Tacitus of the ancient Romans: “People are generally persuaded in the faith of the ancient prophecies, that the East was to prevail, and from Judea was to come the Master and Ruler of the world.” In China, The Annals of the Celestial Empire: “In the 24th year of Tchao-Wang of the dynasty of the Tcheou, on the 8th day of the 4th moon, a light appeared in the Southwest which illumined the king’s palace. The monarch, struck by its splendor, interrogated the sages. They showed him books in which this prodigy signified the appearance of the great Saint of the West whose religion was to be introduced into their country.” (Remember, the Middle East is west of China.) Six centuries before Christ, Aeschylus of the Greeks noted in his Prometheus: “Look not for any end, moreover, to this curse until God appears, to accept upon His Head the pangs of thy own sins vicarious”. (Shades of Isaiah.)Just a decent sample; get the book. My mind, my strongest attribute by God’s good will, verily weeps in joy against my heart to be so edified. Remember, I love you, too . In our delighted glory in our Infant King, Pristinus Sapienter (wljewell @catholicexchange.com or ... yahoo.com)
Catholic Exchange Forums » Faith and Life
Book: Life of Christ, Fulton J. Sheen
(16 posts)God loves you .
I think that I have mentioned this book before, but never in much detail. Permit me some details. There must be a thousand things I want to write about. I think this one will please you.
I have a recent edition of Life of Christ, by Fulton J. Sheen (New York: Doubleday, 1990). Originally published in 1958, as the cover of my edition notes of a Chicago Tribune review of this book, written in a more soberly faithful time: “A gifted author with . . . a mighty theme”.
I hold this book most precious for its short five-page chapter one:
The Only Person Ever Pre-Announced.
Own this book for these five pages.
After all, we believe that God dwelt among us, as human as any, from Incarnate conception and birth to Ascension in longing to be with His Father and ours. We believe, and in our belief, a thing of faith, we learn that reason may be as informed. But, still – it is that we BELIEVE – we cannot so surely know. For to know would be to obviate His precious gift of free will; who would NOT believe once they as surely know? Only to those who in submission to His will so profound as to have their human free will completely, freely submitted will angels, His Mother and our Lord appear.
Yet, we believe – He made His appearance two millennia ago, that of His life and death we could be redeemed and saved. Still, to a cynical world – skeptics just are not that common, anymore – it could seem that we believe in a story, not in real Good News.
God trumped this cynicism and skepticism before He ever appeared. These five pages of this book hold the accounts.
Posted 1 year ago #
Yes,
Great speaker and I enjoy his teachings.
Peace
Great speaker and I enjoy his teachings.
Peace
Posted 1 year ago #
I think this book is absolutely one of my top 3 favorites of all times. I highly recommend this one so often.
Posted 1 year ago #
We need more Fulton Sheens!
Posted 1 year ago #
God loves you .
W.I.P,
G.K. Chesterton once said (paraphrased):
"Don't look for a hero - become a hero."
Surely, the life of Christ took utter heroism on His part - for one thing, He had to be less (as human) than He most really was (as God) - and yet both, fully, at one and the same time. How often, w.i.p, was He tempted in His love to just say - 'You're all saved, by My redemptive decree'. He wouldn't have had to suffer and die; His Father would have accepted the decree (His Father, in touch with His Son's humanity, may have sort of hoped He would do just that declaration.) But, He took His humanity to the utter end of self-sacrifice to show us the Way. He accepted His Father's perfect will with His own iron will. Is that not the fullest defining moment of heroism: God chose to fully give Himself up to death for His mere creatures.
How close do any of us come to Christ, for heroism?
Fulton Sheen was definitely a hero. It took a certain heroic aplomb to march out onto the TV stage in full bishop's regalia, and challenge the world to permit Christ to love every single one of us - a world losing itself with its faith in modern, secularist cynicism. His many books are not whitewash pabulum - they challenge in very blessed ways.
How many of us can bring up the heroic chutzpah to call Christ down on the heads of all around us, to bring us mercy, to bless, to grace and to keep us all for Himself? I mean, we'd be calling for great goodness, and nothing any other would have to do but accept; and yet we shy from that edge of heroism.
We need more Fulton Sheens. Therefore, we must look to do the heroics of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.
Remember, I love you, too .
Toward our holy and prosperous New Year in Christ,
Pristinus Sapienter
(wljewell @catholicexchange.com or ... yahoo.com)
Posted 1 year ago #
Since I have passed 50 (53 in March or as I tell my students I will 18 with 35 years of experience) I have developed a great respect and love for the writings and messages of Bishop Sheen. And thanks to EWTN I can occasionally watch re-broadcasts of his weekly program.
I will certainly look for this book you mentioned. But I fear that my local Barnes and Nobles or Books-a-Million will not have it in stock so it will be a special order. Ah yes another "Internet trip" to Amazon.com.
Thanks!
tarheel
Posted 1 year ago #
I think I accidentally happened upon it in a used Catholic bookstore (yes, such exists, although it is downtown Boston, so I never get there!). Check here for the cheapest options:
(although I did not intend for the state to be set as arkansas)
Posted 1 year ago #
<<We need more Fulton Sheens!>>>
Amen!! At this point, I'd settle for one!
Peace
Posted 1 year ago #
I sure wish I could find a Catholic Bookstore here in Mobile Alabama. We have some fine Christian bookstores but the Catholic selection makes up about 1 shelf maybe two.
But there is wonderful collection if you are into 'Bible Thumping"
Tarheel
Posted 1 year ago #
God loves you .
Amazon.com offers not only its own new books, but listings from used-book sellers. I usually shop there.
The dear Paulines with their delightful selection are in downtown Chicago and a pain to get to. But they're just so cute - I want all of them as my daughters - but Saint Paul already has them.
I recently re-sorted my books, and my granddaughter told me, "Grandpa, you have twenty-one Bibles!" 'Do not!' "Yes, you do - I just counted them." 'Umm - let me see there - [ummhmmmhummhinm] - see, told you you're wrong -there's twenty-two of them! Uh - wanna read a Bible?' I can thump with th best of them - and I still have three versions I want on my shelves.
Remember, I love you, too .
Toward our holy and prosperous New Year in Christ,
Pristinus Sapienter
(wljewell @catholicexchange.com or ... yahoo.com)
Posted 1 year ago #
LOL! 22 huh? I have 4. One is a very old King James version my Father bought for me in November of 1963, I was 8 at the time. I still remember that day as in my small town the only place that sold Bibles was a jewelry store called Eisenhower's. If any one reading this is from Elkin NC then yes it is that store.
It is good to hear that a Catholic can "Bible Thump". Perhaps more of us need to get more intimate with our Holy Scriptures.
Tarheel.
Posted 1 year ago #
God loves you .
Good old Saint Jerome cautions that 'ya just ain't a Catholic if'n yer ignorant of the Bible'. Not EXACTLY as he put it, but close.
And, from what I understand about the old fellow's temperament, you don't want to cross good old Saint Jerome. Might wake up some AM with a headache from him whacking you with the Vulgate.
Further, Saint Jerome was one of the all-time masters of the Latin language. If you get to the extraordinary rite of our Mass some day, and get that feeling to go home and get into your Bible - he was at Mass with you.
Probably barking orders at the celebrant.
Remember, I love you, too .
Toward our holy and prosperous New Year in Christ,
Pristinus Sapienter
(wljewell @catholicexchange.com or ... yahoo.com)
PS: Studying 1Corinthians 13 for the umpteenth time - I put five online versions together side-by-side to get 'the Big Gulp' of Saint Paul's excellent discourse - may add on the Amplified Bible version. Now, if you get into this chapter, take the last verse of chapter twelve in, too.
Posted 1 year ago #
I will read these tonight when I get home.
Thanks!
Tarheel
Posted 1 year ago #
God loves you .
Don't ever just read the Bible - make God's words what He is saying to YOU - personalize - assimilate - study - eat and slowly chew and digest the Word as if a spiritual Eucharist.
Invite the Spirit to help you tie things together. The Word of God is as wondrous in print as on the altar.
Remember, I love you, too .
Toward our holy and prosperous New Year in Christ,
Pristinus Sapienter
(wljewell @catholicexchange.com or ... yahoo.com)
Posted 1 year ago #
Sounds very similar how I do read the scriptures. It is my personal "quiet time" that I use to recover from the day past and get ready for the day that is coming.
Tarheel
Posted 1 year ago #
Ave Maria!
This work of Bp.Sheen's is also one of my favorites!
Posted 12 months ago #
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