Sunday, October 25, 2026
Dear friends,
How do you plan to seek the kingdom of God in the coming year?
I’m afraid we can’t create heaven on earth, but we can recognize heaven in earth.
What if we put to rest the pressure to be holier and healthier people, possessed by the need to change?
Will striving to give more and do more and be more increase the peace of God in us?
What if we eased away from our anxiousness about the future, about death?
Life is always mixed up, changing, and what can we gain from grasping?
The wind blows where it will.
This time of year, I always ask what would happen if we replaced our stewardship campaigns and pledge drives with a simple response sheet that asked us to reflect deeply on ways we will seek the reign of heaven in the year ahead?
What if we didn’t mention finances at all, or fundraising, or giving, or generosity?
More than anything, I want to give from my own heart to the needs of other hearts.
Be free, beloved, from the pressure to grow and achieve.
Your own soul is more precious than gold.
Above everything, beloved, stay close to the heart of God.
Consider the lilies.
Everything else will fall into place.
Yours in Christ, with prayers for you and yours~
Fr. Peter
