A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, December 29, 2024 1 Samuel 20-22, 24-28; 1 John 3:1-22, 21-24; Luke 2:41-52 We have made it through Christmas. Our days have been sacred as we've remembered Jesus’ birth and God’s love. They also have been anxious: Such days seem to occur when families assemble and old hurts surface. To this we add new difficulties, sicknesses, looming diseases and surgeries. Sometimes we feel all alone in our little worlds with dwindling hopes alongside looming fears. The readings today examine Biblical stories with people just like us who have similar worries and fears — who wonder about their own future and where God is. Does He care? Are we alone to map a directionless course? What meaning is there to our lives? God said He is always with us, but we wonder: Where? We need Him now. I imagine Hanna and her husband Elkanah when they are promised they will have a son after so many years putting up with the mockery of being childless. Now they're experiencing a blessed moment, realiz...

Wednesday, December 25, 2024 Found in The Sacred Heart Messenger , December 2023 Fr. Silvano Fausti SJ wrote a version of the Christmas story that is popular in Italian elementary schools: Caleb was the poorest of the shepherds near Bethlehem on that holy night. He had just two sheep. When the angel appeared to the shepherds and told them to go to town to find their Savior in a manger inside a cave, they quickly gathered up some gifts, whatever was at hand. One brought a chicken, another some freshly baked bread and another a basket of fruit. Caleb followed them but, being so poor, he had no gift to bring. When the shepherds reached the cave they proceeded inside, each bearing their gift, and kneeled before Jesus. Soon other people arrived, each bringing a gift to honor the sacred child. Caleb remained some way off, too embarrassed to approach the scene empty-handed. Mary and Joseph felt overwhelmed by their visitors. They found it difficult to manage the crowd and all those useful pre...

For Sunday, December 22, 2024 Micah 5:1-4, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 There is always excitement at this time of the year. It’s like everything has a “good side” about it — like we’ve won someone’s support or approval. We’re on the bright side … the good side … the positive side. Things are favorable, marvelous, pleasant; even excellent, superb . It’s not like I’m on “cloud nine,” because my feet are solidly on the ground. I’m just experiencing greatness in action. In a sense this is a foretaste of heaven — and it really is. So on this Sunday, just before Christmas … days away … it’s as if everything is filled with promise. So often — hopefully — animosities are set aside; estrangements dissolve into reconciliation. There is a gentle spirit seen in generosity. It seems that the spirit of the season has caught hold of us before the actual day. Why do we experience this more often than not? Is it from God? Am I paying attention? Do I fear it will dissolve or disappear? Am I thinking ...

For Sunday, December 15, 2024 Zephaniah 3:14-18, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18 We are at the midpoint of Advent and today we celebrate Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. Its principal theme is joy — yet the readings also show us an underlying theme of fear. Fear wants to dominate our joy. Do we let it happen? We have two reflective questions: What does Joy look like in my life now? What is the biggest Fear in my life now? We add the unique Christmas questions: Am I ready for Christmas? Is my gift shopping near completion? Have I been able to adjust some of my plans? Have I placed my spiritual and prayer life too far into the background? Am I ready for the birth of Christ in my life? Are my Christmas preparations joined by my desire to bring Joy and Gratitude to the people who continually bless me with their love, care, forgiveness, affirmations and goodness? Am I ahead of the game or behind the “eight ball?” Have I allowed myself to be caught up in those quiet moments that always seem to bri...

For Sunday, December 8, 2024 Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6 Sometimes our minds generate questions concerning Jesus: They could come from ourselves, our readings, our wonders — Is He really alive? Is all that was written about Him true? Some accounts in the Scriptures seem made up. Should I believe in Jesus’ resurrection? Is there historical evidence of Jesus? Is Jesus God? Why should I believe that Jesus is God? Did Jesus say He is God? Why did Jesus have to suffer so badly? It can be hard to believe sometimes. Does Scripture offer any help? Today’s passages lay out definitive information. Christianity is an historic religion. Luke’s Gospel proclaims a very human and historical religion — today he writes, “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee … during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas … the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the desert … proclaimi...