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God asks us to sculpt a masterpiece for His honor and glory

      Just as we carried the 1998 address of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Conv. to the Mile Hi Congress last year, so also we bring you this year's in which he states that the Catholic faithful need to take the form of faithful, obedient disciples for as he states - "Either we form society, or society will form us." Archbishop Chaput is one of the leading new orthodox shepherds who sets the tone of loyalty and adherence to the faith and, among many experts, is one of the leading American candidates for the cardinalate in the next Consistory. For the second of four installments of the Archbishop's address Forming Disciples for the Third Millennium, click on MITERS THAT MATTER

Part Two of Four

II. My theme this morning is "forming disciples for the third millennium," and, of course, we've already started into it through the back door of The New York Times. I'd like to talk briefly about three key ideas in my theme, and then we'll have time for questions and discussion.

      Let's talk first about the idea of "forming." Forming is not the same as informing. It's not just a matter of providing choices to another person, and then standing back to see what happens. I'm a Capuchin Franciscan, and I was formed to think and feel, act and pray, in the spirit of my community, which is rooted in the life of St. Francis. I was molded. Spouses mold each other in the covenant of marriage, guided by God's grace. Friends form each other through the joys and sorrows of their friendship. And parents form their children through their encouragement and discipline. In every case, the goal is a deepening of communion, love, joy and maturity — but the means to that end can be experienced as pressure and suffering. Real love can sometimes feel like a hammer.

      My point is that all formation involves a shaping of the one who is formed. It's an act of creation which also involves a kind of "healthy destruction" — the cleaning away of what's useless or unnecessary. Let me explain.

      Most of us know C.S. Lewis as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia or The Screwtape Letters. But he was a teacher as well as a writer — and in his lectures, he often described God as a sculptor. For Lewis, the suffering in a person's life has a very special meaning, which is echoed again and again in Scripture.

      Proverbs tells us, ". . .Do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom He delights" (3:11-12). And the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that in suffering, ". . . God is treating you as sons, for what son is there whom a father does not discipline?" (12:7).

      And this is why the Letter of James tells us, "Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials . . ." (1:2). Suffering is a tool. God uses this tool to shape each of us into the saints He wants us to be. God sees the shape of our holiness in the marble of our humanity. Then He cuts away the stone of sin to free us.

      It's a great metaphor. Anyone who's seen a photograph of Michelangelo's sculpture of the Pieta — or viewed it in person, up close at the Vatican — knows exactly what Lewis meant. The figures of Jesus and Mary have a detail and a humanity which are alive. The smoothness of the skin, the elegance of the limbs, the sorrow on Mary's face — these things are so real that you forget they came from a slab of dead marble. The sculptor saw the beauty in the stone . . . and he set it free with a hammer and a chisel. Nobody remembers the hammer blow; that was over in an instant. They're too moved by the beauty of the results. The beauty lasts forever.

      Now, people aren't blocks of stone. They're living tissue, with the freedom and dignity of children of God. And teachers aren't chisels and hammers. Or at least they shouldn't be. They are active, cooperating agents in God's plan, not merely His instruments. But we can still draw some lessons from the sculptor and his work.

      First, the great sculptor is motivated by love, not merely technical skill. The sculptor loves the beauty and the truth he sees locked in the stone. In the same way, the great teacher loves the possibilities for beauty and truth — the hint of the image of God — she sees in the face of her students.

      Next, the great sculptor has a passion for his work and a confidence in his vision. In like manner, no Catholic teacher or parent can form another person in the faith without a passion for the Gospel, a personal zeal for Jesus Christ, and an absolute confidence in the truth of the Church and her teaching. No teacher can give what she doesn't have herself. If you yourself don't believe, then you can only communicate unbelief. If I'm not faithful myself, then I will only communicate infidelity. Who we are, is part of the formation we give to others.

      Finally, we need to recognize that people, unlike marble, have free will which must be respected. A person can freely reject the Gospel. The person who forms another in the faith must rely, therefore, on persuasion and never coercion. At the same time, though, the teacher should never lose sight of the fact that real freedom, Gospel freedom, is a very different creature from secular ideas of liberty, and choice for choice's sake.      

Real freedom emerges from self-sacrifice, not self-assertion. That's a radically counter-cultural message today. But of course, it's the truth. If we believe God created us for a purpose, then some choices lead to beauty, truth, dignity and joy. And others do not. Real freedom consists in conforming ourselves to God's plan. St. Paul reminds us that in our suffering and self-sacrifice, ". . . this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Cor 4:17). But it means letting God shape our lives, so that the beauty He sees in us emerges and shines. We don't have to allow this. But we should think carefully about the alternative.      

Michelangelo could find the beauty in nearly any piece of marble. But he also left us a reminder of failure. Most of us know Michelangelo's wonderful sculpture of David. But he also produced a collection called "the Captives." The name is a kind of grim joke. Each piece of sculpture in "the Captives" collection is a crude, half-finished form of a person, roughly cut from the marble, whom the artist simply could not complete . . . because the marble would not surrender the shape. Whatever Michelangelo saw in those stones is still trapped in them today, unfinished. It's held captive by the marble, more than four centuries later. And that's our alternative to God's love. Persons who reject God, remain captive in their own stone — without beauty, without form, and without real freedom. That's why we help God shape those whom we love.

NEXT INSTALLMENT: Section Three.

A master liturgist known the world over, Cardinal Danneels is beloved in his homeland of Belgium for his pastoral touch and spiritual direction

      Today we feature our twenty-ninth red hat in alphabetical order. He is the 66 year-old Cardinal Godfried Danneels. This Flanders-born prelate has been been the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels for nearly twenty years and has written a masterful compendium on the Liturgy titled Dictionary of the Liturgy. For more on this Belgian cardinal appointed by Pope John Paul II in the Consistory of February 2, 1983, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

29.   Cardinal Godfried Danneels

      This Flanders-bred prelate was born in Kanegem, Belgium on June 4, 1933. Twenty-four years later on August 17, 1957 he was ordained to the priesthood and assigned pastoral work and advanced studies for two years until his Bishop named him Spiritual Director of the Major Seminary in Bruges. After a time in that post, he was sent to the Gregorian University in Rome where he received his doctorate in Theology and was assigned to the faculty of the Catholic University of Louvain to teach Liturgy and Sacramental Theology. On November 4, 1977 Pope Paul VI elevated him to the episcopacy, naming him Bishop of Antwerp. Two years later on December 19, 1979 Pope John Paul II promoted him to Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and he was installed a month later on January 4, 1980. At the same time he was chosen to head the Belgium Episcopal Conference. In 1983 he was nominated for the honor of the red-hat in the Holy Father's February 2, 1983 Consistory. Cardinal Danneels received the titular church of St. Anastasia.

      This sixty-six year-old member of the Sacred College continues as the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels. He has become world-famous as a student of Liturgy, having compiled an impressive work in his Dictionary of the Liturgy. He continues to this day to be a spiritual director to many of his clerical and lay flock as a devoted shepherd and serves as Military Ordinary for all of Belgium. Curial memberships include the second section of the Secretariat of State, the Congregation for the Oriental Church, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and the Congregation for Catholic Education, as well as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Though an expert on the liturgy and possessing a pastoral approach, many are doubtful he would be a serious contender were a papal election to be held soon. He will be sixty-seven this summer and lacks the global experience, yet as a compromise candidate he might be a darkhorse because of his popularity worldwide.

SIMPLY SHEEN: The good ol' days?

      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".

" Moral landscapes are something like physical landscapes; that is why we believe that in retrospect the rough has become the soft, and the harsh the sweet. It could very well be that the disgust with which men feel the shocks and buffeting of the generation in which they live makes them falsely conclude that past days were better."

"I solemnly tell you, every day for you must be a holy day."

      In the Blessed Mother's 427th Message to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart on the Solemnity of All Saints in 1983, Our Lady implores her children to strive for holiness by partaking in Confession and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as often as possible as well as dismissing the world which is ruled by the devil and his disciples. Blessed Mary follows this up a day later on the Feast of All Souls by reminding all her little ones of the souls in Purgatory and how our sacrifices and prayers here on earth open the floodgates of Mercy for them. For Messages #427 and #428, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Messages 427 and 428

      Beloved Hidden Flower, I am with you. I bless all of those who are assisting you. Please tell all of my children that they have not yet understood my messages. My Mother's Heart weeps because I see how weak your faith is. If your faith is weak, my children, you are easy prey for the evil one. Today all Heaven rejoices at the Communion of Saints. How eagerly all of the blessed in Heaven desire to intercede for you obtaining great graces so that each one of you may persevere in your earthly exile. These graces, which the blessed in Heaven intercede for, are most profound when my little ones worthily attend Mass.

      I weep, my children, because I behold the nearly empty churches in this land and in every nation. Where are you, my little ones? Are you so weak that you cannot make the sacrifice of time to come to Mass to receive the graces that you will be a saint?

      Dear little children, why do you listen to the voice of the world which is so often the voice of the evil one? Do not permit the lukewarm voices of those who have infiltrated my Divine Son's Church to keep you away from Holy Mass and the Sacraments.

      I solemnly tell you, every day for you must be a holy day. You can make it a holy day by going to Mass and worthily receiving my Son in the Blessed Sacrament. In these end times great is the number of those who, for love of my Son, will suffer greatly for their faith. It is not necessary to shed one's blood to die a martyr.

      Therefore, I beseech you to take every opportunity to grow in strong faith, absolute trust and Divine Love. The moment is now. Be holy. Abandon sin. Return to my Son for His Reign is coming. Do as I have asked, and Pray, Pray, Pray.

      Thank you for responding to my Call!

      Beloved Hidden Flower, peace. All will be resolved through prayer and love. I speak today to all of my children, for I, your Heavenly Mother, watch over all of you, and beseech you to work diligently at your faith.

      Dear children, be empty of self - for the lower human ego is a powerful source for the evil one. That is why, when you pray, it must come from your heart.

      During this month and everyday hence I ask you, each of you, to surrender your will freely. Do this at Holy Mass and throughout the day. Beseech Almighty God to annihilate your will, replacing it with His Will. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and take complete possession of you, for He, the Sanctifier, will quickly transform you into the image of my Divine Son.

      Offer the surrender of yourself to Divine Mercy, and by this surrender, freely and completely given, you will crush the evil one and give glory to God. I, your Mother, will help you. Know that for every sacrifice willingly made a soul is freed from Purgatory, and becomes a great intercessor for you in Heaven.

      Pray with me, my children. Be all God asks you to be. Leave the world behind and do whatever He tells you to do. In this way you shall bear the mark of my Son's Cross and will hasten the Triumph of my Immaculate Heart. Let your prayer be constant and simple. Speak little - love much. Trust God Who is your Father to direct you in all ways.

      I love and bless you, my children. Please pray, for time is no longer short; it is critical! Pray! Pray! Pray! Thank you for responding to my Call!

Events Today in Church History

      On this date in 335, Saint Macarius of Jerusalem, Bishop of that Holy City, died. He was commissioned by Constantine to build a basilica over the sepulchre where Christ had been buried. During the excavation he uncovered three wooden crosses and summoned Constantine's mother Saint Helena who determined it was the true cross of Christ after another woman who was seriously ill touched it and was healed in 326. Eight years later in 334 the basilica was consecrated on September 13th. Though the original basilica no longer is there, it is on the same spot where today stands the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. 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 10:

• 68 A.D.
  
• Death of Claudius Nero, notorious Roman emperor who began the persecution of the Christians that would last three centuries.

• 172 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Caius and Alexander, martyred by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius at Apamea, Phrgia because of their fierce opposition to Roman idols and Montanism.

• 320 A.D.
  
• Death of the Forty Armenian Martyrs at the hands of the emperor Licinius.

• 335 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Macarius of Jerusalem, Bishop of Jerusalem and one of the signers of the first documents decreed at the First Ecumenical Council - the Council of Nicaea. With permission from the emperor Constantine, Macarius built a basilica over the tomb of Jesus. During the excavation Constantine's mother Saint Helena discovered three crosses. When a women nearby, who was diseased, touched one of the crosses she was instantly healed and Helena knew it was the true Cross of Christ.

• 483 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Saint Simplicius, 47th successor of Peter. Born in Tivoli, he was elected on March 3, 468. During his fifteen year pontificate occurred the Fall of the Western Empire in 476 when the Roman emperor Romulus Augustus was deposed by the barbarian King Odoacer. He also suffered through the schism which led to the founding of the Churches of Armenia, Syria and Egypt (Coptic). He regulated the distribution of offerings to pilgrims and for new churches. He also defended the Council Fathers of Chalcedon in the face of the Monophysite heresy.

• 560 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Kessog, Irish missionary who evangelized Scotland and was known as a miracle worker wherever he went. He was martyred near Loch Lomond on this date by pagan tribesmen who stoned him to death.

• 1615 A.D.
  
• Death of the martyr Saint John Ogilvie, a Scottish Jesuit who faced the rath of the French Calvinists and was pestered and persecuted while trying to bring the faith to underground Catholics. In a kangaroo court John was convicted and hung at Glasgow on this date.

• 1791 A.D.
  
• Pope Pius VI issues a condemnation of France's Civil Constitution of the Clergy which had first been declared in a reorganization of the French Church on July 12, 1790, but with the French Revolution the Holy Father realized the Constitution was schismatic and had no choice but to condemn it. The repercussions would be fierce as Napoleon Bonaparte would rage and seige the papal states and ultimately Rome during the papacy of his successor Pope Pius VII.

      Today, as mentioned above, is the 1,664th anniversary of the death of Saint Macarius, the Bishop of Jerusalem who petitioned the emperor Constantine to build a basilica on the site where Christ was in the tomb for three days. Historians claim that as he and his men were digging, they discovered three wooden crosses and Macarius dispatched a legate to Constantine's mother Saint Helena who had begun the expedition nearby to find the True Cross of Christ, searching around Calvary. But Macarius discovered the three crosses had been placed in or near the sepulchre. When Helena arrived, Macarius suggested the only way to discover which of the three was the authentic true cross would be to see if someone who was deathly ill touched it and prayed for God to show them a sign. The bishop brought a woman with leprosy and gout and she touched one cross and was dispatched; invited back the second day she touched another cross and almost instantly the boils, scars and withered skin became clear and fresh. Both Macarius and Helena knew that the Almighty had guided them to the True Cross. Because of aging and the elements, the cross was not the solid piece of pine when Our Lord hung on this tree and so Helena gathered up the largest portions and carted some of them back to Rome while leaving a good portion in Macarius' care in Jerusalem. He died nine years after the discovery. The Persians routed the area and stole away with the old wooden relics but the Emperor Heraclius was able to recoup the ruins in 629 and returned the major portion back to Jerusalem. Shortly afterwards a feast was created in Jerusalem and eventually spread to the entire Church - the Feast of the Triumph or Exaltation of the Cross. Part of the true cross preserved by St. Helena resides in Rome's church of Santa Croce. There are countless splinters which are considered relics of the True Cross throughout the world and the editorial staff has been privileged to venerate and reverently kiss them. For more details on this we strongly recommend New Advent Catholic Supersite on the True Cross that will give the reader much more insight. (sources: 1999 Catholic Almanac, Our Sunday Visitor; Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon, SJ, Doubleday; Glories and Triumphs of the Catholic Church, Benziger Brothers; Cabinet of Catholic Information, Duggan Publishing; The Catholic Church Alone, The One True Church of Christ; Catholic Educational Company).

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February 25th Medjugorje Monthly Message

    Dear children! Also today I am with you in a special way contemplating and living the passion of Jesus in my heart. Little children, open your hearts and give me everything that is in them: joys, sorrows and each, even the smallest, pain, that I may offer them to Jesus; so that with His immeasurable love, He may burn and transform your sorrows into the joy of His resurrection. That is why, I now call you in a special way, little children, for your hearts to open to prayer, so that through prayer you may become friends of Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE

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THE DAILY WORD

"Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill."

Matthew 5: 17

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

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March 10, 1999 volume 10, no. 48   DAILY CATHOLIC