Bishop Sheen & Don Dolindo exploring Counterfeit Delight and Authentic Bliss
Contrasting the Burdens of Vice and Freedom of Virtue
Have you ever felt tempted to view something questionable online but paused knowing it degrades rather than uplifts? This inner tug-of-war highlights a deeper spiritual tension: the alluring temptation of sin stands in stark contrast to the peace and freedom found in submitting to God. This spiritual battle plays out in the inner life of every believer. As the Psalmist declares, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked” (Psalm 1:1). Yet while sin may appear pleasant in the moment, it ultimately leads to bondage, despair and separation from the joy of God’s presence.
Both renowned Catholic figures Bishop Fulton Sheen and the Servant of God Don Dolindo Ruotolo eloquently capture this contrast between the temporary hollow pleasures of sin and the enduring hope and satisfaction found in Christ. Though speaking decades apart, striking parallels emerge in how these men of faith describe the spiritual dynamics at work before and after we give into allurement of temptation.
In a televised presentation, Bishop Sheen paints a vivid picture of how “Our Lord appears before we sin and how Satan appears before we sin.” Christ stands as a barrier before the believer, warning “Thou shalt not go this way.” At first, this feels restrictive like God wants to limit our freedom and fun. In contrast, Satan whispers enticements in our ear: “We don’t believe those things anymore; times have changed.” The devil encourages us to throw off moral constraints: “You have to live; you have to be yourself.” Before we give in, evil masquerades as something positive and liberating.
Don Dolindo likewise warns how Satan first “cannot directly penetrate the sanctuary of the soul, but it can make it a prisoner by possessing the body.” (Don Dolindo’s commentary on St Mark, chapter 5). Through the senses, especially sight and touch, the devil draws the believer from prayer into sensual indulgence and forbidden pleasures. As in the Garden of Eden where the serpent tempted Eve, Satan still disguises himself as an angel of light, making evil appear good and alluring.
This confirms Paul’s warning not to “be deceived” for “bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). The allurement of temptation sets up a stark contrast between following God’s wise boundaries or abandoning oneself to destructive passions. Don Dolindo describes how yielding to the devil’s subtle enticements takes the believer down a slippery slope: “Unsatisfied, the soul is driven by the demon to know the same miseries in others, to expand towards sensual creatures, to desire to almost increase the object of her passions.” Sin breeds more sin, obsession feeds obsession.
Yet tragically, after we take the bait of temptation and indulge that forbidden pleasure, the enjoyable facade evaporates. Bishop Sheen observes, “However, after we sin then the roles are reversed. Then Christ becomes the defender and the devil becomes the accuser.” That pleasantly rebellious Satan morphs into a harsh taskmaster of despair whispering: “You might just as well give up...you’re about to be caught.” In the agony of guilt and shame, the defiant freedom of sin twists into slavery and imprisonment.
Don Dolindo echoes this tragic aftermath of yielding to temptation’s allurement: “Those who are with God are at peace, clothed in grace, and reason, while those who allow themselves to be deceived by Satan lose all tranquility, are stripped of spiritual goods, and do not reason.” Whereas Christ’s presence brings wholeness, the devil’s seductions lead to fragmentation. Just as demoniacs in Scripture cried out naked and deranged among the tombs, so yielding oneself to evil brings madness and destitution.
Yet even when we fall for temptation’s allure, hope remains as Bishop Sheen concludes: “Now Christ is our defender; He said come to me all ye who labor... If your sins are a scarlet they shall be made white as snow and if they are as red as crimson they shall be made white as wool.” God stands ready to restore the broken, lift up the fallen. As James 4:7 invites: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
The spiritual battle continues, but armed with truth we can stand firm. By God’s grace, may we reject the hollow freedom promised by sin and revel in the true peace and joy only found in submitting ourselves fully to Christ.
Dear Mother Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel, you know well the spiritual battles explored by our wise guides Bishop Sheen and Don Dolindo. As you stood sorrowfully at the foot of your Son’s cross (John 19:25), you witnessed the dreadful fruits of giving sin’s passing enticements power over our eternal souls. Pray for us, Virgin Most Prudent, when we grow weary and the lion prowls (1 Peter 5:8). Ask your Son to give us the grace to stand fast when lured by counterfeit delight. Help us run with perseverance rejecting the easy road (Hebrews 12:1). Through your gentle counsel, may we find authentic bliss (Luke 1:28) in pleasing God alone, neither enslaved by the passions of our baser nature (Romans 6:12) nor mastered by anything but the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). You are the seat of wisdom. Obtain for us, we humbly beseech you, the peace and freedom that comes from submitting wholeheartedly to Christ (James 4:7). With Him all weights fall away (Matthew 11:30) and our inward chained ones go free (Luke 13:16). We fly to your motherly protection from sin’s venom and misery. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us. Amen.