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“Are You Ready for What May Come?“

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

December 2 – 3, 2023

Gospel:  Mark 13:33-37

 Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

This week there is a Holy Day of Obligation.  We will be observing the Feast Day for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Friday at 8:30 a.m.  There will be a Vigil Mass on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.  Also, Christmas falls on a Monday this year which means the faithful are obligated to participate in the Mass once for the Sunday and once on the holy day.   Believe it or not, I have already heard the Catholic angst.  “Oh, my goodness!  I have to go to two Masses in three days!”  Really?  Are you starting your own opera here?  That’s a lot of drama over nothing.  If you don’t like the Mass, you won’t like Heaven.  The same Lord appears in both places.  You’ll be fine.  In fact, you’ll be better than fine; you’ll be fantastic.  So, please come. 

Just like Lent, Advent is a season for penance.  Because it is a penitential season, I’m wearing violet – not purple – violet.  Because this is a season of penance, we will not be saying the Gloria during the Mass.  Advent is a time for reflection and preparing our souls for the coming of our Lord in the flesh.  When He comes again it will be to take us to Heaven. 

On Friday I was visiting a man in hospice.  I asked him how he was doing, and he said, “ho hum.”  At least he didn’t say “fine.”  I hate it when they do that.  So, we were talking, and I asked him how old he was.  I found out that he had been in the Army, and I asked if he had been in Vietnam.  He said, “No.  My brother took an extra tour there so I wouldn’t have to go.”  We kept talking, and I asked him if he was ready for what may happen.  When I’m talking to hospice patients, I never use the “D” word.  If they want to talk about it, they will bring it up.  But I don’t take away that crutch from people until they are ready.  Some patients have stabilized, gone home, and lived a lot longer.   You don’t know where people are on that spectrum.  Some people never reach the acceptance stage and need that crutch.   So, I asked him, “Are you ready for whatever might come?”  He said, “Yeah.”   I said “Okay,” and we talked a bit more. 

In one of his letters, Saint Paul said, “I don’t know if I wish to stay in the body or be at home with Christ” (Philippians 1:21-22).  He wasn’t sure if he should stay in his body to continue the work of the Church or go be with Christ.  Paul was torn but he was ready for anything.  During this penitential season, perhaps that can be a good meditation for us all, as in my question to that sick man: “Are you ready for what may happen?”  Or as in Saint Paul’s statement:  I do not know whether it would be better to stay in my body to build up the Church on Earth or go to Heaven.  Are we ready for whatever may come?

How will you apply this message to your life?  ________________________________________

You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to annunciationcatholicalbemarle.com and clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” 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.”

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