The end of morality at West Point and a talk by Venerable Sheen

The first same-sex marriage took place today at the West Point Chapel. Here is the link. What follows is a paraphrased, loose, transcript of a talk given to the graduates of West Point in this chapel by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen.

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen's talk in this same chapel, entitled, The Centurions of Rome, is on a MP3 on line.

Thanks to Wiki

He was addressing generals and cadets. He said that as an American, he loved West Point. He said it was one of the "last bastion of order and discipline in the United States". He said that in 19 out of 20 civilizations decayed and fell, the military was the last to become decadent. The Venerable went to the New Testament and noted that the military was the only group to be shown in a good light. 25% of the priesthood slept in the Garden and the rest ran away. Lawyers did not show up well, neither did accountants or men of business. Neither did doctors look good in the New Testament. (Luke leaves out the woman who suffered under a physician, noted Sheen). He claimed that officers in the military were the only group shown in a good light in the New Testament. The soldiers "do not come out well"", but the officers who held rank, the centurions, are seen in a good light in the New Testament.

Centurions, as you know, were in charge of a 100 or 100s. As a group, they are unusual as they are named or at least highlighted. The Centurion of Capernaum was the first mentioned. He showed great faith, and an understanding of authority.

Venerable Sheen said this one loved the people and did them a favour by building the synagogue.

The second one mentioned is the one at the Crucifixion. That centurion was given the name Longinus in tradition, and is considered a saint. He was the one who noted that Christ was the Son of God.

Venerable Sheen said that Longinus revealed the Heart of Christ to us in the Blood and Water from the Side of Christ-the Blood of Salvation and the Water of Sanctification.

The third centurion is Cornelius, who is in the first window on the right in the Cadet Chapel as mentioned by Sheen. His army is mentioned; this is important as a detail in Acts..

Cornelius had given alms to the poor. This is noted in the Acts. You can look up the references in Scripture to all of these men. Cornelius as you know, called for St. Peter. He and his family were converted and the Centurion is the first Gentile received into the Church-a military officer.

Another two Centurions are mentioned, Claudius and Julius and we know their names because of St. Luke's exactness in writing the Acts of the Apostles. Sheen noted the importance of this naming. Claudius, the Centurion, was instrumental in rescuing Paul from the riot in the synagogue. 200 horsemen, 70 spear-men and 70 others were sent to get Paul out of Jerusalem by this Centurion. Sheen in his wonderful way painted the picture of this clearly. Paul, of course, appeals to Caesar in this tale and Paul was put into the hands of  Julius, whom he warns to not leave because of the storm. This is the famous shipwreck on Malta, one of my favourite themes on this blog.

In Rome, finally, Paul was put under another Roman officer, allowed to preach and write and meet people.

Sheen then noted that there is one Commander above all the graduates, and that they are to be the guardians of civilization and morals.

This is no longer the case.

Thanks to Wiki

And, this is interesting, as I read this passage from Joshua below in the monastery as part of my daily readings and meditated on the meaning of the Lord of Hosts visiting Joshua before the great battle of Jericho. Sheen claimed the vision was of Jesus, the Leader of the Heavenly Armies. I quote the passage below, as this was an important meditation for me.

Joshua 5:13-15 DR
And when Josue was in the field of the city of Jericho, he lifted up his eyes, and saw a man standing over against him: holding a drawn sword, and he went to him, and said: Art thou one of ours, or of our adversaries?And he answered: No: but I am prince of the host of the Lord, and now I am come. Josue fell on his face to the ground. And worshipping, add: What saith my lord to his servant? Loose, saith he, thy shoes from off thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Josue did as was commanded him.

The Lord of the Heavenly Hosts is the Captain of these men. What a great sermon for these graduates. I add the entire section of the Scriptures above to which the saint refers because it stands in contrast to what happened today in the chapel. This is the end of civilization in the States.

Sadly, we have turned that corner with the fact that a senior chaplain has performed this mock marriage. The cadet chapel is pictured above. This event has made me absolutely sure that we have lost the culture war in America.