“Follow the Directions“
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
October 31 – November 1, 2020
Scripture: Matthew 5: 1-12A
When I was planning this sermon, I had a flashback to when I was in school. I remembered Jeannie Garrigan; I hope she is still with us. She wrote the Beatitudes on the blackboard in her beautiful Palmer penmanship. She had such beautiful cursive writing. We had to write the Beatitudes and memorize them. As you know, I was not given the gift of beautiful Palmer penmanship. Very often, Lori comes into my office and asks, “What the heck is this?”
On this day, our Holy Church holds up for our veneration, admiration, and emulation all those who achieved their faith’s goal of salvation. How did they do it? Our Lord told them, “If you love Me, keep My Commandments.” They used the means Our good Lord gave them to follow Him and to achieve their salvation. Those same means are there for us. You may say, “But Father, these are different times.” In many ways, these are far easier times. I have a picture on my phone of my Uncle Herbert who died at age four with water on the brain. Today, medical treatment is available with no problem; in by 10 am out by 2 pm. In the 1920’s, they didn’t have that. Our lives are far easier in many ways. We have a lot more electronic stuff…stay off the computer, will you? My gosh!
The same means for salvation that the saints had are there for us. Use the Sacraments, prayer, mortification, and the offering up of suffering…these are all parts of prayer. When you pray at home at night say, “Dear precious God; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” and mark yourself with the sign of the Cross. When you do, it carries an actual grace. But, do it slowly and with purpose, not like you’re at home plate. Use the Sacramental that provides an actual grace such as Holy Water.
What is the most neglected part of prayer? “Thank you.” All of the saints prayed. We honor, emulate, and venerate all the saints – not just the ones who have been canonized, but all of those who intercede for us. Why? Because, their love is not bound by temporal and physical restrictions. They pray for all the faithful in the Church suffering on Earth, the Church Militant.
One day we hope to enjoy the blessings of the Church Triumph in Heaven. Tomorrow, we pray for the Church’s suffering souls in Purgatory. So, perhaps tonight, or after receiving communion, say thank you for all those unknown intercessions made for you and to all those benefactors who have prayed for you. Why? Because, by virtue of their Baptism, they love you.
How will you apply this message to your life? Will you pray for the suffering souls in Purgatory? Will you imitate the saints by loving God as they did?