“Only God Can Mend a Broken Heart”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
August 3-4, 2019
Scripture: Luke 12:13-21
On the first Friday of each month, I visit the prison in Badin. While there, I try out that weekend’s sermon on the prisoners. I am happy to say that today’s sermon is “felon approved.”
Do you know what the seven deadly sins are? Pride, Anger, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Avarice or Greed, and Sloth (PALEGAS). Committing these sins will send us to hell. Actually, we send ourselves to hell by rejecting God. He doesn’t reject us.
We commit the sin of greed when we try to fill the holes in our souls with things that only God can fill. We tell ourselves if we only had more stuff, we would feel better. We think that something instead of someone can fix us. But, even after acquiring a bunch of stuff, we still have that hole in our heart. We are victims of our stuff. Once we strive to be more like God, the desire for things is put into perspective. We may not have as much stuff, but we will be rich beyond measure. My mother’s family was poor, but they practiced the faith, so they were rich. Be greedy only about the things of God by seeking more of them. The beauty is that they are free…the only cost is our love. There is no cost for His.
People aren’t sad because they are poor, so giving them stuff isn’t going to make them feel better. It is not true that having more stuff will make you happy. If that were true, people in prison would be ecstatic. Think about it…prisoners get three hot’s and a cot, as well as free medical and dental care. Even some wealthy people aren’t all that happy. I’ve worked in rich parishes, and I have met some of them.
We are called to enjoy the fruits of our labor. However, money is only a means to an end. We are entitled to take care of our family, charity, and the church. It is our obligation to use cha-ching (money) as a means of furthering the gospel and giving to others. Saint Theresa set the example by providing for people in dire need while also talking to them about the Savior. You may be thinking that you don’t have a lot of cha-ching, so you cannot help anyone. But, you can become rich by receiving graces from God. How? By participating in Mass, praying, going to confession, using holy water, and offering up your suffering to Him, you become rich in the Kingdom of God. Christ will make you a spiritual billionaire. The only cost is time. Then, you can share the graces you receive with others and give them hope in Christ.
How will you apply this message to your life? Will you let God heal your broken heart? Will you share the fruits of your labor with those in need? Will you share His graces with others and give them hope in the Savior?