From the desk of Fr. Peter

The Lord is near, let us look toward him and be radiant!

When David proposes to build a house for the Ark of God, God’s response is to establish the house and throne of David forever—God cannot be out-done in generosity!  All nations, even the non-Jewish people, receive this news with great joy as St. Paul tells us.  But what kind of house and kingdom is it that God establishes?  We get a glimpse from a billionaire, Ross Perot.  In an interview about his early years, Ross related that when he was growing up in North East Texas during the great depression a lot of hobos would come to their home asking for something to eat.  His parents, although poor themselves, never tuned them away but always gave them something to eat.  One day his mother asked a hobo why so many came to their house and not their neighbor’s.  Because, the Hobo replied, the sign scratched on the curb in front of your house makes it known that you always give.  Ross asked his mother if he should remove the sign.  She said no, we must always share with those who have less.  Ross related that the example of his parents’ generosity even in hard times was a powerful influence in his life.

A great story!  But what is in a house that makes it a home?  The people!  And God’s house, his true dwelling, is in the hearts and minds of his people!  Jesus came among us in poverty and simplicity.  He still does, but he generously gives a greater wealth and treasure than the world can know.  He told us that his kingdom is within us—and it is!  He nourishes us with his own life in the Eucharist and as we grow in his life, we do his works in the world.  Mary’s joy could hardly be contained and prompted her to visit Elizabeth.  The little everyday things she did for Elizabeth and Zechariah in the name of God manifested the love and joy she had within.  We too are sent by God and led by the Spirit to do God’s will so that all might come to God’s house and find salvation!  May God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter

May Advent joy glow within you!

As you know, the third Sunday of Advent is also called “Gaudete Sunday” which is a Latin translation of the word “rejoice.”  When we hear the readings from Isaiah and John we do get a sense of joyful anticipation for the one who is to come.  It is also striking that this Sunday is situated very near two occasions when the Blessed Virgin Mary is honored in a special way: the Immaculate Conception (est. Solemnity 1708) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (est. Feast 1999, apparitions 1531).  One of the titles we are given for Mary in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary is “Cause of Our Joy” and this title seems especially appropriate for her as we prepare with her for the coming of Christ on Christmas.

Isaiah’s message is joy-filled because it promises good news, liberation, healing and blessing.  It promises forgiveness and renewal of the Covenant for God’s people.  In John’s Gospel, we see John the Baptist calling the people to repentance: turn your hearts to God! Ask for forgiveness! Forgive others! The Lord is near, and he comes to save; not to condemn.  We know this from Scripture, the teaching of the Church and our own experience!

Both messages are vibrantly relevant for today and they invite us into the joy of the kingdom but to do so, we cannot hold on to any form of sin or contribute to it.  We cannot become imprisoned by fear, retaliation, negativity, unrealistic expectations or bad behavior.  It is Advent now and stress accompanies busy-ness with shopping, parties, and too many details to count.  There is also our own historical context of widespread confusion and fear about COVID-19, the corruption and lies of political leaders, judges, media and so on. Many are experiencing grief, loss, brokenness and loneliness.  Some are just emotionally more sensitive because of stress and little things get to them.  In order to “not quench the Spirit” or “despise prophetic utterances” we can follow Mary who invites us to be quiet, focus and reflect on God’s activity in our lives.  It is also important for us to know that we are invited to ask Jesus for help with anything we need especially, healing and forgiveness.  God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter

May the coming light of Christ give you peace!

This Sunday’s readings affirm in us the characters of hope and peace that Advent calls us to.  In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah announces that God does not hold grudges.  God is aware of the longing his people have while they are captives in Babylon.  God is aware of their suffering.  Carried away as captives because of their sins and hardness of heart, God announces that He will gather them and lead them back to their homeland, and to their rightful place of freedom and worship.  This is exciting news for them and brings them great consolation!

St. Peter encourages the Church to conduct themselves in holiness and devotion so that they may always have an inner peace and be spared from worry, fear, dread, sorrow or any other pain resulting from sin.  When he reminds the people that a thousand years are like one day, and one day is like a thousand years, he helps us grasp the importance of how we live each day of our lives and how mysterious are God’s ways.  St. Peter teaches us that God’s patience with human beings is directed toward salvation because he is full of love and wisdom, he is tender and compassionate toward all his creatures!  How wonderful is our God!

In the Gospel, John the Baptist is at work bringing burdened hearts and souls back to God.  The invitation is there for all of us today as it was for them.  It is easy to do: go to Confession acknowledging our own sins and ask Jesus for mercy, then drop the grudges, the bitter feelings and attitudes that creep in and bring pain into our own hearts.  Realizing how good God is with us then we can forgive others too.  As we grow less self-centered and more open and generous toward God, he can work through us to improve all of our lives and bless our communities.  The wonderful thing to remember in all of this is that this is actually God’s work in us!  God removes the rough ways and the crooked paths.  It is God who levels mountains and fills in the valleys so that our lives become more smooth and even!  For our part, we are invited to turn to him who is our Redeemer and our Savior.  Please take a moment to check the schedule for dates and times for the Sacrament of Penance.  The Lord is waiting for you!  May God bless you with peace and hope! +++ Fr. Peter

May Advent hope lift you to peace!

Advent season is special for all Christians because, as the first reading expresses, we long to experience God.  We need God’s help to turn away from sin and to be freed from things that weigh us down.  In the Gospel, Jesus tells us to watch!  He means that we have to keep God foremost in mind and be on our toes to recognize his presence and action around us.  Advent is a time of hope and a time of preparation!  I have been thinking about the event of the Annunciation and how Mary and all the Jewish people must have been hoping that God would deliver them from oppression and sadness due to the Roman occupation of their land.  We are told that Mother Mary made the effort to be ready for God’s presence and action by reflecting on God’s Word and by prayer.  Advent is a time when we are invited to follow Mary’s example and like her, we too will experience God’s love and strength more deeply in our lives.

As you know, Advent means “coming” which tells us that God is no doubt up to something!  I know that this time of year we are usually up to something too!  In fact, perhaps too many somethings!  I can’t think of a time when we are busier than Advent.  It is important for us to gather, connect and appreciate the joy of our families and friends.  While we are doing that, Jesus reminds us to “watch” for something special that is from God.  Some of our family of faith are perhaps closer to Mary this month because they are expecting the gift of a new life in their homes.  For some of us, this is the most difficult time of year because we may feel alone or experience the pain of loss for loved ones.  As we journey into this special season, we can watch for ways that we welcome Christ more deeply into our lives and also make Jesus known and loved like never before.  May God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter

May the peace of Christ reign within you!

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, which concludes the liturgical year.  For the past couple of weekends, the readings and Gospels have been directing us to reflect upon the ways that we have been using the gifts that God has given us and the account that we will give for how we’ve used them.  The Gospel this weekend depicts Christ as the sovereign ruler and judge of all.  The message is simple and clear: those who have listened to God, the shepherd/guide, are the ones who have worked in the world caring for others, while those who did not listen to him are those who decided to serve themselves.

Most of us who attend Mass on a regular basis hear and understand God’s call to service.  The Word of God has living power and it invigorates the community, strengthening us in faith ready for action.  The Word penetrates and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart.  The Spirit of the Word guides our discernment in what is true and false what is good and bad, what should be done and what should be avoided.  Our True Shepherd not only shows us the way, he also gives us strength and inspiration with heavenly food.  Jesus comes to dwell within us through the Eucharist and we actually become his own hands, his eyes, his voice, his ears in the world and our actions show his presence.  This is one of the ways we can understand part of the Angelus: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”  Those who follow the shepherd find joy in doing the works of the shepherd.  The noble heart that loves and serves God through faith-filled, humble service experiences a levity of spirit that simply cannot be described!  It is a foretaste of what is to come!  May Jesus, our Shepherd King, fill you with lasting joy!  May we come to eternal joy with him!  God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace and grace to you!

The first scripture reading depicts a woman of virtue who is industrious in all her affairs.  It seems like there is nothing she hasn’t thought of and that she has applied herself to become expert in every detail of running her household.  Her family must feel blessed to have such wonderful care and wise counsel!  It is obvious that she is thoughtful of others too because she makes it a point to provide something to share with those in need.  This woman mindfully serves the Lord and models good stewardship and we see how God blesses her with abundance.

The Gospel parable praises the people who are most industrious at using their goods for gain, doubling what they have for a profit.  The ones who doubled their wealth were praised while the one who, out of fear, took no risk and made no effort to gain was condemned.

As Christians, we don’t usually look at ourselves the way the parable invites us to.  We don’t think of God as a stern master who expects a lot from us.  The story effectively creates within us a sense of urgency and dread.   We are supposed to want to be the praiseworthy, industrious stewards and avoid being like the lazy one that just made excuses for why he couldn’t make a profit.  As we approach the Solemnity of Christ the King, we must consider the gifts and talents that we have received from God and how we have used them.  It is also important to reflect upon the forces of fear and self-interest and the times that they have influenced us away from living more fully the way we really could.  For his part, God doesn’t hold anything back from us; he gives his all even when we don’t deserve it.  Like you, I want to respond to God more generously with what I have received for the good of all.  The best way for that to happen is to give God his rightful place as the priority of my life.  If I truly place God first and trust that whatever I have belongs to him, I am more free to be generous in love and service to God.  There is joy and peace in that!  One secret I do know, God cannot be outdone in generosity!  If I give a little, God gives abundance in return!

God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter

May the grace of Christ fill your hearts and minds!

This weekend the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints.  I have held this feast in special regard for as long as I can remember.  I suppose that it is because this occasion brings with it a special sense of the spiritual world to which we know we are connected.  Maybe it’s just me but it seems like most of the time, our conversations and spiritual awareness reflect a two dimensional plane of the relationship between God and ourselves who are still striving to live Christian lives in the world.  But on the Solemnity of All Saints and then the Feast of All Souls we are drawn more deeply into the reality of the Church in fuller dimension which includes the Church Triumphant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Militant.

The Church Triumphant refers to those souls who have gained heaven’s glory, whether canonized Saints or not.  They are the faithful members of our family of faith that have died and gone before us.  They may be members of our own families and relatives or friends who are worthy of honor and respect as examples of Christian living to be emulated. They are also Saints who pray for us and help us on our pilgrimage from time to eternity.  There are innumerable examples and stories of the aid given through the intercession of Saints.  I am certain that you are able to share a story or two yourself!

The Church Suffering refers to those souls in purgatory who have died in the state of grace but have not yet reached perfection.  These souls make expiation for their un-forgiven venial sins or for the temporal punishment due to venial and mortal sins that have already been forgiven.  They are assisted by the prayers and sacrifices we offer on their behalf.  This is very important.  In fact, the Church includes a petition for them in every Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass.  St. Pius of Pietrelcina is an example of someone deeply devoted to offering prayers and sacrifices so that souls in purgatory would be freed from suffering purification to enter heaven.

The Church Militant refers to ourselves who are still on pilgrimage and today is a special opportunity for us to reflect on God’s plan of salvation for all.  We each have a part to play in it for ourselves and others.  God rejoices in giving us aid through the Saints we turn to for help.  Think of those who have helped you and say “thank you” to those who have been and will be there to help you on the way.  May God bless you all! +++ Fr Peter

Peace and grace to you!

In the first reading from the book of Exodus a set of do’s and don’ts is established so that the Israelites may understand that God loves all people.  And as God’s chosen people, these basic rules will guide them in manifesting God’s love in their day to day affairs with each other and with foreigners.

In the Gospel, Jesus talks about love too.  When he says love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, he is indicating that there are in fact different levels of love.  The basic rule set forth in the first reading is the minimal level but it is foundational because it assures mutuality and fidelity in fairness.  Rising from that is another level in which the lover is not satisfied with the minimum but desires to do more for the other person to show greater love and concern.  There is another level beyond the first two.  It goes beyond reason or logic.  It seeks to give itself away entirely for the good of the other.  Some people do not understand this level of love.   I am glad to say that I have experienced this kind of love between people.  I think that for many of them, they don’t realize they have this depth of love until a situation arises in which they choose to give themselves in this way.  Lastly, there are those disciples who have turned to God and given themselves completely to him in religious vocations through the priesthood or religious life.  Their life focus is an imitation of Jesus and Mother Mary who loved God above all and served God’s will perfectly, especially in teaching and humble service to those in need.  These are good examples of different levels of human love that reflect divine love but the most perfect love that we know is Jesus’ love for all of us.  He emptied himself and became a slave, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross so that we might be free from sin.  In today’s Gospel Jesus links love for God to love of neighbor because all love begins in God and finds its way of expression in loving our neighbor as much as we love ourselves.  For some of us, learning to love ourselves the way God wants us to love ourselves opens the door to loving God and our neighbor in deeper, better ways.  Ask Jesus to help you!

May God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace and Grace to all of you!

In the first reading, King Cyrus is overtaking the Babylonian kingdom under Nebuchadnezzar who took the Israelites captive about 60 years before.  Cyrus, a pagan, is well disposed toward the Jewish people.  The prophet Isaiah points out that it is God who establishes kings and kingdoms of the earth even though the kings and armies may be unaware of it.  In the Gospel, Jesus is questioned in regard to the idea of paying taxes and citizenship under the pagan, Roman Empire.  His response is that we, as Christians, possess a dual citizenship.  We live in two worlds: we are citizens of earth and citizens of heaven.  We are obligated to lead by example in the world so the world can experience the salvation that our faith brings to all people.  Christians keep in mind that their true home is in heaven, in the meantime, we are united to Christ in this effort, it is our mission!

As Americans we support a government built upon faith in God and a democratic process.  We know that there will always be tensions between different political parties and faith communities.  We know that there will always be laws and policies that do not reflect our values as Catholic Christians.  Does that mean that we should write it all off and ignore it?  Does it mean that we should rebel?  According to the wisdom of Jesus, we should value the rule of law for the stability and peace that are necessary for society.  If we, as good stewards, are going to grow and build the kingdom of heaven on earth, we should use everything within our power as good citizens through reasonable tax support and use our voices through the polls where we vote.  As Christians, we vote Gospel values; not hatred, anger and destruction.  Remember, even one vote can make a big difference.  According to Mark Link, S.J., one vote can be monumental! Here are some examples:  Had it not been for 1 vote in 1776, the official language of the United States would be German instead of English.  Had it not been for 1 vote in 1868, the state of Texas would not have become part of the United States.  In 1645, 1 vote placed Oliver Cromwell in control over all of England.  In 1649, 1 vote sent Charles I of England to execution.  France became a republic in 1875 because of 1 vote.  By 1 vote Adolf Hitler became the leader of the Nazi party in Germany.  Just think, 1 vote could have saved millions of lives and perhaps delivered our world from the deep scar of WWII!  Jesus reminds us that while we live on earth, we should try to bring Gospel values into our sphere of influence because the Gospel does bring life, peace, liberty and justice for all.  This is our mission and we are the messengers of good news!

God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace and grace to all!

The parable of the wedding feast reminds us that the kingdom of heaven is primarily an invitation from God and it is open to all people; not just a particular group of “chosen ones.”  This is good news!  It underlines our awareness of God’s love for all people and all creation.

The invitation extended to us from God in the context of a wedding feast suggests a special joy, an excitement, an anticipation of a future full of new hopes, enrichment and possibilities!  It reminds us of God’s protection, blessing and providence.  God is lovingly present to each of us personally every moment.  God is mindful of all that we need.  Mindfulness on our part is watching for the ways that God is actively being a part of our everyday lives.  It means noticing the hundred little things that fall into place or noticing that things could have been a lot more difficult or worse of God wasn’t there, almost imperceptibly, helping us each day.  Prayer is the conversation we have with God many times a day.  These are the moments when stewards and disciples consciously recognize God’s presence and activity and they give thanks for the help and make known desires and hopes—its a real relationship of love!

This parable also reminds us of the wedding feast of the Mass!  For Christians, Sunday Mass is a Holy Day of Obligation in which we remember how he gave of himself completely for our sakes—and he still does!  His is an undying, endless love!  The right clothing represents those disciples and stewards who come before God to give thanks and offer a return for his many gifts.  Suitable attire for this event means being clothed entirely in a way of life that honors and reverences God above all things and reflects the teaching of the Church.  The Church identifies this inner disposition as charity: love of God and of neighbor.  If we have hate, anger, harsh judgement, grudges or anything of that sort, then we are present in body only and we are unfit to receive Communion because we are not in a state of grace.  The sacrament of Penance is required in this situation for healing and restoration of the true spiritual disposition we are called to.

God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter