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THURSDAY April 13, 2000 vol. 11, no. 74 SECTION TWOSee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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Today we continue with our new series in the search to uncover the wonderful treasures of the Church contained in the great Deposit of Faith. Today we present the second part of the catechesis on The Public Life of Jesus and the highlights of the three years of His public ministry, all with a specific purpose - to convince all to "Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven." Unlike the hidden life of Our Lord, His public life is chronicled by the Four Evangelists in the Gospels which are the perfect guide as to how all should lead their lives as explained in My Catholic Faith. For the 152nd installment, see APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH
In His third year of teaching, Jesus went to Galilee and Phoenicia, because in Judea where He had been teaching, the Pharisees for envy and jealousy sought to kill Him. In Phoenicia He gave in to the entreaties of a Gentile, a Canaanite, who perserved in asking Him to cure her daughter. In Galilee Jesus cured a deaf-and-dumb man, using signs that the Church has adopted in its baptismal ceremonies; he performed the miracle of the second multiplication of the loaves. On Mount Tabor He was transfigured in the presence of Peter, James and John. Among other cures were those of the ten lepers, and the man blind from birth. He promised the primacy over all to Peter, paid the tribute to Caesar, forgave the woman caught in adultery, sent out His seventy-two disciples on a mission, called the rich young man, instructed Mary and Martha, and was the guest of Zacheus. He told the parables of the unmerciful servant, the Good Samaritan, the lost sheep, the lost groat, the greater supper, the unjust steward, the prodigal son, Dives and Lazarus, the Pharisee and the publican, the laborers in the vineyard.
Finally, at the end of His public life, Jesus raised lazarus from the deadf. By this time the envy of the Pharisees was so great that they determined to bring about the death of Jesus; Judas came as a ready tool. Magdalen anointed Our Lord, as He said, for His burial. He entered Jerusalem in triumph riding on an ass, with children waving palms and singing. He told the parable of the husbandmen and the heir, to show the Pharisees the He knew of their designs against Him. And last of all, He ate the Last Supper with His apostles, there instituting the Holy Eucharist.
Christ's aim in His public life was to teach what God requires all to believe and practice, so that all may enter the kingdom of Heaven. For this purpose He gathered some seventy-two disciples, and from them chose twelve Apostles, to whom He gave special instruction and training. By them He established His Church, which was to carry on His work after His death, to continue teaching what He had openly and publicly taught.
He spoke to large crowds, sometimes numbering four or five thousand people, as when He multiplied the loaves and fishes. Christ taught in the simplest manner, so that all might understand without difficulty. He used plain, homely words. He often used signs and parables, and illustrated His meaning by examples from nature and common life.
In the doctrines He taught, a leading idea is: "Seek first the kingdom of God." He taught a new rule of faith, and gave new commandments. He taught the precept of love, even for our enemies. He revealed certain mysteries: such as those of the Blessed Trinity, of His own divinity, of the Last Judgment. He instituted the seven sacraments.
Tomorrow: The Passion of Our Lord part one
On this day 209 years ago in 1791 in the midst of the terrible French Revolution, Pope Pius VI issued his historic encyclical Charitas to the Bishops of France ensuring they not take the civil oath. Because of this, Pius VI was forced to break with France and Napoleon would retaliate by invading Rome and arresting the Pontiff, forcing the Holy See to pay a huge sum of money and many treasured works of art. For other time capsule events that happened in Church history on this date, see MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
1534 A.D.
Saint Thomas More, loyal to Holy Mother Church, refuses to take the oath to Henry VIII or go along with the English revolt from Rome.
1598 A.D.
Pope Clement VIII acknowledges Henry IV as King of France and accepts the Edict of Nantes which grants the Huguenots religious freedom, civil equality and other rights in France.
1791 A.D.
Pope Pius VI, whose 24 year pontificate included the ten year French Revolution, issued on this date his landmark encyclical Charitas to the Bishops of France over the civil oath they were being forced to take in France during a time when the Church was greatly persecuted.
Historical Events in Church Annals for April 13:
1360 A.D.
This day is called "Black Monday" in England for the entire army of King Edward I is destroyed by an act of God during a freezing hailstorm.
Today's and tomorrow's liturgy are both Lenten Weekdays with today also being the Optional Feast of Pope Saint Martin I, Martyr. For the readings, liturgies, meditations, and profile on him, see DAILY LITURGY.
Special Prayer for Thursday in the Fifth Week of Lent
"The Jews therefore said to Him, 'Thou art not yet fifty years old, and has Thou seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, 'Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I am.' They therefore took up stones to cast at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out from the temple."
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".
"Reality is distorted if we have such reservations as prejudice, habits of sin, pride, avarice and jealousy. Any of these can make honest judgment impossible for us. The truth is then twisted to fit our imperfections; we lie to ourselves in order not to have to change, not to abondon these prized habits of evil."
NOTE: We respectfully recognize and accept the final authority regarding apparitions, locutions and prophecies presently being reported around the world rests with the Holy See of Rome and the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church to whose judjment we humbly and obediently submit.
"Dear children! Pray and make good use of this time, because this is a time of grace. I am with you and I intercede for each one of you before God, for your heart to open to God and to God's love. Little children, pray without ceasing, until prayer becomes a joy for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."
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