In his seventh talk during the Dublin retreat, Archbishop Fulton Sheen meditates on the crucifixion and the profound symbolism of the cross. He begins by discussing the world's relationship with symbols and the difficulty of embracing the cross, regarded as a symbol of contradiction. Sheen reflects on the historical avoidance of the cross's imagery during times of Church decline, emphasizing its central role in understanding Christ's message. The talk then delves into the crucifixion scene, with Sheen highlighting the reactions of those present, ranging from apathy and antipathy to empathy. He eloquently describes the cross as uniting both friends and foes of Christ, foreseeing a future where the cross would be a symbol of division in the world.

Sheen elaborates on the first words spoken by Christ on the cross, "Father, forgive them," linking the act of forgiveness to the shedding of blood and the remission of sins. He explores the theological significance of this moment, drawing connections to Old Testament sacrifices and the culmination of Christ's sacrifice as the ultimate atonement. The talk further examines the dynamic between Jesus and the two thieves crucified alongside him, representing the ultimate judgment and the choice between rejection and acceptance of Christ's salvation.

Sheen concludes by contemplating the relationship between Jesus and his mother, Mary, at the foot of the cross, portraying it as a nuptial between the New Adam and the New Eve, symbolizing the birth of the Church. This profound reflection positions the cross not only as a sign of Christ's suffering but also as a beacon of hope and salvation, inviting the clergy to find strength and purpose in its message.

In this session, Archbishop Fulton Sheen emphasizes the declining love of the Eucharist among priests and society. He introduces the idea of the daily holy hour in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament as a concrete solution. Sheen argues that this practice, rooted in biblical references, helps combat evil, make intercession, and contributes to personal and spiritual growth. He challenges priests to prioritize this daily hour, stating that it aligns with Christ's request for companionship in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Archbishop asserts that priests are not merely ministers but are engaged in a deeper mission of saving and reconciling.

In this session, Archbishop Fulton Sheen explores the theology of serving society rooted in Christ. He begins with a prayer, asking for guidance in understanding the mission to society as ambassadors of Christ. Sheen emphasizes the need for a theology of serving society, pointing out that while there is plenty of philosophy and sociology, understanding the mission in Christ is crucial.

The Archbishop then delves into the nature of Christ, focusing on the fact that Christ had no human person, only the divine person. This lack of human personhood allows Christ to incorporate all of humanity and their experiences. Sheen highlights the importance of understanding the mission to society rooted in Christ rather than mere philosophy or sociology.

The concept of harmonization is introduced, suggesting that Christ, through his life experiences, took into his humanity all human tragedy. Sheen goes on to discuss how Christ harmonized infancy, youth, labor, and universalized all humanity, including Gentiles.

The Archbishop concludes by drawing practical conclusions from the incarnation. The first conclusion is vulnerability – the idea that priests, as ambassadors of Christ, need to be sensitive and open to the wounds and pains of humanity. The second conclusion is the centrality of the Eucharist, which becomes the foundation for the love of neighbor, especially when dealing with the physical needs of others.

Sheen encourages a unified theology of Christ and social work, arguing against divisions in the Church and presenting vulnerability and the Eucharist as essential components of serving society.

In the fourth session of the Dublin retreat, Archbishop Fulton Sheen explores the theme of liberation in the context of the priesthood, emphasizing the role of priests as instruments of Christ's mission. He introduces the session with a prayer, invoking the Holy Spirit for understanding the priestly mission of liberation rooted in Christ's passion, death, and resurrection.

Sheen begins by discussing the interconnectedness of demonology and eschatology, highlighting the spiritual battle against the forces of evil. He explains the cosmic disruption caused by sin and the consequent disorder in the world. Sheen delves into the concept of Christ as the liberator, who came to undo the devil's work by overcoming the disordered elements of the cosmos and humanity. This liberation is evident in Jesus' miracles, mastery over nature, and ultimate triumph over death.

Sheen then addresses the profound question of why Christ did not immediately restore the cosmos, suggesting that creation awaits the liberation of God's children. He cites St. Paul's epistle to the Romans, which speaks of creation groaning for redemption.

The discussion transitions to the cross as the climax of Christ's battle against evil. Sheen reflects on the different reactions of those present at the crucifixion – apathy, antipathy, and empathy – and the significance of Christ's words, "Father, forgive them." He explains the role of bloodshed in the remission of sins and the importance of the cross as a symbol of victory over Satan.

Sheen concludes by emphasizing the paradoxical nature of Christian liberation: true freedom and effectiveness in liberating souls come through being slaves of Christ. He describes the Roman triumphant procession and compares priests to captives in Christ's triumphal procession, spreading the fragrance of Christ's knowledge. The session ends with Sheen underscoring the solemn responsibility and profound calling of priests as members of Christ in this spiritual battle.

In this insightful session, Archbishop Fulton Sheen explores the fundamental virtue required for priests acting in persona Christi: obedience. Contrasting the popularity of poverty and chastity with the seemingly overlooked obedience, Sheen delves into its critical role in the priestly life. Drawing parallels between the earthly father and the divine Father, he examines the suffering involved in obedience. Through the lens of Christ's life, Sheen unravels how obedience generates faith and becomes the conduit for the increase of the Holy Spirit. The priest, as an ambassador of Christ, is challenged to embrace true obedience, a key to a profound union with the divine.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen, in the second session of the Dublin Retreat, addresses a pivotal misunderstanding arising from the Second Vatican Council regarding the priesthood. Diving into the Council's emphasis on priests as visible instruments of Christ, Sheen dismantles misconceptions and sheds light on the threefold office of Christ—teaching, governing, and sanctifying. Emphasizing the need for priests to empty themselves of ego and be lifted up as victims, Sheen underscores the centrality of the cross in priestly life. As ambassadors of Christ, priests find identity in Him, navigating a delicate balance between humility and elevation.

In this opening session of the retreat for the priests of Archdiocese of Dublin led by Archbishop Fulton Sheen in 1977, he reflects on the commonality of sin among all, emphasizing our shared need for redemption. Drawing inspiration from the story of Joshua in the Old Testament, he likens priests to brands plucked from the burning, showcasing God's mercy and calling. As he delves into the lives of biblical figures like Noah, Abraham, and Moses, Archbishop Sheen underscores that God chooses individuals not for their perfection but for their potential transformation. The session concludes with a call to priests to rekindle their love for the timeless truths of the faith and to reflect on Christ's question, "Do you love me?"

In this address, Bishop Fulton Sheen explores the humanity of Christ, emphasizing the often-overlooked aspect alongside His divinity. He delves into the contradiction presented in Isaiah and Hebrews regarding Christ being reckoned with sinners yet separated from them. Bishop Sheen explains how Christ's unlimited human nature, devoid of a human personality, encompasses the entire human experience. He explores the repercussions of Adam's sin and argues that through the incarnation, Christ incorporated the humanity of every individual. The address also touches on the concept of transference, with physical, psychic, and moral dimensions, illustrating how Christ bore the suffering, illnesses, and sins of humanity to bring salvation to all.

Bishop Fulton Sheen delves into the profound mystery of the Incarnation, explaining how God, in the person of Jesus Christ, united both divine and human natures. This intricate union, termed the Hypostatic Union, aims at redeeming humanity from sin. Sheen emphasizes the necessity for God to become man, as human actions, even when aiming to atone, fall short of addressing the infinite debt of sin. By taking on human nature, God, through Christ, becomes our representative, paying the infinite debt we owe to God. This enlightening discourse explores the theological intricacies of the Incarnation, unveiling the divine plan for human redemption.

Bishop Sheen discusses the four Gospels of the New Testament, explaining their different audiences and purposes. He begins with Matthew, who wrote primarily for a Jewish audience to demonstrate that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Matthew frequently quotes from the Old Testament to support this argument.

Next, Bishop Sheen discusses Mark, who wrote for a Roman audience. Mark emphasizes the authority and power of Jesus as he establishes dominion over evil and nature. He likely had the apostle Peter as an eyewitness source for his account.

Luke, on the other hand, wrote for a Greek audience. As a physician, he uses medical terms and shows a preference for stories of healing. Luke also narrates the virgin birth.

Finally, Bishop Sheen examines John's Gospel, which was written for a Christian audience. John focuses on the spiritual aspects of Jesus' ministry and provides insights into his deepest thoughts. He had the advantage of writing after the other Gospels and could presume that his readers already knew about the life of Christ.

Bishop Sheen concludes by highlighting the unique contributions of each Gospel and their importance in understanding the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.