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TUESDAY March 28, 2000 vol. 11, no. 62 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, appropriately in following up the Holy Father's "Jubilee Journey" last week, the second part of Promise of the Redeemer as explained in My Catholic Faith for it was that promise that kept alive Salvation History through millenniums until the Incarnation, the Crucifixion and Resurrection. For the 140th installment, see APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH
From the time of Adam the true religion was preserved till the advent of the promised Savior by the patriarchs, prophets and other holy men inspired by God to teach and lead his Chosen People. In spite of the imperfection of the old religion, there was always only one true religion. It was but a shadow of the perfection that was to come, but was the true religion before Christ: the Jewish Faith.
But the Savior of all men is Jesus Christ. Men would know the Savior by certain signs which God revealed through the Prophets. Of His advent the Prophets spoke:
Of the person of the Messiah the Prophets spoke: He was to be the Son of God. He would work great miracles, and teach the people. He would be King of a new kingdom, which was not to be destroyed, and was to include all nations. "The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my Son: this day have I begotten Thee" (Psalms 2:7). "Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall be free" (Isaiah 35: 5-6). "The God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed...and it shall consume all these kingdoms, and itself shall stand forever."
Of His sufferings the Prophets spoke: He was to enter Jerusalem riding on an ass. He would be betrayed by one who ate at the same table with Him. He would be abandoned, mocked, beaten, spat upon, scourged, crowned with thorns, and given gall and vinegar to drink. Lots would be cast for His garments. His hands and feet would be pierced with nails. He would die between two evildoers.
All the prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the Redeemer, the Savior that God in His mercy had promised. The angels announced Him as the Redeemer to the shepherds when He was born, and to Saint Joseph in a vision. "For God so loved the world that He gave his only-begotten Son" (John 3:16).
Tomorrow: The God-Man part one
On this day 715 years ago in 1285, Pope Martin IV, 189th successor of Peter passed away. It was during the four-year pontificate of this French-born Pontiff that the famous revolution known as the "Sicilian Vespers" occurred. This violence prompted Martin IV and others of his time to be immortalized in song in the opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi. Martin, though not totally successful, strove to unite the medieval lords and kings under the bond of charity. Sometimes it worked, other times worldly vices took over among both royalty and commoner. For other time capsule events that happened in Church history on this date, see MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
1296 A.D.
Start of the Scots' War of Independence from England.
1369 A.D.
Henry of Trastamara assassinates the King of Castile - Pedro at Montiel. Pedro was known as "the Cruel" because of his abuse of the Inquisition and he was the first known European monarch to be able to write fluently.
1380 A.D.
Gunpowder used for the first time in Europe by the Venetians against the Genoese in a battle of two Catholic cities over territories. This deeply troubled Pope Urban VI, the first Italian pontiff after a long line of French popes.
1394 A.D.
St. Mary's College officially opens its doors of higher learning in Winchester, England.
1472 A.D.
Birth of the Renaissance Franciscan monk from Firenze who was a master with the brush, Fra Bartolomeo.
1483 A.D.
Birth of the master painter and sculptor Raphael Santi who would die at the relatively young age of 37.
1606 A.D.
Jesuit priest Father Henry Garner is executed for complicity in the Gunpowder Plot in which King James I falsely accuses Catholics in England for not being loyal to the throne.
Historical Events in Church Annals for March 28:
1285 A.D.
Death of French-born Pope Martin IV, 189th successor of Peter, noted for the uprising of the Sicilian Vespers outbreak during his regime which prompted Giuseppe Verdi to compose an opera about the event. He was elected on February 22, 1281. During his four year pontificate he strove to unite in the bonds of charity the kings and lords of the time.
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".
"Let those who call themselves Catholics, or Protestants, or Jews recall that the function of their religion is to intensify the spiritual life of man and not to empty the vials of bitterness into hearts, stirring up one against another."
Today's and tomorrow's liturgy are both Lenten Weekdays For the readings, liturgies, and meditations, see DAILY LITURGY.
Today's Gospel brings to mind what the Pope is asking in reconciling with all:
"So also My Heavenly Father will do to you, if you do not each forgive your brothers from your hearts."
Special Prayer for Tuesday in the Third Week of Lent
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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