A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, September 29, 2024 Numbers 11:25-29; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:8-43, 45, 47-48 I come to the Church to be nourished, knowing I just can’t make it in this world by myself: I need God today. I’m hurting … I need encouragement … I just don’t know where I can turn next … Lord, please help me today, Your suffering servant. Is this where I am today? What do I need from God today for me? So many have asked me to pray for this person and that one … I’m important and I need YOU too, Lord. The decision is ours — God lets us choose if we want to be with Him or not. We don’t make our choices known verbally but rather by how we live our lives. We know this and make resolutions to ourselves: I will change … maybe I’ll begin tomorrow or next week. Let’s put these thoughts in the concrete in a different way: Right now, today, do I consider myself to be spiritual or religious? This can be a very problematic question because it demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of the human person. We e...

For Sunday, September 22, 2024 Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37 Liturgically we are still in Ordinary Time, yet we are entering into new “seasons,” “periods” or “phases” during this “time” of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere the days are still warm but will soon become shorter, and coolness will be a common denominator. Elections are coming and people are waiting in anticipation/excitement, dread/hopelessness, indifference/hopefulness. In social media, sports and entertainment, we continue the themes of the Olympics: Who is the greatest? In modern parlance that's who is the G.O.A.T. — or Greatest Of All Time . Today’s readings have a slightly different complexion, with the disciples discussing “who is the greatest” among themselves. We too, often subconsciously or even consciously, compare ourselves to others who are “not as good as I am.” The first two chapters of the Book of Wisdom establish a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. In this passag...

For Sunday, September 15, 2024 Isaiah 50:5-9, James 2:14-18, Mark 8:27-35 An interesting question pops up in today’s readings: Is there a simple and authentic way of Christian living? More questions: Is there any cost in being a disciple of Jesus? Does being a Christian involve a change in how I live and interact with people? Can’t I just follow my own specific religious devotions that I have been doing for years — isn’t that enough? I’m not called to be a missionary, nor go into religious life; can’t I just live normally like everyone else? Can’t I just worship Jesus the way I want, in the way it appeals to me? I’m a quiet, reserved person; do I have to do more to be recognized as a Christian and follower of Jesus? These are very good questions — usually ones we do not ask ourselves. Why not? Perhaps one might feel that religion is personal and the way I practice it is up to me. Or maybe I don’t want to find out if there is a right way to live it, because I could doing it the “wrong ...

For Sunday, September 8, 2024 Isaiah 35:4-7, James 2:1-5, Mark 7:31-37 Have you ever envisioned a time of peace — a time of no suffering — a time of healing for those suffering — a time of cooperation among the nations of the world — a time of people being concerned with each other and extending a hand to help — a time where people can live as one? If you share this vision in a social gathering, you might be told that it's just a pipe dream . If you share this with your Scripture reflection group, some might say “not in my lifetime” or “isn’t that what heaven is all about?” If it were possible to share this with the audiences listening to Isaiah or Jesus or even James when he spoke in Jerusalem, you might actually encounter the people hearing these wisdom preachers who are dreaming the dream. You are sharing the same hope with people who really could match these scenes with what happened when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on the gathered assembly at Pentecost. This “event” could be...