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Mother: Thank you. Mother: Thank you.
Well, welcome, family. Well, welcome, family.
Well, I get so many letters Well, I get so many letters
in the mail about in the mail about
Confession. Confession.
So I decided to read you So I decided to read you
just a little bit about just a little bit about
Confession from the Vatican Confession from the Vatican
documents, because that’s documents, because that’s
where it’s written so where it’s written so
beautifully about Confession beautifully about Confession
and the need. and the need.
In the meantime, though, if In the meantime, though, if
you want to call and say you want to call and say
anything you want to say-- anything you want to say--
well, not quite anything well, not quite anything
you want to say you want to say
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
--but if you have a petition --but if you have a petition
you want us to pray for you want us to pray for
or you want to say a or you want to say a
prayer or you just want to prayer or you just want to
share something that the share something that the
Lord did for you or with Lord did for you or with
you, whatever. you, whatever.
This is just kind of This is just kind of
Family Night. Family Night.
We’re just kind of sitting We’re just kind of sitting
here chatting together here. here chatting together here.
So I’ve got a few things So I’ve got a few things
from the Vatican documents from the Vatican documents
that are very beautiful. that are very beautiful.
It says here in this one It says here in this one
section, it says that, section, it says that,
"Confession is that "Confession is that
Sacrament where the Father Sacrament where the Father
receives the homecoming Son." receives the homecoming Son."
Doesn’t that remind you of Doesn’t that remind you of
the prodigal son? the prodigal son?
The Father receives you The Father receives you
coming back. coming back.
"Christ puts the lost sheep "Christ puts the lost sheep
on His shoulder and returns on His shoulder and returns
it to the sheepfold," and it to the sheepfold," and
that’s the most beautiful that’s the most beautiful
explanation of Confession explanation of Confession
I’ve ever heard. I’ve ever heard.
Did you ever hear Did you ever hear
these before? these before?
No, this is a beautiful No, this is a beautiful
document. document.
".and the Holy Spirit ".and the Holy Spirit
sanctifies His temple again sanctifies His temple again
and dwells in it more fully." and dwells in it more fully."
How do you like that? How do you like that?
That to me is the most That to me is the most
beautiful explanation of beautiful explanation of
what Confession is all what Confession is all
about. about.
The Father receives you back The Father receives you back
Home, the Son puts you back Home, the Son puts you back
in the flock and the in the flock and the
shepherd sanctifies you. shepherd sanctifies you.
The beautiful thing about The beautiful thing about
this is, it says, "You dwell this is, it says, "You dwell
in God more fully." in God more fully."
Ya ought to start running Ya ought to start running
to Confession tomorrow. to Confession tomorrow.
More fully--that is a More fully--that is a
tremendous thing. tremendous thing.
"All of this is manifested "All of this is manifested
by a renewed and more by a renewed and more
fervent sharing in the fervent sharing in the
Table of the Lord." Table of the Lord."
So that when you go to So that when you go to
the Eucharist then, you go the Eucharist then, you go
to the Communion table to the Communion table
with love, purity of heart with love, purity of heart
and a new mind. and a new mind.
How do you like that? How do you like that?
I want to share something I want to share something
else with you from another else with you from another
document on Penance. document on Penance.
It says, "No one"--this is, It says, "No one"--this is,
this is a kind of negative. this is a kind of negative.
Every positive has a Every positive has a
negative, doesn’t it? negative, doesn’t it?
"No one who is conscious of "No one who is conscious of
having committed mortal sin, having committed mortal sin,
even if he believes himself even if he believes himself
to be contrite should, to be contrite should,
approach the Holy Eucharist approach the Holy Eucharist
without first making a without first making a
Sacramental Confession." Sacramental Confession."
That’s what some of you That’s what some of you
keep asking me in these keep asking me in these
letters. letters.
So I’m answering you now So I’m answering you now
from the documents, not from the documents, not
from myself. from myself.
"The faithful are to be "The faithful are to be
constantly encouraged to constantly encouraged to
accustom themselves to going accustom themselves to going
to Confession outside the to Confession outside the
celebration of Mass." celebration of Mass."
In other words, you ought In other words, you ought
to go some other time. to go some other time.
Best to go than not to Best to go than not to
go but the Church is go but the Church is
encouraging you to go encouraging you to go
to Confession. to Confession.
Here’s another thing it Here’s another thing it
says; now, a lot of you keep says; now, a lot of you keep
asking me, what about my asking me, what about my
children? children?
Should they go to Confession Should they go to Confession
before Communion? before Communion?
Well, here it is. Well, here it is.
It says, "The Sacred It says, "The Sacred
Congregation in 1971 stated Congregation in 1971 stated
they confirmed the custom of they confirmed the custom of
administrating the Sacrament administrating the Sacrament
of Penance before First Holy of Penance before First Holy
Communion." Communion."
So now, here’s another So now, here’s another
one and then we’re going to one and then we’re going to
go to the Scriptures and I’m go to the Scriptures and I’m
going to answer your going to answer your
questions tonight. questions tonight.
"Those who approach the "Those who approach the
Sacrament of Penance obtain Sacrament of Penance obtain
pardon from God’s mercy." pardon from God’s mercy."
So many of you are afraid So many of you are afraid
to go to Confession and to go to Confession and
that’s kind of hard to that’s kind of hard to
understand because if we’re understand because if we’re
not afraid to commit sin, not afraid to commit sin,
why are we afraid to why are we afraid to
admit it? admit it?
God saw it anyway. God saw it anyway.
You’re not telling Him You’re not telling Him
anything. anything.
He wants to hear it from He wants to hear it from
you though. you though.
It says, "You obtain God’s It says, "You obtain God’s
mercy for the offense mercy for the offense
committed against Him but committed against Him but
at the same time, you’re at the same time, you’re
reconciled with the Church, reconciled with the Church,
which we have wounded by our which we have wounded by our
sins; and by charity and sins; and by charity and
prayer, we then come up with prayer, we then come up with
a conversion experience." a conversion experience."
This is what’s so This is what’s so
beautiful about the beautiful about the
Sacrament of Confession-- Sacrament of Confession--
it cleanses. it cleanses.
What would happen if you What would happen if you
never took a bath? never took a bath?
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
Anybody want to tell Anybody want to tell
me that, huh? me that, huh?
Oh, you don’t even want to Oh, you don’t even want to
think about it, do you? think about it, do you?
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
Well, isn’t it strange that Well, isn’t it strange that
we take care of our bodies we take care of our bodies
so well but we don’t want so well but we don’t want
to clean up our souls. to clean up our souls.
That body’s going to rot That body’s going to rot
anyway. anyway.
If fact, I won’t tell you If fact, I won’t tell you
what it’s going to turn what it’s going to turn
into. into.
It’s a really gross thing. It’s a really gross thing.
but your soul is going to but your soul is going to
live on forever. live on forever.
All I’m saying is that sense All I’m saying is that sense
you go by cologne and you go by cologne and
now men use cologne now men use cologne
and it’s Brut. and it’s Brut.
Boy, you pass some men on Boy, you pass some men on
the street and you’ve got the street and you’ve got
to go (makes noise). to go (makes noise).
You get suffocated almost You get suffocated almost
from this tremendous odor. from this tremendous odor.
You say, "Wow!" You say, "Wow!"
So everybody’s using So everybody’s using
cologne. cologne.
I never figured that out. I never figured that out.
If you take a bath, why do If you take a bath, why do
you want to use cologne? you want to use cologne?
Isn’t that enough? Isn’t that enough?
You got to go around You got to go around
smelling like a, something, smelling like a, something,
I don’t know what. I don’t know what.
(audience chuckles) So, we (audience chuckles) So, we
all want to smell nice--buy all want to smell nice--buy
perfume, soap and lavender perfume, soap and lavender
that and rose water and that and rose water and
everything and then we everything and then we
forget our souls. forget our souls.
You ask somebody, "When have You ask somebody, "When have
you been to Confession last?" you been to Confession last?"
"I don’t know, "I don’t know,
when I was 9." when I was 9."
"How old are you now?" "How old are you now?"
They look like they’re 90 They look like they’re 90
but they haven’t been but they haven’t been
since they were 9. since they were 9.
Do you see what I mean? Do you see what I mean?
But we really have to take But we really have to take
care of our body but don’t care of our body but don’t
forget your soul. forget your soul.
Never be afraid. Never be afraid.
God’s arms are open to God’s arms are open to
mercy. mercy.
We’re just the children of We’re just the children of
mercy and just to know that mercy and just to know that
the Father brings you back, the Father brings you back,
it’s like the prodigal son it’s like the prodigal son
and Jesus just puts you on and Jesus just puts you on
His shoulders and the Spirit His shoulders and the Spirit
just pours grace upon you just pours grace upon you
and you live more fully-- and you live more fully--
that’s what the document that’s what the document
says--more fully the life says--more fully the life
of Christ in your heart. of Christ in your heart.
So I would think that you So I would think that you
would want to go to would want to go to
Confession as often as you Confession as often as you
can and ask the Lord to make can and ask the Lord to make
you pure and holy and clean. you pure and holy and clean.
Tonight, now you all Tonight, now you all
call now. call now.
I’m not going sit here just I’m not going sit here just
waiting for you to call. waiting for you to call.
You call and I’ll answer. You call and I’ll answer.
In the meantime, there’s a In the meantime, there’s a
part of the Last Supper that part of the Last Supper that
I would like to read to you I would like to read to you
because so often we kind of because so often we kind of
skip it. skip it.
Maybe if you go to, well, Maybe if you go to, well,
Holy Thursday Services, Holy Thursday Services,
you’re okay but if you you’re okay but if you
don’t, you might miss it don’t, you might miss it
and here it is. and here it is.
It’s in John 13. It’s in John 13.
It said, "They were at It said, "They were at
supper and the devil had supper and the devil had
already put it into the mind already put it into the mind
of Judas to betray Him." of Judas to betray Him."
That’s a very kind of That’s a very kind of
interesting statement-that interesting statement-that
the enemy put into the mind the enemy put into the mind
of Judas. of Judas.
I think the thing you and I I think the thing you and I
have to look upon is how have to look upon is how
many evils, how much sin has many evils, how much sin has
the devil put into our minds the devil put into our minds
sometimes, how many sometimes, how many
temptations. temptations.
And sometimes you feel And sometimes you feel
so terrible. so terrible.
You say, "Well, how could I You say, "Well, how could I
think of such a thing?" think of such a thing?"
And it wasn’t you at all. And it wasn’t you at all.
The devil put it into his The devil put it into his
mind and he said "yes." mind and he said "yes."
Well, anyway, "Jesus knew Well, anyway, "Jesus knew
that the Father had put that the Father had put
everything into His hands everything into His hands
and that He had come from and that He had come from
God and was returning God and was returning
to God." to God."
Jesus never forgot that. Jesus never forgot that.
It didn’t all of a sudden It didn’t all of a sudden
one day dawn on Him. one day dawn on Him.
He always knew that. He always knew that.
He came from God and He He came from God and He
was returning to God. was returning to God.
Well, He did something Well, He did something
no one ever expected. no one ever expected.
I wouldn’t, you wouldn’t I wouldn’t, you wouldn’t
know--well, no one was even know--well, no one was even
expecting the wonderful expecting the wonderful
institution of the Holy institution of the Holy
Eucharist either. Eucharist either.
He’s so Magnanimous. He’s so Magnanimous.
What does He do? What does He do?
"He got up from the table, "He got up from the table,
removed His outer garment removed His outer garment
and taking a towel, wrapped and taking a towel, wrapped
it around His waist." it around His waist."
Now, can you imagine those Now, can you imagine those
Apostles saying, "What in Apostles saying, "What in
the world is He doing?" the world is He doing?"
This is John 13, if you This is John 13, if you
got your Bibles at home. got your Bibles at home.
"He wrapped it around "He wrapped it around
His waist. His waist.
He then poured water into a He then poured water into a
basin, knelt down and began basin, knelt down and began
to wash His disciples’ feet." to wash His disciples’ feet."
Well, when I was a Well, when I was a
postulant, we had a custom postulant, we had a custom
in our order, the Mother in our order, the Mother
Abbess had to wash 12 Abbess had to wash 12
sisters’ feet, but my Novice sisters’ feet, but my Novice
Mistress made me wash them Mistress made me wash them
the night before, the night before,
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
and put on a white sock and put on a white sock
so it wouldn’t get dirty. so it wouldn’t get dirty.
Well, these men didn’t wash Well, these men didn’t wash
their feet before. their feet before.
They didn’t have any white They didn’t have any white
socks either. socks either.
They had just plain ol’ They had just plain ol’
feet and sandals. feet and sandals.
They may have washed them They may have washed them
before they ate. before they ate.
But you can’t imagine But you can’t imagine
anything so humbling, anything so humbling,
as for God to kneel before as for God to kneel before
His creatures. His creatures.
You wonder why we’re so You wonder why we’re so
proud, don’t you? proud, don’t you?
Do ever wonder why we get Do ever wonder why we get
so proud in our life? so proud in our life?
We won’t do anything that’s We won’t do anything that’s
humbling or humiliating. humbling or humiliating.
We just shy away from it. We just shy away from it.
Here’s Jesus kneeling and He Here’s Jesus kneeling and He
begins to wash the apostles, begins to wash the apostles,
disciples’ feet and wipe disciples’ feet and wipe
them with the towel around them with the towel around
His waist. His waist.
I can imagine that there was I can imagine that there was
an awesome silence in that an awesome silence in that
room, awesome. room, awesome.
They knew Who He was. They knew Who He was.
It takes a humble man to It takes a humble man to
allow this to happen. allow this to happen.
Well, it says, "He came to Well, it says, "He came to
Simon Peter." Simon Peter."
I kind of feel for Simon. I kind of feel for Simon.
Sometimes I think he puts Sometimes I think he puts
his foot in his mouth but I his foot in his mouth but I
think this time he would think this time he would
have reacted like most of us have reacted like most of us
would have reacted. would have reacted.
He looked at Jesus, "Lord, He looked at Jesus, "Lord,
are You going to wash my are You going to wash my
feet?" feet?"
I mean, he couldn’t I mean, he couldn’t
understand that. understand that.
He couldn’t get over it. He couldn’t get over it.
Jesus said, "At the moment. Jesus said, "At the moment.
you do not know what I’m you do not know what I’m
doing; later you’ll doing; later you’ll
understand." understand."
Now, He was very gentle Now, He was very gentle
with him. with him.
I think even now although I think even now although
some, realize that Jesus was some, realize that Jesus was
humbling Himself so that we humbling Himself so that we
would do the same with each would do the same with each
other, it’s still an awesome other, it’s still an awesome
thing to look at the thing to look at the
humility of the Son of God. humility of the Son of God.
If you compare it with your If you compare it with your
own humility, well, it’s far own humility, well, it’s far
short, far short. short, far short.
Well, anyway, Peter says, Well, anyway, Peter says,
"Uh uh, never. "Uh uh, never.
You’ll never wash my feet." You’ll never wash my feet."
He was probably watching He was probably watching
all these apostles having all these apostles having
their feet washed see and their feet washed see and
he was saying to himself, he was saying to himself,
"What’s wrong with those "What’s wrong with those
guys anyway? guys anyway?
"Do not have any sense that "Do not have any sense that
they allow the Lord to wash they allow the Lord to wash
their feet? their feet?
"What’s wrong with you? "What’s wrong with you?
"When He comes to me, I’m not "When He comes to me, I’m not
going to do it. going to do it.
"I’m going to stand up "I’m going to stand up
like a man. like a man.
I’m not going to allow this." I’m not going to allow this."
Well, the thoughts of God Well, the thoughts of God
are not the thoughts of man. are not the thoughts of man.
What happens? What happens?
Well, the Lord said, "If I Well, the Lord said, "If I
do not wash you, you have do not wash you, you have
nothing in common with Me." nothing in common with Me."
Do you feel sorry for Do you feel sorry for
Peter sometimes? Peter sometimes?
Poor guy--one time he was Poor guy--one time he was
given the keys, the next given the keys, the next
time the Lord said "Don’t time the Lord said "Don’t
you talk like satan when you talk like satan when
you tell Me not to go to you tell Me not to go to
Jerusalem. Jerusalem.
Get thee behind Me." Get thee behind Me."
And another time somebody And another time somebody
said, "Does your Master pay said, "Does your Master pay
the taxes?" the taxes?"
He said, "Yeah, yeah, he He said, "Yeah, yeah, he
pays the tax," and the pays the tax," and the
Lord’s going, when he got in Lord’s going, when he got in
the room, the Lord said to the room, the Lord said to
Peter, "Who pays the tax, Peter, "Who pays the tax,
the son or the servant?" the son or the servant?"
Oh, poor man, here he is Oh, poor man, here he is
at it again. at it again.
But do you know what the But do you know what the
Lord said? Lord said?
"If you don’t allow Me to "If you don’t allow Me to
do this, you have nothing do this, you have nothing
in common with Me." in common with Me."
That means you’ve That means you’ve
separated yourself. separated yourself.
Do you see how necessary it Do you see how necessary it
is for you and I to follow is for you and I to follow
the Lord, to be humble when the Lord, to be humble when
humility is necessary and humility is necessary and
trust in the Lord? trust in the Lord?
Humility and godliness Humility and godliness
are one in one. are one in one.
They go together. They go together.
We have a call. We have a call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller 1: Hello, Female Caller 1: Hello,
Mother. Mother.
Mother: Where are you from? Mother: Where are you from?
Caller: I’m from St. Paul, Caller: I’m from St. Paul,
Minnesota. Minnesota.
Mother: Ah, and what Mother: Ah, and what
is it I can do for you? is it I can do for you?
Caller: Well, I’ve got a Caller: Well, I’ve got a
question but I first want question but I first want
to tell you, I love you to tell you, I love you
and that I always keep you and that I always keep you
between my gas and lights between my gas and lights
and I hope I always can. and I hope I always can.
Mother: Say that a Mother: Say that a
little louder, say that little louder, say that
a little louder. a little louder.
Caller: I said I always Caller: I said I always
keep you between my keep you between my
gas and electric bill. gas and electric bill.
Mother: That’s it. (chuckles) Mother: That’s it. (chuckles)
Caller: I hope I always can. Caller: I hope I always can.
Mother: Thank you. Mother: Thank you.
Caller: What I want to Caller: What I want to
know is, you were talking know is, you were talking
about Confession. about Confession.
And I, up here I have a And I, up here I have a
brother, well we were raised brother, well we were raised
really good but he’s going really good but he’s going
to a parish up here where to a parish up here where
the priest doesn’t hear the priest doesn’t hear
Confessions. Confessions.
They just sit in church and They just sit in church and
they play music and they they play music and they
reflect on their sins and reflect on their sins and
then they just go up and then they just go up and
the priest lays the hand on the priest lays the hand on
their head and forgives their head and forgives
them. them.
They haven’t been to They haven’t been to
Confession in about two years Confession in about two years
and they go to Communion. and they go to Communion.
Mother Angelica: I don’t, Mother Angelica: I don’t,
I don’t understand that new I don’t understand that new
custom because it’s really custom because it’s really
not in the documents. not in the documents.
If you have venial sins If you have venial sins
contrition and I’m not too contrition and I’m not too
sure about the laws of sure about the laws of
general absolution. general absolution.
But if you haven’t been to But if you haven’t been to
Confession in two years, Confession in two years,
all of us, you just do some all of us, you just do some
biggie sometimes and biggie sometimes and
according to the document, according to the document,
you have to go to private you have to go to private
Confession. Confession.
Any mortal sin has to be Any mortal sin has to be
confessed in Confession; confessed in Confession;
otherwise, you can’t go to otherwise, you can’t go to
Communion. Communion.
I know what things are I know what things are
going on and I’m very sorry going on and I’m very sorry
about that. about that.
But those of you who really But those of you who really
know that you have some very know that you have some very
serious sin on your souls, serious sin on your souls,
you really need to find a you really need to find a
priest who will hear you on priest who will hear you on
an individual basis so that an individual basis so that
you can confess to the Lord you can confess to the Lord
and have the father take you and have the father take you
back and Jesus put you on back and Jesus put you on
His shoulder and come back His shoulder and come back
to the fullness of holiness. to the fullness of holiness.
Don’t be afraid and I don’t Don’t be afraid and I don’t
know what you can do, honey. know what you can do, honey.
I would encourage your I would encourage your
brother though, if he feels brother though, if he feels
or you feel he has some, or you feel he has some,
something really to confess, something really to confess,
that he does that. that he does that.
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller 2: Hello, Female Caller 2: Hello,
Mother Angelica. Mother Angelica.
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Caller: Yes, hi. Caller: Yes, hi.
You’re such a good person You’re such a good person
and I thank you so much for and I thank you so much for
the work that you do. the work that you do.
Mother: "Thank You, Jesus." Mother: "Thank You, Jesus."
Caller: I’m calling just Caller: I’m calling just
to make a statement. to make a statement.
I’m so happy you’re talking I’m so happy you’re talking
about the Sacrament of about the Sacrament of
Penance or Reconciliation. Penance or Reconciliation.
I find that it’s a great, I find that it’s a great,
wonderful Sacrament. wonderful Sacrament.
I found such happiness I found such happiness
and joy in it. and joy in it.
When I confess my sins to When I confess my sins to
the priest and I constantly the priest and I constantly
examine my conscience, I examine my conscience, I
find, I find out I’m not the find, I find out I’m not the
best person I thought I was. best person I thought I was.
Mother: Right. Mother: Right.
Caller: And when I leave Caller: And when I leave
Confession, I find that I Confession, I find that I
don’t go around condemning don’t go around condemning
people very easily anymore people very easily anymore
and I thank God for that. and I thank God for that.
It’s given me much more It’s given me much more
happiness and I’ve learned happiness and I’ve learned
to be more, be myself to be more, be myself
more now. more now.
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Confession gives me the Confession gives me the
opportunity and you the opportunity and you the
opportunity for self- opportunity for self-
knowledge. knowledge.
The essence of holiness-- The essence of holiness--
maybe we don’t all know the maybe we don’t all know the
essence of holiness. essence of holiness.
I have to be like Jesus. I have to be like Jesus.
Who do I imitate? Who do I imitate?
Napoleon? Napoleon?
Who am I here to imitate, Who am I here to imitate,
some rock group? some rock group?
I can’t even sing. I can’t even sing.
Do you know what I’m saying? Do you know what I’m saying?
So, well, who do I imitate? So, well, who do I imitate?
I imitate Jesus. I imitate Jesus.
You can see Jesus in You can see Jesus in
this Book. this Book.
It’s just the Gospel-- It’s just the Gospel--
because it’s His Divine because it’s His Divine
Personality, His Actions, Personality, His Actions,
His Mercy, His Love. His Mercy, His Love.
There’s nothing He could do There’s nothing He could do
that He hasn’t done, see and that He hasn’t done, see and
I want to be like Him. I want to be like Him.
Who else do you want to Who else do you want to
be like? be like?
Somebody who’s going to rot Somebody who’s going to rot
in the grave just like in the grave just like
you’re going to rot? you’re going to rot?
You’ve go to be like the You’ve go to be like the
Lord. Lord.
You’re going to meet Him You’re going to meet Him
face-to-face one day in that face-to-face one day in that
beautiful day we call death. beautiful day we call death.
We’re all getting there. We’re all getting there.
I hate to tell you, we’re I hate to tell you, we’re
just all getting there. just all getting there.
Don’t look at all us Don’t look at all us
oldsters here, oldsters here,
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
because some of you because some of you
youngsters will get youngsters will get
there before we do. there before we do.
Having gray hair is no Having gray hair is no
guarantee you’re going guarantee you’re going
to die tomorrow. to die tomorrow.
So we have to understand So we have to understand
that these things the Lord that these things the Lord
has given us and the Church has given us and the Church
has supplied for us, the has supplied for us, the
Eucharist and Confession are Eucharist and Confession are
those Sacraments that lift those Sacraments that lift
you above yourself and give you above yourself and give
you that capability, you that capability,
increases your capacity increases your capacity
for holiness. for holiness.
To miss it is a first-class To miss it is a first-class
crime in itself because we crime in itself because we
miss grace. miss grace.
We miss that pouring of His We miss that pouring of His
Precious Blood upon us. Precious Blood upon us.
So it’s very, very So it’s very, very
necessary. necessary.
I’ve heard people tell me I’ve heard people tell me
that they have gone to that they have gone to
Confession, maybe after 25, Confession, maybe after 25,
30 years and they said they 30 years and they said they
never felt so wonderful in never felt so wonderful in
their life. their life.
When Jesus enters the soul, When Jesus enters the soul,
there’s a kind of freedom there’s a kind of freedom
that you’ve never felt that you’ve never felt
before. before.
So we have another call. So we have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller 3: Hello, Female Caller 3: Hello,
Mother. Mother.
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Caller: I have two Caller: I have two
questions. questions.
The first one has to do with The first one has to do with
how often I should go to how often I should go to
Confession. Confession.
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Caller: I’m a convert Caller: I’m a convert
and I have some cradle and I have some cradle
Catholics that haven’t Catholics that haven’t
been in years and years. been in years and years.
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Caller: And I was Caller: And I was
wondering what is usual. wondering what is usual.
Secondly, I would like to Secondly, I would like to
know what you thought about know what you thought about
the penitential services the penitential services
that a lot of churches have that a lot of churches have
for all of the Church and for all of the Church and
does that not discourage does that not discourage
people from going in and people from going in and
having a personal reflection having a personal reflection
with the priest and having a with the priest and having a
personal Confession. personal Confession.
Mother: Well, I think Mother: Well, I think
at Medjugorje, anyway at Medjugorje, anyway
and the Church, the and the Church, the
obligation we used to obligation we used to
call "Easter duty," do call "Easter duty," do
you remember that? you remember that?
Everybody over 60 remembers Everybody over 60 remembers
the Easter duty. the Easter duty.
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
That was you had a Confession, That was you had a Confession,
Communion at least once Communion at least once
a year, Easter time. a year, Easter time.
But I would think in my But I would think in my
own heart if you went own heart if you went
once a month... once a month...
Now, if you want to go Now, if you want to go
every week, wonderful. every week, wonderful.
You say, "Why do you want You say, "Why do you want
to go every week? to go every week?
That’s ridiculous." That’s ridiculous."
Oh no! Oh no!
Why do we have to keep Why do we have to keep
distinguishing--although we distinguishing--although we
must and we do--between must and we do--between
mortal sins, venial sins? mortal sins, venial sins?
But if I really want to, But if I really want to,
to love the Lord and I want to love the Lord and I want
to know myself, I want to to know myself, I want to
know in what ways I am know in what ways I am
not like Jesus. not like Jesus.
What would happen if a What would happen if a
child did something minor-- child did something minor--
spill the garbage? spill the garbage?
It’s not much, spilling It’s not much, spilling
garbage. garbage.
Is that much, spilling Is that much, spilling
garbage? garbage?
No. No.
Do you think that’s a lot, Do you think that’s a lot,
spilling the garbage? spilling the garbage?
No. No.
Okay, but he does it every Okay, but he does it every
afternoon. afternoon.
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
Is that a big thing, Is that a big thing,
spilling garbage? spilling garbage?
Every afternoon? Every afternoon?
Do you see what I’m trying Do you see what I’m trying
to say? to say?
We always spill garbage We always spill garbage
here and there. here and there.
I like to go and say, I like to go and say,
"Jesus, I’m very sorry. "Jesus, I’m very sorry.
I was unkind today, I was I was unkind today, I was
uncharitable, I really, uncharitable, I really,
I lost my temper. I lost my temper.
I was not sensitive to the, I was not sensitive to the,
to the feelings of others, to the feelings of others,
I was angry, jealous. I was angry, jealous.
I was proud, arrogant and I I was proud, arrogant and I
just want to say, I’m sorry." just want to say, I’m sorry."
When that priest gives you When that priest gives you
absolution, you have just absolution, you have just
grown in self-knowledge grown in self-knowledge
and you have allowed the and you have allowed the
Precious Blood of Jesus to Precious Blood of Jesus to
pour down upon you. pour down upon you.
So I don’t wait for So I don’t wait for
biggies. biggies.
I hope in my life I don’t I hope in my life I don’t
ever have a biggie. ever have a biggie.
Do you know what I mean? Do you know what I mean?
I’d be in the wrong place I’d be in the wrong place
if I did. if I did.
I go every week. I go every week.
I’m not telling you to I’m not telling you to
imitate me but I want to imitate me but I want to
have that, that Sacrament. have that, that Sacrament.
But when I hear that But when I hear that
laypeople haven’t gone laypeople haven’t gone
"in years," oh. "in years," oh.
You and I are, we, life and You and I are, we, life and
people being as they are, people being as they are,
nobody will tell me, we’re nobody will tell me, we’re
all the Immaculate all the Immaculate
Conception. Conception.
We’re not. We’re not.
So, you asked my opinion-- So, you asked my opinion--
I don’t know. I don’t know.
I feel that if that allows I feel that if that allows
people who are in grave sin, people who are in grave sin,
if that gives them a false if that gives them a false
impression that they don’t impression that they don’t
need to go to Confession need to go to Confession
after that, I think that after that, I think that
would, that would be wrong. would, that would be wrong.
But I don’t think that’s But I don’t think that’s
what they say. what they say.
I think what they say, if I think what they say, if
anyone has a grievous sin, anyone has a grievous sin,
they must go privately but I they must go privately but I
never heard a church where never heard a church where
they said, everybody no they said, everybody no
matter what can get absolved matter what can get absolved
in general. in general.
I never heard of that. I never heard of that.
But maybe that’s what some But maybe that’s what some
do but I don’t know. do but I don’t know.
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller 4: Hello, Female Caller 4: Hello,
Mother. Mother.
This is Louisiana calling. This is Louisiana calling.
Mother: Okay. Mother: Okay.
Caller: Okay, I have a Caller: Okay, I have a
question. question.
I was wondering if you knew I was wondering if you knew
and a new ruling regarding and a new ruling regarding
divorced persons or women divorced persons or women
going and receiving going and receiving
Communion. Communion.
Mother: Are you remarried? Mother: Are you remarried?
Caller: No, I’m not. Caller: No, I’m not.
Mother: But you’ve Mother: But you’ve
been divorced? been divorced?
Caller: Yes. Caller: Yes.
Mother: You’re not remarried? Mother: You’re not remarried?
Caller: No. Caller: No.
Mother: Well, to my Mother: Well, to my
knowledge--at least my knowledge--at least my
mother did this--I think mother did this--I think
after Confession, you’re after Confession, you’re
allowed to go back to the allowed to go back to the
Sacraments unless you Sacraments unless you
remarry. remarry.
You can go to Communion and You can go to Communion and
Mass if you go to Confession Mass if you go to Confession
after you divorce, you can after you divorce, you can
go to the Sacraments. go to the Sacraments.
It’s only if you remarry, It’s only if you remarry,
you can’t go to the you can’t go to the
Sacraments. Sacraments.
My mother stayed away from My mother stayed away from
the Sacraments for years the Sacraments for years
because she was under that because she was under that
impression. impression.
Then some missionary came Then some missionary came
along and she went to along and she went to
Confession. Confession.
Sometimes we don’t know the Sometimes we don’t know the
rules but, now, if you rules but, now, if you
remarry, then that’s remarry, then that’s
something entirely something entirely
different. different.
Again, circumstances are so Again, circumstances are so
different that you really different that you really
have to go to your parish have to go to your parish
priest. priest.
But from just what you told But from just what you told
me, then you can go to me, then you can go to
Communion and to Mass. Communion and to Mass.
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Male Caller 1: Hello, Male Caller 1: Hello,
Mother. Mother.
This is Tim from This is Tim from
Anderson, Indiana. Anderson, Indiana.
Mother: Okay. Mother: Okay.
Caller: First of all, Caller: First of all,
I’d like to say that I’ve I’d like to say that I’ve
just recently been able just recently been able
to tune your show in and to tune your show in and
I’m very happy to be able I’m very happy to be able
to get it. to get it.
Mother: Thank you. Mother: Thank you.
Caller: My question is Caller: My question is
concerning Confession and concerning Confession and
telling other people that telling other people that
are not Catholic about are not Catholic about
Confession or if they happen Confession or if they happen
to strike about conversation to strike about conversation
about that, they tend to ask about that, they tend to ask
"Why do you need to confess "Why do you need to confess
your sins to a man?" your sins to a man?"
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Caller: "Why can’t you Caller: "Why can’t you
just confess to God and just confess to God and
through your faith you’ll through your faith you’ll
know that He forgives your know that He forgives your
sins." sins."
What do I tell people? What do I tell people?
Mother: Well, you don’t Mother: Well, you don’t
confess to a man. confess to a man.
(chuckles) You see, that’s (chuckles) You see, that’s
the whole point. the whole point.
We confess to God. We confess to God.
There’s a little part here There’s a little part here
the Vatican Documents. the Vatican Documents.
It says, "It was to Peter It says, "It was to Peter
that the Lord said, ’I will that the Lord said, ’I will
give you the keys to the give you the keys to the
Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of Heaven and
whatever you bind on earth whatever you bind on earth
shall be bound in Heaven,’" shall be bound in Heaven,’"
--it says to Peter now, a --it says to Peter now, a
man--"and whatever you man--"and whatever you
loose on earth, shall be loose on earth, shall be
loosed in Heaven." loosed in Heaven."
It gives man, ordained by It gives man, ordained by
God, that other Christ, God, that other Christ,
to forgive your sins. to forgive your sins.
God forgives your sins. God forgives your sins.
The priest said, "I absolve The priest said, "I absolve
you in the Name of the you in the Name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit." Spirit."
There is that closeness of There is that closeness of
God, Christ and the priest God, Christ and the priest
that Jesus does forgive that Jesus does forgive
your sins--not to a mere your sins--not to a mere
man but to a mere man was man but to a mere man was
given the power to bind given the power to bind
and to loose and that’s and to loose and that’s
from the Scriptures. from the Scriptures.
We have a habit of being We have a habit of being
cafeteria Catholics and cafeteria Catholics and
cafeteria Scripture people. cafeteria Scripture people.
We pick out what we like and We pick out what we like and
then we omit everything else. then we omit everything else.
The Eucharist is, nothing The Eucharist is, nothing
is as clear. is as clear.
I think as far as our I think as far as our
documents is Baptism, documents is Baptism,
the Eucharist and Confession the Eucharist and Confession
in the Scriptures. in the Scriptures.
Everything is in there, Everything is in there,
all the Sacraments but all the Sacraments but
those three are so clear. those three are so clear.
We have a call. We have a call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller 5: Yes, Female Caller 5: Yes,
Mother, I just want to say Mother, I just want to say
what a joy and a delight what a joy and a delight
you are. you are.
I am a lapsed Catholic and I am a lapsed Catholic and
I’m going to be making a I’m going to be making a
General Confession and General Confession and
I’m going to be having a I’m going to be having a
marriage blessed in a week. marriage blessed in a week.
Mother: "Praise God!" Mother: "Praise God!"
Caller: And my concern is, Caller: And my concern is,
I am wanting to know how I am wanting to know how
I should best examine I should best examine
my conscience in the way my conscience in the way
that the Lord wants me that the Lord wants me
to--to know that I will to--to know that I will
not be separated from Him not be separated from Him
because of something that because of something that
I’ve overlooked. I’ve overlooked.
The concern is, is that The concern is, is that
since I lived in serious sin since I lived in serious sin
and was totally separated and was totally separated
from God from that length of from God from that length of
time, I feel that it’s hard time, I feel that it’s hard
when we’re measured by the when we’re measured by the
way that we treat others, way that we treat others,
since I was so into self since I was so into self
and really living that kind and really living that kind
of a life. of a life.
And to know that I’m not And to know that I’m not
leaving out some serious leaving out some serious
sin, I was wondering if you sin, I was wondering if you
could address that. could address that.
Mother: Well, in the Mother: Well, in the
first place, I think you first place, I think you
need to pray to the Holy need to pray to the Holy
Spirit. Spirit.
There are some wonderful There are some wonderful
little books around--I’d be little books around--I’d be
glad to send you one if you glad to send you one if you
give the one who’s answering give the one who’s answering
this phone call your address this phone call your address
--that will bring out a lot --that will bring out a lot
of the things that we don’t of the things that we don’t
even think about that may even think about that may
be sinful. be sinful.
Then I would ask Father to Then I would ask Father to
help you. help you.
Sometimes you get frustrated Sometimes you get frustrated
and if you forget something, and if you forget something,
well, it may come back to well, it may come back to
your mind later on. your mind later on.
I wouldn’t be scrupulous I wouldn’t be scrupulous
about it. about it.
God is there to forgive God is there to forgive
and forget. and forget.
Be very sincere - and you Be very sincere - and you
are and ask Father after are and ask Father after
your Confession--"Father, I your Confession--"Father, I
don’t know if I’ve forgotten don’t know if I’ve forgotten
anything. anything.
"I can’t remember "I can’t remember
anything else. anything else.
Would you help me?" Would you help me?"
I think that’s a great I think that’s a great
way, a great way to way, a great way to
sincerely go to Confession. sincerely go to Confession.
Is there another call? Is there another call?
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller 6: Hello. Female Caller 6: Hello.
Mother: (chuckles) I’m here. Mother: (chuckles) I’m here.
Caller: Mother. Caller: Mother.
Mother: I’m here. Mother: I’m here.
Caller: I’m calling Caller: I’m calling
from Maryland. from Maryland.
Mother: Okay. Mother: Okay.
Caller: And I have a Caller: And I have a
question about sin. question about sin.
Mother: Okay. Mother: Okay.
Caller: As one gets older, Caller: As one gets older,
what is recognized as what is recognized as
sin, in your 20’s, 30’s, sin, in your 20’s, 30’s,
40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s,
70’s, etc.. 70’s, etc..
But when one gets to be in But when one gets to be in
their 80s and they no their 80s and they no
longer believe they sin, longer believe they sin,
they believe that a lie they believe that a lie
is not a lie or is not a lie or
gossiping is not gossiping gossiping is not gossiping
or uncharitable remarks are or uncharitable remarks are
not uncharitable remarks and not uncharitable remarks and
they cannot be convinced they cannot be convinced
that it’s sin--and I’m that it’s sin--and I’m
talking now about my talking now about my
elderly mother. elderly mother.
Can you tell me how I can Can you tell me how I can
best handle this or what my best handle this or what my
approach and attitude approach and attitude
should be? should be?
Mother: Well, age doesn’t Mother: Well, age doesn’t
take away sin. take away sin.
You can’t say, the older You can’t say, the older
you get, the more free you get, the more free
you can be. you can be.
The same sin is 9 or 90. The same sin is 9 or 90.
I don’t know, there may be I don’t know, there may be
a little senility there. a little senility there.
I can’t imagine anybody I can’t imagine anybody
thinking you could goof off thinking you could goof off
at 19 and it’s wrong and you at 19 and it’s wrong and you
can do the same thing at 90. can do the same thing at 90.
I just would pray for her. I just would pray for her.
I don’t know, I think you I don’t know, I think you
could maybe sometimes get could maybe sometimes get
someone to come in and just someone to come in and just
talk to her. talk to her.
Maybe she’s very scrupulous Maybe she’s very scrupulous
or something and she doesn’t or something and she doesn’t
want to think of it. want to think of it.
But I would be very loving, But I would be very loving,
very gentle, very very gentle, very
understanding but we can understanding but we can
never say that when you get never say that when you get
older, the same sin is less. older, the same sin is less.
No, it’s if you don’t No, it’s if you don’t
understand or you’re senile understand or you’re senile
or there’s some brain or there’s some brain
problems or Alzheimer’s or problems or Alzheimer’s or
whatever it may be, that whatever it may be, that
you’re not really you’re not really
responsible for yourself, responsible for yourself,
that’s different. that’s different.
But I think it’s something But I think it’s something
we have to just you need to we have to just you need to
pray about and you need to pray about and you need to
give her as much love and give her as much love and
attention and pray that attention and pray that
somewhere the Lord will somewhere the Lord will
give her light to see that give her light to see that
if you gossip. if you gossip.
I know sometimes people I know sometimes people
think, oh, "That’s nothing." think, oh, "That’s nothing."
Or you lie, "Oh, that’s Or you lie, "Oh, that’s
nothing." nothing."
Well, they’re not mortal Well, they’re not mortal
sins but you see, the soul sins but you see, the soul
begins habituated into begins habituated into
this thing. this thing.
You lie once, you get away You lie once, you get away
with it, you lie again. with it, you lie again.
Sometimes you lie so much, Sometimes you lie so much,
you don’t know you lie you don’t know you lie
anymore. anymore.
That’s a bad state of soul. That’s a bad state of soul.
Gossiping is always wrong. Gossiping is always wrong.
"Do not judge and you shall "Do not judge and you shall
not be judged." not be judged."
That’s simple. That’s simple.
That’s what the Gospel says That’s what the Gospel says
and then you have to also and then you have to also
know that when you say know that when you say
something against somebody, something against somebody,
you don’t know their heart. you don’t know their heart.
You don’t know their heart. You don’t know their heart.
You don’t know how they felt You don’t know how they felt
at the time. at the time.
It’s very different. It’s very different.
"Do not condemn and you will "Do not condemn and you will
not be condemned." not be condemned."
So we can never say that So we can never say that
gossiping and lying and gossiping and lying and
cheating and greed is right. cheating and greed is right.
It’s never right, never. It’s never right, never.
but in the meantime, if but in the meantime, if
she’s way up there in her she’s way up there in her
years, maybe she just has years, maybe she just has
kind of lost contact with kind of lost contact with
the reality of sin, see. the reality of sin, see.
We’ll pray for her. We’ll pray for her.
That’s what you need to do. That’s what you need to do.
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Male Caller 2: Hello, Male Caller 2: Hello,
Mother. Mother.
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Caller: Yes, I’m from Caller: Yes, I’m from
Youngstown, Ohio. Youngstown, Ohio.
Mother: Good. Mother: Good.
Caller: And I was Caller: And I was
interested in your comments interested in your comments
on Judas and whether or not on Judas and whether or not
his name would be Judas if his name would be Judas if
there had been no betrayal, there had been no betrayal,
there would not have been a there would not have been a
crucifixion and without the crucifixion and without the
crucifixion, there would not crucifixion, there would not
have been a Resurrection and have been a Resurrection and
without the Resurrection, we without the Resurrection, we
would not be saved. would not be saved.
So don’t you think each of So don’t you think each of
these played an important these played an important
part? part?
Mother: I don’t know if Mother: I don’t know if
I’m hearing; I hope I’m I’m hearing; I hope I’m
not hearing what I think not hearing what I think
I’m hearing and that is that I’m hearing and that is that
this was done so that we this was done so that we
would have all these things. would have all these things.
When Judas had free will and When Judas had free will and
the Father, knowing all of the Father, knowing all of
this, realized that they this, realized that they
would take advantage of would take advantage of
this. this.
What would happen was and What would happen was and
even way back in the Old even way back in the Old
Testament it was prophesied Testament it was prophesied
but that doesn’t mean that but that doesn’t mean that
Judas was destined to do Judas was destined to do
that. that.
God took into consideration God took into consideration
the time, the people. the time, the people.
He gave everybody all the He gave everybody all the
graces necessary to be graces necessary to be
holy, including Judas. holy, including Judas.
But he missed it. But he missed it.
You and I are in the You and I are in the
same condition. same condition.
How many saints are saints How many saints are saints
because somebody bugged because somebody bugged
them to death? them to death?
But that doesn’t mean God But that doesn’t mean God
willed those people to bug willed those people to bug
you to death and then that’s you to death and then that’s
how you became a saint. how you became a saint.
It’s just that we are It’s just that we are
victims of other people’s victims of other people’s
false or weaknesses or lies false or weaknesses or lies
or dishonesty or betrayals. or dishonesty or betrayals.
Peter denied His Lord. Peter denied His Lord.
Do you see the difference? Do you see the difference?
There was a great difference There was a great difference
between Peter and Judas. between Peter and Judas.
Judas despaired. Judas despaired.
He had no confidence in the He had no confidence in the
Master’s mercy at all and Master’s mercy at all and
Peter did. Peter did.
Peter new he denied the Peter new he denied the
Lord. Lord.
He never forgot that. He never forgot that.
But he had that tremendous But he had that tremendous
confidence in the Master’s confidence in the Master’s
forgiveness and our Dear forgiveness and our Dear
Lord appeared to Peter Lord appeared to Peter
after the Resurrection, after the Resurrection,
by himself. by himself.
So we can’t say that Judas So we can’t say that Judas
had to do this so that all had to do this so that all
these good things would do. these good things would do.
That would be to attribute That would be to attribute
evil to God. evil to God.
No, this man was chosen; No, this man was chosen;
he had every opportunity; he had every opportunity;
and his greed, his anger, and his greed, his anger,
whatever it was that made whatever it was that made
him disappointed in our Lord him disappointed in our Lord
or wanted to get rid of Him. or wanted to get rid of Him.
Maybe it was greed. Maybe it was greed.
Maybe it was only the money, Maybe it was only the money,
the 30 pieces of silver. the 30 pieces of silver.
Nobody really knows for Nobody really knows for
sure. sure.
But God, Jesus was the But God, Jesus was the
Victim of the Pharisees’ Victim of the Pharisees’
hatred, the Sadducees’ hatred, the Sadducees’
hatred, their jealousy, hatred, their jealousy,
their ambition and He their ambition and He
suffered from our sinner suffered from our sinner
condition. condition.
He took that and moved it He took that and moved it
around so that He took upon around so that He took upon
Himself our sins. Himself our sins.
So what He did--and He So what He did--and He
says it in here--"What I says it in here--"What I
do, I do of My Own free do, I do of My Own free
will." will."
So He died of His Own So He died of His Own
free will and He did it free will and He did it
for you and you. for you and you.
Do you have another Do you have another
question? question?
Caller: Well, I’d just Caller: Well, I’d just
like to follow this up like to follow this up
just a little bit. just a little bit.
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Caller: I thought that Caller: I thought that
there was also something there was also something
in the Bible that said in the Bible that said
something about, "And something about, "And
the Scriptures were the Scriptures were
fulfilled," that this had fulfilled," that this had
been written and now been written and now
they’re being fulfilled. they’re being fulfilled.
Mother: Well, you have Mother: Well, you have
to realize that in the to realize that in the
Scriptures, the Lord Scriptures, the Lord
prophesied through Isaiah, prophesied through Isaiah,
through Jeremiah, through through Jeremiah, through
many of the prophets in the many of the prophets in the
Old Testament. Old Testament.
You also have to realize You also have to realize
that all things are present that all things are present
to God-there’s no past and to God-there’s no past and
no future. no future.
Everything is present. Everything is present.
God knew the time His Son God knew the time His Son
would come, the attitude of would come, the attitude of
the people and how that the people and how that
attitude would eventually attitude would eventually
crucify His Son. crucify His Son.
All of that was used by the All of that was used by the
Father---ill will, hatred, Father---ill will, hatred,
greed, all the, the sins greed, all the, the sins
that we all inherited, the that we all inherited, the
weaknesses, the weaknesses, the
concupiscence of Original concupiscence of Original
Sin was all inherited. Sin was all inherited.
That all got together and That all got together and
the Lord allowed Himself the Lord allowed Himself
to become a Victim of all to become a Victim of all
of that. of that.
When the soldiers crowned When the soldiers crowned
Him with thorns, what a, Him with thorns, what a,
what a terrible thing what a terrible thing
that was. that was.
He allowed all of that He allowed all of that
injustice, all that horrible injustice, all that horrible
injustice to be heaped upon injustice to be heaped upon
Him--told it to us ahead of Him--told it to us ahead of
time, told His apostles time, told His apostles
ahead of time, "This is ahead of time, "This is
what’s going to happen what’s going to happen
to Me." to Me."
But the fact that He told But the fact that He told
it doesn’t mean these people it doesn’t mean these people
were destined to do that. were destined to do that.
These people had free will These people had free will
and the Lord knew. and the Lord knew.
Through all His redemption Through all His redemption
there would be some who there would be some who
would never, never take would never, never take
advantage of that, who advantage of that, who
would turn their backs would turn their backs
against Him. against Him.
You and I suffer a lot in You and I suffer a lot in
our lifetime, some of it our lifetime, some of it
just and some of it unjust just and some of it unjust
but both allows us to grow but both allows us to grow
in holiness. in holiness.
That’s the climate of That’s the climate of
holiness that we suffer holiness that we suffer
from just things and from just things and
unjust things. unjust things.
Like Jesus, we’re able to Like Jesus, we’re able to
imitate Jesus in our imitate Jesus in our
lifetime so that everything lifetime so that everything
turns to our good for those turns to our good for those
who love God. who love God.
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller 7: Hello, Female Caller 7: Hello,
Mother. Mother.
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Caller: My name is Neville Caller: My name is Neville
and I’m from New Orleans. and I’m from New Orleans.
I want to ask you, is it I want to ask you, is it
normal to feel like you have normal to feel like you have
lost the closeness to God lost the closeness to God
when you lose someone? when you lose someone?
Mother: Uh-huh. Mother: Uh-huh.
Caller: And I have prayed Caller: And I have prayed
so hard and asked God so hard and asked God
to help me accept it. to help me accept it.
Mother: I will. Mother: I will.
When your husband just died When your husband just died
honey, it’s very difficult. honey, it’s very difficult.
That’s a very terribly That’s a very terribly
lonely time in your life, lonely time in your life,
very lonely. very lonely.
Sometimes you don’t feel Sometimes you don’t feel
so close to God. so close to God.
That terrible loneliness That terrible loneliness
kind of just eats you up kind of just eats you up
sometime and you just can’t sometime and you just can’t
think of anything else. think of anything else.
That’s a part of grieving. That’s a part of grieving.
I don’t think you can I don’t think you can
help that. help that.
But what you can do now But what you can do now
is cling to Jesus. is cling to Jesus.
You may not feel anything You may not feel anything
but cling to Him, pray, but cling to Him, pray,
ask the Lord to give you ask the Lord to give you
consolation. consolation.
We’re going to say a prayer We’re going to say a prayer
for you tonight. for you tonight.
There are so many people There are so many people
grieve--not only for those grieve--not only for those
they’ve just lost but those they’ve just lost but those
they’ve lost years ago. they’ve lost years ago.
They grieve out of They grieve out of
loneliness sometimes. loneliness sometimes.
People lonely in apartment People lonely in apartment
houses. houses.
And let’s say a prayer And let’s say a prayer
for them all. for them all.
"Lord God, we pray for "Lord God, we pray for
this woman tonight. this woman tonight.
"You know what it is to be "You know what it is to be
lonely, Lord, because You lonely, Lord, because You
were lonely some time in were lonely some time in
the garden when You needed the garden when You needed
someone to stay there with someone to stay there with
You and stay awake and there You and stay awake and there
was no one. was no one.
"On the Way to the Cross, "On the Way to the Cross,
Lord, You were alone. Lord, You were alone.
"All the people that You "All the people that You
healed and saved and healed and saved and
protected and guarded protected and guarded
all fled the other way. all fled the other way.
"Lord, there is a woman and "Lord, there is a woman and
many women there, many men, many women there, many men,
many children who are many children who are
lonely. lonely.
"I ask that You just reach "I ask that You just reach
out and touch them tonight, out and touch them tonight,
touch them and give them touch them and give them
that special awareness of that special awareness of
Your love for them, of how Your love for them, of how
You lived and died for them You lived and died for them
as if no one else existed. as if no one else existed.
"We don’t understand that, "We don’t understand that,
Lord, we really don’t. Lord, we really don’t.
"So, tonight I ask that You "So, tonight I ask that You
give this caller and all give this caller and all
those that haven’t called those that haven’t called
that have that terrible that have that terrible
loneliness a deep awareness loneliness a deep awareness
of Your love so that we of Your love so that we
continue our journey Home in continue our journey Home in
the peace and the joy of the peace and the joy of
Your Spirit." Your Spirit."
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller 8: Hello, Female Caller 8: Hello,
Mother. Mother.
Mother: Where are you Mother: Where are you
from? from?
Caller: I’m from Caller: I’m from
Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville, Kentucky.
Mother: And what is your Mother: And what is your
question? question?
Caller: God bless you, Caller: God bless you,
Sister. Sister.
Thank you for accepting Thank you for accepting
my, my call. my, my call.
I called because a little I called because a little
over a year ago, I joined over a year ago, I joined
the Dominican Third Order. the Dominican Third Order.
Mother: Good. Mother: Good.
Caller: It was probably Caller: It was probably
the happiest thing that the happiest thing that
ever happened to me. ever happened to me.
I had the grace of just, of I had the grace of just, of
prayer, the "Christian prayer, the "Christian
Liturgy of the Hours." Liturgy of the Hours."
I pray it every day and I pray it every day and
it was wonderful. it was wonderful.
I would just sit and cry and I would just sit and cry and
have revelations, oh my have revelations, oh my
gosh, I see what this means gosh, I see what this means
now and I understood it now and I understood it
and prayed it fervently and prayed it fervently
for about a year. for about a year.
But the last few months, But the last few months,
especially since Lent especially since Lent
started, I’m having a started, I’m having a
problem. problem.
I see it and I’m like, I see it and I’m like,
"But I have dishes; I have "But I have dishes; I have
laundry; I’ll do that. laundry; I’ll do that.
I know, I’ll pray it all I know, I’ll pray it all
at one time tonight." at one time tonight."
I put it off and put it off I put it off and put it off
and I’ll pray my rosary, and I’ll pray my rosary,
only because this is my only because this is my
obligation but not with obligation but not with
this great fervent love. this great fervent love.
I was told to read I was told to read
St. Theresa of Avila’s book, St. Theresa of Avila’s book,
"Interior Castles." "Interior Castles."
I thought, "But this is a I thought, "But this is a
great saint chosen by God. great saint chosen by God.
"Of course, she has dry "Of course, she has dry
spells and it means spells and it means
something but me, I’m something but me, I’m
just a housewife. just a housewife.
What could this mean for me?" What could this mean for me?"
I pray that I’m not losing I pray that I’m not losing
my love and my fervor my love and my fervor
for prayer. for prayer.
I’ll hang up now and listen I’ll hang up now and listen
to your response. to your response.
Mother: Okay, but you said Mother: Okay, but you said
something that almost something that almost
answered your question. answered your question.
You said it started at the You said it started at the
beginning of Lent. beginning of Lent.
Isn’t that what she said? Isn’t that what she said?
The beginning of Lent--the The beginning of Lent--the
Lord wants you to suffer Lord wants you to suffer
with Him this Lent. with Him this Lent.
Maybe He wants you to suffer Maybe He wants you to suffer
from the loneliness He had from the loneliness He had
in the Garden. in the Garden.
In our prayer life, we In our prayer life, we
can’t have Heaven all the can’t have Heaven all the
way to Heaven. (chuckles) way to Heaven. (chuckles)
You just can’t. You just can’t.
God doesn’t to remove graces God doesn’t to remove graces
from you when it’s dryness from you when it’s dryness
or it’s difficult to pray. or it’s difficult to pray.
Do you know how I think Do you know how I think
about it? about it?
I think when I’m consoled I think when I’m consoled
that Jesus is consoling that Jesus is consoling
me, right? me, right?
When I feel dry and desolate When I feel dry and desolate
and all this worried and and all this worried and
frustrated and I just sit frustrated and I just sit
there and say, "Lord, here there and say, "Lord, here
I am, a miserable creature I am, a miserable creature
but I love You." but I love You."
What am I doing then? What am I doing then?
I’m consoling Him. I’m consoling Him.
The consolation goes The consolation goes
both ways. both ways.
I can’t expect consolations I can’t expect consolations
all the time. all the time.
I have to strengthen I have to strengthen
my will. my will.
I have to love God with I have to love God with
a pure love. a pure love.
I have to love God as much I have to love God as much
when I’m not consoled as when I’m not consoled as
when I am. when I am.
I do that with my will. I do that with my will.
I have to say, "I love you I have to say, "I love you
when I’m desolate, when I’m when I’m desolate, when I’m
dry, when I’m frustrated, dry, when I’m frustrated,
when I’m worried about when I’m worried about
something." something."
I just can’t go up and I just can’t go up and
down like this. down like this.
I have to just like this, in I have to just like this, in
good times, in bad times. good times, in bad times.
Isn’t that what you said Isn’t that what you said
when you got married? when you got married?
Ya’ll been married, ya’ll Ya’ll been married, ya’ll
married? married?
You say, "in good time, You say, "in good time,
bad times?" bad times?"
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
Did you just go off and Did you just go off and
traipse off somewhere when traipse off somewhere when
your husband gets sick? your husband gets sick?
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
Is that what you do? Is that what you do?
No, you have to, you’ve No, you have to, you’ve
got to stay there. got to stay there.
It’s the same with God. It’s the same with God.
He wants you to grow. He wants you to grow.
He wants you to love Him He wants you to love Him
and grow in faith. and grow in faith.
Oh wow! Oh wow!
Let me tell you something. Let me tell you something.
In good times--now remember In good times--now remember
this--in good times, this--in good times,
we enjoy faith, you we enjoy faith, you
enjoy faith. enjoy faith.
In bad times, you In bad times, you
exercise faith. exercise faith.
It’s easy for me to love It’s easy for me to love
God when I feel like it, God when I feel like it,
feel all bubbly inside. feel all bubbly inside.
Do you ever feel bubbly Do you ever feel bubbly
inside? inside?
Did you ever feel bubbly Did you ever feel bubbly
inside when you’re inside when you’re
loving God? loving God?
What happens when all What happens when all
the bubbles go way? the bubbles go way?
You have to act the same. You have to act the same.
You have to go on being You have to go on being
good, being virtuous, good, being virtuous,
saying your prayers. saying your prayers.
You say them for poor You say them for poor
sinners, you say them for sinners, you say them for
yourself, you pray to yourself, you pray to
console the Lord. console the Lord.
I’ll tell you one thing I’ll tell you one thing
that might help you-- that might help you--
start praising God. start praising God.
"I praise You Lord, I love "I praise You Lord, I love
You, I adore You, I ask You, I adore You, I ask
pardon for those who do not pardon for those who do not
love You, do not praise You love You, do not praise You
and do not adore You." and do not adore You."
Now, see, if you can say Now, see, if you can say
that without consolation, that without consolation,
you really love God. you really love God.
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Male Caller 3: Yes, um, Male Caller 3: Yes, um,
I have some question. I have some question.
My name is Deheroy. My name is Deheroy.
I lived in Ansonia, I lived in Ansonia,
Connecticut and I go to a Connecticut and I go to a
church called Holy Rosary. church called Holy Rosary.
Mother: Yeah, you’ve Mother: Yeah, you’ve
got to speak a little got to speak a little
louder. louder.
Caller: And I want to say, Caller: And I want to say,
I like you and I like I like you and I like
your singing at the your singing at the
Daily Mass. Daily Mass.
There’s one thing I There’s one thing I
don’t understand. don’t understand.
When I was making When I was making
Confirmation--why do people Confirmation--why do people
have to go to Confession have to go to Confession
before Confirmation? before Confirmation?
What’s the purpose of it? What’s the purpose of it?
Like you always have to Like you always have to
confess your sins confess your sins
before you go. before you go.
Mother: Are you talking Mother: Are you talking
about the Sacrament about the Sacrament
of Confirmation? of Confirmation?
Caller: Yes, because Caller: Yes, because
we have to go to we have to go to
Confession before we Confession before we
go to Confirmation, and go to Confirmation, and
confess our sins. confess our sins.
Why do people have to Why do people have to
confess their sins before confess their sins before
Confirmation? Confirmation?
Mother: Well don’t you Mother: Well don’t you
think, don’t you think think, don’t you think
if you realize you were if you realize you were
going to receive the Holy going to receive the Holy
Spirit, you want to be nice Spirit, you want to be nice
and clean inside? and clean inside?
Doesn’t that kind of make Doesn’t that kind of make
common sense? common sense?
If I was going to receive If I was going to receive
the Sacrament--a Sacrament the Sacrament--a Sacrament
is something, a vehicle to is something, a vehicle to
which I receive God, you which I receive God, you
receive grace, the Presence receive grace, the Presence
of God. of God.
If I’m going to receive the If I’m going to receive the
presence of God, I don’t presence of God, I don’t
want Him to come into a want Him to come into a
dirty temple. dirty temple.
I want it to be sparkling I want it to be sparkling
clean. clean.
Confirmation is not an Confirmation is not an
initiation service. initiation service.
You’re not joining some You’re not joining some
giant club somewhere-- giant club somewhere--
Catholic Church Lions Club Catholic Church Lions Club
or some other kind of club. or some other kind of club.
(audience chuckles) (audience chuckles)
You’re not joining a club. You’re not joining a club.
You’re joining a Church You’re joining a Church
of God. of God.
You’re joining, you’re You’re joining, you’re
receiving Sacraments and receiving Sacraments and
forgiveness and the forgiveness and the
Eucharist. Eucharist.
You can’t go in there You can’t go in there
with a dirty garment. with a dirty garment.
Do you remember that Do you remember that
parable? parable?
Oh, let me give you a Oh, let me give you a
parable now. parable now.
Parable about the man who Parable about the man who
went out and invited all went out and invited all
kind of guests, nobody came. kind of guests, nobody came.
He says, "Go out on the He says, "Go out on the
highways and the byways highways and the byways
and bring them in." and bring them in."
So they brought all these So they brought all these
cripples and blind people cripples and blind people
and all, and there comes one and all, and there comes one
without a wedding garment. without a wedding garment.
Oh wow! Oh wow!
You say, "Well, what’s You say, "Well, what’s
wrong with that?" wrong with that?"
Well, every host provided Well, every host provided
a wedding garment for all a wedding garment for all
his guests. his guests.
So if you didn’t come in So if you didn’t come in
with a wedding garment, with a wedding garment,
that was an insult. that was an insult.
If you come to my party If you come to my party
and I give you all these and I give you all these
beautiful clothes to wear beautiful clothes to wear
and then you come in and you and then you come in and you
look like a bum something look like a bum something
like a Raggedy Ann, that like a Raggedy Ann, that
would be an insult, would be an insult,
wouldn’t it? wouldn’t it?
Here are all these gowns and Here are all these gowns and
garments here and I say, "Go garments here and I say, "Go
pick one out" and you come pick one out" and you come
out without a garment. out without a garment.
The Master said, "Hey, The Master said, "Hey,
where’s your garment?" where’s your garment?"
He says, "Throw him out." He says, "Throw him out."
So we want to be clean. So we want to be clean.
Confirmation is a Sacrament. Confirmation is a Sacrament.
It’s a Sacrament and that It’s a Sacrament and that
Sacrament raises you to a Sacrament raises you to a
mission. mission.
Not only does it raise you Not only does it raise you
to that ability to be a to that ability to be a
missionary, an evangelist, missionary, an evangelist,
a disciple of Jesus, it a disciple of Jesus, it
gives you special gifts, gives you special gifts,
seven of them--fear of the seven of them--fear of the
Lord, piety, fortitude, Lord, piety, fortitude,
counsel, knowledge, counsel, knowledge,
understanding, wisdom. understanding, wisdom.
Oh, you better be nice and Oh, you better be nice and
clean when you get those! clean when you get those!
Because that Sacrament is Because that Sacrament is
that special Presence of God that special Presence of God
that comes into me, that that comes into me, that
makes me like Jesus. makes me like Jesus.
That’s where you’ve got That’s where you’ve got
to be real clean. to be real clean.
That’s I think, there’s That’s I think, there’s
something here Our Lord something here Our Lord
says. says.
Maybe I have a minute. Maybe I have a minute.
He said, "You call Me Master He said, "You call Me Master
and Lord, and rightly, and Lord, and rightly,
so I am. so I am.
If I then the Lord and If I then the Lord and
Master have washed your Master have washed your
feet, you should wash feet, you should wash
each others’ feet." each others’ feet."
He wants you to be humble. He wants you to be humble.
"I have given you an example "I have given you an example
that you may copy Me and I that you may copy Me and I
say to you most solemnly, no say to you most solemnly, no
service is greater than his service is greater than his
Master and no messenger is Master and no messenger is
greater than the Man Who greater than the Man Who
sent him. sent him.
Now, that you know this, Now, that you know this,
happiness will be yours if happiness will be yours if
you behave accordingly." you behave accordingly."
"I have chosen you." "I have chosen you."
"I have chosen you." "I have chosen you."
Those of us who have been Those of us who have been
chosen by God to receive chosen by God to receive
those wondrous Sacraments, those wondrous Sacraments,
to be able to go and get my to be able to go and get my
soul so clean that the soul so clean that the
Spirit raises me up-- Spirit raises me up--
what a gift! what a gift!
What a grace from God that I What a grace from God that I
can receive His Body, Blood, can receive His Body, Blood,
Soul and Divinity. Soul and Divinity.
Well, don’t forget what a Well, don’t forget what a
wonderful thing it is to wonderful thing it is to
know Jesus, to see Him know Jesus, to see Him
face-to-face, to be able face-to-face, to be able
to be clean when you get to be clean when you get
all dirtied up. all dirtied up.
Go to Confession. Go to Confession.
It’s good for you. It’s good for you.
And then receive that And then receive that
wondrous Sacrament. wondrous Sacrament.
Be like Jesus, shining new. Be like Jesus, shining new.
Bye. Bye.
God bless you. (applause)
