Love One Another
During his presentations, Archbishop Sheen would offer his trademark words of benediction, "God love you". Sheen explained that this phrase "God love you" means God is love, God loves you, and you ought to love God in return.
Along with his familiar parting phrase of "God love you", Archbishop Sheen was known for beginning his lectures with the greeting "Friends". This salutation had a twofold meaning: he was referring to the scripture passage "I no longer call you servants ... instead, I have called you friends." (John 15:15). And, he wanted to make friends with men and women of all faiths, in the hope of gradually helping them to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
With love as its central focus, this anthology begins with a collection of essays and prayers compiled by Fulton Sheen under the title 'Love One Another'. (Published by P.J. Kenedy & Sons, New York in 1944.)
In these writings, Sheen speaks to Catholics, Protestants, and Jews regarding the fostering of friendships between various religious groups.
Additionally, he makes several practical suggestions on how to improve relations between people of varying backgrounds. An array of reflections is presented for devotional inspiration, simultaneously laying out a groundwork in spiritual values proven to facilitate harmonious relationships.
The are some who have considered this work a 'must-read' for those sincerely interested in seeking the attainment of a genuine brotherhood of man. Others may find in this collection, some prayerful and practical solutions to many of today's most challenging interpersonal problems.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen made it clear that the command given by Jesus 'to love your neighbor as yourself', is clearly an effective answer to combating the sin of intolerance.
During one of his radio addresses in 1944, Archbishop Sheen fondly said, "I have always addressed you as friends, and you know that unseen friends are sometimes the best friends. To say 'my friends', would be to claim a privilege. But friends are the expression of a hope. A hope that by listening to me, I may with traitorous trueness and with loyal deceit, betray you into the hands of the God of Love and Mercy."
Friends, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, and that you also love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)
