Blessed are the Eyes that See the Things which You See - Fr. Damien Dutertre 08-12-18

Summary

Fr. Damien Dutertre reflects on the spiritual blessings and challenges of the current era, emphasizing that true holiness and salvation are not contingent on the historical period one lives in but on the genuine love of God and neighbor. He begins by recalling Christ’s words that many prophets and kings longed to witness the divine mysteries now revealed to the apostles, highlighting the privilege of seeing Christ physically. However, this physical sight was insufficient without faith and acceptance of Christ as the Messiah. Fr. Dutertre warns against romanticizing past eras, such as the Middle Ages, when the Church was perceived as flourishing, cautioning that longing for such times often masks self-interest and excuses for personal failings.

The core teaching is that the command to love God with one’s whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself remains the path to eternal life, regardless of the era. Spiritual sight—recognizing and accepting Christ through faith—is the highest form of blessedness, surpassing even physical sight. The modern crisis of faith, marked by widespread apostasy and moral decline, is not a cause for despair but a unique opportunity to demonstrate love and fidelity to God.

Fr. Dutertre encourages embracing the present moment as the divinely appointed time to prove love for God, even amidst persecution and apostasy. Saints have expressed a desire to suffer for Christ, seeing hardship as a means to show true love. In this spirit, the current age, though difficult and faithless, offers the privilege of loving and consoling God in a world indifferent or hostile to Him. In conclusion, Fr. Dutertre stresses that seeking to live in another time is often motivated by selfishness and a desire for comfort. Instead, one must fully commit to loving God now, in the present, as the key to true life and happiness.

Highlights

• True blessedness lies not in the era one lives in but in loving God wholeheartedly.
• Christ’s command to love God and neighbor is timeless and central to eternal life.
• Physical sight of Christ was a blessing, but spiritual sight—faith—is paramount.
• Romanticizing past “golden ages” of the Church often reflects self-interest, not true holiness.
• The current crisis of faith offers a unique opportunity to prove love and fidelity to God.
• Saints have embraced suffering and persecution as paths to deeper love for God.
• Loving God in a faithless world is a profound consolation and privilege.

Key Insights

• The Privilege of Spiritual Sight Over Physical Sight: While the apostles were blessed to see Christ physically, the Gospel stresses that spiritual recognition—faith in Christ as the Messiah—is even more blessed. This distinction underlines that true holiness is an internal, spiritual reality rather than an external circumstance. The physical presence of Christ was a rare privilege, but faith is accessible to all ages and is the authentic marker of salvation.
• Timelessness of Christ’s Commandments: The question of eternal life posed in the Gospel leads to Christ’s answer emphasizing love for God and neighbor. This directive transcends historical context, showing that sanctity and salvation depend on living these commandments now. The message counters any notion that holiness requires ideal historical circumstances, reaffirming personal responsibility in the present.
• Dangers of Idealizing Past Eras: Fr. Dutertre critiques the mindset of yearning for the Middle Ages or times when Catholicism was widespread, noting that such nostalgia often serves as an excuse for personal shortcomings or a preference for easier circumstances. This insight warns against escapism and calls for embracing current challenges as opportunities for authentic growth in virtue.
• Present Crisis as a Test and Opportunity: The apostasy and moral confusion of the modern world, including the potential rise of the Antichrist, are viewed not solely as calamities but as moments to prove one’s love for God. Trials and suffering become means of sanctification and a way to console God, who is often forsaken in the present era. This reframing encourages courage and fidelity amid adversity.
• Selflessness as the Essence of True Love: Drawing from St. Paul and the teaching of imitation, Fr. Dutertre emphasizes that love must be disinterested and self-giving, not motivated by comfort or self-seeking. This insight exposes the root cause of many spiritual failures—the lack of pure, selfless love—and elevates the call to love God “with all your heart” as the foundation of happiness.
• The Saints’ Desire for Persecution as a Sign of True Devotion: Saints who wished to live in times of persecution highlight the paradox that hardship can be a gift for deepening love and holiness. This counters the natural human inclination to avoid suffering and invites believers to reframe difficulties as privileged opportunities to participate in Christ’s passion.
• Faith as the Source of Consolation in a Faithless World: The modern believer’s ability to see Christ spiritually and participate in His redemption through faith and the sacraments is presented as a unique grace not afforded to previous generations. This spiritual vision provides joy and consolation despite external apostasy, underscoring the power of faith to transcend worldly decline.

Collectively, these insights form a powerful theological and spiritual reflection on the nature of holiness, the role of faith, and the meaning of suffering and fidelity in contemporary times. Fr. Dutertre calls for active love and commitment in the present moment, rejecting nostalgia and embracing the divine will for one’s life here and now.

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