Tag: The Glories of Saint Joseph

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Sermon Notes – “Why You Should be Catholic” – December 22, 2024

“Why You Should be Catholic”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

December 21 – 22, 2024

Gospel:  Luke 1:39-45

 If you are a big fan of Scripture, you would be Catholic.  In the 3rd or 4th Century, the Church assembled the Councils of Nicea, which resulted in the Nicene Creed which we will recite in a few minutes.  The Councils of Nicea declared Mary to be the Mother of God.  Some people might say, “But that’s not found in Scripture.”  Yes, it is.  You just heard it in the Gospel of Luke when Elizabeth called her the Mother of the Lord:  “43 Why should I be honoured with a visit from the Mother of my Lord?”  The Jews would only use the word “Lord” in reference to God.   Remember, you have to study scripture in the original language.  If you understood Scripture, you would have a deep affection for Mary not only because she is the Mother of God, but also because she is one of the authors of Scripture.  “What do you mean, Father?”   That’s a good question.  This is what I mean:  Where did Luke get his information?   He wasn’t there.  He wasn’t an apostle.  Luke was a physician who didn’t show up until much later with Saint Paul.  So, where did Luke get his information?   He got it from the original source, our Blessed Mother.   So, if you have a reverence for Scripture, you should also have a reverence for the Blessed Mother, and you should probably be Catholic. 

Now, there’s not a lot of Scripture that focuses on Saint Joseph, who was a humble man and a wonderful example of faith, especially for men.  He is the patron saint of the Church, fathers, and families.  Saint Joseph was a very military kind of guy.  He was told in a dream to take Mary as his wife, who had conceived the Son of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.  What did he say?  He said, “Okay.”   He was the perfect husband, right ladies?   Actually, Scripture does not record any words said by Saint Joseph.  In fact, after he and Mary found Jesus in the temple, Joseph disappears from Scripture altogether.  Scripture was written only to disclose the truth of salvation.  It is not a history book.  That is why there are no dinosaurs in it because dinosaurs are not essential for salvation.  Scripture is not a medical textbook.  It does not teach us how to do brain surgery because that is not the purpose of Scripture.  Scripture was written so that we might know of God’s love and how to achieve Heaven.  Scripture contains only what is necessary for salvation. 

The New Testament was written by the Church.  Remember, when Paul was writing the Epistles, the Church had already been established throughout the world.  Saint Joseph, in an act of faith, took Mary as his wife.  He had a lot of physical work to do.  In the middle of winter, Saint Joseph was told to take his nine-month-pregnant wife to Bethlehem using the “shoe leather express.”   Even though it was a very dangerous trip, Joseph said, “Okay.”   It was a very inconvenient time to be traveling because of the ongoing Roman census.   Traveling to Bethlehem at that time would have been like trying to find parking in Charlotte at a Panthers game.  Joseph knew that the Motel 6 would be full, so they stayed in a cave with the animals where it was a bit aromatic but warm. 

Whenever Joseph is mentioned in the bible, he is always practicing obedience.  Why?  Was he afraid of God?  No.  He did it because he loved God.  All those hardships God asked Saint Joseph to endure were gifts of love for the Beloved, for Mary, and for God’s son, Christ.   A common tradition in the Church is that Saint Joseph had no sin, original or otherwise.   I recommend you read ‘The Glories of Saint Joseph’ by Saint Alphonsus Liguori.  What was Saint Joseph’s reward?  He did not see the Resurrection; otherwise, why would Christ entrust the care of His mother to Saint John?  So, what was the reward for Saint Joseph’s obedience?  He was the first human being to hold God in his hands.  When Mary gave birth, who was there?  Joseph.  He held God Himself in his hands.  He was also the first human being to look down at Heaven instead of up. 

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.”  On a cell phone: click on “Blog” and then “Menu.”  Scroll to the bottom and click on “Categories.”  Sermon Notes are also available on the Church’s Facebook page at OLA.Catholic.Church.  Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”

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Sermon Notes – December 31, 2023 – They Always Said ‘Yes’

They Always Said ‘Yes’

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

December 30 – 31, 2023

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

This weekend Holy Mother Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family. Why do we call the Holy Family holy? Well, as the great theologian of this parish, I will tell you. We call them holy because they had no sin. I went to school for that! We know as an article of faith and dogma that the Blessed Mother was without sin. Now tradition, with a small “t,” has it that Joseph was too. That has not been defined by Holy Mother Church. We don’t know that as a matter of faith, but Saint Alphonsus Liguori talks about that in his book, “The Glories of Saint Joseph.” So how is it that they were without sin? Because they never said “no” to God. They always said “yes.” Some of the things God asked them to do seemed incredibly odd. Mary was told, “By the way, you are going to conceive a son without a husband, bear Him, and He will become the king of Israel. How does that work for you?” Back then, that could have been a death sentence. Great. Thanks! Saint Joseph was told that his fiancé was pregnant by the power of God, and he was going to marry her anyway. Are you okay with that? I’m sure that went over well with Joseph, but he said “yes.” His mind was not clouded by sin and the effects of sin.

Saying “yes” to God was not always easy. God told Joseph to take Mary and go to Jerusalem. So, using the Shoe Leather Express, they walked to Jerusalem. There was not a Stanly County transportation system or SCUSA back then. Nope. They had to walk. God said, “By the way, Joseph, Herod is going to try to kill the Baby. So, take the Child and go to Egypt.” So, they again took the Shoe Leather Express and walked to Egypt. Scripture never quotes Joseph. He never said, “God, I’ve got a better way.” He never said anything, but he always immediately did what our Lord asked him to do. So did Mary, and she treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:19). So, he took Mary and the Child and walked to Egypt. A couple of years later, they walked back to Nazareth. Joseph had strong legs and a good heart. He always said “yes,” never questioning what our Lord asked him to do. Mary also never questioned Him. The difference between them and us is that when God asked Joseph and Mary to do something they always said “yes.” But when He asks us to love Him and to keep His Commandments, we try to negotiate: “Uh . . . What do you mean by ‘all the Commandments?’ How about 7 out of 10 . . . does that work for You?” “Do You grade on a curve?”

God made male and female (Genesis 1:27). Geniuses think they can read Scripture. “Well, what does that really mean?” It means what it says. “But we are trying to improve things.” We always want to change things. That’s why Mary and Joseph were holy. They did what our Lord asked, and it wasn’t always easy. The Catholic opera laments, “Oh! It’s so hard to go to church! Oh my goodness, I might miss a sale at Walmart!” Really? You have a nice clean car to come to church. Joseph and Mary used the Shoe Leather Express to go to the synagogue. Joseph was a carpenter and a skilled artisan but that was before the era of Black and Decker power tools. It was bull work. We have running water while Mary had to go get the water. Have you ever pulled a full bucket of water up 30 feet? Do you know how much a gallon of water weighs? Yeah, that’s some upper-body work. There was no refrigerator and no air conditioning. It’s very warm in Palestine, trust me, it is very hot there. So, it was not easy. Saying “yes” was difficult. But Joseph and Mary renounced their will for the sake of God. And that’s how we become holy, by renouncing our will for the sake of God and saying “yes.” Even with our modern conveniences, it is difficult. We need to silence the thoughts in the back of our minds, “Yeah, I’ll be obedient, but I’m doing it anyway.” Joseph and Mary always had Christ in them, with them, around them, and at the center of their lives. Their focus was always on our Lord. You may be thinking, “Well, He was there physically with them.” Yes. He is also physically here with us. He is there in the Tabernacle. That’s why we genuflect and talk in hushed tones here in the church. He is physically here and in you when you receive the Sacraments.

Always bring something home, either the messenger or the mess. It’s your choice. It’s our choice. We are so careful about Covid, the flu, and RSV, however, but we need to be more careful about sin. If you want to be holy imitate the example of holiness. “Well, Father, Joseph and Mary were without original sin, so it was easy for them.” Yes and no. Remember, the reason our first parents, Adam and Eve, were kicked out of paradise was because they wanted what they wanted and not what God wanted. Even though they saw God, walked with God, and talked with God, they still faltered. They said “no.” They had only one thing to do, and they said “no.” Joseph and Mary dealt with the same temptations as Adam and Eve. But everything they did was for God and the welfare of the other. Joseph for Mary and Mary for Joseph. It may be harder for us because of the effects of original sin and our sins committed after baptism, but God affords us greater grace when we say “yes.” I was reading last night about the head of the Dominican Order of Priests in Portugal. He said that when a child is afraid, the child runs to his mother; but when a child is in danger the mother runs to her child.

So be holy by having Him at the center and focus of your life. When the mother of Saint Teresa of Lisieux came back from receiving Communion, Saint Teresa who was not old enough to receive it, would lay her head on her mother’s lap. Her mother asked Teresa why she was doing that, and Saint Teresa said, “Because Jesus is inside you.”

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” and then “Menu.” Scroll to the bottom and click on “Categories.” Sermon Notes are also available on the Church’s Facebook page at ola.Catholic.Church. Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”