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Best Christmas Ever – Day 18 – Pay Attention
Want to avoid becoming someone you hate? In today’s video, Matthew gives a serious warning…a warning that could change your whole life if you pay attention. Watch the video!
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https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/12142022-christmas-reflection.html
Sermon Notes – December 11, 2022 – “Name It. Say It. Claim It.”
“Name It. Say It. Claim It.”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
December 10 – 11, 2022
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
2 Now John had heard in prison what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, 3 ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?’ 4 Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; 5 the blind see again, and the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin-diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life and the good news is proclaimed to the poor; 6 and blessed is anyone who does not find me a cause of falling.’ 7 As the men were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John, ‘What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? 8 Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. 9 Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: 10 he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you. 11 ‘In truth I tell you, of all the children born to women, there has never been anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
Today is a wonderful day. Our Lord tells us, “I sent my messenger ahead of me.” Who is that messenger? That would be you and me by virtue of our baptism. We are called to proclaim the coming of Christ. Christ is coming soon as we know. We celebrate Him at Christmas during this time of Emmanuel (God is with us). How do we prepare the way for Him? First, we prepare ourselves. We cannot give what we do not have. I cannot do carpentry work. Why? I can’t use power tools…I’m terrible at it. I don’t have that gift. But we all have the gift to be holy. We clean our souls and fill them with Jesus, and we bring that to other people. How do we tell people? How can the deaf hear us and the blind see us? By seeing Christ in us. We bring the news of Christ by our actions or lack of actions and not by our words. Nobody says, “Please forgive me.” They say, “Yeah, I’m sorry; you know that.”
There is a famous Irish saying, “You do not have to go to every fight you are invited to.” You don’t have to do that. What is deadly to our soul? Sin. Leprosy was a deadly disease back then…a slow killer as is the unrepentant evil in us. Read the Catechism. When we sin, we ask for forgiveness. Do not apologize. It is not a sign of weakness as television tells us. An apology is for using the wrong fork at dinner. I have only one set of forks in my house, so I’m good. However, you don’t have to be like Patsy Cline, “I’m sorry, so sorry.” Shut-up! You hear this all the time, “I misspoke.” No, you lied. You didn’t misspeak. You lied. Name it. Say it. Claim it. You hear all these what I call “moral theology weasel words.” Every sin has a name…so name it. I did pass the Moral Theology course. You ask for forgiveness. “I have sinned,” be it culpably, knowingly, or by omission and just being an ignorant jerk. “I have sinned, and I am sorry. Please forgive me.” This is how we preach the Gospel. You’d be surprised at the look you get on people’s faces.
We preach the gospel; I get to do it here because I’m a priest. But my preaching means nothing if I don’t show it in my actions. That’s what people see. Many times, in the hospital, people have asked me, “Father, will you visit so-and-so? They are dying.” Are they Catholic? “No.” So, I visit the patient and say the Prayer for the Dying Soul. Sometimes nurses will page me and ask that I pray for a patient who is dying. The patients aren’t Catholic. The nurses aren’t Catholic. But because I showed up and visited them they will call me. The rules have changed at Atrium and nursing homes, but I had a couple of moles and spies who would tell me who was sick. Now they can’t do that, but I’m working on a new deal. It takes time to get new sources. People will see you by your actions. We pave the way for the Lord by preparing ourselves first. By preparing our souls first, we prepare the way of the Lord outside of ourselves.
Father’s Reflections:
My first blessing this morning was that I had mince meat pie and jello for breakfast. I’m living every man’s dream. Such is life without a wife. Yesterday we had the funeral for Cornelius Waxmuski, and I told the family that I never knew his first name. We called him “Waxi.” The funeral director informed me that there was a problem at the cemetery and that they needed 10 extra minutes. So, the vehicle procession to the cemetery was slowed down to 10 mph through the city. Nobody beeped their horns. It was fun. We don’t have to wear seat belts in a hearse. So, you get fringe benefits at a funeral. One of the good things about being in a small parish for a long time….you get to know the town and its people. And that is a true blessing. I feel for those priests who have big parishes and fight fires all the time. They go from one explosion to another in what we called in the military, “Quick Reaction Force.”
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”
Best Christmas Ever – Day 16 – Stop Trying to Hack Life
BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
Want an easy life? You’ll actually miss out on a lot if you get your wish! Watch today’s video and you’ll understand why seeking an easier life can be a big mistake and the real value of having problems—even at Christmas. Watch the video!
Click on link to play video:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/12122022-christmas-reflection.html
Best Christmas Ever – Day 15 – Listen to Music
BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
What would life be like with no music? No tune, no rhythm, no beat, nothing. In today’s video, Matthew invites you to a simple challenge that will be sure to renew your sense of joy, wonder, and gratitude. Watch the video!
Click on link to watch video:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/12112022-christmas-reflection.html
Best Christmas Ever – Episode 6 – Create Memories
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/12022022-christmas-reflection.html
BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
The best gift at Christmas doesn’t fit under the tree. Even the richest person in the world can’t purchase it at the store. It will be treasured for years to come if you get it right. After watching today’s Best Christmas Ever video, you’ll be sure to rearrange your Christmas list.
Best Christmas Ever – Episode 5 – Temper Your Expectations
BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
Have you ever felt disappointed, angry, frustrated, or even resentful on Christmas—the one day that’s supposed to be perfect? Watch today’s Best Christmas Ever video to find out why your expectations might be part of the problem.
Best Christmas Ever – Episode 4 – The Main Thing
BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
It’s easy to be busy and stressed at Christmas. We get caught up in shopping, holiday parties, and 100 other things on our list…and we forget about Jesus. If you want to avoid a meaningless Christmas and keep your mind focused on what really matters, watch today’s video!
Best Christmas Ever – Episode 3 – Life is Short
Click on link to play video:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/11292022-christmas-reflection.html
BEST CHRISTMAS EVER
“Life is short and you’re dead an awful long time.”
Would you believe it if someone told you that meditating on your death is a great way to prepare for Christmas? Matthew explains why in today’s video.
No Plan? That’s a Problem
“It’s not easy to have a great Christmas in a world where everyone is striving for what isn’t worth having.
Welcome back to 28 obstacles that will prevent you from having your Best Christmas Ever. Click subscribe to ensure you don’t miss out on any of this series.
Obstacle #3 is… No plan.
Not having a plan will make it all but impossible to have a great Christmas. “Those who fail to plan can plan to fail,” was Napoleon’s counsel. You are not simply going to stumble into your best Christmas ever. It requires a plan and intentionality. Over the next couple of weeks, we will help you put that plan together. But remember…
Find your joy. Guard your joy. Follow your joy. Not just happiness. It seems our culture has confused happiness with comfort, and following comfort will lead you to misery. Find your joy. Cherish your joy. Guard your joy. And follow your joy.