Christians are called to ‘Hold up the Sky’
It seems wherever I look Christians are afraid, complaining, or worse, actually causing others to succumb to fear or despair.
We are called to follow the One who stretched out His arms and embraced the whole world on that second tree on Calvary’s hill, doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. That Cross brought heaven to earth and earth to heaven, forming a bridge between them. With His great act of surrendered love, He who knew no sin ended the separation which resulted from it and created the world anew in Himself.
PrintCHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) – Most of those reading this article will easily remember the story. We heard it so many times when we were children we could repeat the beginning: “Chicken Little was in the woods one day when an acorn fell on her head. It scared her so much she trembled all over. She shook so hard, half her feathers fell out. Chicken Little: "Help! Help! The sky is falling! I have to go tell the king!" The story proceeds through many different encounters and ends with the little chicken learning the lessons of courage and the practicality of good preparation for every journey in life.
I fear that the condition of too many Christians these days is more akin to the fear demonstrated by Chicken Little than to the faith to which we are all called by Baptism. It seems wherever I look Christians are afraid, complaining, or worse, actually causing others to succumb to fear or despair. What happened to faith, hope and love, those “theological virtues” infused within us when we rose from those waters? Why, of all people, do those who know the real King and Sovereign of the entire universe so easily give in to the kind of crippling fear which is such an impediment to living faith?
I made a decision today which I invite my readers to consider. I am going to put up my spiritual umbrella every morning before I even open up my E Mails. Oh, do not get me wrong, I pray every morning. I could not do what I do daily and wear all these “hats” that accompany my specific vocation without having that intimate morning communion with the Lord. Only, I usually open up my E Mail’s over that cup of coffee before I pray. No more.
Too many “Chicken Littles” are using this great treasure of virtual community called the World Wide Web to throw acorns and I need my umbrella! For example, every morning I receive what can only be described as verbal missives from this one prolific Doctor who has decided he has a call to alarm everyone. I have decided today to add him to my blocked senders list. I have tried writing him notes of faith, encouragement and hope, but frankly he cannot seem to find one thing right with the world. Worse than that, he is constantly critical of the Church to which he belongs, sadly exhibiting a real lack of supernatural vision and ecclesial understanding.
Please, do not think that I am suffering from naïveté. I have been in the trenches for years. I truly grasp the gravity of the very real challenges and struggles we face in this contemporary culture of death. I understand the deep effects of what our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI rightly called the “Dictatorship of Relativism.” I know how hard it is to live as a Christian husband, father, grandfather, deacon, lawyer and activist in an age which has lost its moral compass.
However, perhaps because I have also spent years studying our Christian history, I also know that none of this is new. For example, the early Christians who went into a declining Roman empire had to contend with a culture of death that accepted as normal the placing of unwanted infants out on rocks to be either eaten by animals or taken by slave traders. It was a practice called “exposure.” Those early followers of Jesus Christ - and many, many other Christians throughout the ages - also had to face the rancid fruit that always accompanies a culture’s descent into hedonism and self idolatry. However, they went into their cultures as leaven and light, filled with faith, hope and love - and so must we.
We are called to follow the One who stretched out His arms and embraced the whole world on that second tree on Calvary’s hill, doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. That Cross brought heaven to earth and earth to heaven, forming a bridge between them. With His great act of surrendered love, He who knew no sin ended the separation which resulted from it and created the world anew in Himself. (See, 2 Cor. 5: 17 – 21) From the wounded side of the New Man, the Second Adam, Jesus Christ, the Church was formed and that Church is called to continue His redemptive work until He returns to complete the total recapitulation of all things. He defeated death by Death and through His glorious Resurrection He mediates the hope that we who bear His name can walk in, if we choose to do so.
So, let the acorns fall all around you, I assure you the sky is not falling, even if it appears to be. In fact, Christians are the ones called to hold the sky up for others by living our lives now in Christ and helping those bound by the fear of death to find new life in the One who conquered it. “Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life” (Heb 2:14-15)
I for one am going to practice a “new technology” version of what has long been called “custody of the eyes” in Moral theology. I am going to stop reading the growing number of naysayers in the camp who are losing the supernatural sight which is informed by faith and fueled by Christian hope. They are the Chicken Little’s of our own time and seem to have forgotten their umbrellas. Our Catechism reminds us in one of its numerous treatments concerning hope that “The first commandment is also concerned with sins against hope, namely, despair and presumption”. (CCC #2091)
By the way, remember the end of that little childhood story: “Chicken Little always carried an umbrella with her when she walked in the woods. The umbrella was a present from the king. And if — KERPLUNK — an acorn fell, Chicken Little didn't mind a bit. In fact, she didn't notice it at all.” Christians are called to ‘Hold up the Sky’
I fear that the condition of too many Christians these days is more akin to the fear demonstrated by Chicken Little than to the faith to which we are all called by Baptism. It seems wherever I look Christians are afraid, complaining, or worse, actually causing others to succumb to fear or despair. What happened to faith, hope and love, those “theological virtues” infused within us when we rose from those waters? Why, of all people, do those who know the real King and Sovereign of the entire universe so easily give in to the kind of crippling fear which is such an impediment to living faith?
I made a decision today which I invite my readers to consider. I am going to put up my spiritual umbrella every morning before I even open up my E Mails. Oh, do not get me wrong, I pray every morning. I could not do what I do daily and wear all these “hats” that accompany my specific vocation without having that intimate morning communion with the Lord. Only, I usually open up my E Mail’s over that cup of coffee before I pray. No more.
Too many “Chicken Littles” are using this great treasure of virtual community called the World Wide Web to throw acorns and I need my umbrella! For example, every morning I receive what can only be described as verbal missives from this one prolific Doctor who has decided he has a call to alarm everyone. I have decided today to add him to my blocked senders list. I have tried writing him notes of faith, encouragement and hope, but frankly he cannot seem to find one thing right with the world. Worse than that, he is constantly critical of the Church to which he belongs, sadly exhibiting a real lack of supernatural vision and ecclesial understanding.
Please, do not think that I am suffering from naïveté. I have been in the trenches for years. I truly grasp the gravity of the very real challenges and struggles we face in this contemporary culture of death. I understand the deep effects of what our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI rightly called the “Dictatorship of Relativism.” I know how hard it is to live as a Christian husband, father, grandfather, deacon, lawyer and activist in an age which has lost its moral compass.
However, perhaps because I have also spent years studying our Christian history, I also know that none of this is new. For example, the early Christians who went into a declining Roman empire had to contend with a culture of death that accepted as normal the placing of unwanted infants out on rocks to be either eaten by animals or taken by slave traders. It was a practice called “exposure.” Those early followers of Jesus Christ - and many, many other Christians throughout the ages - also had to face the rancid fruit that always accompanies a culture’s descent into hedonism and self idolatry. However, they went into their cultures as leaven and light, filled with faith, hope and love - and so must we.
We are called to follow the One who stretched out His arms and embraced the whole world on that second tree on Calvary’s hill, doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. That Cross brought heaven to earth and earth to heaven, forming a bridge between them. With His great act of surrendered love, He who knew no sin ended the separation which resulted from it and created the world anew in Himself. (See, 2 Cor. 5: 17 – 21) From the wounded side of the New Man, the Second Adam, Jesus Christ, the Church was formed and that Church is called to continue His redemptive work until He returns to complete the total recapitulation of all things. He defeated death by Death and through His glorious Resurrection He mediates the hope that we who bear His name can walk in, if we choose to do so.
So, let the acorns fall all around you, I assure you the sky is not falling, even if it appears to be. In fact, Christians are the ones called to hold the sky up for others by living our lives now in Christ and helping those bound by the fear of death to find new life in the One who conquered it. “Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life” (Heb 2:14-15)
I for one am going to practice a “new technology” version of what has long been called “custody of the eyes” in Moral theology. I am going to stop reading the growing number of naysayers in the camp who are losing the supernatural sight which is informed by faith and fueled by Christian hope. They are the Chicken Little’s of our own time and seem to have forgotten their umbrellas. Our Catechism reminds us in one of its numerous treatments concerning hope that “The first commandment is also concerned with sins against hope, namely, despair and presumption”. (CCC #2091)
By the way, remember the end of that little childhood story: “Chicken Little always carried an umbrella with her when she walked in the woods. The umbrella was a present from the king. And if — KERPLUNK — an acorn fell, Chicken Little didn't mind a bit. In fact, she didn't notice it at all.” Christians are called to ‘Hold up the Sky’
- - -
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
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The Love of God Conquers all
The love of God so great, so infusing, so overwhelming, it is everything we should strive for and live for. The love of God can conquer everything. Every ill, every hardship, all sadness, all depression, and all evil.
The love of God is shown when a child is born when, a triumph of life is accomplished, when the words of compassion and happiness are heard , when life is still, due to the love in your heart. The feeling you had at the very first kiss of your beloved, the birth of your first child, the feeling of "coming home" after a vacation or a long absence.
The feeling of cool air on your skin after a long hot day.
The love of God is apparent in the people you meet. If you haven’t felt it, then pay attention and on purpose be aware of who comes into your life, even if it is someone who is a stranger and just asks for the time. Or in the words spoken to you. God sends his messengers all the time, if you’re looking for an answer pay attention, God speaks to all of us everyday, in the news on TV on the radio, in the smile of a child.
This week let us be aware, aware that we are created in God’s own image, and that we should act like the Princes and Princess’ that we are for we are children of the King of Glory our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Infinity Laura J. Ambriz
I have overcome my Chicken Little fears and gone on to be a happy ultraconservative. I like some things from other religions that have to do with human wisdom, but I am in love with the Church. I have some new groups on Ning.com:
The Anti-Abortion Squad
The Chastity and Morality Society
The Immaculata's Favorites - in honor of St. Maximilian Kolbe
Foundation to Incorporate All Wisdom into the Catholic Church
The Council to End Christian Heresy
Be a Catholic Saint
The Knights and Ladies of the Pure Praise of the Most Holy Trinity
The other groups I am in are mainly out of loving curiosity, because I love my pagan friends and my Protestant friends, too! You can also find me on Xanga.com as "Singerwoman" since I used to sing quite well, even opera. I wish my Catholic soon-to-be friends would try some or all of these groups! The sky may indeed fall one day, but we must make the most of this Earth until it does fade away like a garment. We have a long way to go, Chicken Little!
Fabulous! Frightened people don't not use their reason - nor better judgment. They act, usually doing what someone tells them to do.
Thank you. Sometimes the greatest thing we have to fear is indeed fear itself. I believe we are called to faith instead. For my Husband's sake I held his hand and heart at 3:00 a.m. this morning, I would have far rather been asleep, but though the flesh can be weak, I thank you for answering God's call to his children to answer the spirits call to be strong. We need to comfort and strenghten one another in faith and understanding. Too many people are Job's friends and in fact counter to Jesus' example. I resound my Husband's comment: "I still need to do everything possible!" Of course, but then lets leave the results in God's nurturing hands.
Dear Deacon Fournier, As a believer who is too often prone to relying on sarcasm it is probably apparent that my personal journey through life has not been without its challenges. While I believe it is our duty to remain vigilant and informed it is oh so easy to slip into intellectual despair. The article was cool water like a Florida spring in Summertime. Thanks!
you must have listened to Alan Ames who has been saying this for yars.
"Workout your salvation in fear and trembling". Jesus even called Judas friend, right before he handed Jesus over. he was saying I forgive you in other words, because you don't call your enemies friends. We need to try and imitate Jesus in the ways he dealt with his enemies not so much the deacon or priest or any other person, but mainly Jesus who knows the way the truth in every situation.
Humbly and respectfully to all:
Im sure the Deacon is aware of this. After all he tried to send him encouragement.
I hope Deacon means rebuke here and not tear down.
Like the Deacon implies "the needy Doctor" needs our prayers.
Love in Christ brothers and sisters.
Dear Deacon Fournier - I suggest that in the future that we not use the Internet in such a way that it will bring harm to a needy person like the "Doctor" you mention in your article. While his worries may be unfounded, he may be a person who suffers from serious mental distress - one who requires compassion, not world-wide embarassment and ridicule by being compared to a "Chicken Little". I'm reminded of the priest who saw the man on the side of the road battered by robbers but closed his heart and moved forward. Let us be like the Good Samaritan and live and write and speak with compassion (or just not say or write anything at all). Yes, build up, but let us not rejoice in or be built up through the tearing down of another individual.
Yes. I encourage Christians not to "look the other way" when those naysayers, those who suffer in their own weakness, call out for help. We should not let their anguish bring us down, but we should also not dismiss them - cut them off completely. When a baby cries, it cries for a reason. Are we not still spiritual babies here - some of us less mature than the others? Do we presume that everyone should be just like us - holding up the sky? What if we did not also try to help others to hold up their sky too? Jesus commanded us to love one another. Sometimes love requires that we suffer for the sake of others, true? Yes, hold the sky up, but do not prevent the others from learning how to hold up the sky too.