“Love Banishes Fear”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
November 11 – 12, 2023
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus told His disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards, the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But He said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
In the Gospel, it sounds as if they were having a midnight wedding. People don’t have weddings during the day in the Middle East. Know why? Because it’s hot! You don’t want to look like a sweat hog coming down the aisle, do you? No!
Now, I’m willing to bet, without taking a poll, that you all want to go to Heaven. I’m also willing to bet that none of us are looking forward to the trip. According to my research and experience, you have to die first. A while ago I was making my rounds at the VA’s emergency room, and I recognized a couple whom I had met previously. I asked them why they were back. Were they back for lunch? Did they miss us? The man said, “No, I just came in for pain management.” We talked for a bit, and the man said, “Chaplain, may I ask you a question?” Sure. He said, “I want to stop the chemo. Is that okay?” I looked at his wife and asked her, “Are you okay with that?” And she said ‘yes.’ So, I looked at the man and said, “It’s okay to stop the chemo.” He’s only in his early 40s, but it was time. He’d had enough.
We all know we are going on a trip, but we know not the day or hour. During the years that we are blessed with life, know that they are growing shorter. We are not looking forward to the trip because of fear. We were never meant to die. The sin of our first parents caused that. Our sins after baptism and the sins committed against us increase that fear. But love casts away fear. The more we grow in holiness, the more and more that fear subsides. We can look forward to being with the Person we have loved all our lives and never to be separated again by sin. We don’t know what is on the side. However, it’s not a ‘what’ that is on the other side. That’s a blasphemous statement because on the other side is a ‘Who.’ That ‘Who’ is always with us as we make our journey to Heaven. So, we are not alone. Now, there is a little doodoo fairy that sits on our shoulders and is always telling us that God is not with us otherwise we wouldn’t be afraid and that we would be perfect, etc. “Oh, God doesn’t love you.” Just like everything else he fills our heads with, that is a lie. God is always with us. We tend to forget that our guardian angel is always with us too.
Will we always have some fear? Yes. But our fear of death will decrease as we grow in holiness, and we will look forward to going to our Savior. That doesn’t mean we want to leave our loved ones in this life. But we will be going home to our Almighty God. Now when we get to Heaven, we won’t be just sitting around. It won’t be snooze time. As Saint Therese of Lisieux said, “I will spend my eternity in Heaven doing good on Earth.” That’s what we will be doing in the presence of our Lord, God. We will have God’s ear and will be able to pray more effectively than ever before for all the loved ones we left behind. So, our dying is not exactly the worst thing that could happen to us. But dying and being separated from God is.
I was doing Mass over at the women’s maximum-security prison in Troy. That’s always fun. I’m ready for Mass, and we played “Stump the Priest.” One of the women said, “Father, when I get out, I’m going to visit you.” Well, I’m looking forward to that day! She said she was very upset, and I asked her why. She said, “I read in the paper that everybody dies, and they all go to see Jesus.” I said, “That’s true.” She didn’t like that answer, so I said, “When we die, we all will see God. Some stay for only a cup of coffee while others get to stay longer.” How long we stay depends on how we live. In the Gospels, from the Book of Matthew to Revelation, are the final exam questions. We don’t know when our good Lord will come for us. Looking at myself in the mirror, combing my hair doesn’t take that long anymore. That’s just age. So, my meeting with our Lord is approaching sooner and sooner.
I went to Ms. Dottie’s 99th birthday party. When I knocked, she came to the door holding a big glass of wine. Cool! Dottie is now 101. My aunt was 98 when she pulled the plug on herself. Time to go! Another aunt passed at 93. My mother was an underachiever and died at the age of 77. I may not make it to 77, but it doesn’t matter. It’s not about age but rather our state of love and living a perfect life until our good Lord comes for us. I tell patients in hospice who have made their peace with God, that soon, and I don’t know when, but soon, they will see the good Lord coming for them. He will have a smile on His face with His arms open. Put a smile on your face, open your arms, and run toward Him. Have that embrace which is Heaven. You will be one with your Maker.
Before you go to bed at night, always pray the Prayer for a Happy Death. With that Sacrament, we will be assured, in the same way Christ assured the Good Thief on the Cross, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
Prayer for a Happy Death (Ven. John Henry Cardinal Newman)
O my Lord and Savior, support me in my last hour in the strong arms of Thy Sacraments and by the fresh fragrance of Thy consolations. Let the absolving words be said over me, and the holy oil sign and seal me; and let Thine own Body be my food, and Thy Blood my sprinkling; and let my sweet Mother, Mary, breathe on me, and my Angel whisper peace to me, and my glorious saints and my own dear patrons smile upon me, that, in them all and through them all, I may receive the gift of perseverance, and die as I desire to live, in Thy faith, in Thy Church, in Thy service, and in Thy love. Amen.
How will you apply this message to your life? ________________________________________
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