“The Oreo Confession”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
March 26 – 27, 2022
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
I’ve been here a long time and have had the opportunity to become ill several times. When that has happened, I’ve gone to see either Phyllis or Cindy. Last time, I had Lori drive me up to the VA hospital. She wouldn’t give me a gun and a cigarette so I could cure myself. Oh no! Let’s make you enjoy COVID to the fullest! You know what they told me at the VA? They told me I was sick. Gosh, those people are really good! When you go there, they will ask, “What’s wrong?” My brother was captain of the rescue squad, and he brought somebody into the emergency room over at King County Hospital. Now, my brother was dressed in his fire and rescue uniform, and the nurse asked, “What’s the matter with him?” My brother goes, “He’s sick. What do I look like to you?” Healthcare providers need to ask what your symptoms are. Unfortunately, there is not yet a universal pill that you can take, and everything will be cured. Take two aspirin and have a good life. No, the medicine you are given depends on your symptoms.
The parable of the prodigal son and his older brother is demonstrated every day of the week in the Church. Both brothers needed God’s forgiveness but for different reasons. Even though Jews don’t touch pigs, the prodigal son fed them which was very sinful. Leaving his father went against the Fourth Commandment which, in the Old Testament, carried the penalty of death. But his father welcomed him back. Somebody told me once that the older son got a raw deal. Well, the older son had some grave problems too. He was ungrateful. “I’ve slaved for you, Dad, all these years!” So let me see…he called to one of his servants. Really? You were really slaving away, kid, if you had servants! “You never gave me a goat to celebrate with my friends.” Did he ever ask? Dads are not psychic, believe it or not. He never asked. He was not grateful, and he didn’t care about his brother…he was just jealous. Then, he cast aspersions on his brother. “He spent money on loose women!” Excuse me…how do you know? First of all, it is scandalous to repeat such a statement. Second of all, if he did, you have no idea what those women’s situations were. It was a rash judgement. It was ingratitude and self-righteousness.
This is where priests function as the Divine Physician. We apply the mercy of God’s love to souls. When healthcare providers figure out what’s physically wrong with us and offer the appropriate remedy, they are offering us God’s love because a doctor’s wisdom is a gift from God. God’s love and healing power is manifested in healthcare professionals. Likewise, God’s healing love is manifested in priests as the Divine Physician so that when you come in for Confession, I can apply the appropriate remedy. To have God’s mercy properly applied, you have to tell me what your sins are. My mother always wanted to have doctors in the family. Well, she got two. My brother earned two doctorates, and I am a physician for souls. I diagnose severe illness, and I treat it. Rather, I offer treatment, and people take it, or they don’t. Sometimes I get “Orio confessions.” “Father, I was mean to my dog, I killed two people, and I…” Whoa! You’re trying to slip one in there hoping Father didn’t hear it. I ain’t deaf! I hear everything in there. “Bless me Father for I have sinned. I have told some white lies.” Lies are not color coded. It’s either a lie or it’s not. Just putting that out there. Sometimes, I have to ask questions – not that I’m nosey – but I have to find out the gravity of the sin. People have different crosses at different times in their lives. I have to assess the sin and offer the proper remedies to heal your soul. Like the two brothers, both were in need of God’s forgiveness but for different reasons.
We always get jailhouse lawyers. They stayed at a Holiday Inn last night, now they know everything. They’ll say, “Father, I was taught in Catechism that a mortal sin must have three conditions: grave offense, sufficient knowledge and reflection, and full consent. So, that’s not a mortal sin.” Well, you may be brighter than me, and you probably are. There is no Mensa card in my pocket. My brother had one, I don’t. He had to pay $400 to get it, so how bright was he? For those who truly love God, do you know the difference between a mortal and a venial sin? It’s the same difference as punching y ,m.our wife or slapping her. That’s the difference.
People try to see God in elaborate things. I have been blessed to be in this beautiful church for a long time. I look at the beautiful vestments, the beautiful adornments on the altar, and the beautiful music from Frankie and the choir. For most of my priesthood, I have not been favored with all that. I’m used to a bit more rustic environment when I offered Mass. I didn’t have an organist or a choir, but God was present. Surroundings mean nothing. My spiritual advisor told me once that the greatest experience you will ever have with God is the experience of His forgiveness. In the Sacrament of Penance, God forgives and forgets all our sins.
How will you apply this message to your life?
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to AnnunciationCatholicAlbemarle.com, clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” and then “Sermon Notes.” Sermon notes can also be found on the church Facebook page by searching for “Facebook Our Lady of the Annunciation Albemarle”