Pentecost marks the beginning of the age of the Church, the time in which the Kingdom is inherited but not fully consummated. Today, we dive into the meaning and significance of Pentecost for our lives. Fr. Mike explains how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost fulfills Christ’s Passover. On that glorious day, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit fully revealed themselves in the Trinity. We also learn how the Holy Spirit heals our wounded nature and empowers us to love as God loves through the various gifts of the Spirit. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 731-736.
The working of the Holy Spirit in and through Mary and the Son is a pivotal part of God’s plan of salvation. The Catechism today reveals to us how the Holy Spirit prepared Mary to fulfill the Father’s plan and manifest the Son to humanity. We also learn how the Holy Spirit and the Son work together in a joint mission. Finally, Fr. Mike highlights how Mary’s humility is essential to her role as the “masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 721-730.
Fr. Mike continues to explore the joint mission of the Word and Spirit in the Old and New Testaments. Together, we unpack how the Holy Spirit has been moving the prophets, particularly the prophet Isaiah. We learn how the characteristics of the Messiah are revealed, above all, in the “Servant Songs.” We also examine the Holy Spirit’s role in John the Baptist recognizing Christ as Messiah, even from within the womb. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 711-720.
Together with Fr. Mike, we unpack the joint mission of God’s Word and the Spirit in the Old and New Testaments. Fr. Mike emphasizes the Spirit’s role in creation, the theophanies, and the Law. We conclude today’s reflection with an examination of the prefiguration of the Church in the exile of the people of God in the Old Testament. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 702-710.
Fr. Mike explores the different symbols the faithful use when discussing the Holy Spirit, such as fire, water, and anointing. We examine how these symbols help us more fully apprehend the person of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Mike unpacks the meaning of each symbol, as well as each symbol’s connection to the Old Testament. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 694-701.
Fr. Mike continues to examine the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit’s mission. We explore the joint mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit. When the Son and the Spirit act, they act together. Fr. Mike emphasizes that though the Son and the Spirit are two distinct persons, they are inseparable. We also examine the proper name of the Holy Spirit and the different titles we use for the Holy Spirit. Today’s readings from the Catechism are paragraphs 689-693.
Saturday night was a very special night in the Church. You should have come for two reasons: 1) there was more room, and 2) the sermon was shorter. Last night I baptized a young lady into the Faith, received another young lady into the Faith, and confirmed eight others into the Church. It was also a wonderful night because we were waiting for our Lord to rise so that He could give us life. We honored and made our act of faith that the Lord has been raised from the dead and is living among us. And He is.
Did you know that our Lord was the ultimate victim of Cancel Culture? Cancel Culture is not new. . . . it has simply had different manifestations throughout the centuries. Mental illness appears and wants the world to conform to it. “If you were only better, I wouldn’t be so bad.” So, what did the ultimate Cancel Culture do? Man tried to kill God. Imagine the hutzpah of man to say, “Hey, I’m going to cancel God.” Really? You’re feeling your Wheaties today aren’t you! But that’s what they did. They crucified Him and stuck Him in a tomb in Palestine for three days. Now, after three days in a tomb in Palestine, you are really, really dead. But He rose. In Matthew 28:11, the chief priests told the Roman guards to tell people that Jesus’ disciples had stolen His body while they slept. Nobody steals anything from the Romans, and they weren’t afraid of anybody. However, they tried to make people believe that Jesus never rose from the dead and that His body had been stolen. But look at what happened. Throughout the centuries, they have essentially proved, by their attacks, that Christ is alive and well. They tried to kill Him, but they failed. Christ is alive.
You may know that my last name, “Fitzgibbons,” is from an Irish extraction. My people went over to Ireland as “Gibbons.” They went to Ireland, took over the place, and became “Fitzgibbons’.” We liked what we saw and made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Maybe there’s some Italian in my background after all. I don’t know. The original spelling was with a capital “G” and no “S.” Immigration and Naturalization did that when my great-grandfather came to the United States. So, I have some Irish heritage that has been passed on through the families. Now they say that the Irish have leprechauns. I’ll let you in on a secret . . .they don’t exist except on the back of cereal boxes. Do I get upset about leprechauns? No. Why? Because they don’t exist. Nobody gets upset about things that don’t exist.
So why do people who say they don’t believe in Christ have such hatred for the Catholic Church? If Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead and He’s not alive and active in the Church, why do they bother? Why all this venom? One reason is that those who attack the Church have a bad conscience. In Canada, there have been 252 attacks on the Church just this year. How many have there been in the United States? If Christ wasn’t alive and active, why are they attacking the Church? Why are they trying to change our ministry? Last weekend they threw the Catholic chaplains out of Walter Reed Hospital. They have also tried to change my ministry at the VA Hospital. I am supposed to call people by certain pronouns. Well, that ain’t happening. Do you know who you are talking to here? My name is “Father” which is a legal and proper name. But they won’t call me that. Then you may call me “Major.” Do I call them by their preferred pronouns? No. I won’t underwrite psychological problems. I want to help them, not cosign their crap. Evil is making its case for the existence of Christ and His power, which is still active in this world, by attacking the Church. Christ is still alive, and they are proving it by their actions. Christ is still alive and active. He is risen. He gives us hope that at the end of our days we will live with Him if we do what He asks of us. If we follow simple directions, if we do what He did, we will get what He got, and we will also rise with Him.
That is why they are always attacking us. By their actions, they are saying that Christ truly exists and is active in the world. The tomb could not hold Him. And the centuries could not diminish His power. He is always active and making His presence and love known. Christ is alive. He is alive in the tabernacle. That’s why people try to break into the tabernacle. Christ is alive. Why do they try to attack priests? Because priests hold Mass and the Sacraments. Christ is alive; otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. I cannot come to your homes and order you to come to Mass. “I don’t want to go.” I’ve got some guys in the car . . . would you like me to call them in? I cannot make any of you come to Mass. You come because you love Christ. There’s no coffee and doughnuts today, so you really are here because you love Him. He is alive. The world proves it. Open up any newspaper and you will find many, many articles all testifying to the truth. Because they fight against the truth, it doesn’t exist? If Christ doesn’t exist, then why do they bother? Sometimes what we see and hear can be very hurtful but smile and rejoice. They too are proclaiming that our Lord is alive and active among us. The tomb could not hold Him. Sin could not defeat Him. It could not defeat Him 2,000 years ago and it still can’t today. Do not believe the Cancel Culture. You see with your eyes that everything that happens in the Church is a testimony to the truth that Christ is alive and active. From the Cross He said, “I thirst.” What does He thirst for? He thirsts for our love.
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” then “Menu” and then “Categories.” Sermon Notes are also available on the church Facebook page at facebook.com/ola.catholic.church. Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”
Remember I told you last week that sin has a smell? Conversely, and more importantly, virtue has a smell. My old organization and the people I hung around with were smelly. It was nothing personal, but because of the situations we found ourselves in, that’s just how paratroopers were. We were away from soap and water unless it rained, and we got a shower from Mother Nature. So, paratroopers were a little more aromatic which most people found disgusting and would rather not be around. “Oh, my goodness!” It’s like Hospice . . . you get used to it. You know what that smell was? It was courage.
Love also has a smell. What does love smell like? If you meditate on the Gospels and the Passion of our Lord, love smells like blood. It also has a sound. It’s the sound of blood dripping from the Cross. Love has a smell, and it has a sound. You seek divine love today. In the consecration, the chalice is changed and holds the Precious Blood of Christ. It’s the same Blood that dripped and sanctified the Way of the Cross. It’s the same Blood that sanctified the Blessed Mother who was the first to be washed in His Blood at the foot of the Cross. And it’s the same Blood that fills the chalice. Christ, Himself, takes the chalice into the Confessional and anoints the soul and gives us absolution. We are washed in the Blood of Christ . . . the same Blood that was poured out for us at Calgary. Blood is the virtue of Divine Love. And it has a sight, a sound, and a smell.
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” then “Menu” and then “Categories.” Sermon Notes are also available on the church Facebook page at facebook.com/ola.catholic.church. Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”
Saint Magdalene of Canossa’s Story (March 1, 1774 – April 10, 1835)
Wealth and privilege did nothing to prevent today’s saint from following her calling to serve Christ in the poor. Nor did the protests of her relatives, concerned that such work was beneath her.
Born in northern Italy in 1774, Magdalene knew her mind—and spoke it. At age 15 she announced she wished to become a nun. After trying out her vocation with the cloistered Carmelites, she realized her desire was to serve the needy without restriction. For years she worked among the poor and sick in hospitals and in their homes, and also among delinquent and abandoned girls.
In her mid-20s, Magdalene began offering lodging to poor girls in her own home. In time she opened a school, which offered practical training and religious instruction. As other women joined her in the work, the new Congregation of the Canossian Daughters of Charity—or Canossian Sisters—emerged. Over time, houses were opened throughout Italy.
Members of the new religious congregation focused on the educational and spiritual needs of women. Magdalene also founded a smaller congregation for priests and brothers. Both groups continue to this day.
Magdalene died in 1835. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1988.
Reflection
Let us pray to Saint Magdalene for the many young women who are caught up in the sex trafficking epidemic of our day.
Some saints’ names are far more familiar to us than others, but even the lives of obscure holy persons teach us something.
And so it is with Saint Casilda. Her father was a Muslim leader in Toledo, Spain, in the 10th century. Casilda was a devout Muslim but was kind to Christian prisoners. She became ill as a young woman but did not trust that any of the local Arab doctors could cure her. So she made a pilgrimage to the shrine of San Vicenzo in northern Spain. Like so many other people who made their way there—many of them suffering from hemorrhages—Casilda sought the healing waters of the shrine. We’re uncertain what brought her to the shrine, but we do know that she left it relieved of illness.
In response, she became a Christian and lived a life of solitude and penance not far from the miraculous spring. It’s said that she lived to be 100 years old. Her death likely occurred around the year 1050.
Reflection
Tensions between Muslims and Christians have often existed throughout history, sometimes resulting in bloody conflict. Through her quiet, simple life Casilda served her Creator—first in one faith, then in another.
