Fulton Sheen, A "New" Approach

“The presentation of religion had been principally from God to man, but now it will be from man to God. It will not start with the order in the universe alluding to the existence of a Creator of the cosmos; it will start with the disorder inside of man himself. It will take all the findings of our psychological age and use them as a springboard for the presentation of Divine Truths. . . .  

“I often wish that I were younger so that I might use this third approach which I have mentioned, namely, starting with the unhappiness inside of the human heart. The audience is always there, the opportunities are ever present. There is need to take hold of tortured souls like Peter, agnostics like Thomas and mystics like John and lead them to tears, to their knees or to resting on His Sacred Heart.”

- Fulton J. Sheen, Treasure In Clay, Chapter 6

When I read this last night, it seemed like Archbishop Sheen, writing in 1979, was making a prophecy of the New Evangelization. Sheen, whose cause for canonization is ongoing, is one of the foremost evangelists in recent history, reaching millions of listeners and viewers on radio and television, touching many hearts with the truth and love of the Gospel. For him to make this statement that he was wishing to be “younger” to utilize this newer method of evangelization, therefore, is quite a statement!

Where the New Evangelization begins is in our own hearts. Don’t we all need some healing, strength, affirmation, or rest for our wounded, weak, troubled, and restless hearts? Aren’t our hearts mixed with torture, unbelief, and unrelenting hope like Peter, Thomas, and John had? Is it not our time to rest on the Sacred Heart?

Thanks be to God, the richness and knowledge of this approach of the heart have grown incredibly since Sheen passed away.  With Venerable Sheen's intercession, may we not be afraid to be messengers of true fulfillment in Christ.