//Contemplative Monk//
You Learn Grace
Sermon Notes – November 20, 2022 – “You Can Create Your Own Chapter in the ‘Lives of the Saints’”
“You Can Create Your Own Chapter in the ‘Lives of the Saints’”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
November 19-20, 2022
Gospel: Luke 23:35-43
35 The people stayed there watching. As for the leaders, they jeered at Him with the words, ‘He saved others, let Him save himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ 36 The soldiers mocked Him too, coming up to Him, offering Him vinegar, 37 and saying, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ 38 Above Him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews’. 39 One of the criminals hanging there abused Him: ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.’ 40 But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’ he said. ‘You got the same sentence as He did, 41 but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this Man has done nothing wrong.’ 42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 43 He answered him, ‘In truth I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’
One of my favorite things to read about is the lives of the saints because it gives me great hope. The saints cover a wide range and multitude of vocations, lifestyles, and difficulties. That gives me hope that someday I also might be a saint. I was reading about one this week. During World War II, a bomber pilot was flying a mission over Italy and was about to release his bomb when he saw a flying monk – not the flying nun – at 17,000 feet in the air. The monk was pointing at something. The boom window opened, and the bombs dropped but not where they were supposed to drop. Later, when the pilot did his after-action report, he told the commanding general what happened. The general said, “That’s nice.” The pilot was put in the Army’s “nut hut” for a while. He’d been on one too many flights. But other pilots kept seeing the same thing and also missing the target for their bombs. Finally, an Italian general, an ally, saw the flying monk. After the war, he went to that tiny Italian town and while he was there looking around, he saw the monk that he had seen while flying at 17,000 feet. You know who that was? Padre Pio. The general, who was Protestant, became Catholic. Padre Pio was given the gift of bilocation (the ability to be present in more than one place at the same time). Padre Pio promised his people that the allies would not bomb the town . . . and they didn’t. Saint Martin de Porres, a Dominican brother from South America, was also given the gift of bilocation. I had the gift of bilocation, a twin, but that usually just got us into trouble. Before I’d go home, I would ask my twin brother, Paul, if he had ticked anybody off. I was getting too old to smack people around. But there have been all sorts of saints. They had extraordinary gifts given to them. Saint Teresa of Avila levitated while in prayer. Saint Junípero Serra was known as the flying priest. Saint Therese de Lisieux and Saint Francis of Assisi both saw their guardian angels. These great gifts were given to the saints, and they are wonderful. The temptation of the devil is for you to think, “Oh, I can’t be like them.” Yes, you can. We have the same means they had to achieve what they did. They were given all these great graces – the ability to levitate, bilocate, and to fly at 17,000 feet – but they were given to them for the good of others and not as a reward or an “atta boy.” So how did they achieve those graces that they would bring to others? Through a life of prayer.
One of the greatest gifts we have is our gift of suffering. Our sufferings can be our greatest prayer. Suffering can be transformative and be conduit of God’s gifts to others like the saints. And as we gain the gift of old age, we have even more sufferings. Our minds write checks that our bodies cannot cash. I was talking to a marine the other day was sick and in the hospital. He didn’t want to ask for help because he believed that demonstrated weakness. I told him, “No it takes courage to ask for help when you need it.” When I had Covid, I told myself, “I’m going to say my prayers and say the Rosary while I walk. I’m going to walk at night in the church and walk before Mass. That didn’t work well. It hurt, and I almost passed out several times. But I rubbed the 101st patch and was determined to do it. No. It is not a sign of weakness to accept help. Covid was my prayer. Did I sit in my office every day? No. I couldn’t concentrate because I hadn’t been sleeping. That suffering became my prayer.
The saints suffered too. They spent a lot of time in prayer. They experienced a great deal of suffering which, again, can be transformative. Look at the Good Thief on the cross. He had a bad life and was sentenced to capital punishment. Remember, later they broke his legs…not a fun way to go. Yet he still went to Heaven through his sufferings. Heaven was once stolen, and it can be stolen again. God gave the saints great gifts – for others and not for themselves … because God’s love is in us not only to transform us but for the salvation of other souls. . .to transform them to be with Him and to cooperate with Him.
I miss all the fun I had in the military. . . all the travel, the strange, exotic lands, all the excitement. There’s nothing like being in 136 degrees and a sandstorm wearing a flak vest and helmet. Those were the days! It was very slimming. But that experience now helps me with my work with veterans because they can talk to me. I can help them understand. There is no other priest in the diocese who can do that. Although they are holy, veterans won’t talk to them unless they have the credentials. So, your suffering is a good way to open up other souls to you and bring them to God. No other person can talk to an alcoholic other than a recovering alcoholic, or to a drug addict by a former drug addict. And the only one who can talk to sinners is a recovered sinner. . .one who is recovering each day by taking up their cross.
The most important thing we can do is to cooperate with God’s Will and allow God to use us through our sufferings, our talents, and our abilities to show His love so that others may come to know our Good Lord working in us. Whatever field or time of life we may be in, this is our mission. And it is how we create our own chapter in the lives of the saints.
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 – November 13, 2022 – “You Visit My Mother, I Remember Your Name”
“You Visit My Mother, I Remember Your Name”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
November 12 – 13, 2022
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
5 When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, He said, 6 ‘All these things you are staring at now — the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another; everything will be destroyed.’ 7 And they put to Him this question, ‘Master,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that it is about to take place?’ 8 But He said, ‘Take care not to be deceived, because many will come using My name and saying, “I am the one” and “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. 9 And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for this is something that must happen first, but the end will not come at once.’ 10 Then He said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines in various places; there will be terrifying events and great signs from Heaven. 12 ‘But before all this happens, you will be seized and persecuted; you will be handed over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and brought before kings and governors for the sake of My name 13 -and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Make up your minds not to prepare your defense, 15 because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. 17 You will be hated universally on account of My name, 18 but not a hair of your head will be lost. 19 Your perseverance will win you your lives.
I had a baptism on Saturday, and it was interesting because for the Spanish, the Godmother holds the baby. And this baby was not happy with the godmother. The baby was crying and pitching a fit and finally the mother had had enough and took the baby. It was like a light switch and the crying stopped. Everyone needs their mother.
When you study scripture, you realize that it does not include a lot of information. Scripture only includes that which is essential. It is very concise in the essential information it provides. It leaves out a lot of great and interesting information that inquiring minds want to know. But information that is not essential for salvation is left out. For instance, the last time we hear anything about Saint Joseph is when they found Jesus in the Temple when they were taking Him back to Nazareth. After that, Saint Joseph disappears from scripture, because he is not essential for the rest of the salvation story. We didn’t hear about who cleaned up after the Last Supper. Just like men….make a mess and leave. When Jesus fed the 5,000, who took the leftover fish? That is not important in the history of salvation, so it is left out of scripture. What is important are the words of Christ. They are there for our edification, our example, and our teaching.
We all have mothers, some of them better than others depending on your perspective. God, in His loving wisdom, gave us our spiritual mother at the foot of the Cross. “Son, behold your mother. Mother, behold your son.” He gave her to us all. The importance of the Blessed Mother is reflected in scripture. “Well, that’s not very ecumenical.” If you don’t know about the Blessed Mother, you don’t know scripture. If you have no love for the Blessed Mother, you don’t know scripture. Where did Saint Luke get the Gospel of Luke? He wasn’t there when the angel Gabriel showed up now was he? No. He had to hear it from Mary. Those were her words. In scripture, she is the only human being an archangel called “full of grace.” Later on in the Gospel of Luke, in her Magnificat, Mary proclaims that “all generations shall call me blessed.” That’s not a suggestion. For all those who have been in the military, that is a tasking. Call her blessed. In scripture, who interceded for the first miracle?
Now, people ask me for my prayers, and I do pray for them before and during Mass. I appreciate your having trust and faith in me as a priest to do that. But I am a very simple man. I’m an idiot – just ask the staff. But who better to intercede for you than the Mother of God? When I was a young priest, I met this older Italian gentleman up north who said, “Hey, Father you visit my mother, I remember your name.” Okay. When you visit a museum and look at a beautiful sunset in a work of art do you think, “Oh, God will get upset because I’m enjoying the beauty of His handiwork. I am taking away from the glory of God.” That’s not true. You are praising God Himself because He is made manifest in His works. The Blessed Mother was one of His works. We cannot create our own mother, but God did. Mothers always watch over you. When I came back from the Gulf War and was on my way to Korea, I took leave at home. One day, my mother asked me if I was going out, and I said that I was going to visit some friends from college. My mother said, “Okay. Wear your jacket.” Mom, I’m over 40 and I’m a combat veteran! But I said, “Yes, Mom.” Mothers always watch over us, but how much more so than our spiritual mother? She always wants the best for us. And what is the best for us? To be with her Son. Her last words in scripture are wonderful spiritual direction. “Do whatever He tells you.” You can’t get more concise than that now can you. That is not an implied tasking. That is an order. Many of you have probably prayed the great prayer by Saint Bernard: “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.” Even though many of us have prayed that prayer, most of us probably didn’t get the answer we wanted. I’m not a monsignor. What are we seeking in that prayer? We want consolation. Somehow, mom can make everything alright. I was called out to a house one night to give Last Rites to this woman. I gave her the Sacrament, and she said, “Father, I have my Rosary right here.” I said, “That’s great. Pray it as much as you can.” Because when the time comes for you to leave this world, Our Lady will come and take you by the hand and lead you to her Son.
How will you apply this message to your life? ______________________________________
Preach by the Way You Live
Fear Not
People Don’t Always Say “I Love You”
//Contemplative Monk//
Do Not Grow Old
All Shall be Well
Avoiding Your Triggers Isn’t Healing
//Contemplative Monk//
Sermon Notes – October 30, 2022 – “If They Can Do It, So Can We”
“If They Can Do It, So Can We”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
October 29 – 30, 2022
Gospel: Luke 19:1-10
1 He entered Jericho and was going through the town 2 and suddenly a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance; he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. 3 He kept trying to see which Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see Him for the crowd; 4 so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot He looked up and spoke to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I am to stay at your house today.’ 6 And he hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully. 7 They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house,’ they said. 8 But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ 9 And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’
This week we are celebrating All Saints Day and All Souls Day. They are feasts of the Church because they fall within the science of the Church called Ecclesiology. . .a sacred science. Ecclesiology falls under what? Christology, because the Church is not a “what” or an “it”. “Itt” was the member of the Adams Family who had a lot of hair. The Church is a Who. As scripture tells us, it is the Body of Christ. And we do not refer to a body as an “it.” Calling the Church an “it” is blasphemy. Making a mockery of things that are holy or sacred is blasphemy and a sin. There are three parts of the Church. We are the Church Militant because we are still working on our salvation. This week we are mindful of the other two parts of the Church: the Church Triumphant (souls in Heaven) and the Church Suffering (souls in Purgatory).
On All Saints Day, we call to mind all of those who have used the means of faith to reach their goal of salvation. They leave behind for us an example and a map of the mine field to follow. “This is how I got through the mine field. Walk where I walked, and if you don’t see a footprint, do not step there. Follow in my footsteps, and you will be fine.” The saints leave us with that, so we have the same means and opportunities as they had. Time is insignificant to God. So, when we read about the lives of the saints, we are encouraged because they suffered so much, and we can see our sufferings in theirs. And if they can do it, we can too.
On All Souls Day, we pray for all souls that are not in a perfect state of grace and cannot yet enter Heaven because nothing imperfect can reside with the Perfect. “Well, that’s unfair.” No, not really. Would you like a little bit of listeria (a bacterial infection) in your salad? How about a bit of botulism? Maybe some Covid? How about a smidgen of the norovirus (vomiting virus)? No? The Feast of All Souls gives us consolation. It is a feast of God’s love because it is a feast of God’s mercy. You have to be judged before you can receive mercy. You cannot just walk down to the courthouse and say, “I’m throwing myself on the mercy of the court.” The judge will say, “Great. I appreciate that. What have you done?” You have to be guilty of something before you can receive mercy. Mercy is a manifestation of God’s love after death. So, while those in Purgatory are cleaning their baptismal robes, we can help them enter Heaven sooner by our prayers and sacrifices. Going back to the courthouse story, if you are found to be guilty, the judge will say, “Sorry, you are guilty. You have to pay $1,000 or do 30 days of eating bologna sandwiches in jail.” You say, “I don’t have a $1,000, so I guess I’ll take the bologna special.” But then the judge says, “Here is $1,000 bucks, you can go.” Thank you! Would you be grateful that you wouldn’t have to spend 30 days in jail eating bologna sandwiches or the square fish at Felon University (FU)? Oh yeah! That is how the souls can be helped, because in Heaven our love is not only purified but it is expanded to all, not just our friends and family but to the entire Church. We don’t realize it, but we have countless intercessors in Heaven. They are always praying, 24/7 and 365, before the Father on our behalf for our temporal welfare, but most importantly, for our spiritual welfare – that where they are we shall also be.
Perhaps, especially on All Saints Day, we can say “thank you.” Saying “thank you” is one of the greatest things about prayer that is neglected. Thanksgiving is one of the five points of the Mass, but is often neglected because it is the last part of the Mass. As soon as the Communion is finished, there is a race to the door to leave. And I ask Doc or Stump if I gave them permission to leave. No! What is happening in Albemarle that people are in such a hurry to leave? I know it is legal now to walk around town with booze. . . just what this town really needed. What’s the draw? Where’s the “thank you”? If someone came to your house and got dessert but left while you were getting the coffee, you would be hurt, wouldn’t you? So, stay a few more minutes to say, “thank you, God.” Even in your prayers, stop to say, “thank you.” When you get up in the morning, thank God for another day. Thank Him for not letting you have a heart attack, get sick, or commit a mortal sin. Say simple prayers just like that. On All Saints Day, we could offer our prayers of thanks and just be aware of how many people love us. . .billions upon billions of those in Heaven are expressing their love. In the words of Saint Therese de Lisieux, “I will spend my eternity in Heaven doing good on Earth.”
Father’s Reflections. . .
It’s Halloween, and I had this spooky thought. I remembered about a time when I was overseas in the first Gulf War and Desert Storm which turned into Desert Shield. The XO, the second in command of the battalion, ordered everyone in the battalion to fill out their death certificate. We completed the form except for our date of death. We kept that form in our wallets in case we had the whack put on us. Thank you, sir! I’ve gone to bed with happier thoughts. I still have that form. When we were being deployed to the Middle East, my assistant saw me take one of the two dog tags I wore around my neck and put it inside my boot. He asked me, “Sir, why are you doing that?” Well, in case one part of my body gets separated from the other part there will be something to send home to my parents. He said, “Oh.” Do you know what we do for a living here? We work in a very dangerous neighborhood!
How will you apply this message to your life? ______________________________________