“Are You Grateful?”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
November 9 – 10, 2024
Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
I’m in bit of a conundrum because I prepared a wonderful sermon, brief but wonderful, on the Gospel just not this Gospel. Oops! So, would you like to hear a sermon that I come up with by the seat of my pants or would you like to hear the short one on another Gospel? Seat of my pants? Not happening.
Remember the story about the ten lepers who were cured by Jesus but only one came back to thank Him? That was a lesson on prayer for the Apostles to show them how few say, “thank you.” The lepers asked God for a favor, and when God cured them, they went away. Jesus was surprised that only one man came back to thank Him. You don’t surprise God. I don’t care how original you think you are. You don’t surprise God. But God did that to drive home the point to the Apostles about how important gratitude is in prayer. We are ungrateful children sometimes, which hurts both our spiritual and mental health lives. We sink into a funk. “Oh God doesn’t love me.” Well make a gratitude list. In all 12-Step Programs, they tell people to make a list of things they are grateful for. “How long of a list? Five or ten things?” Oh, about 100. “What do you mean a hundred?” Well, that’s easy. Are you breathing? Put that at the top of the list. Is your heart beating? That’s number two. “But I’m not happy.” I see that. You are so self-centered it’s unbelievable. Make a gratitude list.
There are so many things to be grateful to God for. I tell people at funerals to be grateful you had someone you loved and who loved you. It’s not forever in this life; in the next one, yes. Be grateful you had them for so long. My family bailed out on me early. I don’t blame them at all, to tell you the truth. But my family reunions are a lot easier, cheaper, and quieter. But I loved them, and they loved me. “But I don’t have this, and I don’t have that.” Well, I don’t have a Bentley, and that keeps me up at night. I go to the Bentley dealership and just cry. I don’t have a lot, but I have all that I want. I have more than ever I needed and more than I ever wanted except for bacon. That will come in Heaven. Extra crispy please, Lord.
Be grateful for what you have. It is a great addition to spiritual life. You know what else is a good addition to spiritual life? Spending time with God. In prayer, we go to God and tell Him what we need and thank Him for the blessings He has given us. Okay, conversation over; time to move on. God is perfection in courtesy which comes from the virtues of love, charity, and respect. Prayer takes time. “What are you waiting for Father?” I’m waiting for God to say, “You’re welcome.” It is inconsiderate if you walk away from God after saying “Thank you,” without waiting for Him to say, “You’re welcome.” Have you ever thought about that? “Hey, I’m doing fine. I said, ‘thank you, didn’t I?” Perfect! You are growing right along. When we say, “thank you” to people, we expect them to say, “You’re welcome.” When you thank God in prayer, take some time to wait and listen because He will always respond and say “You’re welcome. I love you.”
When Jesus tells you to do something in prayer, do it. Don’t worry about the results – just do it. You will be surprised at the results. He showers His gifts on the just and the unjust in life. He gives His gifts to the unjust so that they might turn their hearts to Him. He still loves them and even their sins cannot stop His love. He gives His gifts to the just to keep them encouraged, to reassure them that He is watching over them, to let them know that He hasn’t forgotten about them, and so that they may have gifts to give others to show God’s love for them. That is why God cured the lepers.
How will you apply this message to your life? ________________________________________
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to AnnunciationCatholicAlbemarle.com, clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” and then “Sermon Notes.” On a cell phone: click on “Blog” and then “Menu.” Scroll to the bottom and click on “Categories.” Sermon Notes are also available on the Church’s Facebook page at OLA.Catholic.Church. Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”