September 21, 2007

Photo Negatives (Part 1)

Do you remember the good old days before digital cameras? We actually needed film to take pictures. We would take the film to a store to be developed. We would wait for a few days (eventually 1 hour) with great anticipation as we waited to see the pictures.

If you see and understand life on this planet from a merely secular point of view, you are sadly mistaken. Like a photo negative, you see things dimly. Only in heaven will we see things as they really are, like the full color photograph. Yet, we do not have to wait until we are in heaven. This full understanding of reality begins with faith. When the person of faith closes their eyes in this world and opens them in the next, there will not be that much of a difference. Sadly, many modern faithless people are in for a colossal shock.

Most of us have little faith. Do not despair! Faith is purified and strengthened with prayer and good works. Saint Francis prayed, “Lord, shine your light into the darkness of my heart. Give me correct faith, certain hope and perfect charity - that I may know and go your holy will. Amen.”

God bless you,

Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR

St. Joseph Friary, New York, NY

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