In this sermon, Bishop Fulton Sheen reflects on how modern society has rejected the concept of sin, replacing it with rationalizations and excuses. He draws on historical and literary examples, such as Dostoevsky’s prediction that people would deny sin and guilt, and Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which portrays the psychological consequences of guilt. Sheen contrasts these with today’s attempts to explain away sin as mere illness or psychological issues, suggesting that modern people see themselves as patients needing therapy, rather than sinners in need of repentance.

Sheen describes two common ways people escape from guilt: one is through psychological treatment, where sins are “explained away” as mental issues, and the other is rationalization, where people blame others for their faults or justify their actions. He shares personal stories of individuals, including a woman burdened by guilt from an abortion, showing how hidden guilt manifests and can only be resolved through genuine confession and repentance.

He emphasizes that the true forgiveness of sin requires more than just therapy or rationalization—it requires the shedding of blood. Sheen refers to the 9th chapter of Hebrews, explaining that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. He connects this to the blood sacrifices in the Old Testament, showing that the gravity of sin demands a deep, sacrificial atonement.

Sheen concludes by reminding his audience of the seriousness of sin and the immense love of the Savior who paid the ultimate price for humanity’s redemption. Through this sermon, he urges modern society to recognize sin, confess it, and embrace the salvation offered through Christ’s sacrifice.

In this powerful and thought-provoking lecture, Bishop Fulton Sheen explores the philosophical foundations of life and the destructive ideologies that have led to the normalization of abortion. Using humor, personal stories, and historical examples, Sheen addresses deep moral and spiritual questions about modern society’s understanding of freedom and love.

Sheen begins with anecdotes that highlight misunderstandings, including a humorous story of a chauffeur posing as a professor, revealing how appearances can deceive, much like false philosophies that mask deeper truths. He transitions into the serious topic of abortion, contrasting the Christian philosophy of life, which sees each person as made in the image of God, with the modern view that places the self above all else.

Sheen critiques the idea of freedom as the right to do anything, arguing that this leads to a culture of selfishness and the destruction of life. True freedom, he says, involves responsibility and respect for boundaries, both moral and societal. He compares this to the Communist philosophy, which replaces individual freedom with absolute obedience to the state.

Central to Sheen’s argument is the contrast between “biophilics” (lovers of life) and “necrophilics” (lovers of death). He argues that modern society, especially through the acceptance of abortion, has embraced necrophilia—a love of death. Sheen connects this shift to historical moments like the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, which he sees as a turning point in humanity’s disregard for life.

He draws on examples from Nazi Germany and Communist Russia to show how false ideologies lead to atrocities, and he warns that America, with its embrace of “freedom without limits,” risks falling into the same trap. Sheen also speaks about the distortion of love, which has become focused on personal pleasure rather than self-giving responsibility.

In one of the most poignant moments of the lecture, Sheen reads a letter from a woman who had an abortion, sharing her deep regret and the emotional scars she carries. This letter serves as a powerful testimony to the real consequences of the philosophy of death that Sheen critiques.

Sheen concludes by pointing to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and the forgiveness available to those who seek it, calling for a return to a culture that values life at every stage, from conception to natural death. He warns that unless society reverses its path, it will continue to spiral into greater destruction, but he offers hope through faith and the redemptive power of God’s love.

Through this lecture, Bishop Sheen urges his listeners to stand firm in defending life and to recognize the false philosophies that threaten both individuals and society as a whole.

In this speech, Fulton Sheen explores the dangers of two extremes in the Church: the activist who prioritizes social justice but neglects spirituality, and the pacifist who focuses solely on personal piety and liturgy, neglecting action and care for others. Sheen traces the roots of activism to Marxism, highlighting Marx’s belief that private property and religion alienate man from his true nature. Sheen argues that some in the Church have adopted Marxist activism, which focuses on collective concerns at the expense of personal spiritual growth.

He contrasts this with those who focus excessively on liturgy and personal piety, neglecting the needs of their community. Drawing on biblical texts from Amos and Isaiah, Sheen critiques the idea of isolating oneself spiritually while ignoring justice and action in the world.

Sheen emphasizes the need to balance both extremes, using the example of the Transfiguration, where Jesus reveals his glory on the mountaintop but then descends into the valley to heal a boy possessed by demons. The message is clear: profound spirituality should precede and inform action.

He further illustrates this balance through stories of social justice, particularly his own experience offering housing to the poor, which was rejected by activists who misunderstood the deeper spiritual foundation behind the action. He also highlights the example of Mother Teresa, whose spiritual discipline and prayer allowed her to truly serve the destitute.

Sheen concludes by stating that while economic and political liberation is essential, it must be rooted in personal enslavement to Christ, emphasizing that true liberation comes when we become slaves to God’s will, following the example of Christ. This spiritual foundation must precede all social action to ensure it is not mere busywork, but truly transformative.

This speech calls for a balance of deep prayer and spirituality with active engagement in the world, guided by the ultimate aim of individual and collective justice rooted in faith.

This podcast episode features a sermon by Fulton Sheen, focusing on the theme "Spectators on and About the Cross" in his 58th Good Friday address. Sheen categorizes the spectators of Christ's crucifixion into three types: the indifferent or fallen away, those in pain, and those who love.

Sheen begins with the indifferent spectators, likening them to those who have lost faith yet cannot completely detach themselves from it. He emphasizes that despite their apparent disinterest, there’s a subconscious engagement with faith, an underlying hope for redemption, and an invitation to return to it.

Next, he talks about the spectators of pain, represented by the two thieves crucified alongside Christ. He describes their different responses to their suffering - one seeks escape from pain while the other seeks redemption. Sheen uses this to discuss the broader theme of pain in human life, suggesting that pain can be a medium through which we understand our flaws and draw closer to God.

Finally, Sheen addresses the spectators of love, focusing on Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary at the foot of the cross. He contrasts "need love," which arises from our deficiencies, with "gift love," which is selfless and sacrificial. The Virgin Mary, for Sheen, exemplifies this selfless love, having wholly identified with Jesus’s mission.

Sheen concludes by reflecting on the scars of Christ as symbols of love and sacrifice, urging listeners to find strength and meaning in their own suffering and to use it as a bridge to connect with the divine. He emphasizes the transformative power of love and suffering in bringing humans closer to God.

In his enlightening sermon, Bishop Fulton Sheen takes his audience through the captivating journey of love, likening it to the unfolding drama of a theatrical play. He introduces the concept of love and courtship with a light-hearted approach, using the analogy of theater music before the curtain rise to describe the anticipation and excitement that precedes a romantic relationship.

Bishop Sheen expertly outlines the four distinct stages of romantic development. The first stage, "Togetherness," is marked by the innocent and carefree interaction between young boys and girls. Here, Sheen highlights the natural, uncomplicated relationships that exist before the awareness of sexual differences comes into play.

The second stage, "Separation," is characterized by a period of divergence, where boys and girls consciously distance themselves from each other. Sheen humorously notes the reluctance of boys and girls to be associated with each other during this phase, emphasizing its importance in allowing both genders to develop their unique characteristics and strengths.

In the third stage, "Crystallization," teenagers begin to view each other with a sense of idealization, often attributing extraordinary qualities to one another. Sheen delves into the psychology behind this, explaining how this stage reflects a deeper yearning for infinite happiness and love. He cautions, however, against mistaking this glorification for true love.

Finally, Bishop Sheen discusses "Courtship," the stage where true love and compatibility are tested. He proposes several criteria for a successful courtship, including affinity beyond physical attraction, sacrifice and selflessness in men, femininity and nurturing in women, and the ability to pray together. These elements, according to Sheen, are essential for a relationship that transcends physical attraction and aligns with divine love.

Throughout the sermon, Bishop Sheen uses humor, poignant anecdotes, and insightful observations to engage his audience. His message is clear: true love is a journey that goes beyond mere physical attraction, reaching into the realms of spiritual and emotional compatibility, ultimately reflecting the divine love of God. This sermon, with its blend of wisdom and wit, is a compelling exploration of the complexities and joys of human relationships, making it an ideal topic for podcast listeners interested in understanding the deeper aspects of love and courtship.

In his enlightening sermon, Fulton Sheen addresses a youthful audience, blending humor and profound insights to explore the concepts of good, evil, and the diabolic in modern life. He starts with light anecdotes to engage his listeners, illustrating how easily we can be swayed by superficial pleasures and how different our perceptions can be as tourists versus residents in life's moral landscapes.

Sheen recounts the story of a missionary in Vietnam encountering a possibly possessed child, segueing into a deeper discussion on the nature of the devil from both psychiatric and theological perspectives. He observes that as religious practices diminish, secular disciplines often adopt and distort these concepts, citing the example of psychiatrists discussing the demonic as theologians shy away from it.

From a psychiatric viewpoint, Sheen discusses Rolo May's analysis of the diabolic, focusing on its nature to disrupt unity and create discord. This is exemplified in various societal divisions, including those within the Church. Biblically, Sheen interprets the essence of the satanic as a hatred of the cross of Christ, a theme he traces through the temptations of Jesus and Peter's reaction to Christ's prediction of his suffering and death.

Sheen emphasizes that the satanic tempts with shortcuts to avoid the cross, promoting permissiveness, the allure of wonders, and the reduction of theology to mere politics. He warns of the rise of the demonic and the importance of recognizing how Christ and Satan appear to us before and after sin – Christ as an obstacle before sin but a defender after, and Satan as a seeming ally before sin but an accuser after.

Concluding, Sheen underscores the power of the Holy Name of Jesus, the blood of Christ, and devotion to the Blessed Mother as weapons against Satan. He encourages embracing the cross and sharing the message of Christ's sacrifice, reminding his audience that at the end of life, we face either the merciful face of Christ or the terrifying face of Satan, with each claiming 'Mine'. The sermon is a compelling call to understand and resist the satanic, emphasizing the timeless relevance of the cross in Christian life.

In his profound speech, Bishop Fulton Sheen emphasizes the ongoing and often overlooked battle between the forces of good and evil. He laments the modern trend of either trivializing or denying the existence of the devil, warning that such ignorance empowers evil. Sheen explores the stark contrast between God's self-definition as "I am who am" and the devil's as "I am who am not," highlighting the devil's strength in being denied or ignored.

Sheen uses a poetic narrative to question the absence of spiritual leadership in society, and he critiques the silence of theologians on the topic of Satan and his relevance in the contemporary world. He references renowned poets and thinkers like William Butler Yeats and Friedrich Nietzsche to illustrate society's fear of impending doom and the rise of the antichrist.

Delving into the diabolic from both psychiatric and biblical perspectives, Sheen describes it as a force of division, aggression, and confusion. He stresses the importance of recognizing and resisting these forces in the church and within ourselves. Sheen admonishes the decline of discipline and the love of the cross in modern times, seeing these as indicators of diabolic influence.

Furthermore, Sheen explores the contrasting roles of Christ and Satan before and after sin. Christ appears as an obstacle during temptation but becomes a defender after sin, offering forgiveness and peace. In contrast, Satan acts as an ally during temptation but turns into an accuser post-sin, leading to despair and guilt.

Sheen concludes by warning of a rise in open Satanism and the urgent need for true faith and dedication to Christ-like values. He underscores the inevitability of confronting either the benevolent face of Christ or the malevolent face of Satan at life's end, urging a decision on where one's allegiance lies.

Bishop Fulton Sheen's sermon from 1966 addresses the deep-rooted cultural crisis masked as a sexual revolution, focusing particularly on the glorification of homosexuality and other sexual deviations. He argues that these phenomena are not isolated sexual issues but reflections of a broader cultural decay, where moral relativism blurs the lines between right and wrong. Sheen suggests that such glorifications are symptomatic of a society estranged from eternal truths and grappling with anxiety, loneliness, and fear. He urges a reevaluation of cultural values and a return to a moral framework that respects the dignity and sacredness of human relationships, beyond mere physical gratification.