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Saint Peter Church, Guymon My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: One week ago, I had the opportunity to celebrate the Saturday night Mass here at Saint Peter’s. Today I am able to offer this Sunday noon Mass and to pray with you and for you. I am always so very pleased to come to your parish. It is my great hope that you and I and your families and fellow parishioners will grow in the love of God and of each other. This is the most important part of our lives: to come to know, love and serve God now, so that someday we can rejoice with Him forever in heaven. This is what our Catholic faith is all about. The Catholic Church teaches that God loves us totally and completely. Therefore, to save us from sin and to help us live good and happy lives, God sent His Son Jesus to our world. Jesus came and lived among us. He suffered and died for us. Three days later, He rose from the dead. Before He ascended to His Father in heaven, Jesus called His Apostles and sent them into the whole world. He told them to proclaim the Good News to all people. The Good News is that God loves us, that He has redeemed us and that He offers us life everlasting. When Jesus gathered His Apostles and other followers together, He formed a community, a Church. This Church continues today. It is our Catholic Church. The mission of the Catholic Church is to do the work of Jesus in our time. The Church therefore introduces us to Jesus. It shares the message of love and hope that Jesus brought. The Church teaches us to understand the Bible and the truths which Jesus revealed. This Sunday, the Church is calling us to a strong and personal faith in Jesus. In today’s Gospel, Saint Peter was confronted directly by Jesus. Jesus asked him: “Who do you say that I am?” Saint Peter responded with a beautiful profession of faith: “Thou art the Christ, the eternal Son of God.” Only when we truly believe that Jesus is indeed the Son of God will we begin to appreciate how much God loves us. Only then can we have true peace of heart and of mind. Only when we acknowledge our human dignity as a gift from God Who created us in His own Image and Likeness can we hope for real happiness. Only when we obey the commandments and teachings of Jesus can we expect to have everlasting life with God. Yes, there is great conflict in the world today. Moreover, each of us is touched by many negative events. Sometimes we are frightened. Sometimes we are worried. There are so many problems, so many difficulties. Yet, despite these, we must not be afraid! We should not give in to temptations or sins. We must never lose hope because Jesus has promised: “I am with you always – even to the end of time!” This is the Good News that I share with you today: God loves you and will never abandon you. Do you love Jesus?
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Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran |