A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, July 19, 2026 Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43 A common expression — so much a part of our interactions with people in our lives, maybe more especially among those who want to “get it right” — is: What is the bottom line? Growing up, I never used this expression when either of my parents told me to do something. I was told, I performed the assigned task, and I waited with bated breath — hopefully to be complimented or thanked. The bottom line for all people — Christians and non-Christians, those who belong to a specific religious belief, and those who have no belief in God or the afterlife — is: What happens at the end of my life? Is heaven open only to Christians? No, it’s open to all. Do the same rules for entry apply to all? Yes. Jesus prescribes following the Ten Commandments and the threefold commands of Love — the Great Commandment found in two of the gospels: In Mark 12:28-31, Jesus responds to a scribe’s question: “Which is the first of all t...

For Sunday, July 12, 2026 Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23 Today’s readings take us along a different path, but one in which we are very much familiar: We live in a world that is all around us. We learn about this world as we grow and become aware of the intricacies, amazing beauty and delicateness that God has given us as a gift. This gift tells us about God: Do we listen? Are we aware that this is a gift? Do we realize that this gift — like all of God’s gifts — is a prized possession and we are to use it to show others God’s care and love? Use, not abuse: Using shows gratitude; abuse shows our selfishness and dishonor for God’s love and care. The short reading in Isaiah is really an extended metaphor; the workings of the natural world become the vehicle for showing us something about the word of God. All was created at “God’s word,” showing the integrity of His creation. Isaiah takes one aspect we don’t think on — precipitation, in the form of rain and snow — and t...

For Sunday, July 5, 2026 Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30 Six weeks ago on Trinity Sunday we heard one of my favorite passages, John 3:16: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” This passage gives an explanation of what God is like and how much He loves each and every person, just the way they are, in their lives at this moment. We might complain about God not answering us immediately and in the way we want. But God loves each of us NOW, as He always will, as time continues and moves into eternity. Today’s Gospel from Matthew describes more about His attributes: humility, humbleness, meekness. Matthew 11:25-28: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden light.” The overriding disposition of the...