416 N 2nd St, Albemarle, NC, 28001 | (704) 982-2910
There are always going to be people we don’t like very much… people that “annoy” us. Friends, family members, people that are “always” this or that. It can become easy to define people by their faults. But that’s not what God does with us.
Today, Fr. Mark-Mary shows you how to love people like God loves people, by giving people permission to be themselves.
https://www.youtube.com/@AscensionPresents
What good does feeling sorry for yourself do? Fr. Mike points out a hard truth in saying—while you have the right to grieve when tragic things happen in your life—you never have the right, or permission, to feel sorry for yourself. All it does is shrink the universe down to the size of you. It blocks out the blessings God gave you that you should be thankful for, and paralyzes you from joyfully giving to others. When you feel the temptation to feel sorry for yourself coming on, in the words of St. Paul, Fr. Mike recommends:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
https://www.youtube.com/@AscensionPresents
Fr. Mike offers insights on how to combat despair. If you feel like you’ve tried everything, see no way out, or think nothing matters, Fr. Mike reminds you of the true meaning of hope. He explains that we can always rely on God’s presence. Choosing hope means choosing to act with courage, even if that victory is as simple as getting out of bed.
Finally, he reminds us that one of the best ways to fight despair is to bring that hopelessness to God in Confession.
You are loved, you are valued, and you are absolutely irreplaceable. Our team at Ascension is thinking of you and praying for you. If you’re going through a difficult time or struggling with your mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Talk to someone you trust or seek support from a professional. You can also call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (available 24/7).
https://www.youtube.com/@AscensionPresents
Some folks maintain the notion that Jesus said we “have to love people” but “don’t have to like them”. Besides the fact that Jesus never said this… there are other reasons this false idea is holding you back from loving the way you were made to love.
Today, Fr. Mark-Mary dives deep into what it means to “like” someone and how we can show true, authentic love to everyone (and… in fact… that is our calling).
https://www.youtube.com/@AscensionPresents
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.”
