“We Have No Idea”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
February 22 – 23, 2025
Gospel: Luke 6:27-38
We are called to love our good Lord. But love is more than just a feeling. People say, “Oh, I love God.” Good for you. So, what do you do about it? Our Lord said, “If you love me, keep My Commandments.” Love demands action. It’s through that action that you grow more in love with our Lord. When we have God in our souls, we evangelize. But it’s not always a happy thing. Sometimes, it is really difficult. As I like to say, “I’m not much, but I’m all I think about. It’s all about me.” We must die to self to live for others. I’m giving you a little homework. Read the short story by O. Henry, “The Gift of the Magi.” Look it up. Love grows when we die to self, and our Lord tells us how to do that. If someone comes up to me and slaps me in the face, we are going to have words. He’s not going to be happy. But we are not supposed to do that. If someone insults you and calls you a name, what’s your first reaction? A hand or arm gesture? “Do you know who I am? Do you know who you are talking to?” They cursed Christ, and if they curse you, be thankful. “Hey, I’m doing good.” All those things you find distasteful . . . do those things. Lend with no expectation of getting it back. If a man wants you to walk a mile with him, walk two. Those are steps that are good for your heart. If someone wants your cloak, give them your shirt as well. These things are hard, but that’s what love is. It is the renunciation of self and living for others. The obsession of self must end, and that is very hard to do. Obviously, you love God because you are here at Mass on Saturday at 5:00. You could have stayed home and done something else, but you are here. You sacrificed to be here today.
Love is proven in our lives by imitating Christ, by being compassionate, and by our long-suffering. Regarding his illness, Saint Paul wrote, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for Your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking inChrist’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the Church” (Colossians 1:24). Paul said, “I am bearing this for the sake of Christ and the redemption of souls.” That is what we do when others persecute, hate, and utter every kind of slander against us. We forgive them. Now, if you are thinking, “I cannot forgive,” yes, you can. You just don’t want to. Forgiveness is an act of the will. God never said, “Well, if you feel like it, forgive somebody. No, no, no. We forgive because God forgives us.
Sometimes, it is uncomfortable to do what our Lord asks. We have a fallen nature from original sin, from the sins we have committed since our baptism, and from the sins that others have committed against us. We have a fallen nature, so we are not always highly motivated to do good. We make a choice to love. That’s when we grow in love the most. It’s also when we are the happiest. We have a joy that nobody can take from us because we are doing what our Lord asked. Notice that our Lord never said, “Do this if it feels good.” He never said that because He didn’t care how you felt. Do the right thing, and then you will feel better. Feelings are transitory, very much so. Do the right thing. Go over and above. Love has no limits. Christ said, “No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). And that is true.
I always enjoyed watching the people in front of the courthouse. I haven’t seen them lately, but they would be outside the courthouse yelling, “Jesus is Lord” and “You are going to die and go to hell.” I found them amusing and appreciated their zeal. The way they screamed showed they had great lung power. Their oxygen stats must have been off the chart. They would scream and carry on, and I would think, “Decaf folks. You need to mellow out.” I’d really like to peek at their medication chart; they may have been short of a pill or two. Everybody who doesn’t believe their particular brand of Christianity is going to hell. Really? Is God that unjust? “You are all going to hell.” How do you know? Christ said, “Judge not, that you may not be judged” (Matthew 7:1).
In my work at the VA, I have met a lot of men who served in Vietnam. I talked to one man who said, “I had a couple of tours in Vietnam.” I said, “Really? Were you homesteading there or what?” He said, “I took a 2nd and 3rd tour so my younger brother wouldn’t have to go.” If you have ever been overseas doing the things those men did, you know that it takes a hell of a toll on your life. That man may not be the staunchest Christian, and I may not see him at Sunday Mass, but don’t you think that what he did would cover a lot of things in his spiritual personnel record? But instead, you are saying that this guy is condemned to hell because he doesn’t share your religion. How can you say that? You do not know this man. They say, “You’re going to hell because you don’t believe my particular brand of Christianity.” Shut up. You don’t see the crosses we carry. God judges us.
Now, you may be thinking, “Father, you are slim, good-looking, and bright.” Thanks, but neither of those things is correct. You don’t know the crosses I’m carrying. I’ve been a priest for over 40 years, and I’m still not a monsignor. That really hurts! We have no idea about the suffering other people are enduring. When I talk to people, I ask them how they are doing. They often say, “I’m fine.” I love that word “fine.” Do you know what it means? It’s a medical term, and you wouldn’t like the meaning because it’s a bit rude. We all struggle with our crosses. Some are visible, and some are invisible. We have no idea of the heavy burdens other people carry. So, we don’t make judgments. But what we can do is pray for them. Why? Because we appreciate it when people pray for us.
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.