A message from Father Pete

For Sunday, November 27, 2022 Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:37-44 We have seen stores with Christmas decorations up for quite a while. I wonder if this is just an advertising gimmick to draw our attention to all the new products on which we can spend our hard work and life savings to show our LOVE for the special people in our lives. The stores want to insist that we HAVE TO GET this and that because our “loved person” just NEEDS this article … clothing … device … special gift ... to know they are loved and appreciated. The more stores spend on their advertising, the more they distract us from God’s eternal and unending presence in our lives. They seem to imply that we can’t live without these “things.” But do they ever say that we must have these “things” to be aware of God and His blessings, coupled with His desire to lead everyone closer to Himself and our eternal home? They don’t — but the hint is definitely there. What has happened is that Christmas serves as a mark...

For Sunday, November 20, 2022 2 Samuel 5:1-3, Colossians 1:12-20, Luke 23:35-43 In one of the parishes in New York where I was pastor, the director of religious education had an interesting sign on her desk that read: “I am not CEO of the universe.” Being very good at her position, she said she kept this sign to remind her of the important fact that she was not in charge. How often I need to be reminded that the world does not revolve around me. I’m just one of God’s creations trying to live life accordingly. People come to me for advice and help, and I can feel successful — but it is always God who makes it happen: I’m just His humble minister, trying not to get in His way. I need to be reminded of this constantly. Today is the feast honoring Jesus as King of the Universe. We receive Him in three ways: (1) Christ is King of the Universe where we have a small place, (2) Christ the King desires an intimate relationship with each of us, and (3) Christ the King died on the cross offe...

For Sunday, November 13, 2022 Malachi 3:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19 How often we hear the ad … announcement … bulletin … news break ... that announces, “Something great is about to happen!” Could it be an announcement that the Lottery is even bigger than ever? That someone really famous is coming to town? Maybe a special windfall is near? Or, could it be that someone has predicted the end of the world? A meteor could be crashing into the earth! The polar caps are melting! Maybe we're entering another world war! Scary, huh? Would I believe such an announcement? What would really move me to action? Would people flock to churches, synagogues and mosques as they did after 9/11? When I hear something like this, does my mind turn immediately to God? Do I catch myself trying to find out everything I can from CNN? Fox? Government websites? Well it's nothing new. These kinds of announcements come to us every year at this time.   The Scripture readings during the last wee...

For Sunday, November 6, 2022 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20: 27-38 During the past week we have remembered and celebrated the important people in our lives. On All Saints Day we honored special people who lived lives outstanding in commitment, honesty, and holiness that was filled with love, compassion and forgiveness. Think about your special saints who might possess these same qualities:   St. Francis of Assisi, St. Therese the Little Flower, Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, St. John Paul II, St. Jean Marie Vianney. Do you know a saint having your name? Do you know why you were given the name you received? Did your parents like the name or like the person behind the name? On All Souls Day we remember all those souls who are waiting to enjoy the love and gifts of heaven. We include our relatives and friends in this group. Actually we have saints we know who are in heaven. Maybe the world or the church doesn’t recognize them but we do because they were just ...

For Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 Wisdom 11:22-12:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2; Luke 19:1-10 I just returned from leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I have done this before. People ask me why I keep going back: because this is God’s land and God calls each of us every day to be His people of love. As I so often have said, “You will never be the same on returning from the Holy Land.” Going to the various sites where Jesus ministered, cured, encouraged; promised His graces and love, and the gift of heaven to all who follow His way of love is life-fulfilling. I have never been the same … I have never been bored … I have experienced God’s lifting up the pilgrims to be a people convinced of God’s presence and knowing that He has called them to His Land.   Each of today’s readings emphasizes that God is love and that He loves each of us and helps us right where we are.  Am I listening? Do I allow this to happen? Do I feel that I have to do something special to deserve this? The poi...

For Sunday, October 23, 2022 Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14 It seems that most people have favorites. They are attracted to a particular sports team, news program, TV series, mystery author, self-help author, actor, actress. This carries on to a favorite meal, beverage, route to take home, car dealership, restaurant. We like what attracts us. When we look at these favorites of ours, we encounter those who just don’t like our choices. This brings with it some unpleasant distractions in relationships. Another example is sports teams — especially our favorites which produce rivalities that attract others to “cheer for the underdog” that has little chance of winning. According to the internet, an underdog is “the person or persons who are not favored to win or be selected. It is a person or group in a competition, usually in sports and creative works, who is largely expected to lose.” It also gives us words that define the opposite of underdog: happy, respect...

For Sunday, October 16, 2022 Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-8 There is so much I don’t understand. I enjoy reading — listening to people talk about their  interests, having experts explain what they have learned, been taught and what they have discovered in God’s world. These we can refer to as FACTS … but there is much more when we bring in our troubles, worries and fears. Wisdom figures from early ages to the present lead us in bringing our doubts and hesitations to the Ultimate Wisdom figure … the Lord … ultimate figures in extended faith beliefs … to help us understand, in short, the ways of the Spirit. The common, ultimate question is that we just don’t know all about everything. This unknown has been labeled as mystery. In Christian theology, a mystery is a religious belief based on divine revelation — especially one regarded as beyond human understanding: the mystery of Christ, the mystery of the universe, the mystery of humanity, the mystery of me. Why did I...