“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see”
This is a beautiful phrase that Jesus uses to encourage his disciples and those who were listening to him that they carry a special favor in their hands. They have been blessed because they are witnessing what important figures in the past longed for but never got to.
Jesus, in announcing this blessing, also highlights the special and unique relationship He shares with the Father: He states that “all things have been delivered to me by my Father” His mission is to reveal that Father to us. To make Him accessible and intelligible to us as humans.
A Special Guest
As seminarians, we used to do ministry at one of Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s home for the elderly and marginalized in the slums of Nairobi. Washing dirty clothes, shaving and bathing these people was not easy, and some of us always created excuses not to go. This one morning, again people ducked out with flimsy excuses they have a lot of study work to do.
Five of us went, we normally started with attending mass with the sisters and thereafter were assigned to different duties. During mass out of the blue the priest announced that in our midst we have Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The excitement and joy of being in the presence of Mother Teresa was tremendous. We felt blessed at the end of the mass and we shook hands. After that experience none of those who remained behind missed out on going for the ministry there. But Mother Teresa never returned.
Our Unique Position
- Jesus Himself highlights the unique and privileged position that those who have accepted Him as one sent by the Father have in their lives. He himself is the full revelation of the Father. He is vested with full authority to reveal the Father to the world. Ours is the invitation to open our eyes and hearts to see deeply into the mystery of God present in Jesus’ life and teaching.
- Advent is a time for us to appreciate how blessed we are to be able witness to Jesus’ present among us. We can know God through Jesus Christ. Of course, our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about Him, but through Jesus’ life examples and teachings, we can know Him personally. Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father, who is divine. To see Jesus, is to see God. That is the blessing pronounced by Jesus to his disciples.
The Gift of Advent
Therefore, during this time of advent, let us not miss out on seeing the Lord more deeply, on listening to Him more attentively if we are to become more like him, and so witness to Him more fully. As we see more clearly and hear more attentively, we open ourselves to being changed by what we see and hear.
Advent is a time of Hope, that all will be fine, all our desperation, anxieties, tribulations will come to pass, that we shall experience God’s loving and merciful presence in the coming of Jesus Christ into our lives. He is the greatest gift to us, He is a sign God’s love, let us walk in that love during this time as we wait and prepare for His coming. Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
- Today’s Readings
- Father Fulgen's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join, too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
