♪ ♪ Man: "Mother Angelica Live!" brought to you from the Eternal
Word Television Studios in Birmingham, Alabama. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ <i>Mother: See in you, the love,
the compassion of Jesus.</i> <i>The most glorious work of all,
to praise God in His Kingdom.</i> <i>Anyone moved by the Spirit...</i> <i>Anyone who lives in love,</i> <i>lives in God and
God lives in Him.</i> ♪ ♪ <i>What a wonderful
thing is our Church.</i> <i>This whole network
is built on trust.</i> <i>The essence of evangelization
is to tell everybody,</i> <i>"Jesus loves you!"</i> <i>We’re all called
to be great saints.</i> <i>Don’t miss the opportunity!</i> Well, thank you so much. Well, thank you so much.
I’m a little late. I’m a little late.
Well, I made it a Well, I made it a
minute ahead. minute ahead.
So that’s not too bad. So that’s not too bad.
It could have been It could have been
30 seconds, or something 30 seconds, or something
else--but anyway, here else--but anyway, here
we are together. we are together.
We have a wonderful crowd of We have a wonderful crowd of
our family here tonight and our family here tonight and
we want to welcome them. we want to welcome them.
Do you know what I thought Do you know what I thought
we would talk about tonight? we would talk about tonight?
I’m going to tell you, I’m going to tell you,
because there was a funny because there was a funny
incident that happened. incident that happened.
Last Friday, no, it was Last Friday, no, it was
last Thursday--it was one last Thursday--it was one
of my bad days. of my bad days.
Do you ever have a bad day? Do you ever have a bad day?
Anybody here never have Anybody here never have
a bad day? a bad day?
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Nobody, Thank You, Jesus! Nobody, Thank You, Jesus!
Everybody’s had a bad day. Everybody’s had a bad day.
Well, last Thursday was one Well, last Thursday was one
of my bad days and I got of my bad days and I got
very angry with some very angry with some
contractors over electric-- contractors over electric--
electricity and electric electricity and electric
lights and why I couldn’t lights and why I couldn’t
put up this light when I put up this light when I
wanted that light and I wanted that light and I
couldn’t put it up there. couldn’t put it up there.
So they were telling me. So they were telling me.
Anyway, I blew my 75 year Anyway, I blew my 75 year
old stack. old stack.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
It was just as hot It was just as hot
as it would’ve been as it would’ve been
when it was 17. when it was 17.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
So, I did have a hard day. So, I did have a hard day.
Well, that night Well, that night
when I came home, there when I came home, there
was a little note on my was a little note on my
table at refectory. table at refectory.
I was in a hurry and I just I was in a hurry and I just
read--it was folded, see, and read--it was folded, see, and
it said, "Lucifer called." it said, "Lucifer called."
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
I looked at that paper I looked at that paper
and I said, "What?!" and I said, "What?!"
They said, "What’s the They said, "What’s the
matter?" matter?"
I said, "Who said I said, "Who said
"Lucifer called?" (laughs) "Lucifer called?" (laughs)
(coughs) (coughs)
I forgot to turn it over, I forgot to turn it over,
you see, and it said, you see, and it said,
"Lucifer called God "Lucifer called God
a liar." a liar."
(all laugh) (all laugh)
And I thought. (laughs) And I thought. (laughs)
I knew I didn’t do the right I knew I didn’t do the right
thing but I didn’t think thing but I didn’t think
it was that bad (laughs) it was that bad (laughs)
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
that Lucifer had to call. that Lucifer had to call.
But I thought we’d talk But I thought we’d talk
about that tonight, that about that tonight, that
lucifer did call God a liar. lucifer did call God a liar.
And why was it? And why was it?
What really was the What really was the
first sin? first sin?
We’ll say pride. We’ll say pride.
Good. Good.
But I think the first sin But I think the first sin
was jealousy, jealousy. was jealousy, jealousy.
Lucifer--the highest, the Lucifer--the highest, the
most beautiful, the most most beautiful, the most
intelligent of all angels, intelligent of all angels,
the leader of them all-- the leader of them all--
began to think he was began to think he was
greater than God, that God greater than God, that God
had no right to His throne, had no right to His throne,
totally forgetting he was totally forgetting he was
himself a creature, that himself a creature, that
he was created by God. he was created by God.
That was all for God. That was all for God.
So he said, "I will So he said, "I will
ascend to the throne ascend to the throne
of the Most High!" of the Most High!"
But why would he do it? But why would he do it?
You say, "Well, that was You say, "Well, that was
an act of pride." an act of pride."
Yeah it is, but why would Yeah it is, but why would
he want to do that? he want to do that?
Because he thought he Because he thought he
was greater than God. was greater than God.
We come up what I call the We come up what I call the
Luciferian Sin--"I will Luciferian Sin--"I will
not serve." not serve."
That’s what he said. That’s what he said.
The great test came along The great test came along
when they found out that the when they found out that the
Eternal Word, the Second Eternal Word, the Second
Person of the Most Blessed Person of the Most Blessed
Trinity, would become Man. Trinity, would become Man.
"Man? Oh, you’ve got "Man? Oh, you’ve got
to be kidding! to be kidding!
Man--part spiritual and Man--part spiritual and
part animal--He’s going part animal--He’s going
to become Man?" to become Man?"
Well, then he went a Well, then he went a
little further and realized little further and realized
that not only would He that not only would He
become Man, that inferior become Man, that inferior
nature, but His Mother nature, but His Mother
would be their Queen. would be their Queen.
Oh, that was insult Oh, that was insult
upon insult. upon insult.
No, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no, no.
So what was the battle? So what was the battle?
Was it a battle of swords? Was it a battle of swords?
No. No.
We’re talking about We’re talking about
spiritual being. spiritual being.
It was a battle of wits, It was a battle of wits,
intellects. intellects.
So one-third of the Kingdom So one-third of the Kingdom
was influenced by Lucifer. was influenced by Lucifer.
He convinced them it was He convinced them it was
unjust of God for the Second unjust of God for the Second
Person of the Blessed Person of the Blessed
Trinity to become Man--and Trinity to become Man--and
then His Mother be their then His Mother be their
Queen?--oh, too much. Queen?--oh, too much.
Well, what happens? Well, what happens?
"I will not serve." "I will not serve."
Michael comes along and Michael comes along and
says, "Who is like God?" says, "Who is like God?"
The perfect question. The perfect question.
That was the end of That was the end of
jealousy, because there is jealousy, because there is
no one like God, no one. no one like God, no one.
There’s no one before Him, There’s no one before Him,
no one like Him, no one like Him,
no one after Him. no one after Him.
He always Was, Is and He always Was, Is and
Always Will Be. Always Will Be.
Well we’ve got a lot of that Well we’ve got a lot of that
today, "I will not serve." today, "I will not serve."
We don’t believe the We don’t believe the
morals of the Church, morals of the Church,
that the Church preaches. that the Church preaches.
St. Paul speaks of it St. Paul speaks of it
very, very plainly in very, very plainly in
Galatians. Galatians.
Do you ever read Galatians? Do you ever read Galatians?
It’s a very interesting It’s a very interesting
little book, only five little book, only five
chapters. chapters.
Here we go, I went past it. Here we go, I went past it.
Anyway, in this fifth chapter, Anyway, in this fifth chapter,
he called self-indulgence. he called self-indulgence.
What does that mean? What does that mean?
It means I’m going to do It means I’m going to do
what I want, when I want, what I want, when I want,
how I want. how I want.
That’s a kind of That’s a kind of
"I will not serve." "I will not serve."
Today I read an article Today I read an article
in the paper. in the paper.
Well, it wasn’t really a Well, it wasn’t really a
newspaper, newspaper. newspaper, newspaper.
It was part of the garbage It was part of the garbage
sisters were throwing out. sisters were throwing out.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
It’s strange how garbage It’s strange how garbage
newspaper is always the newspaper is always the
most interesting. most interesting.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Did you ever read Did you ever read
garbage newspaper? garbage newspaper?
You never did? You never did?
You ought to try it. You ought to try it.
The most interesting The most interesting
articles are right there articles are right there
before they wrap the before they wrap the
garbage in it. garbage in it.
This one said that now all This one said that now all
organ donors really should organ donors really should
give up their organs before give up their organs before
brain death. brain death.
What’s that say to you? What’s that say to you?
Well, I’d tear up my Well, I’d tear up my
little card. little card.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
You get the impression You get the impression
they’re looking at you they’re looking at you
and saying, "Oh, what and saying, "Oh, what
a liver. a liver.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Wow, look at that brain, Wow, look at that brain,
big forehead--ooh. big forehead--ooh.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
We can forget the bald head We can forget the bald head
but I bet there’s something but I bet there’s something
inside of there." inside of there."
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
It scares you to death. It scares you to death.
Now, they talk about Now, they talk about
"before death". "before death".
One time I was sitting One time I was sitting
outside. outside.
I was going to have some I was going to have some
x-rays and I was sitting out x-rays and I was sitting out
there waiting my turn and there waiting my turn and
the one x-ray technician the one x-ray technician
came out and said, "What do came out and said, "What do
you got out there?" you got out there?"
He said, "One kidney and He said, "One kidney and
three livers." three livers."
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
It made every human being It made every human being
seem suddenly so small, seem suddenly so small,
like it didn’t matter who like it didn’t matter who
you were; it’s what you’ve you were; it’s what you’ve
got and how healthy it is. got and how healthy it is.
That’s where we are now, That’s where we are now,
isn’t it, huh? isn’t it, huh?
That’s where we are. That’s where we are.
Pius--or Paul VI Pius--or Paul VI
prophesied that, didn’t prophesied that, didn’t
he, in "Humane Vitae"? he, in "Humane Vitae"?
He said, "Once you begin He said, "Once you begin
birth control, then you have birth control, then you have
abortion and then you have abortion and then you have
euthanasia, then you want euthanasia, then you want
to kill off the young, to kill off the young,
the old." the old."
Now what? Now what?
Now we only look at Now we only look at
people to see what organ people to see what organ
they might have that would they might have that would
benefit my neighbor. benefit my neighbor.
Now, that is a contradiction Now, that is a contradiction
in terms. in terms.
That’s a spirit of rebellion That’s a spirit of rebellion
that kind of says, "Anything that kind of says, "Anything
goes, anything goes." goes, anything goes."
St. Paul guessed it real St. Paul guessed it real
good in his day because good in his day because
when I say, "I will not when I say, "I will not
serve," that means you’re serve," that means you’re
open to every kind of sin, open to every kind of sin,
every kind of sin. every kind of sin.
And since we’re in the time And since we’re in the time
of the Holy Spirit, you have of the Holy Spirit, you have
to know is your spirit the to know is your spirit the
kind that says, "I will not kind that says, "I will not
serve, I will not do this?" serve, I will not do this?"
"The Church says this is "The Church says this is
wrong." wrong."
"Well, I’m going to "Well, I’m going to
do it anyway. do it anyway.
No one’s going to tell No one’s going to tell
me what to do." me what to do."
Well, that’s an act Well, that’s an act
of will. of will.
God gave you free will. God gave you free will.
That’s not news. That’s not news.
This free choice business This free choice business
is... (sighs) is... (sighs)
God gave us free choice. God gave us free choice.
That’s not new either. That’s not new either.
But there are many things But there are many things
we cannot choose. we cannot choose.
St. Paul says very well St. Paul says very well
in the 5th Chapter of in the 5th Chapter of
Galatians. Galatians.
He called it self-indulgence He called it self-indulgence
--it’s the opposite of the --it’s the opposite of the
Spirit, opposite of the Spirit, opposite of the
Spirit. Spirit.
He says, "When He says, "When
self-indulgence is at work, self-indulgence is at work,
the results are obvious." the results are obvious."
Fornication--you say, Fornication--you say,
"Oh, what’s fornication?" "Oh, what’s fornication?"
(laughs) I hate to have a (laughs) I hate to have a
nun tell you what nun tell you what
fornication is. fornication is.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Just doesn’t seem right. Just doesn’t seem right.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
It’s when you horse around It’s when you horse around
before you’re married, before you’re married,
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
that’s what it means. that’s what it means.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Now, if you don’t know the Now, if you don’t know the
facts of life, I’m not facts of life, I’m not
going to tell you. going to tell you.
Ask your mother or your Ask your mother or your
father or somebody. father or somebody.
But that’s what he says, But that’s what he says,
it’s fornication. it’s fornication.
All you teenagers, oh, All you teenagers, oh,
you’re wasting your life, you’re wasting your life,
your time, your soul. your time, your soul.
Now, teachers will come to Now, teachers will come to
me and tell me the wildest me and tell me the wildest
things and they’re all true things and they’re all true
--13 year-olds having --13 year-olds having
affairs in classrooms. affairs in classrooms.
I mean, (sighs) it’s I mean, (sighs) it’s
so bad, you know. so bad, you know.
Well, we call that self- Well, we call that self-
indulgence--you’re going indulgence--you’re going
to do what you please. to do what you please.
But he said, "When that’s at But he said, "When that’s at
work, gross indecency." work, gross indecency."
Well, nobody knows they’re Well, nobody knows they’re
half naked anymore. half naked anymore.
It always amazes me that It always amazes me that
women walk around half women walk around half
naked and men, they just naked and men, they just
walk around natural. walk around natural.
I mean, they’re always I mean, they’re always
dressed. dressed.
Well, it seems funny to me. Well, it seems funny to me.
I’m glad you are, I’m glad you are,
believe me. believe me.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
I’m glad you’re not I’m glad you’re not
following women around following women around
and their way of dressing. and their way of dressing.
I mean, it’s terrible. I mean, it’s terrible.
We don’t any sense of We don’t any sense of
modesty. modesty.
I don’t know what makes some I don’t know what makes some
of you think anybody wants of you think anybody wants
to see it. to see it.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Anybody have legs like Anybody have legs like
I saw this afternoon, I saw this afternoon,
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
I’d put them in a box or I’d put them in a box or
something. something.
I mean, why-- I mean, why--
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
why do you want to walk why do you want to walk
around half naked looking around half naked looking
like that? like that?
I don’t, I don’t get it. I don’t, I don’t get it.
That’s what he’s saying. That’s what he’s saying.
He didn’t get it either. He didn’t get it either.
St. Paul says here, "gross St. Paul says here, "gross
indecency." indecency."
Well, it’s pretty gross. Well, it’s pretty gross.
One side of your hair is One side of your hair is
yellow, the other, green. yellow, the other, green.
I think that’s gross. I think that’s gross.
I mean, I wonder if you I mean, I wonder if you
have a mirror. have a mirror.
Maybe we need to buy mirrors Maybe we need to buy mirrors
and put them on street and put them on street
corners and say, "Here is corners and say, "Here is
how you really look." how you really look."
It might be good. It might be good.
But it’s like I don’t want But it’s like I don’t want
to look like God made me to look like God made me
to look. to look.
To destroy your human nature To destroy your human nature
is so gross and that’s what is so gross and that’s what
Paul says, "gross indecency." Paul says, "gross indecency."
"Sexual irresponsibility, "Sexual irresponsibility,
idolatry." idolatry."
Oh, there’s a lot of that Oh, there’s a lot of that
today, idolatry. today, idolatry.
That’s the worship of That’s the worship of
false gods. false gods.
But there’s a lot of But there’s a lot of
idolatry that’s not idolatry that’s not
a false god. a false god.
Some of you are so concerned Some of you are so concerned
about making more and more about making more and more
and more and more millions. and more and more millions.
Well, what do you do with Well, what do you do with
all of it? all of it?
There has to come a point There has to come a point
you can’t spend what you’ve you can’t spend what you’ve
got, right? got, right?
I could help you. I could help you.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
You just wonder about all You just wonder about all
these people, they never these people, they never
do anything for the Lord. do anything for the Lord.
You wonder. You wonder.
I read about this woman I read about this woman
whose only desire was to be whose only desire was to be
buried in a gold Cadillac. buried in a gold Cadillac.
So they buried her in a So they buried her in a
gold Cadillac. gold Cadillac.
I thought, "Does she think I thought, "Does she think
she’s going to drive up to she’s going to drive up to
the gate?" the gate?"
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
What? I mean, What? I mean,
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
I bet that Cadillac isn’t I bet that Cadillac isn’t
there anymore but I bet there anymore but I bet
she is. she is.
(all chuckles) (all chuckles)
Can you imagine somebody Can you imagine somebody
in Hell and they’d say, in Hell and they’d say,
"What are you here for?" "What are you here for?"
"I came in a gold "I came in a gold
Cadillac," or "I dug up a Cadillac," or "I dug up a
gold Cadillac." gold Cadillac."
All this is so foolish. All this is so foolish.
Isn’t that foolish? Isn’t that foolish?
And it happens--it happens. And it happens--it happens.
So now, that’s a form of So now, that’s a form of
idolatry, see, to glorify idolatry, see, to glorify
oneself is a form of oneself is a form of
idolatry. idolatry.
A scientist who is so A scientist who is so
absorbed in his science that absorbed in his science that
he forgets his family, his he forgets his family, his
loved ones, his God, loved ones, his God,
has idolatry--you worship has idolatry--you worship
what you do. what you do.
Anything that takes your Anything that takes your
mind totally away from God, mind totally away from God,
from family, from friends from family, from friends
is a form of idolatry. is a form of idolatry.
Drinking, I think, is a form Drinking, I think, is a form
of idolatry. of idolatry.
Now, watch me get the Now, watch me get the
letters tomorrow, whoa! letters tomorrow, whoa!
But a lot of things are But a lot of things are
a form of idolatry. a form of idolatry.
Lust is a form of idolatry. Lust is a form of idolatry.
You worship pleasure. You worship pleasure.
We don’t realize some times We don’t realize some times
what we’re doing today. what we’re doing today.
Now it says here, "Sorcery." Now it says here, "Sorcery."
Oh, that’s so bad, and Oh, that’s so bad, and
there’s so much evil, there’s so much evil,
devil worship everywhere, devil worship everywhere,
everywhere. everywhere.
Watch your young children. Watch your young children.
Watch what they read, watch Watch what they read, watch
who they play with, watch who they play with, watch
what they wear and watch what they wear and watch
the music they listen to. the music they listen to.
"Feuds," oh, how many wars "Feuds," oh, how many wars
in this modern age, so cruel in this modern age, so cruel
because of a feud--a feud because of a feud--a feud
over religion, a feud over over religion, a feud over
territory, a feud over territory, a feud over
nationality or color. nationality or color.
All of these are not of God. All of these are not of God.
"Envy"--oh, envy of "Envy"--oh, envy of
people’s talents or things, people’s talents or things,
mostly things. mostly things.
Jealousy is of people Jealousy is of people
and envy of things. and envy of things.
"I hate that person that "I hate that person that
just bought a new house. just bought a new house.
It’s bigger than mine." It’s bigger than mine."
There’s more to clean. There’s more to clean.
What’s wrong with you? What’s wrong with you?
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
I don’t understand I don’t understand
that kind of thing. that kind of thing.
They just bought a They just bought a
Rolls Royce. Rolls Royce.
Oh, so, you have a Ford. Oh, so, you have a Ford.
You’re both going to get You’re both going to get
there the same time. there the same time.
Well, what’s the difference? Well, what’s the difference?
"Drunkenness"--that’s "Drunkenness"--that’s
self-indulgence. self-indulgence.
You say you can take You say you can take
one drink. one drink.
Well, everybody knows Well, everybody knows
you can’t. you can’t.
You’re flat on the floor You’re flat on the floor
after five or six, see. after five or six, see.
One woman told me one time One woman told me one time
she really wished her she really wished her
husband would get drunk. husband would get drunk.
I said, "Why?" I said, "Why?"
She said, "He’s so nice She said, "He’s so nice
and sweet." and sweet."
I said, "He is?" I said, "He is?"
"Yep. As soon as he "Yep. As soon as he
washes his feet, washes his feet,
he’s sober again." he’s sober again."
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
I thought somebody I thought somebody
that gets drunk ought to that gets drunk ought to
try that in ice water. try that in ice water.
So there are a lot of So there are a lot of
strange things happen strange things happen
in the world. in the world.
"Jealousy"--now, that’s. "Jealousy"--now, that’s.
I think the first sin. I think the first sin.
Lucifer was jealous of God. Lucifer was jealous of God.
Do you know what’s so Do you know what’s so
strange? strange?
To this day, to this day, To this day, to this day,
he still entertains the he still entertains the
same thoughts. same thoughts.
With all the pains of Hell With all the pains of Hell
he has not changed his mind he has not changed his mind
that he is better than God that he is better than God
and that God has his place. and that God has his place.
How you like that for a How you like that for a
strong will? strong will?
Watch your will and what Watch your will and what
you’re doing with it. you’re doing with it.
"Bad temper," "Bad temper,"
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
and that really has a lot and that really has a lot
to do with nationality. to do with nationality.
(all laugh) (all laugh)
Oh dear. Oh dear.
I don’t know if any of you I don’t know if any of you
have had the privilege of have had the privilege of
eating at an Italian dinner. eating at an Italian dinner.
I was at an Italian house, I was at an Italian house,
oh, some years ago when I oh, some years ago when I
brought one of my sisters brought one of my sisters
and the food was absolutely and the food was absolutely
phenomenal. phenomenal.
But when Italians eat, But when Italians eat,
they’re family. they’re family.
They, they don’t feel they They, they don’t feel they
have to be polite. have to be polite.
They, they don’t think of They, they don’t think of
saying, "Would you pass the saying, "Would you pass the
chicken, dear?" chicken, dear?"
"Hey, what’s the matter "Hey, what’s the matter
with you? with you?
"Are you, crazy? "Are you, crazy?
"What do you mean, ’Pass "What do you mean, ’Pass
the chicken, dear?’ the chicken, dear?’
"What do you have with "What do you have with
this ’dear’ business? this ’dear’ business?
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
What do you want?" What do you want?"
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
That’s Italian. That’s Italian.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Anyway, they were doing Anyway, they were doing
that and I enjoyed it. that and I enjoyed it.
I mean, I hadn’t been at a I mean, I hadn’t been at a
good Italian fussing dinner good Italian fussing dinner
in years. in years.
Somebody would say, Somebody would say,
"Hey, what, are you going to "Hey, what, are you going to
eat all those potatoes? eat all those potatoes?
"Pass them over here. "Pass them over here.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
What, are you a glutton What, are you a glutton
or something? or something?
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Give me those potatoes." Give me those potatoes."
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Well poor Sister was Well poor Sister was
over there like.... over there like....
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
She couldn’t’ eat a thing, She couldn’t’ eat a thing,
not a thing. not a thing.
So I said to her, "What’s So I said to her, "What’s
the matter, are you sick?" the matter, are you sick?"
She said, "Well, do they She said, "Well, do they
always talk like that?" always talk like that?"
I said, "Like what?" I said, "Like what?"
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
I didn’t get it. I didn’t get it.
She said, "Do they always She said, "Do they always
fight at dinner?" fight at dinner?"
I said, "Who’s fighting? I said, "Who’s fighting?
" (group chuckles) " (group chuckles)
She said, "They were She said, "They were
fighting." fighting."
I said, "They’re just I said, "They’re just
having dinner. having dinner.
That’s Italian." That’s Italian."
"Do they do that all "Do they do that all
the time?" the time?"
I said, "Well, if you have I said, "Well, if you have
a nice big dinner, you’re a nice big dinner, you’re
sitting there for two sitting there for two
or three hours, what are or three hours, what are
you going to do? you going to do?
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
You’ve got to make You’ve got to make
it interesting." it interesting."
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
So bad temper kind of So bad temper kind of
goes with nationality and goes with nationality and
you’ve just got to you’ve just got to
control it. control it.
"Quarrels"--oh, do you know "Quarrels"--oh, do you know
one of the sad things today? one of the sad things today?
I talked to a psychiatrist I talked to a psychiatrist
some years ago, lived up the some years ago, lived up the
road from us and he said to road from us and he said to
me something I heard today. me something I heard today.
He said, "If people learn to He said, "If people learn to
forgive and allow themselves forgive and allow themselves
to be forgiven or forgive to be forgiven or forgive
themselves, psychiatrists themselves, psychiatrists
would be out of business." would be out of business."
Now, isn’t that Now, isn’t that
interesting? interesting?
Isn’t it interesting that if Isn’t it interesting that if
we learn to forgive, really we learn to forgive, really
forgive from our hearts and forgive from our hearts and
allow ourselves to be allow ourselves to be
forgiven by others or forgiven by others or
forgive ourself--how many forgive ourself--how many
of you out there listening of you out there listening
tonight, isn’t that your tonight, isn’t that your
biggest problem? biggest problem?
You’ve gone to Confession, You’ve gone to Confession,
you know God has forgiven you know God has forgiven
you but you can’t believe you but you can’t believe
you did what you did and you you did what you did and you
don’t forgive yourself. don’t forgive yourself.
I’ll tell you, you could I’ll tell you, you could
take all the pills you want take all the pills you want
but it’s not going to go but it’s not going to go
away until you forgive away until you forgive
yourself. yourself.
To forgive somebody who may To forgive somebody who may
have offended you and has have offended you and has
not asked for forgiveness not asked for forgiveness
and doesn’t want to - but and doesn’t want to - but
that’s their problem. that’s their problem.
That’s not your problem. That’s not your problem.
That’s their problem. That’s their problem.
You must forgive. You must forgive.
I bet St. Peter and all I bet St. Peter and all
the Apostles’ mouths the Apostles’ mouths
fell right open when fell right open when
Our Lord said, "You must Our Lord said, "You must
forgive." forgive."
Peter thought he was Peter thought he was
doing a big thing. doing a big thing.
He said, "Lord, shall I He said, "Lord, shall I
forgive seven times?" forgive seven times?"
Oh, that’s pretty good. Oh, that’s pretty good.
Peter thought it was great, Peter thought it was great,
Our Lord said, "No 70 times Our Lord said, "No 70 times
seven a day." seven a day."
Oh, there’s nobody here Oh, there’s nobody here
who has forgiven anybody who has forgiven anybody
70 times seven a day. 70 times seven a day.
You say, "Once, twice, You say, "Once, twice,
three times?" three times?"
Well, we don’t even go Well, we don’t even go
as high as Peter. as high as Peter.
"You got me three times. "You got me three times.
You’re not going to You’re not going to
get me again!" get me again!"
Isn’t that what we Isn’t that what we
always say? always say?
But really what’s wrong But really what’s wrong
with us? with us?
Why is it we have that inner Why is it we have that inner
vacuum, vacuum? vacuum, vacuum?
We say, "I can’t get close We say, "I can’t get close
to the Lord." to the Lord."
Maybe it’s because we Maybe it’s because we
have not forgiven. have not forgiven.
Do you have to feel it Do you have to feel it
has to be justified? has to be justified?
Well, Our Dear Lord was Well, Our Dear Lord was
crucified and He was crucified and He was
a Just Man. a Just Man.
This poor priest that was This poor priest that was
killed, where was it? killed, where was it?
Tortured and murdered. Tortured and murdered.
There are many priest There are many priest
martyrs today and bishops martyrs today and bishops
and religious. and religious.
Why? Why?
Just because they Just because they
believe in Jesus. believe in Jesus.
That’s a hatred, see, racial That’s a hatred, see, racial
hatred, religion hatred. hatred, religion hatred.
We just are not; we don’t We just are not; we don’t
want to be like Jesus. want to be like Jesus.
We don’t want to be. We don’t want to be.
We’re doing all of these We’re doing all of these
things today, so much that things today, so much that
it’s awesome. it’s awesome.
Now, "disagreements," Now, "disagreements,"
oh wow. oh wow.
I don’t know anybody that I don’t know anybody that
doesn’t disagree with doesn’t disagree with
somebody. somebody.
Well, like my new boots, Well, like my new boots,
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
I think they’re great. I think they’re great.
The reason I think they’re The reason I think they’re
great that after 44 years great that after 44 years
not having shoes, I think not having shoes, I think
they’re wonderful. they’re wonderful.
But some people think But some people think
"Boots? "Boots?
Can’t you find Can’t you find
something else?" something else?"
Well, I suppose I could Well, I suppose I could
if I looked, but I’m if I looked, but I’m
not looking. not looking.
I think they’re comfortable. I think they’re comfortable.
You say, "Well, you don’t You say, "Well, you don’t
look like a Mother Abbess look like a Mother Abbess
with boots." with boots."
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Well, if I put my habit on Well, if I put my habit on
the tip of them, now you the tip of them, now you
don’t know what I’m wearing. don’t know what I’m wearing.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Right? Right?
So you don’t have any ideas So you don’t have any ideas
whether I’ve got slippers whether I’ve got slippers
on or boots. on or boots.
So my solution is wear a So my solution is wear a
longer habit and you won’t longer habit and you won’t
know what I’ve got. know what I’ve got.
(group laughs) (group laughs)
Now anyway, he goes on Now anyway, he goes on
to say, "orgies and to say, "orgies and
similar things," I always similar things," I always
wondered what the similar wondered what the similar
things were. things were.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Now when he says, "The Now when he says, "The
Spirit brings," now look Spirit brings," now look
at the difference; I want at the difference; I want
you to, I want to paint you to, I want to paint
a picture for you tonight. a picture for you tonight.
Who is calling you? Who is calling you?
Is Lucifer calling you? Is Lucifer calling you?
That’s what I just read. That’s what I just read.
He called God a liar. He called God a liar.
"Well, what do you mean he "Well, what do you mean he
called God a liar?" called God a liar?"
Well, to say to God, "You Well, to say to God, "You
have no right to have the have no right to have the
Second Person of the Blessed Second Person of the Blessed
Trinity to become Man" and Trinity to become Man" and
the Lord said, "Yes, I do." the Lord said, "Yes, I do."
If he says, "No, You If he says, "No, You
don’t," then he’s calling don’t," then he’s calling
God a liar. God a liar.
St. John says in his gospel, St. John says in his gospel,
"If you say you have no "If you say you have no
sin, you call God a liar." sin, you call God a liar."
We do that today. We do that today.
You say, "No, we don’t." You say, "No, we don’t."
Well, sure you do. Well, sure you do.
You accuse the Church You accuse the Church
of judging. of judging.
They’re not judging. They’re not judging.
They’re telling you in the They’re telling you in the
Name of God that this or Name of God that this or
this or that is wrong, this or that is wrong,
sinful and very dangerous sinful and very dangerous
for your eternal salvation. for your eternal salvation.
That’s not judging, that’s That’s not judging, that’s
telling you the truth. telling you the truth.
That’s why Our Dear Lord That’s why Our Dear Lord
said to the Pharisees one said to the Pharisees one
day, He said, "You’re like day, He said, "You’re like
your father, who was a liar your father, who was a liar
from the beginning." from the beginning."
What was he talking about? What was he talking about?
Lucifer. Lucifer.
Our Lord doesn’t say, Our Lord doesn’t say,
"this proud angel." "this proud angel."
He called him a liar He called him a liar
because his jealousy because his jealousy
was a lie. was a lie.
The Father has every right The Father has every right
to design that His Son to design that His Son
would become Man. would become Man.
He has every right, He has every right,
He’s God. He’s God.
To say He doesn’t is to lie. To say He doesn’t is to lie.
That’s what jealousy does. That’s what jealousy does.
If you have jealousy and you If you have jealousy and you
suffer a lot from jealousy, suffer a lot from jealousy,
ask Our Lady to help ask Our Lady to help
you, huh. you, huh.
It’s all a lie. It’s all a lie.
You say, "This person has You say, "This person has
offended me and they have offended me and they have
no right to be forgiven." no right to be forgiven."
That’s a lie. That’s a lie.
They have a right They have a right
to be forgiven. to be forgiven.
You have a right You have a right
to be forgiven. to be forgiven.
We have to be very careful. We have to be very careful.
Now, this is the difference. Now, this is the difference.
I have painted a very dark I have painted a very dark
picture. picture.
This is the way of Lucifer This is the way of Lucifer
who was a liar from the who was a liar from the
beginning. beginning.
Now, here is the way Now, here is the way
of the Spirit. of the Spirit.
Paul says, "What the Spirit Paul says, "What the Spirit
brings is very different-- brings is very different--
love, joy, peace, patience, love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, kindness, goodness,
trustfulness." trustfulness."
Do you trust everybody? Do you trust everybody?
You say, "Oh, I can’t trust." You say, "Oh, I can’t trust."
Sometimes that’s true but Sometimes that’s true but
what is human trust? what is human trust?
Human trust is very faulty. Human trust is very faulty.
The trust you must have The trust you must have
is in God. is in God.
He’s always there, always He’s always there, always
ready to forgive, to have ready to forgive, to have
compassion. compassion.
Now, trustfulness, Now, trustfulness,
gentleness and self-control. gentleness and self-control.
He said, "There is no law He said, "There is no law
against these kind of against these kind of
things." things."
Now, here’s the clincher-- Now, here’s the clincher--
it says, "You cannot belong it says, "You cannot belong
to Jesus unless you crucify to Jesus unless you crucify
all self-indulgent passions all self-indulgent passions
and desires." and desires."
Ooh! Ooh!
You want to read this? You want to read this?
Well, just go to Chapter 5 Well, just go to Chapter 5
of Galatians. of Galatians.
I’d read from 16-26 I’d read from 16-26
--wake you up. --wake you up.
It won’t give you a good It won’t give you a good
night’s sleep but it will night’s sleep but it will
wake you up, because we wake you up, because we
need this. need this.
What in your life is not What in your life is not
like God? like God?
Ask yourself that question Ask yourself that question
and now we’re going to and now we’re going to
go for calls. go for calls.
Hello. Hello.
Male Caller #1: Yes, Mother. Male Caller #1: Yes, Mother.
Mother: Yeah, where Mother: Yeah, where
are you from? are you from?
Caller 1: This is Michael Caller 1: This is Michael
and I’m calling from and I’m calling from
Bay City, Michigan. Bay City, Michigan.
Mother: Good. Mother: Good.
What is your question? What is your question?
Caller 1: It’s not Caller 1: It’s not
Lucifer calling. Lucifer calling.
Mother: (laughs) I’m very Mother: (laughs) I’m very
glad. glad.
Caller 1: Although my Caller 1: Although my
mother may take mother may take
exception at this. exception at this.
Mother: (laughs) Okay. Mother: (laughs) Okay.
Caller 1: Sister, a few Caller 1: Sister, a few
weeks ago you were talking weeks ago you were talking
about Purgatory. about Purgatory.
Mother: Yeah, a nice place. Mother: Yeah, a nice place.
Caller 1: And you related Caller 1: And you related
about the three little about the three little
children, you mentioned children, you mentioned
that one of their friends that one of their friends
found out that she. found out that she.
Mother: Fatima. Mother: Fatima.
Caller 1: .has to be there Caller 1: .has to be there
until the end time. until the end time.
Mother: Yeah. Mother: Yeah.
Caller 1: And so my Caller 1: And so my
question is, "Is there question is, "Is there
not degrees of punishment not degrees of punishment
in Purgatory?" in Purgatory?"
Mother: Yes, because Mother: Yes, because
God is Just. God is Just.
That’s the children of That’s the children of
Fatima, and a lot of people Fatima, and a lot of people
knock that out of the book. knock that out of the book.
But I think if Our Lady But I think if Our Lady
said it, we ought to read it. said it, we ought to read it.
You’ve got to have the You’ve got to have the
courage to read whatever courage to read whatever
it is She said. it is She said.
So, you ask yourself, "What So, you ask yourself, "What
could that poor kid do?" could that poor kid do?"
Well, I don’t know. Well, I don’t know.
Don’t ask me but whatever Don’t ask me but whatever
it was, it must have been a it was, it must have been a
terrible hardness of heart, terrible hardness of heart,
hardness of heart, hardness of heart,
something. something.
But there will have to But there will have to
be degrees, degrees of be degrees, degrees of
Purgatory because not Purgatory because not
everybody dies with the everybody dies with the
same degree of sin. same degree of sin.
Some may not have any mortal Some may not have any mortal
sin at all, or maybe they’ve sin at all, or maybe they’ve
gone to Confession often and gone to Confession often and
the sins are imperfections, the sins are imperfections,
but they’re still not like but they’re still not like
the Lord. the Lord.
They still don’t have that They still don’t have that
purity of heart and mind to purity of heart and mind to
be able to face God. be able to face God.
That’s what we don’t That’s what we don’t
understand. understand.
It takes a special grace It takes a special grace
to be able to face God. to be able to face God.
It’s called "the light of It’s called "the light of
glory." glory."
When you die and you’re When you die and you’re
purified, only then are you purified, only then are you
able, are you capable of able, are you capable of
seeing God face-to-face seeing God face-to-face
because He’s so Awesome, see. because He’s so Awesome, see.
I think we can understand I think we can understand
that a little bit. that a little bit.
It’s like looking at It’s like looking at
the sun. the sun.
You cannot look at the sun You cannot look at the sun
without going blind. without going blind.
Your eyes were not made to Your eyes were not made to
look at the sun. look at the sun.
Now, an eagle can but you Now, an eagle can but you
cannot do that. cannot do that.
You would have to have You would have to have
something very special to be something very special to be
able to look at the sun. able to look at the sun.
Well, then it should not be Well, then it should not be
hard for us to know that I hard for us to know that I
need something very special need something very special
before I can see God before I can see God
face-to-face. face-to-face.
My human nature, my human My human nature, my human
soul has to be ready, ready, soul has to be ready, ready,
able, capable of seeing able, capable of seeing
God face-to-face. God face-to-face.
That’s the reason for That’s the reason for
Purgatory. Purgatory.
So I would think there are So I would think there are
as many degrees as there are as many degrees as there are
people because everybody people because everybody
doesn’t suffer the same-- doesn’t suffer the same--
no more than in Heaven. no more than in Heaven.
We’re not all on the same We’re not all on the same
level, see. level, see.
We’re in different levels We’re in different levels
because our heart, the because our heart, the
amount of love I have at amount of love I have at
death is the amount of death is the amount of
love I will love for all love I will love for all
eternity. eternity.
So even in Heaven, So even in Heaven,
there are degrees. there are degrees.
St. Paul has a nice way of St. Paul has a nice way of
putting it. putting it.
He said, "Well, some of you He said, "Well, some of you
put up a straw and wood and put up a straw and wood and
jewels and silver and gold." jewels and silver and gold."
Well, that was his way of Well, that was his way of
saying, "We’re not all going saying, "We’re not all going
to be the same in Heaven." to be the same in Heaven."
Sorry folks, but that’s Sorry folks, but that’s
the way it is, see. the way it is, see.
You’re not all the You’re not all the
same here. same here.
You don’t all like the same You don’t all like the same
food; you don’t all like food; you don’t all like
the same weather. the same weather.
Some people think it’s Some people think it’s
terribly hot, hot here. terribly hot, hot here.
It’s only 101. It’s only 101.
If you’re a Southerner, If you’re a Southerner,
you don’t mind. you don’t mind.
If you’re a Northerner, oh, If you’re a Northerner, oh,
the air you breathe is hot. the air you breathe is hot.
But if you’re a Southerner, But if you’re a Southerner,
it’s just part of your life it’s just part of your life
and you take it, see. and you take it, see.
So there are degrees of So there are degrees of
everything. everything.
I don’t like cold weather, I don’t like cold weather,
I mean really cold and some I mean really cold and some
of my sisters love it, of my sisters love it,
you know. you know.
"Oh, it’s 10 below! "Oh, it’s 10 below!
Wonderful!" Wonderful!"
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
So we’re not the same, So we’re not the same,
Thank God. Thank God.
We’re all different. We’re all different.
So it is in Purgatory. So it is in Purgatory.
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Hi. Hi.
Yoo hoo. Yoo hoo.
(dial tone) (dial tone)
Are you there? Are you there?
You’re not. You’re not.
You are. You are.
Does somebody know what Does somebody know what
they wanted to ask? they wanted to ask?
"Hold, please." "Hold, please."
Okay, we’ll hold. Okay, we’ll hold.
But, no, what? But, no, what?
() ()
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Doesn’t he look funny Doesn’t he look funny
when he says that? when he says that?
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
This is a signal for a call. This is a signal for a call.
There is one? There is one?
Thank you. Thank you.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
You’re more entertaining You’re more entertaining
than the little guy. than the little guy.
(all laugh) (all laugh)
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller #1: Hello. Female Caller #1: Hello.
Mother: Hello. Mother: Hello.
Where are you from? Where are you from?
Caller: Hi, Mother, my Caller: Hi, Mother, my
name is Marie and I’m name is Marie and I’m
calling locally. calling locally.
I’m here from Birmingham. I’m here from Birmingham.
First of all, I’d like to First of all, I’d like to
tell you that your money tell you that your money
is in the mail, as it is is in the mail, as it is
every single month. every single month.
Mother: Thank you! Mother: Thank you!
Thank you, thank you. Thank you, thank you.
Caller: I would like to Caller: I would like to
talk to you tonight talk to you tonight
about neighbors. about neighbors.
You guys have been a great You guys have been a great
neighbor to this whole neighbor to this whole
community. community.
Mother: Thank you! Mother: Thank you!
Thank you. Thank you.
Caller: I was in a Caller: I was in a
discussion with my neighbor discussion with my neighbor
this past Sunday and this past Sunday and
I’m a Catholic and she’s a I’m a Catholic and she’s a
Presbyterian and we’ve never Presbyterian and we’ve never
had any problems until we had any problems until we
started discussing religion. started discussing religion.
She more or less told me She more or less told me
that I was kind of stupid that I was kind of stupid
and a fool for believing and a fool for believing
in the Eucharist. in the Eucharist.
She said I could not She said I could not
possibly believe that possibly believe that
that was really the Body that was really the Body
and Blood of Jesus. and Blood of Jesus.
I said, "I’m sorry, I do I said, "I’m sorry, I do
believe that with all believe that with all
my heart." my heart."
She proceeded to tell me She proceeded to tell me
after that that I was after that that I was
terribly wrong and I needed terribly wrong and I needed
to be straightened out to be straightened out
on my beliefs. on my beliefs.
I told her, I said, "Well I told her, I said, "Well
you know, if I did not you know, if I did not
believe that this was the believe that this was the
Body and Blood of My Lord Body and Blood of My Lord
and Savior, there would be and Savior, there would be
no point to my faith." no point to my faith."
She said, "Well, there She said, "Well, there
isn’t any point to your isn’t any point to your
faith because it’s just faith because it’s just
a symbol." a symbol."
We ended up with a heated We ended up with a heated
debate and, as you said debate and, as you said
earlier, I almost lost earlier, I almost lost
my 40 year-old temper. my 40 year-old temper.
Mother: (laughs) Well, tell Mother: (laughs) Well, tell
her if she doesn’t mind her if she doesn’t mind
reading Chapter 6 of reading Chapter 6 of
St. John’s Gospel, St. John’s Gospel,
Our Lord is very. Our Lord is very.
You see, the problem a You see, the problem a
lot of people find is lot of people find is
they make it a symbol. they make it a symbol.
But do you realize everybody But do you realize everybody
listening to Jesus at that listening to Jesus at that
moment walked away? moment walked away?
Now, Jesus is God, Now, Jesus is God,
Son of God. Son of God.
So He was God, is God, So He was God, is God,
always will be God, and He always will be God, and He
took on our human nature but took on our human nature but
He never ceased to be God. He never ceased to be God.
Now, as God, when you have Now, as God, when you have
everybody turn around and everybody turn around and
walk away--as she does or walk away--as she does or
did--then you’d be obliged did--then you’d be obliged
in justice, Jesus is obliged in justice, Jesus is obliged
in justice not to allow all in justice not to allow all
those people to walk away those people to walk away
because they misunderstood. because they misunderstood.
He’s obliged in justice to He’s obliged in justice to
say, "Now, wait a minute! say, "Now, wait a minute!
I’m speaking symbolically." I’m speaking symbolically."
But He didn’t do that. But He didn’t do that.
Let’s see what He did. Let’s see what He did.
"I tell you solemnly..." "I tell you solemnly..."
Now, when the Lord says Now, when the Lord says
"solemnly", you better "solemnly", you better
listen--"if you do not eat listen--"if you do not eat
My Flesh, the Flesh of the My Flesh, the Flesh of the
Son of Man and drink His Son of Man and drink His
Blood, you will not have Blood, you will not have
life in you." life in you."
Now, He says that three Now, He says that three
times--three times! times--three times!
"Anyone who does eat My "Anyone who does eat My
Flesh and drink My Blood Flesh and drink My Blood
has eternal life and I will has eternal life and I will
raise him up on the last day raise him up on the last day
but he who eats My Flesh and but he who eats My Flesh and
drinks My Blood"--it’s drinks My Blood"--it’s
repetition, over and over repetition, over and over
and over--"lives in Me and and over--"lives in Me and
I live in him. I live in him.
So whoever eats Me will So whoever eats Me will
draw life from Me." draw life from Me."
Now, "He taught this Now, "He taught this
doctrine." doctrine."
There’s only two times in There’s only two times in
the whole Scripture where the whole Scripture where
the use of "doctrine" the use of "doctrine"
is used. is used.
"He taught this doctrine at "He taught this doctrine at
Capernaum in the synagogue." Capernaum in the synagogue."
Our Lord would not lie. Our Lord would not lie.
You cannot ever say Jesus You cannot ever say Jesus
lied without being satan. lied without being satan.
"After hearing this many of "After hearing this many of
His followers said, ’This is His followers said, ’This is
intolerable language.’" intolerable language.’"
Whoa, now, Your friends Whoa, now, Your friends
said that, huh? said that, huh?
"How could anyone accept it?" "How could anyone accept it?"
Is that what she said? Is that what she said?
"And Jesus was aware that "And Jesus was aware that
His followers were His followers were
complaining about it complaining about it
and He said, ’Does this and He said, ’Does this
upset you? upset you?
What if you should see the What if you should see the
Son of Man ascend where He Son of Man ascend where He
was before?’" was before?’"
Now, you tell her to Now, you tell her to
read that. read that.
He said, "There are some of He said, "There are some of
you who do not believe"-- you who do not believe"--
ah, you’ve got a friend ah, you’ve got a friend
who does not believe--"for who does not believe--"for
Jesus knew from the outset Jesus knew from the outset
who did not believe. who did not believe.
He went on and He He went on and He
said, ’What about you? said, ’What about you?
Do you also want to Do you also want to
go away?’" go away?’"
Do you realize our Dear Do you realize our Dear
Lord was willing to put Lord was willing to put
aside His entire 33 years, aside His entire 33 years,
all of His ministry of three all of His ministry of three
years, He was willing to years, He was willing to
lose all of His disciples? lose all of His disciples?
He turns around; the only He turns around; the only
ones He has left were ones He has left were
12 men. 12 men.
He’s willing to put aside He’s willing to put aside
His entire ministry and all His entire ministry and all
of His chosen ones, of His chosen ones,
"Will you also go away?" "Will you also go away?"
And Peter said, "Lord, And Peter said, "Lord,
to whom shall we go? to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal You have the words of eternal
life, and we believe You life, and we believe You
are the Holy One." are the Holy One."
Ah, do you see? Ah, do you see?
Well, my friend, you go on Well, my friend, you go on
believing, because you have believing, because you have
the truth. the truth.
Now, we have another call. Now, we have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller #2: Hi, Female Caller #2: Hi,
Mother. Mother.
Mother: And where are Mother: And where are
you from? you from?
Caller: I’m from Caller: I’m from
Ports, New Hampshire. Ports, New Hampshire.
Mother: Oh, wonderful. Mother: Oh, wonderful.
Caller: My name is Denise. Caller: My name is Denise.
Mother: What is your Mother: What is your
question? question?
Caller: I was calling... Caller: I was calling...
When you talked about When you talked about
forgiveness, it really forgiveness, it really
bothers me that people bothers me that people
don’t know how to forgive don’t know how to forgive
and sometimes they judge and sometimes they judge
you and believe what you and believe what
other people say. other people say.
Then you call to say, Then you call to say,
"I’m sorry if I’ve hurt "I’m sorry if I’ve hurt
you or anyone else," and you or anyone else," and
they can’t forgive you. they can’t forgive you.
I don’t understand what to I don’t understand what to
do with people like that, do with people like that,
because I just recently because I just recently
tried--I’m going to make tried--I’m going to make
this brief--tried to help this brief--tried to help
someone and I thought I was someone and I thought I was
doing what that person doing what that person
wanted me to do, what wanted me to do, what
we had discussed. we had discussed.
Mother: Yeah, well... Mother: Yeah, well...
Caller: And it turned into Caller: And it turned into
something horrible. something horrible.
Mother: Well, if you’ve Mother: Well, if you’ve
asked for forgiveness and asked for forgiveness and
they refuse to forgive, they refuse to forgive,
then you have nothing then you have nothing
else you can do. else you can do.
Our Lord said we should Our Lord said we should
go back three times. go back three times.
Well, sometimes even Well, sometimes even
after three times, you get after three times, you get
someone else to go for you, someone else to go for you,
you go back again. you go back again.
After that, you have to After that, you have to
drop it and just leave it drop it and just leave it
to the Lord. to the Lord.
The important thing is that The important thing is that
you forgive--you forgive you forgive--you forgive
their non-acceptance of their non-acceptance of
forgiveness, of repentance. forgiveness, of repentance.
There’s just nothing There’s just nothing
you can do. you can do.
I would just go my way I would just go my way
and pray for them. and pray for them.
Misunderstandings are Misunderstandings are
difficult things because difficult things because
both sides think they’re both sides think they’re
right. right.
That’s what causes That’s what causes
a feud, a feud. a feud, a feud.
Many times there’s Many times there’s
no reason for it. no reason for it.
They go on from generation They go on from generation
to generation and nobody to generation and nobody
just sits down and just sits down and
investigates, "Now, what investigates, "Now, what
is this all about?" is this all about?"
I remember one time in our I remember one time in our
order, we used to say a order, we used to say a
very long psalm at night and very long psalm at night and
finally I thought to myself, finally I thought to myself,
"I wonder why we say this?" "I wonder why we say this?"
And I kind of went back And I kind of went back
and back and back and back and back and back and back
and found out that at a and found out that at a
certain time in one certain time in one
monastery, they had an monastery, they had an
orchard and a very high wall orchard and a very high wall
and some of the kids were and some of the kids were
coming over and stealing coming over and stealing
apples. apples.
The Mother Abbess was very The Mother Abbess was very
concerned that they’d fall concerned that they’d fall
off the wall and kill off the wall and kill
themselves see. themselves see.
So she started saying this So she started saying this
long prayer at night. long prayer at night.
It was supposed to be It was supposed to be
for nine days. for nine days.
In the middle of it she In the middle of it she
dies, and we said it dies, and we said it
for 50 years I think, for 50 years I think,
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
and it just went on and on. and it just went on and on.
Well, that’s how sometimes Well, that’s how sometimes
people don’t forgive, people don’t forgive,
it just goes on. it just goes on.
It goes on from one It goes on from one
generation to the next generation to the next
and if you asked the sixth and if you asked the sixth
or seventh generations, or seventh generations,
"Why are you so angry with "Why are you so angry with
this family," they don’t this family," they don’t
have the slightest idea. have the slightest idea.
"Well, why are you doing "Well, why are you doing
this?" this?"
They don’t know. They don’t know.
Racial prejudice is Racial prejudice is
like that. like that.
Religious prejudice is that Religious prejudice is that
way, religious hatred. way, religious hatred.
We don’t know why. We don’t know why.
We live in it, we’re We live in it, we’re
trained to do that and trained to do that and
we don’t know why. we don’t know why.
So you’ve done your best. So you’ve done your best.
You have asked forgiveness, You have asked forgiveness,
you’ve given forgiveness. you’ve given forgiveness.
I would leave it to the I would leave it to the
Lord now because sometimes Lord now because sometimes
the more you go and the the more you go and the
more you do towards that, more you do towards that,
the worst it is. the worst it is.
So I would drop it. So I would drop it.
There are many things in There are many things in
life we just can’t explain. life we just can’t explain.
There are many things There are many things
people say. people say.
If I saw or read things If I saw or read things
about me personally that about me personally that
other people read, I other people read, I
wouldn’t like me either. wouldn’t like me either.
I wouldn’t because they’re I wouldn’t because they’re
terrible things, stuff I terrible things, stuff I
never thought of doing-- never thought of doing--
some stuff not too bad, some stuff not too bad,
(all chuckle) (all chuckle)
but so far, I haven’t but so far, I haven’t
thought of it. thought of it.
But you can’t, you can’t But you can’t, you can’t
believe what you read. believe what you read.
Did you ever have an article Did you ever have an article
written about you? written about you?
I have to admit, here in I have to admit, here in
Birmingham and Hanceville Birmingham and Hanceville
and Cullman, there are and Cullman, there are
really good articles. really good articles.
But most of the stuff But most of the stuff
written about me is so written about me is so
far-fetched that I don’t far-fetched that I don’t
recognize me. recognize me.
My sisters said, My sisters said,
"Who’s that?" "Who’s that?"
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
It’s like the woman who It’s like the woman who
called one day, she said, called one day, she said,
"Is it true?" "Is it true?"
I said, "What?" I said, "What?"
"That Mother died this "That Mother died this
morning." morning."
I said, "I don’t think so." I said, "I don’t think so."
"Are you sure?" "Are you sure?"
I said, "Yeah." I said, "Yeah."
"Well, how do you know?" "Well, how do you know?"
I said, "I’m talking I said, "I’m talking
to you." to you."
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
Rumors, rumors, rumors-- Rumors, rumors, rumors--
you just wonder how people you just wonder how people
make up stuff. make up stuff.
So take everything you hear So take everything you hear
with a grain of salt--and with a grain of salt--and
a third of what you read. a third of what you read.
Neighbors are different Neighbors are different
because you can’t convince because you can’t convince
them sometimes that you them sometimes that you
didn’t do what they think didn’t do what they think
you did or you didn’t you did or you didn’t
mean it. mean it.
If you’ve asked forgiveness, If you’ve asked forgiveness,
just remember God forgives just remember God forgives
quickly and forgets. quickly and forgets.
Your neighbor isn’t always Your neighbor isn’t always
that way. that way.
He doesn’t even believe He doesn’t even believe
in forgiveness seven in forgiveness seven
times a day, let alone times a day, let alone
70 times seven. 70 times seven.
It’s only important to know, It’s only important to know,
really, what God does. really, what God does.
You can be sure that when You can be sure that when
you go to Confession, you go to Confession,
it’s gone. it’s gone.
That to me is awesome, That to me is awesome,
awesome! awesome!
If you ask the Lord that If you ask the Lord that
very moment what you did, very moment what you did,
He would say, "I don’t He would say, "I don’t
remember." remember."
I mean, that’s how I mean, that’s how
awesomely beautiful is awesomely beautiful is
the compassion of Jesus the compassion of Jesus
and the Father. and the Father.
That’s what’s important. That’s what’s important.
Sometimes your neighbor Sometimes your neighbor
doesn’t understand that. doesn’t understand that.
Well then, just pray for Well then, just pray for
them, have no anger in them, have no anger in
your heart and know your heart and know
nothing malicious. nothing malicious.
This was so wonderful This was so wonderful
about Padre Pio. about Padre Pio.
Terrible things were said Terrible things were said
about him, terrible things about him, terrible things
and some of the Popes and some of the Popes
believed it and silenced believed it and silenced
him and really he him and really he
suffered a lot. suffered a lot.
But that was part of his But that was part of his
sanctification and he is sanctification and he is
now ready to be beatified. now ready to be beatified.
I really do want you to I really do want you to
have this little card. You just write to me and ask You just write to me and ask
for the card on Padre Pio for the card on Padre Pio
and I’ll send it to you and I’ll send it to you
free. free.
(all chuckle) (all chuckle)
It’s terrible to have It’s terrible to have
this reputation. this reputation.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
This is one reputation that that’s the absolutely that that’s the absolutely
factually true. factually true.
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
That when I offer anything That when I offer anything
free, I have some other free, I have some other
thing behind it--your thing behind it--your
gift, you’re right. gift, you’re right.
But then, I’ve got to But then, I’ve got to
keep this place going. keep this place going.
Gas companies and electric Gas companies and electric
companies and telephone companies and telephone
companies are not donors. companies are not donors.
Surprisingly Surprisingly
(group chuckles) (group chuckles)
they are not donors. they are not donors.
You pay them--they don’t You pay them--they don’t
pay you. pay you.
That’s why I need you, just That’s why I need you, just
to keep everything going. to keep everything going.
Now, the Lord is blessing us Now, the Lord is blessing us
in such an awesome way. in such an awesome way.
We’re going further and We’re going further and
further into jungles where further into jungles where
the Word of God has never the Word of God has never
been, into desert where the been, into desert where the
Word of God has never been. Word of God has never been.
And even if no one listens, And even if no one listens,
the very sand, the very the very sand, the very
ground, the very trees will ground, the very trees will
benefit from hearing the benefit from hearing the
Word of God sent by you. Word of God sent by you.
There is no other. There is no other.
So, God bless you and So, God bless you and
tomorrow night we’ll be tomorrow night we’ll be
together again, hopefully together again, hopefully
with something a little with something a little
bit more cheery. bit more cheery.
In the meantime, God In the meantime, God
loves you and so do I. loves you and so do I.
’Bye now. (applause) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
