Category: Sermon Notes

Transripts of weekly sermons

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Sermon Notes – You Need a Surgeon…

“You Need a Surgeon…Not a Dermatologist”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

April 27-28, 2019

Scripture: John 20: 19-31

19) On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.* The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21) [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22) And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. 23) Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” 24) Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25) So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26) Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27) Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28) Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29) Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” 30) Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of [his] disciples that are not written in this book. 31)But these are written that you may [come to] believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Some of the questions we often hear from non-Catholics are “Where does it say in the bible that we must confess our sins to a priest? Why can’t I go straight to God to confess my sins and ask Him for forgiveness?” Well, for the same reason when you have appendicitis, it’s best to see a surgeon rather than a dermatologist. In John 20:22-23, the Lord gave His apostles the Holy Spirit and said “the sins you forgive are forgiven.” So, for a good spiritual diagnosis and prescription, go to a priest for confession. He will know whether you have Perfect or Imperfect Contrition. Our contrition is perfect when we are sorry for our sins because we love God and sin offends Him. Our contrition is imperfect when we are sorry for our sins because we fear God’s punishment. During confession, a priest can help you understand which one you have and recommend ways to break or avoid bad habits.

Another question I’m sometimes asked is “Isn’t it good enough to get a general absolution?” Well, you still need to go to Confession afterward and as soon as possible. During my 35+ years in the priesthood, I have given a general absolution only once and that was when I was giving a Mass to soldiers in Iraq, and we began taking incoming fire.

We must preach penance for the remission of sin. We also must preach God’s love …and the mercy manifested in it. But, you cannot talk about that which you’ve never experienced. This isn’t something that can be learned by reading books; instead, it comes from firsthand experience. Priests need to be able to make it real for people. They must have the fire of God burning in their bellies that comes only from knowing and loving Him. Otherwise, priests lose credibility, and people won’t believe what they say.

As you may know, I volunteer as a hospital chaplain at the Veterans Hospital in Salisbury. The nurses often call me when they know patients are close to death. Why do they call me? Because they know that, through God’s grace, I always come so that I can show those nearing death God’s love and mercy. But, priests are not the only ones called to do this. You also have that responsibility.

How will you apply this message to your life? Will you share your firsthand experience of God’s love and mercy with those who need to hear your story?

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Sermon Notes – He is Risen

“He is Risen”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

April 20-21, 2019

Scripture: John 20: 1-9

1) On the first day of the week, a Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2) So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 3) So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4) They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5) he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6) When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7) and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8) Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9) For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

God created humans with both a body and a soul. After we have fulfilled our work on earth and suffered the burdens of old age, we will close our eyes and our bodies will die. We were never meant to die; God created us to enjoy eternal life with Him. But, thanks to our original parents, we all will experience death. However, the body does not wish to die even though it participated as we committed the sin of gluttony by eating and drinking too much. Nevertheless, we will pass, or transition, from this life to the next and go before God. Our bodies will be perfected, because nothing is imperfect in God’s presence.

It is natural to fear death. But, our fear of death is lessened as we draw closer to the Lord. The more you fall in love with God and trust Him, the easier the thought of death becomes. Satan, the father of lies, tells us that death is miserable. He also promises us joy, but never delivers. These are all lies. We tend to believe the worse, because it’s so hard to believe the truth… that God has an overwhelming love for us…that He is merciful and will forgive our sins.

We know what will happen when we die…what waits on the other side. There will be no pain, no sorrow, no suffering…only perfect joy. Peter, James, and John observed the transfiguration of the Lord while He spoke to Moses and Elijah and as the veil of humanity was lowered. (Matthew 17:1-4). We, like them, will also see God face-to-face. Some will stay long enough for just a cup of coffee and others will spend eternity with Him.

I once met a man in Hospice who had been married for 75 years. When the man died, his wife said “He left me.” I told her that her husband had just left for work and that he was preparing a new place for her. Cooperate with the Lord so that you can be with Him in the next life. Sometimes, we feel abandoned by God. But, He never has and never will leave us; instead, He keeps circling and hoping we will reach out to Him. Our Lord is listening and waiting. He said that He is preparing a place for us and that we know the way (John 14:2-4). From the cross, He has given us the means to join him.

How will you apply this message to your life? Will you draw close to God so that the fear of death is lessened and you can spend eternity with Him?

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Sermon Notes – The Coronation

“The Coronation”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

April 13 – 14, 2019

Scripture: Luke 22: 14-26; 56

14) When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. 15) He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, 16) for, I tell you, I shall not eat it [again] until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17) Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18) for I tell you [that] from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19) *Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” 20) And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.The Betrayal Foretold. 21) “And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; 22) for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.” 23) And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed.The Role of the Disciples. 24) Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. 25) He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; 26) but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. 56) When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, “This man too was with him.”

When something happens in England with the royal family, we are all fascinated and glued to our televisions. There’s lots of pageantry especially at royal weddings. It’s the same here. At the beginning of the Passion, we are watching the coronation of the Lord which was 33 years in the making. We are proclaiming Christ is King

.Look upon the crucifix and the crown of thorns and you see the cost of sin. You also see the sign of the eternal love He has for us. We should have a crucifix in our homes and offices. In fact, put one everywhere as a constant reminder. And, when you see the crucifix at unexpected times, smile and know that you are greatly loved. Remember His words: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw you to Me, and you will be with me in paradise.” (John 12:32)

While at a conference in Maggie Valley, I saw lots of dream catchers but not a crucifix. Why not a crucifix? Because it might offend people. Well, if they are offended by that, they need to be offended. People are afraid of offending Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus…even atheists. But, it’s okay to offend Christ by putting Him up on the cross. Put simply – deny the cross and you deny your faith. When we see a crucifix, He is calling to us. So, stop the tug of war with Him and answer! The Lord will always be on the cross…He will never come down from it. The crucifix brings us the graces we need for salvation. Who in their right mind would be offended by that? So, don’t shy away from the crucifix, and don’t be ashamed of it. Instead, display it prominently so that when people see it He can call to them and they will know they are loved.

How will you apply this message to your life? Will you stop the tug of war with Christ and answer Him? Will you display the crucifix at home and at work so that you and others can be reminded of His great love?

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Sermon Notes – His Greatest Gift

“His Greatest Gift”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

April 6 – 7, 2019

Scripture: John 8: 1-11

1) While Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2) But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3) Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. 4) They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5) Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.* So what do you say?” 6) They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. 7) But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8) Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9) And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. 10) Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11) She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin anymore.”

Today is the First Sunday of the Passion. You may be wondering why the crucifix, statues and pictures of the Holy Family in the sanctuary have been covered. This is an ancient custom which stems from when the Lord went to Jerusalem and hid from the Pharisees. The coverings will be removed on Holy Saturday.

Of all the virtues, the primary one is justice, because without it, there can be no mercy. Experiencing God’s mercy is the greatest of His gifts. But, we must first admit that we have sinned to receive that gift. We must plead guilty. We must open our hearts and ask for God’s mercy. At the Sacrament of Confession, God forgives and forgets…He is merciful.

The Pharisees and elders committed the sin of scandal. They brought the woman who had committed adultery to Jesus. The Pharisees knew the law, but did not understand its purpose. They wanted vengeance…not justice. They needed to be reminded of God’s mercy. When Jesus bent down to write on the ground, He probably wrote the sins of the Pharisees and elders. This is the only time in scripture that Jesus wrote anything. After they left, the Lord told the woman to take up her cross and to follow Him. No matter how bad you think you are, God is always merciful. But, I have a question….it takes two people to commit adultery, so why didn’t the Pharisees bring the adulterous man to Jesus too?

Those who love God want to grow closer to Him. The closer you draw to God, the more you realize how sinful you are. All sin, both mortal and venial, hurts us because it moves us away from God. The difference between committing a mortal sin and a venial sin is whether you punch your wife or slap her. Both are bad. When you go to the emergency room, the medical staff is going to ask you what is wrong. If you aren’t sick, you don’t need a doctor and you don’t need to be at the hospital. It’s the same with church. If you think that you haven’t done anything that bad…then you don’t need to be here. And, if you are thinking that what you did wasn’t that bad, after all, you only missed one Mass, let me know how it feels when you miss just one heartbeat. Babies are the only ones here who are without sin.

The Church is holy because of what it contains…the Sacraments and the Deposit of Faith. One of my prison felons told me that he never left Christ…just the Church. But, this goes against scripture. Have you ever read the Book of Acts? Saul was trying to destroy the Church by imprisoning Christians. When Christ asked Saul why he was persecuting Him, Saul fell to his knees and was blind for three days. The Holy Church has been entrusted with teaching scripture to the faithful and helping them understand it. People complain that they don’t understand what is being said when the Mass is done in Latin. Hey, guess what…the priest is not talking to you!! The Church wants everyone to be saved…to have eternal life. Even when someone commits a grievous sin, they do not receive a severe punishment from the Church…it’s more of a slap on the back of the head. There are medicinal remedies…if you continue in your ways, you will die. There are also spiritual remedies including suspension from the church (for clerics); excommunication – the most severe punishment because you are cut off from the sacraments; and Interdiction – a temporary penalty, but you cannot receive sacraments until after reconciliation.

You don’t need to know everything in the Catechism to lead others to Him. Just tell them your story. When you evangelize, tell people what God has done for you…that He is merciful and has forgiven you. But, before you can tell anyone else about His mercy, you have to experience it first. Come experience God’s mercy before Easter and then go out and lead others to Him.

How will you apply this message to your life? Will you accept His gift of mercy by going to confession?

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Sermon Notes – The Journey Home

“The Journey Home”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

March 30-31, 2019

Scripture: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32

1) The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, 2) but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3) So to them he addressed this parable 11) Then he said, “A man had two sons, 12) and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. 13) After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 14) When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 15) So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 16) And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. 17) Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 18) I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19) I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” 20) So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 21) His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son. 22) But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23) Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24) because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. 25) Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26) He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 27) The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28) He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29) He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. 30) But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ 31) He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32) But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

On April 29th, I will be going home to Rhode Island. As I get close to home, I am filled with anticipation. When the plane nears the airport, I try to identify the seven islands, buildings, and other landmarks. I’m excited about seeing my loved ones: chicken parmesan, steak fries, and Dunkin Doughnuts.

We all want to go the heaven, our eternal home, but we don’t look forward to the trip. I’m not looking forward to the journey either. Death is unnatural. We were never meant to die, but, because of the sin of our original parents, it is something we all must face. However, as we grow in love for God, our fear of death subsides. We need to focus on the destination and anticipate seeing our Lord. Once in heaven, we will be reunited with our loved ones who have gone before, and we can work on those left behind so that they can join us.

Most of us don’t realize how close to death we are. We don’t know when it will come, so we need to constantly prepare ourselves. How? By going to Confession. That’s where we receive the Savior and the joy of His love. Some people are afraid to go. That is the sin of pride. Others think they will shock me. Believe me, you couldn’t tell me anything I haven’t heard before. Hearing confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn. Have you committed the sin of bestiality? Are you a Marine? A Paratrooper? Did you marry your 14-year old first cousin? No? Thinking that your sin is so grievous that nobody has ever committed it is false humility. At the other extreme are those who think they haven’t done anything wrong. Well, it is nice to meet you, Mary.

How will you apply this message to your life? Death will come for all of us…how will you prepare for yours? Will you go to Confession at least every three months or more often if needed? Will you grow in your faith and love for God so that death is no longer feared?

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Sermon Notes – The Thirst of Jesus

“The Thirst of Jesus”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

March 23-24, 2019

When Jesus arrived at the well, He was weary and thirsty. A woman was also at the well drawing water even though it was the hottest part of the day. She was an adulterous and, because of her shame, avoided the other women…she was a social outcast. Jesus asked the woman for some water. The woman was a Samaritan, and she was shocked that He, a Jew, would dare speak to her. Christ already knew about the woman’s sinful and unhappy life. He pointed out to her that she had been married five times and was living with a sixth man. She had sought peace and happiness that the things of this world cannot provide. She hadn’t found anyone or anything to satisfy the deep longing of her heart until she met Jesus.

We don’t know if Christ ever received the water He had requested from her…however, His real thirst was for this woman’s salvation. Even when the apostles returned with food, He was more intent on doing God’s will than satisfying His hunger. After meeting Jesus, the woman left her water pot at the well and began spreading the gospel with great zeal. She was the first evangelist and led many to Christ. Saint Photina was martyred for her efforts.

What is the price of a soul…Catholic or not? Each person is made in the image of God. Christ died to save us all. He came for the forgotten and the marginalized. The woman at the well was a floozy…an outcast. Nobody wanted to be around her. But, Our Lord came for her too. He wanted her to enter paradise. No soul is so marred by sin that He doesn’t seek its salvation.

By virtue of our baptism, we are all called to evangelize. We are called to lead souls to Him…to seek to save what is lost. How do we approach people? Well, we don’t do it by telling them what to do…nobody likes that. We also don’t talk down to them…they will put up walls. We do what Jesus did…we tell them the truth. Tell them your story and what God’s salvation has done in your life. Sometimes, people like to play “Stump the Priest” with me. They’ll ask where things are in the bible. These folks are just evading the truth. But, our only responsibility is for making the effort…for planting the seed. The result is out of our hands.

Saint Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower, was a cloistered nun in France. She once prayed fervently for a condemned prisoner who stubbornly resisted God’s love. He basically told the priest to “stuff it.” But, Saint Therese continued to pray in earnest, cloistered inside her convent, for the condemned man. Right before he was executed, the prisoner cried out for the cross and kissed the crucifix. Is that man in heaven? We do not know. The point is that we are not limited by time and place. We do not have to be face-to-face with the people we are trying to reach. Like Saint Therese, we can offer up our prayers and sacrifices for those who are lost.

While I was serving in Iraq, I took a 2-hour drive north to the town of Baja. It was a cool 136 degrees outside, and the military vehicle I was riding in did not have air conditioning. To make the trip even more fun, we encountered a sand storm on the way. But…there were souls to save….soldiers who needed God’s salvation. We cannot allow minor inconveniences prevent us from spreading His love.

Sometimes a bit of street cred helps me reach people that those without it cannot. When I’m working at the VA Hospital, I wear a 101st Air Born patch that was given to me. And, if that doesn’t work, I rely on drugs. When a patient tells me they don’t want last rites, I just wait until the drug cart has left the patient’s room. It’s amazing how a little morphine changes a patient’s outlook and response.

Priests receive training to prepare them to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons. Although they don’t like it, they go. Nobody likes going to the hospital…there’s a lot of yuck. It’s the same with prisons…nobody wants to go. However, this is exactly what we are called to do:

35) For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36) naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Matthew 25:35-36

How will you apply this message to your life? God thirsts for our love and faith. He wants us to bring that faith and love to others. Will you quench His thirst by telling people your story of salvation? Will you love Him in your neighbor and in those people He places in your life?

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Sermon Notes – Run to Him

“Run to Him”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

March 16 – 17, 2019

Scripture: Luke 9:28B-36

28) About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. 29) While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. 30) And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,31) who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. 32) Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory* and the two men standing with him. 33) As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents,* one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. 34) While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. 35) Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” 36) After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time* tell anyone what they had seen.

Lent is a great time to go to Confession. This is your opportunity to receive God’s love. People are sometimes reluctant to have me hear their confessions because I know them or they don’t want to shock me. I seriously doubt that’s going to happen. Hearing confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn. I haven’t heard a juicy one since my Army days.

The apostles suffered from short-term memory loss. Think about it….they witnessed many miracles…not all of them recorded. They actually heard the voice of God and saw what it would be like in heaven. Their minds were enlightened. But, were the apostles there on Thursday at His Passion? No. They had scattered to the four winds.

God gives us our crosses to keep us on a leash so that we don’t stray too far from him. Think about it….when our lives are going well, when our crosses are light, we tend to focus less on God. But, as our troubles multiply, when our crosses grow heavy, we turn back to Him for help. Once our crosses are light again, we lose focus again. We, like the apostles, are afflicted with short-term memory loss and must learn the same lesson over and over again….keep God at the center of your life.

I visited a man in Hospice whose family told me that his uncle had come to visit him. Now, this man was very old and no spring chicken, so I really doubted that his uncle was still alive and had actually visited him. Anyway, his uncle had appeared and told him that death is not that bad and that it’s an easy passage. When people are about to die, I tell them to run to Him; His arms will be wide open, and you will have fulfillment in God love. God’s consolation happens when He draws us closer to Him which fills our hearts with joy and peace. God’s consolation is eternal in the next life.

We all expect good things from those we love. But, when people tell me that their prayers are always answered, I’m skeptical. That’s just not normal. Some people think that when God does not respond to their prayers that maybe they aren’t doing them correctly. Not true. Your prayers are not in vain. God hears you and will bestow His consolation upon you when you need it and least expect it.

How will you apply this message to your life? Will you keep God at the center of your life and not just when your crosses are heavy?

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Sermon Notes – Deck Chairs on the Titanic

“Stop Rearranging the Deck Chairs on the Titanic!”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

March 9-10, 2019

Scripture: Luke 4: 1-13

1) Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert 2) for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. 3) The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4) Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.” 5) Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. 6) The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. 7)All this will be yours, if you worship me.” 8) Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.’” 9) Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10) for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ 11) and:‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 12) Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” 13) When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

Many times we get so caught up in acquiring the material things in life that we neglect our spiritual lives. We spend way too much time on unimportant, trivial things and neglect what is most important…our spiritual lives and what’s on the inside. Christ has come to change us on the inside…the outside is not important. When we fix what’s on the inside, everything will work out. Doing anything else is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

People are not evil because they don’t have enough stuff. But, wouldn’t giving them computers and cell phones help them be holy? No. If they just had a great place to live, could they then be holy? No. Is everyone who is rich, holy? No. In fact, there are rich people in prison right now who had all of the material possessions they could possibly desire. You see, it’s not about having stuff. It’s about what’s inside us. Christ gave us the Sacraments to help change what’s on the inside.

It is very difficult to watch a family member die; it is also hard watching people all around us die on the inside, because they’ve turned their backs on Jesus. Preach to others with your life….use words if necessary. Tell them the truth. But…be prepared for some to rebuff you. People don’t like the truth…especially, when the truth hurts.

I have a degree in Philosophy, but I have never understood the statement “We speak truth to power.” That statement has no meaning…it makes no sense. The truth is the truth regardless of who hears it. If we had the “right” people in office, would our country be in better shape? Do we really need more laws to govern our morality? Do we actually need a law that makes murder a sin?

Elijah was not a patient man, even more so when he was desperate and running for his life from his enemies. As he prayed to God for help, Elijah may have been expecting God to answer with thunder, lightning, or perhaps even an earthquake. Instead, He responded to Elijah with a whisper in the wind. Be careful that you aren’t missing His whispers while waiting for a lightning bolt.

The Church is not here for your entertainment. Am I required to put on a show? No. Do sermons need to be endless? No. I mean…even Moses told the Pharaoh “let my people go” (Exodus 7:16). Sometimes, after Mass, people will tell me that they enjoyed it. But, here’s the thing…we don’t participate in Mass to get pleasure…we participate so that we can give ourselves to Him. It’s not about a show….it’s about His death.

How will you apply this message to your life? Will you stop rearranging the deck chairs and focus on what is most important?

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Sermon Notes – It’s a Choice

“It’s a Choice”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

March 2 – 3, 2019

Saint Paul was a teacher of the Gentiles. He asked them: What can separate you from God? The answer is not “what” but “who.” We are the only thing that can take us away from God. We choose to turn ourselves away from Him. We choose whether or not to honor Christ.

My grandfather was a police officer, but he never missed Mass…he went every Sunday. We can make up all kinds of excuses for not participating in Mass. A few examples I’ve heard are I’m busy on Sunday mornings, I have a family function to attend, I cannot find a Catholic Church, or my child has soccer practice. If you can find a Walmart, you can certainly find a Catholic Church. And, why would you risk your child’s soul for a soccer game? A soccer game is more important than Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins? Really? The truth is that we choose not to participate in Mass. It is offered on Saturday evenings and twice on Sundays…so there’s no good excuse.

If we are less fixated on ourselves, it will make more room for God, and we can be more in love with Him. God understands our human weakness, but He still holds us accountable. He will judge us on how we returned His Love.

How will you apply this message to your life? Will you be less fixated on self and make more room for God?

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Sermon Notes – Compassion

“Compassion…the Greatest Form of Love”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

February 23 – 24, 2019

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

27) But I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28) Bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. 29) To anyone who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek as well; to anyone who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. 30) Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from someone who takes it. 31) Treat others as you would like people to treat you. 32) If you love those who love you, what credit can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. 33) And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit can you expect? For even sinners do that much. 34) And if you lend to those from whom you hope to get money back, what credit can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. 35) Instead, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36) Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. 37) Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38) Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap; because the standard you use will be the standard used for you.

I work at the Veterans’ Administration (VA) Hospital in Salisbury one or two days a week. A VA hospital is different from a civilian one. Unlike at civilian hospitals, these patients were in the military and have been trained to kill.

I have access to patient records so that before I go into a patient’s room for a visit, I can review them and be aware of any behavioral issues that could pose a risk to my safety and to others. Some of the patients are just plain bad people…but, some have had bad breaks in life and are hurting….others suffer from cancer or alcoholism….and still others suffer from some sort of trauma like Military Sexual Trauma (MST) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I approach patients differently depending on their background and diagnoses. We cannot judge people on how they look or how they act. Were their actions evil? Perhaps. Are they sick? Yes. But, nobody is beyond God’s love and mercy.

A hospital is not exactly a happy place to be. It is very likely that patients and their families are dealing with a fair amount of stress. One time, a social worker was talking to a Marine…a big guy. I could tell that the Social Worker was getting nervous and that the guy was becoming increasingly agitated. It was apparent that the patient was not getting the answers he wanted to hear. So, to calm the situation, I stepped between them and asked the Marine what was going on. By simply talking to him, one soldier to another, he was able to regain his composure. Treating him with compassion relieved his stress.

On another occasion, the nurses told me I needed to visit a Hospice patient who had a statue of Buddha in his room. It took several visits for this man to finally open up to me. When he did, he told me that the silver band he wore had 29 notches on it which represented the 29 Japanese soldiers he had killed. This patient, who was brilliant, was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). But, he was able to deal with the horror he had seen by finding peace in Buddha.

We were at a local restaurant last week after Mass when I noticed a disheveled man who looked as if he was down on his luck and suffering from addiction. I could tell he didn’t have much money. So, I told the waitress that I would pay for his breakfast and asked her to please tell the man that God loves him. A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. Compassion is a verb…an action word. It is not enough to feel compassion. We are called to both pray for others and to take physical actions to help them. Too often, we underestimate the power of the smallest act of caring which has the potential to turn a life around.

You have heard me say that I’m not much, but I’m all I think about. We all tend to think about ourselves incessantly, and it can be tough to think about others. For example, it can be very frustrating to be stuck in traffic behind a slow driver. After all, we have very important things to accomplish and places to be, so why is the person in front of me driving so slowly, or why did they cut me off in traffic!! In these cases, we need to step out of our shoes and walk a mile in theirs. Instead of honking our horns, we need to be kind…to have compassion, because we don’t know what they might be dealing with in their lives.

How will you apply this message to your life? Will you pray for those who are hurting? Will you show compassion by taking action and trying to help them?