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The Cross and the Beatitudes: Lessons on Love and Forgiveness
This classic work from the pen of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen brings together Christ's Sermon on the Mount with his Seven Last Words. From the Mount of the Beatitudes to the Hill of Calvary, Our Lord's public ministry and statements centered on the themes of love and forgiveness, which are explored here with Archbishop Sheen's characteristic insight and passion.
96 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1937
About the author
Fulton J. Sheen
378 books636 followersArchbishop Fulton John Sheen, born Peter John Sheen was an American archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. His cause for canonization for sainthood was officially opened in 2002, and so he is now referred to as a "Servant of God".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 11, 2013
The Cross and the Beatitudes is a short work by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. I won't go into great detail on who Venerable Sheen is as I expect my older audience will immediately recognize that name. However, for my younger audience, I encourage you to find out more about this great man. He was a brilliant writer and "televangelist" who was VERY popular in the 1950s with his television show called "Life is Worth Living." He was definitely a prophet for his time and Blessed (soon to be Saint) John Paul II said of him, "You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are a loyal son of the Church." That's very high praise.
At under 100 pages, The Cross and the Beatitudes, is a quick, but profound read. If you're like me, you have read or been taught a lot about both the Beatitudes and Jesus' last words from the Cross. However, I have never seen them juxtaposed, and it was a truly fascinating study. Archbishop Sheen explains to us that Jesus preached the Beatitudes at the Sermon on the Mount. However, he lived them at Golgotha. One may wonder how he was able to link the Seven Last Words on the Cross when there are eight beatitudes. He was able to do this, because the eighth Beatitude, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, "is a confirmation and a declaration of all those that precede."
While each of these seven chapters provided wisdom and clarity, the one that spoke to me most was "The Second Word," which juxtaposed "Blessed are the merciful" for they shall obtain mercy," with, "This day you shall be with me in Paradise." In this chapter, Archbishop Sheen elaborates on the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. He explains how Heaven rejoices over the lost soul being found (saved) as opposed to the already saved souls. He then talks about the Good Thief to the right of our crucified Lord, who showed the full amount of mercy he could to not only Jesus, but also the thief on the left of Jesus. Tradition refers to him as St. Dismas, and as he was the saint I chose going through the RCIA program, I have a special devotion to him.
The Cross and the Beatitudes is a book you can read in an hour, but it is not one that you should attempt to read in an hour. If you speed through this book, you will surely miss some of the great truths it contains. Take the time. Meditate on this book. It would make a great book to read during Lent, but it's message is applicable at any season in the year. So pick up this 5-star book and expose yourself to the wisdom of Venerable Fulton Sheen. Pray for his intercession so that he may become a saint. Then, read another of his works. I recommend A Brief Life of Christ.
At under 100 pages, The Cross and the Beatitudes, is a quick, but profound read. If you're like me, you have read or been taught a lot about both the Beatitudes and Jesus' last words from the Cross. However, I have never seen them juxtaposed, and it was a truly fascinating study. Archbishop Sheen explains to us that Jesus preached the Beatitudes at the Sermon on the Mount. However, he lived them at Golgotha. One may wonder how he was able to link the Seven Last Words on the Cross when there are eight beatitudes. He was able to do this, because the eighth Beatitude, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, "is a confirmation and a declaration of all those that precede."
While each of these seven chapters provided wisdom and clarity, the one that spoke to me most was "The Second Word," which juxtaposed "Blessed are the merciful" for they shall obtain mercy," with, "This day you shall be with me in Paradise." In this chapter, Archbishop Sheen elaborates on the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. He explains how Heaven rejoices over the lost soul being found (saved) as opposed to the already saved souls. He then talks about the Good Thief to the right of our crucified Lord, who showed the full amount of mercy he could to not only Jesus, but also the thief on the left of Jesus. Tradition refers to him as St. Dismas, and as he was the saint I chose going through the RCIA program, I have a special devotion to him.
The Cross and the Beatitudes is a book you can read in an hour, but it is not one that you should attempt to read in an hour. If you speed through this book, you will surely miss some of the great truths it contains. Take the time. Meditate on this book. It would make a great book to read during Lent, but it's message is applicable at any season in the year. So pick up this 5-star book and expose yourself to the wisdom of Venerable Fulton Sheen. Pray for his intercession so that he may become a saint. Then, read another of his works. I recommend A Brief Life of Christ.
September 13, 2020
An excellent must read for every Roman Catholic!
March 1, 2023
I speed read this for book club but definitely think it can be read slower as a meditative practice. So many good gems of wisdom in here.
This book reads like a sermon or homily, with the conviction of truth and cross references to Scripture and Christ's Passion, but with easy understanding and accessibility to all. Sheen breaks down the Beatitudes piece by piece and ties them together with words Christ spoke on the cross. A beautifully done work, short and sweet, but a wealth of knowledge.
This book reads like a sermon or homily, with the conviction of truth and cross references to Scripture and Christ's Passion, but with easy understanding and accessibility to all. Sheen breaks down the Beatitudes piece by piece and ties them together with words Christ spoke on the cross. A beautifully done work, short and sweet, but a wealth of knowledge.
September 1, 2018
A short, pretty standard book from Fulton Sheen. He's eloquent with his words, expressive in his ideas, and traditional in his religious approach. If you're Catholic like that, he'll probably speak to you.
December 30, 2018
Small Package. Big Gift.
It's almost as if he's writing about everything that's happening right this minute. He couldn't know the names of the current world players, but he knows their ways. The good ways and the bad ways never change.
He speaks of the good, and tells us how we cannot help but share it and how all of us can have joy in it. He speaks of the bad, and tells us how we isolate ourselves in it it and suffer in loneliness because of it. In both good and bad, others learn from us whether we intend to teach or not.
He doesn't expect that all Christians are Catholics, though he is wholly committed to his beloved church and its ways. As did Billy Graham, he presents Jesus as someone with whom he has an intimate and warm relationship. Jesus is such a dear friend that he wants to the two of you to get to know each other better. He knows we would all be happier if you did, but he is gracious enough to respect how hard it is to accept and believe in that.
All he asks here is that you take a chance and listen for a little while.
He writes so lovingly and kindly it will do you good. Even if that's all you take from him, it is still a beautiful thing for your heart.
It's almost as if he's writing about everything that's happening right this minute. He couldn't know the names of the current world players, but he knows their ways. The good ways and the bad ways never change.
He speaks of the good, and tells us how we cannot help but share it and how all of us can have joy in it. He speaks of the bad, and tells us how we isolate ourselves in it it and suffer in loneliness because of it. In both good and bad, others learn from us whether we intend to teach or not.
He doesn't expect that all Christians are Catholics, though he is wholly committed to his beloved church and its ways. As did Billy Graham, he presents Jesus as someone with whom he has an intimate and warm relationship. Jesus is such a dear friend that he wants to the two of you to get to know each other better. He knows we would all be happier if you did, but he is gracious enough to respect how hard it is to accept and believe in that.
All he asks here is that you take a chance and listen for a little while.
He writes so lovingly and kindly it will do you good. Even if that's all you take from him, it is still a beautiful thing for your heart.
July 7, 2021
Who would think that there is any correlation or connection between the last seven words of Christ as He died on the Cross and the Beatitudes from Christ's Sermon on the Mount?
Obviously Bishop Fulton J. Sheen found lessons worth writing this profound book to explain just exactly that. The Seven Chapters -which I read one daily so that I could thoroughly understand and appreciate the Bishop's lessons, are in the order of Christ's last words. The 7 [of the 8] Beatitudes are strategically placed matching the wisdom generated between the two.
Truly I was amazed because the writing is so succinct that I could understand it, but yet wonder why I had not previously considered what he was explaining. I have to admit that I have read, and am currently reading, other works of Bishop Sheen and am finding the same amazement. Keeping in mind that the original of this work was written in 1937, but that it has been republished, the reader, at least I wished that every Catholic, indeed every Christian, would take the time to read and cherish it.
Obviously Bishop Fulton J. Sheen found lessons worth writing this profound book to explain just exactly that. The Seven Chapters -which I read one daily so that I could thoroughly understand and appreciate the Bishop's lessons, are in the order of Christ's last words. The 7 [of the 8] Beatitudes are strategically placed matching the wisdom generated between the two.
Truly I was amazed because the writing is so succinct that I could understand it, but yet wonder why I had not previously considered what he was explaining. I have to admit that I have read, and am currently reading, other works of Bishop Sheen and am finding the same amazement. Keeping in mind that the original of this work was written in 1937, but that it has been republished, the reader, at least I wished that every Catholic, indeed every Christian, would take the time to read and cherish it.
April 16, 2022
The edition I just completed is actually a first edition from 1937. Just 87 pages of text in large font and small pages -- perfect for reflections on the seven days of Holy Week.
I was not as impressed with this work as some of Sheen's other books. At the beginning of each chapter, he pairs a Beatitude with a Last Word but, in my estimation, does not necessarily follow through making the connection. His insights are always powerful, to be sure, but they do not seem to always fit very well with the theme.
His despising of Communism comes through explicitly in each chapter. Although, this evil ideology is prominent in our world today, it still makes the text feel dated as he was obviously speaking of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, considering the threat of China, North Korea, and others, his warnings and admonitions are worth considering.
Nevertheless, this short entry is worth a read any time of year.
I was not as impressed with this work as some of Sheen's other books. At the beginning of each chapter, he pairs a Beatitude with a Last Word but, in my estimation, does not necessarily follow through making the connection. His insights are always powerful, to be sure, but they do not seem to always fit very well with the theme.
His despising of Communism comes through explicitly in each chapter. Although, this evil ideology is prominent in our world today, it still makes the text feel dated as he was obviously speaking of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, considering the threat of China, North Korea, and others, his warnings and admonitions are worth considering.
Nevertheless, this short entry is worth a read any time of year.
October 8, 2017
What a beautifully written book. After I read the first chapter I had to put it down and then start over again a few days later because this is a book that requires your full attention and meditation afterwards. The last chapter when he speaks of the Lesson of Mourning touched my heart so profoundly that I could barely read through my tears because what he was saying was so absolutely beautiful. Everything that he wrote about in this book that was relevant decades ago is still relevant today. I look forward to reading more books written by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen.
February 4, 2023
This is a simple, relatively short Sheen classic that I read on Kindle. I started it almost a week ago when I realized the Sunday Gospel was on Matthew 5–the Beatitudes. If you’re familiar with Sheen’s work, you know it’s always great, but I’ll summarize this book as Sheen does near the end, in noting how the Beatitudes move from fast to feast, just. Like we hope our lives will move from fast to feast, from sorrow to joy, in Heaven.
March 17, 2018
I have come to love reading Archbishop Sheen's works because of the solid teaching, encouragement and challenge these books provide. The Cross and the Beatitudes is no exception. Taking the seven last words of Jesus as yet another invitation to live the beatitudes, Archbishop Sheen provided an opportunity to grow closer to Christ through His passion. Truly suffering adds depth to our beatitude!
January 24, 2023
There are some good insights in this, but as a Protestant, I'm not liking the references to Mary as exclusively sinless and not guilty of Jesus crucifixion... that and the defense of veneration of saints. As much as Catholics say they don't worship Mary, they do, in fact, unbiblically regard her as divine and sinless.
April 1, 2018
Short but beautifully written spiritual book. I never thought of any connection between the Beatitudes on the Mount and Christ's last words on the cross. The approach is remarkably fruitful as it addresses the struggles we all face: forgiveness, mercy, and humility. Highly recommended.
May 4, 2022
Classic Fulton J Sheen
Bishop Sheen breaks open the Word of God in a very powerful and easily understood manner. Heartily recommended to anyone who wishes to enhance his or her faith.
Bishop Sheen breaks open the Word of God in a very powerful and easily understood manner. Heartily recommended to anyone who wishes to enhance his or her faith.
April 22, 2019
Inspiring
Typical Bishop Fulton Sheen..making the New Testament come alive in ways only he can. As only a true Man of God can!
Typical Bishop Fulton Sheen..making the New Testament come alive in ways only he can. As only a true Man of God can!
June 24, 2020
Sheen was truly an insightful writer. I found the correlation between the 7 last words and the beatitudes inspirational reading.
November 20, 2021
I usually have a hard time digesting Blessed Fulton Sheen’s writing, but this one was in bite-sized chunks. Per normal, I pulled amazing thoughts from his words and am ever thankful for his life.
April 19, 2022
By linking thec7 Beatitudes to the 7 Last Words, Fulton Sheen provides deep insights to both the Beatitudes and the Last Words.
April 7, 2023
Beautiful reflections on the juxtaposition of the Beatitudes and Christ’s 7 last words from the Cross. You can’t ever go wrong with Archbishop Sheen!!
June 6, 2018
Best Explanation of the Beatitudes
I read this in preparation for a women’s retreat on the Beatitudes. So glad I did— now I understand them better and feel prepared for discussion. The book is both precise and concise, which helped this reader: No getting lost in the author’s wordiness and wandering.
I read this in preparation for a women’s retreat on the Beatitudes. So glad I did— now I understand them better and feel prepared for discussion. The book is both precise and concise, which helped this reader: No getting lost in the author’s wordiness and wandering.
January 16, 2014
As I often say with these small books, I am amazed by their wisdom and depth despite how short they are, but now add the fact that it was written by a Venerable Archbishop of the previous century who is on his road to Sainthood and you would be surprised the degree of the relevance that suddenly gets added to it. This book will keep you engaged, I have tried to read Patristic commentaries on the The Beatitudes, but nothing seems to compare for me then when I read this short book. Highly recommended, highly re-readable too.
December 13, 2017
Excellent spiritual reading.
Fulton Sheen is a paragon of quotability, and sentence after sentence of his writings could easily be put on a poster or the back of a t-shirt. So though this is a short book, it is not one to fly through. I found myself just pondering some of the insights and aphorisms as they came at me like an avalanche.
Connecting the Beatitudes to Christ's words on the cross is a remarkably fruitful approach, and the book is replete with Sheen's characteristic rousing call to evangelization. Definitely a book I will be returning to.
Fulton Sheen is a paragon of quotability, and sentence after sentence of his writings could easily be put on a poster or the back of a t-shirt. So though this is a short book, it is not one to fly through. I found myself just pondering some of the insights and aphorisms as they came at me like an avalanche.
Connecting the Beatitudes to Christ's words on the cross is a remarkably fruitful approach, and the book is replete with Sheen's characteristic rousing call to evangelization. Definitely a book I will be returning to.
November 15, 2010
Great Great Book! Fulton Sheen writes so beautifully. This book is a very easy read. It addresses all the small things we all struggle with, like forgiveness, mercy, and humility. I am really glad I read this book.
March 21, 2014
These were excellent, short meditations on both the Beatitudes and Jesus' Seven Last Words from the Cross and a great look at growing in virtue. I read this on retreat, and hope to read it again sometime.
August 12, 2015
This is a great book tying the words of Jesus on the cross with his words in life (the beatitudes). It was interesting, informative and relatable to one's own life. Also, it is not too long -- good shorter read.
Want to read
January 11, 2011CWN review: A pithy, meditative book, long on thought. Powerful meditations tying the Beatitudes in with persons mentioned in the New Testament. Worth reading several times.
November 22, 2013
a brilliant similitude between the last words of Jesus & the beatitudes...
April 3, 2016
A great relation of Jesus' ministry on the Mount and to his testimony on the cross. Short book but worth every page!
March 30, 2016
Fulton Sheen is an amazing author. This book is one that I go back to every year for a few pages or a few chapters...
November 18, 2019
It is a great meditation for lent and Good Friday.
March 20, 2013
Lent 2013
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews