Episode 1927: The Pilgrimage of Faith: Strangers on Earth, Citizens of Heaven

"The Pilgrimage of Faith: Strangers on Earth, Citizens of Heaven"
In this episode, we delve into the profound wisdom of St. Augustine and Fulton J. Sheen, exploring the timeless truths of our Christian pilgrimage on earth and the profound mystery of the Incarnation. Join us as we reflect on the words of these great saints and deepen our understanding of our identity as Christians, called to journey through this world as strangers, yet anchored in the hope of our heavenly homeland.
Our identity as Christians and strangers on earth.
Reflection on St. Augustine's quote: "We are Christians, and strangers on earth. Let none of us be frightened; our native land is not in this world."
Exploring the concept of pilgrimage and our journey towards our heavenly homeland.
Let's break down St. Augustine's quote from a traditional Catholic perspective:
"We are Christians": This phrase emphasizes our identity as followers of Christ. In traditional Catholic theology, being a Christian means being baptized into the faith and committing oneself to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ as passed down through the Church.
"Strangers on earth": This acknowledges the temporal nature of our existence in this world. As Christians, we believe that our earthly life is temporary and transient. We are pilgrims journeying through this world, but our ultimate destination is the eternal kingdom of God.
"Let none of us be frightened": St. Augustine encourages us not to be afraid or anxious about our earthly journey. Despite the challenges and uncertainties we may face, we are called to trust in God's providence and guidance.
"Our native land is not in this world": This statement highlights the Christian belief in the heavenly homeland awaiting us beyond this life. Our true citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven, where we will experience the fullness of communion with God and eternal joy.
From a traditional Catholic perspective, St. Augustine's quote underscores the importance of keeping our focus on our ultimate goal – union with God in heaven – while navigating the trials and tribulations of earthly life. It reminds us to live with faith, hope, and courage, knowing that our true home is not in this world but in the eternal embrace of our loving Creator.
Fulton J. Sheen's perspective on the Incarnation: “Now man need not hide from God as Adam did; for He can be seen through Christ’s human nature. Christ did not gain one perfection more by becoming man, nor did He lose anything of what He possessed as God. There was the Almightiness of God in the movement of His arm, the infinite love of God in the beatings of His human heart and the Unmeasured Compassion of God to sinners in His eyes. God was now manifest in the flesh; this is what is called the Incarnation. The whole range of the Divine attributes of power and goodness, justice, love, beauty, were in Him. And when Our Divine Lord acted and spoke, God in His perfect nature became manifest to those who saw Him and heard Him and touched Him. As He told Philip later on: Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father [John 14:9].”

Deep dive into the mystery of the Incarnation and its implications for our faith.
How the Incarnation reveals the Divine attributes and brings God closer to humanity.
Practical implications for our Christian walk: living as citizens of heaven while navigating life on earth.
Let's break down Bishop Fulton Sheen's quote from a traditional Catholic perspective:

"Now man need not hide from God as Adam did": This refers to the story of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis, where after they sinned, they hid from God out of shame. Bishop Sheen highlights the significance of the Incarnation, stating that through Christ, humanity no longer needs to hide from God. Christ's coming into the world opens up the possibility of reconciliation between God and humanity.
"He can be seen through Christ’s human nature": Bishop Sheen emphasizes that in Christ, humanity can encounter God in a tangible way. Through Christ's human nature, God becomes visible and accessible to humanity, allowing for a direct encounter with the divine.
"Christ did not gain one perfection more by becoming man, nor did He lose anything of what He possessed as God": This highlights the doctrine of the Incarnation, affirming that in Christ, both his divine and human natures are fully present without diminishing or compromising either. Christ retains all the divine attributes while taking on human form.

"There was the Almightiness of God in the movement of His arm, the infinite love of God in the beatings of His human heart, and the Unmeasured Compassion of God to sinners in His eyes": Bishop Sheen vividly describes how the divine attributes are manifested in Christ's humanity. Every action, emotion, and expression of Christ reflects the nature of God, demonstrating His power, love, and mercy.

"God was now manifest in the flesh; this is what is called the Incarnation": Here, Bishop Sheen summarizes the essence of the Incarnation – the divine Word taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This central doctrine of Christianity affirms the union of the divine and human in Christ.

"And when Our Divine Lord acted and spoke, God in His perfect nature became manifest to those who saw Him and heard Him and touched Him": Bishop Sheen emphasizes the significance of Christ's actions and words as revealing the nature of God to humanity. Through Christ's life, teachings, and miracles, God's perfect nature is made known to those who encounter Him.

"As He told Philip later on: Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father [John 14:9]": Bishop Sheen concludes by referencing Jesus' words to Philip, affirming the unity of the Father and the Son. In seeing and knowing Christ, humanity encounters the fullness of God's revelation.
In summary, Bishop Fulton Sheen's quote highlights the profound theological implications of the Incarnation from a traditional Catholic perspective, emphasizing the unity of the divine and human in Christ and the revelation of God's nature through His earthly life.
Now for the daily verse!
"His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire."
–2 Peter 1:3-4
Let's break down 2 Peter 1:3-4 from a traditional Catholic perspective:

"His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion": This verse acknowledges that all that is necessary for a life of faith and devotion has been given to us by God. Through His divine power, God has provided us with the means to live a life pleasing to Him, which includes the graces and gifts necessary for spiritual growth and holiness.

"Through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power": The knowledge referred to here is not merely intellectual understanding but a personal and experiential knowledge of God. It is through our relationship with Christ, who called us by His own glory and power, that we come to understand and experience the depth of God's love and grace.
"Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises": These promises refer to the blessings and assurances that God has given to His people, including the promise of eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. These promises are described as "precious and very great" because they are of infinite value and significance to believers.

"So that through them you may come to share in the divine nature": This is a remarkable statement that reflects the Catholic belief in divinization or theosis – the process by which believers are transformed and made like God. Through the grace of God and participation in the sacraments, believers are united to Christ and enabled to share in His divine nature, becoming more like Him in holiness and virtue.

"After escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire": This refers to the moral corruption and sinfulness present in the world due to human disobedience and rebellion against God. Through faith in Christ and participation in the life of the Church, believers are called to turn away from sin and live according to God's will, thus escaping the corruption of the world and growing in holiness.

In summary, 2 Peter 1:3-4 from a traditional Catholic perspective emphasizes the abundant grace and blessings that God has bestowed upon believers through His divine power. It highlights the transformative power of faith in Christ, the precious promises of God, and the ultimate goal of sharing in the divine nature through union with Christ and the pursuit of holiness.
Conclusion: Embracing our identity as pilgrims of faith and finding hope in the promise of our eternal home.
This podcast episode would provide a rich exploration of these quotes from a traditional Catholic perspective, inviting listeners to contemplate the profound truths of our faith and how they shape our journey through life.