Seeing Jesus In Everyday Life

Almost True Stories!

If you hang around Opa long enough, you’re going to hear him say those words. And if you’re not careful, Opa is going to tell you an Almost True Story or two also. It’s a part of who he is—and it’s a big part of what we do here at Catholic Roads and our other web pages (SCTowns.com, MiloMoments.com, CWJC.com, and of course, our main website—ReachOne.org).

And that’s why this cartoon is one of Opa’s favorites!

The gagline—“I just saw Jesus at the corner of Fifth and Roosevelt waiting for a bus, Father!”— is not, in itself, a particularly funny gag (although we do admit that the imagery could tickle the imagination). It wouldn’t win any awards for sure!

But the cartoon works.

And the reason it works is “story.” The picture itself tells a story.

A One Act Play

According to Opa, when he was writing this gag, he dealt with it like a movie director might deal with actors and props and the like when filming a movie. The ecstatic parishoner is carefully placed by the window, as if to say, whatever happened to him, it happened outside… in the world… around the parish church… but not in the parish church.

And of course, our Lord and Savior Jesus is watching all the events from the unique perspective of his cross. He takes it all in quietly, as if to remind us that sin is still in the world today, and the world still needs a Savior.

And then there’s Father. Poor Father! Just look at him. He is a really big part of this Almost True Story—maybe even, the real main character on stage at the moment. He is polite. He is patient. He is leaning away from the man just a bit—but still the ever-present shepherd of the flock. He sits in the chair quietly just as Jesus hangs on the wall quietly. The two of them, acting together as one character in the plot, suffer the agony of this man’s exuberance.

Is the man crazy? Was Jesus really in town for the day in-the-flesh down at Fifth and Roosevelt waiting to catch a bus to take Him across the city. Well—not likely but… it could have happened.

The Truth Behind The Story

And maybe the real truth is that this excited and animated man did have a vision of Jesus. After all, Jesus did promise to be with us until the end of time. And the heavens and earth do declare the glory of the Lord. So what if—

What if, for a fleeting moment, this man caught a glimpse of the real truth about heaven and the earth. And of the Creator and the creation?

Opa doesn’t answer that question. That’s not his job. He just presents the story in a humorous way so that we might laugh at the over-the-top parishoner… and the amazingly calm and patient priest… and the ever present Jesus too. And Opa does it in a way that he hopes makes you laugh a little… think a little… and then go on into your day without another thought about it—

Unless of course, you happen to find yourself near the bus stop at Fifth and Roosevelt. And you might even find yourself taking a second look at the small crowd waiting for the bus to take them across town too.

Anyway—

Our Story

That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.

What’s your story going to be today?

Vivat Jesus!

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

© 2026. All rights reserved.