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“Things I Wish I Could See – Part 1”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

October 26 – 27, 2024

Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

I have to be careful when I read the paper because if I hold my head just right the light that shines through my glasses could start a fire. Thanks to the heroic efforts of Dr. Billingsley, my vision is 20/20 and I am street legal to drive. Because of him, I don’t need a dog and cane to get around, and he has the worry lines to prove it.

When I pay attention, I can see things as well as anybody else. The trouble is that I want to see better. I see things as they are, but I want to see things as they truly are. I want to see things that exist but cannot be seen. I’m not saying that I want to see the deputy sheriff hiding behind a billboard on Highway 52. Rather, I want to be like Saint Francis and Saint Teresa de Lisieux, the Little Flower. They saw their guardian angels. I would like to see our good Lord truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. I would like to see our Lord celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and walk to the Father waiting at the altar. I would like to see our Lord on the other side of the confessional screen absolving me of my sins by putting His hand into the chalice of His Most Precious Blood and anointing my soul. I would like to see our Lord give the faithful new life through the Sacrament of Baptism. I would like to see our Lord unite a man and a woman in the Sacrament of Matrimony and leading to procreation according to the order of nature which Saint John Paul II called the domestic church. I would like to see our Lord give young people the Sacrament of Confirmation and impart the Holy Spirit upon them so that they can be faithful witnesses. I would also like to see our Lord at a deathbed and giving Last Rites to prepare a soul to transition from this life to the next bringing them safely to Heaven where all of us are meant to be.

I would like to see that, but I would settle for this – to see our Lord’s presence in those people who really irritate the you-know-what out of me. You know them – they drive 10 mph below the posted speed limit and then they go 15 mph over it and then back to 7 mph. In the military we call that the “slinky.” They think the speed limit is just a suggestion. I had one in front of me the other day, and I wished I were a cop so that I could blue light him. He crossed over the yellow line, and then all the lines. Dude! But you know what? There’s no need for all that angst and anxiety. I work at the VA, and I had plenty of time to get where I was going. But it’s all about me! God might say to me, “Hey, this morning during your prayers you said you love Me. How’s that working for you?” Not well. I could pray for more patience; however, patience is an acquired virtue, and if you pray, “Lord, please give me patience,” He will send every idiot your way. But that’s how to achieve more patience. You might feel angry, but how you react to that anger is how it can become a sin.

The gift I pray for is to have eyes of faith that can see God in suffering souls. That is the kind of 20/20 vision I would like to have.

How will you apply this message to your life? _____________________________________

You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to AnnunciationCatholicAlbemarle.com, clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” and then “Sermon Notes.” On a cell phone: click on “Blog” and then “Menu.” Scroll to the bottom and click on “Categories.” Sermon Notes are also available on the Church’s Facebook page at OLA.Catholic.Church. Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”