live love. This is God’s plan. Have we looked at the cross and crucifixes through that len...