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SIMPLY SHEEN:

The fine line between saint and sinner

     They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".

"The reason why we are not better than we are is that we do not will to be better: the sinner and the saint are set apart only by a series of tiny decisions within our hearts."

Events Today in Church History

      Today is the anniversary of the death of one holy Sovereign Pontiff - Pope Saint Felix III in 492 and the election of his successor on the same day, another saintly man - Pope Saint Gelasius I. He shares being chosen the Bishop of Rome on this date with Pope John VII who began his reign on this date in 705. For other pertinent events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for March 1:

• 492 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Saint Felix III, 48th successor of Peter. Born in Rome, he was elected on March 13, 483. He tried to restore peace in the disturbed Eastern Church . He had sons, one of which would go on to be the grandfather of the famous Saint Gregory the Great. He has often been erroniously been taken for Felix II, a holy martyr. Pope St. Felix died of natural causes on this date in 492.

• 492 A.D.
  
• Election of Pope Saint Gelasius I as 49th successor of Peter. He would be elected on the same day as Pope Saint Felix III died. Also born in Rome but of African origin, his pontificate would last four years. He would go on to institute the Code for the uniform organization of ceremonies and rites. Because of his charity he would be called the "Father of the Poor." He would also maintain the supremacy of the Church over that of kings and would be responsible for inserting the "Kyrie eleison" into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

• 705 A.D.
  
• Election of Pope John VII as 86th successor of Peter. His papacy would last two years. Born in Rossano di Calabria, Italy, John VII would refuse to consent to the ambiguous claims of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian II who would initiate those massacres which would convince the Latin peoples to separate themselves more and more from the Eastern Empire.

• 965 A.D.
  
• Death of the antipope Leo VIII who was elected by a schismatic Synod and the Emperor Otto I because of his fued with the true Roman Pontiff Pope John XII. Unlike other antipopes, Leo was a victim of circumstances and a good man who was under the undue influence and pressure of Otto.

• 1420 A.D.
  
• On this date Pope Martin I announced a crusade against John Huss and his heretical teachings, but because of other problems with the papacy at the time and the struggle between Council and Pope, it never materialized and consequently would leave the door open for the Protestant Reformation to rise its ugly head a century later.

• 1484 A.D.
  
• Death of Blessed Christopher, a Dominican preacher and abbot who was gifted with prophecy and translated those into his powerful homilies. Everywhere he went, especially in Taggia where he is highly revered today, great conversions occurred. He was beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1875.

• 1591 A.D.
  
• Pope Gregory XIV's threat on this day to make the excommunication of King Henry IV of France permanent helped rally the French faithful to convince the monarch to reunite with Rome after Gregory's predecessor the inflexible Pope Sixtus V had placed Henry under interdict.

"Let the opinion of the world not touch you; rather, from your heart pray for the world."

      Those words from the Mother of God were imparted to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart in Message #414 on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Our Lady reminds all her children of how to pray with and from the heart and to submit our wills totally to the Divine Will, using the gentle and humble Francis as an example. She prefaces this message three days earlier on the feast of Saint Therese the Little Flower imploring her little ones to follow the "little way" by immersing ourselves in the Refuge of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For Messages #413 and #414 from Our Lady, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Messages 413 and 414

      Beloved Hidden Flower, I bless you. Yes, by your love my Divine Son has come to you on this First Friday, and you are now in the Refuge of His Sacred Heart. Fear nothing, for He will guide your steps forever.

      Dear children, on this day I remind each one of you to pray from your heart. You are unable to do this because your minds question continually, asking if your prayer is from the heart.

      Little children, to do this you must be little, and littleness is self-effacing. It seeks only to love the Beloved. When distractions or temptations come pay them no heed. Instead, turn interiorly and call upon the Communion of Saints and seek their help, asking them to assist in the prayer you will to make from your heart. Then the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, cleanses all thoughts, prayers and words and your prayers are as incense before God.

      Littleness is the key to true peace. True Peace is being one in the Will of God at all times.

      Children of my Immaculate Heart, proceed quickly to prepare the refuge I have asked for. Go forward on faith. Trust totally, and love without condition. All I have foretold shall come to pass.

      Have you not yet recognized the signs God gives? These disasters will increase in number. Therefore, heed my call to convert your heart.

      I love and bless you. Thank you for responding to my Call!

      Beloved Hidden Flower, I am with you. I urge you to be steadfast in the midst of many trials, for God alone is Strength; to Him alone belongs the Victory.

      I beseech all of my children to ponder upon the depth of faith, the total trust and ever-increasing love of Francis for my Divine Son.

      Ponder well within your hearts if each of you have detached yourself from the world or if you cling to earthly attachments.

      Little children, even as my hidden one writes these words to you, I solemnly tell you events now taking place put the entire world on the brink of war, which is satan's tool. The false peace I have warned about shatters as a fine crystal glass bludgeoned by the hammer of hatred.

      Heed my Motherly warning. I am asking again for conversion of heart for each of you. Turn back to my Divine Son, clinging willingly to His Cross. Let no man dissuade you from the Truth. Let the opinion of the world not touch you; rather, from your heart pray for the world.

      I have come to tell you that God desires to pour out His Mercy in a font of graces of healing and conversion. So many signs have already been given. So many more will rapidly follow. Do not look to the world for safety and security. Look upon my Divine Son crucified, and kneel in reparation for your own sins and those of the world.

      Pray very much and ask God to annihilate your human will that only the Divine Will exists in you, as it came to dwell in Francis.

      Dear children, the hours grow shorter. Do all I have asked of you. Let everyone share with his time, talent, treasures to build my places of refuge. Be not afraid. If you trust God this is Love. If you truly love God all things are possible. He alone will be your Refuge.

      I love and bless you. Thank you for responding to my Call!

      Today and tomorrow we commemorate the Lenten Liturgy with the Second Monday of Lent and Second Tuesday of Lent. For the readings, liturgies and meditations, click on DAILY LITURGY.

Monday March 1:
Lenten Weekday

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Daniel 9: 4-10
Psalms: Psalm 79: 8, 9, 11, 13
Gospel Reading: Luke 6: 36-38

Tuesday March 2:
Lenten Weekday

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Isaiah 1: 10, 16-20
Psalms: Psalm 50: 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23
Gospel Reading: Matthew 23: 1-12

      Continuing the Responsory Prayers during Lent adapted from the Byzantine Rite:

      Having sailed forty days across the great sea of the fast,
in safety and in health, may we reach the holy Passover.

      For the Lenten Way of the Cross, click on either the graphics Daily Way of the Cross or the text-only Daily Way of the Cross or the Meditative Lessons on the Way to Calvary

From Refuge of the Lamb an apostle falls into the den of iniquity

      His apostles can sense it, Jesus has confirmed it - the time is drawing near when He will be handed over. But Jesus, in His Mercy, protects Judas Iscariot from their wrath as the Son of God allows man's free will to govern. In today's Meditative Lesson 3, as viewed interiorly by the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart, we further understand the mood just before passover, climaxing with quiet time between Our Lord and His Blessed Mother for Both knew what was to come and accepted it as the Will of the Father. For this second part of WITH THE APOSTLES ON THE EVE OF PASSOVER as we continue these inspiring lessons on the Passion throughout Lent, click on "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"

      Jesus has finished instructing the Apostles and they all rise at once, gathering closer. They whisper among themselves while putting on their mantles, etc., but Jesus does not say a word. He sees that Judas Iscariot has silently sneaked away from the group, and is leaving the refuge of Lazarus' estate. A veil of immense sadness envelops Jesus and He turns from the apostles lest they see and, in their humanness, would speak out against the apostle, who, shortly, will betray God.

     Finally, it is Peter with his wiry salt-and-pepper hair who clears his throat.

     "Master, we have been talking and...," Peter hesitates and Jesus now turns around, His face fully composed and He looks upon His Rock with great love.

     "And what have you discussed? Come, open your hearts to Me, that I might help you."

     Well, it seems only prudent to us that you remain here for the Passover meal," Peter hurriedly explains, gesturing for support from his fellow apostles.

     There is a chorus of "Yes, Master. Listen to your Peter. Even John agrees," and so forth.

     Peter encouraged, hurries on in his speech. "Master, we only seek to keep you from harm. It is difficult for us to understand these events. While only a few days ago it was like, a a..."

     A tide of praise for you, Master!" says Thomas enthusiastically.

     All the people proclaimed You! They sang Hosanna to You!" says Andrew.

     But the mood has swiftly changed," murmurs James, John's brother.

     "And the rumors abound everywhere of plots against You," confesses James, our Lord's cousin and brother of Jude Thaddeus.

     So, Lazarus has offered us his home. We will be safe here," summarizes Peter. "The Romans respect Lazarus and therefore the Sanhedrin dare not come against him."

     Let us celebrate Passover here, Lord," says Simon Zealot. "Soon the dissenters will disperse and..."

     "Have you not yet understood?" Jesus asks with an infinite weariness in His voice. "It is the hour. You each know the Scriptures, and all that has been revealed concerning the Messiah. I am He, the Son of God. I have come to fulfill the Father's will. And to do that all of Scripture must be fulfilled."

     "But..." Peter stops short and lowers his head. There are no words left to say. Jesus is Master. The Apostles, like lost little boys, shuffle uncomfortably and await a reproof.

     "You are My cornerstones. You must also pass through this great trial. And not only you alone. For I solemnly tell you that in all future generations, down to the last man upon earth, all who follow My way - the only way of salvation - must likewise be tested and pass through great trial. But be not troubled. For you shall yet have the power of the Spirit to teach you many things. This is yet to be given you. Rely upon My words and receive My blessing. We shall go tomorrow to Jerusalem for Passover. I will give you all necessary instructions in the morning. Also, I shall speak to Lazarus that he, also, might understand. Now I ask you to be at peace, and in that peace to be as one in prayer that the hour of trial may not catch you unprepared. Go now. I will speak now to My Mother."

     The apostles leave in groups of two and threes. There is silence among them as they ponder His words. They move off, in the direction of the large house, and take a different path when they realize that Jesus' Mother has come along a path so quietly that only her Son noticed.

     "Son, You are weary. Sit and rest," says Mary with all love and concern.

     Jesus takes His Blessed Mother's hand and together they sit upon the bench. There is silence, broken only by the call of a bird, the rustling of a hot breeze through the trees. They remain in silence, their souls and hearts as one pleading for all mankind before the throne of God. And in this manner peace descends to this hallowd place.

NEXT INSTALLMENT: Part Three of Lesson 3: Our Lady's Meditation on WITH THE APOSTLES ON THE EVE OF PASSOVER

Click here to go to SECTION THREE or return to SECTION ONEor click here to return to the graphics front page of this issue.

March 1, 1999 volume 10, no. 41   DAILY CATHOLIC