I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Read
Second Kings tells an interesting story about the prophet Elisha. He made enemies with a foreign king named Ben-Hadad. The king decided he wanted to arrest Elisha and probably execute him after that. He sent out an army against the prophet, including powerful and terrifying chariots. They surrounded Elisha’s home. Here’s what happened: “Early the next morning, when the servant of the man of God arose and went out, he saw the force with its horses and chariots surrounding the city. ‘Alas!’ he said to Elisha. ‘What shall we do, my lord?’ Elisha answered, ‘Do not be afraid. Our side outnumbers theirs’” (2 Kings 6:15–16).
The prophet’s assertion obviously didn’t seem to make any sense. It was only Elisha and his servant against literally an army of soldiers and charioteers. But then Elisha prayed, “‘O Lord, open his eyes, that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw that the mountainside was filled with fiery chariots and horses around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).
As the story unfolds, the fiery chariots incapacitate the invading army, driving them away, although they do extend considerable mercy toward them too. Clearly Elisha rightly recognized another reality, a higher reality, and in recognizing that reality, he was able to see the great host who surrounded him.
As we noted at the beginning of the week, we can sometimes feel like Elisha’s servant. We’re surrounded by a culture that seems indifferent and even at times hostile to our faith. It may feel as if you’re the only Christian in your workplace, family, or neighborhood. This is why you need a local parish and can benefit so much from a commitment to a small, faith-sharing group.
You need people who can physically walk with you, but we would be remiss if we didn’t remind you that the Church and its community extend beyond this world you can see. Our faith teaches us about the supernatural community that stands in and beyond this world. The book of Hebrews says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2). These words from Hebrews follow a list of Old Testament heroes, from Noah to Abraham to Moses and many others (Hebrews 11). They aren’t just outstanding ancients whose stories we tell over and over again. Hebrews suggests they are still with us.
And that is just the heroes of the Old Testament. Throughout scripture, we read about still other spiritual beings too. Perhaps most spectacularly, in the Christmas story:
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:13–14).
The choirs of angels are spiritual beings whose principal role is to attend to God. But we can turn to and rely on angels for comfort and protection. Scripture refers to what are traditionally called “guarding” or “guardian” angels (Matthew 18:10) who are assigned to particular individuals to look out for us in ways we can scarcely appreciate.
In the book of Revelation we read about others:
After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God.” (Revelation 7:9–10)
This is the Communion of Saints, also called the Church Triumphant because these men and women have already, and successfully, met the challenge that is this life and are now at home in heaven. And, as we run the race of faith, whether we know it or not, we’re actually cheered on by this great company.
Tom: My wife, Mia, ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, a few years ago. While completely grueling, she recounted how incredible it was to be cheered on by people along the course throughout the race. Each time she encountered another cheering section, she experienced a fresh burst of energy to keep going.
Like Elisha’s prayer for his servant, we can pray for eyes of faith or spiritual sight to really see all our cheerleaders. At the same time, we can intentionally seek out relationships with the saints who have gone before us in faith. They are our older brothers and sisters in Christ whom we can admire and look up to just as younger siblings look up to older ones. It is true that from place to place and time to time the saints have been celebrated to the point that they lose their humanity and veneration becomes worship. Our faith calls us to worship God and God alone. The saints are real-life, flesh-and-blood Christ followers. As we get to know them, we can learn from their faults and failures as well as their heroic accomplishments.
Through our Baptism, in our prayer and worship, and most of all at Holy Mass, we are united to the company of angels and saints in heaven. But we can live our everyday life in their company too.
Mary, Mother of God
However, it is not only the angels and saints whom we are united to in faith. From the Cross, Jesus himself directs our attention to his mother, Mary. While on the Cross, “when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother’” (John 19:26–27). In that moment, he directed all those who have faith in him to look upon her as our mother.
Tradition tells us she held a revered place among the apostles and in the life of the early church. As it grew, Marian devotion distinguished the life of the whole Church, East and West, with dedicated feast days appearing as early as the third and fourth centuries. Local and regional devotions sprung up among the faithful in many places, and the consecration of churches and chapels in her honor became widespread. Those early patterns eventually characterized the life and pious practices of the Catholic Church everywhere.
Mary’s role is critical to understand when it comes to renewing or rebuilding our Catholic faith. As Catholics we do not pray to Mary; we pray through Mary to Jesus. She is the first and perfect disciple of Christ and our reliable guide, always pointing us to her son. At the same time, she stands as a powerful mediator, always interceding for us with her son.
Reflect
Why do you think it is helpful to see ourselves as enjoying fellowship with the saints?
Is there a biblical hero or saint whom you admire or whose story has resonated with you? What can you do to know their story better?
How has this week, focused on engaging in Christian community, changed how you view its importance in our faith life?
Rebuild
God, our heavenly Father,
thank you for the communion we enjoy
with the angels and saints.
Give me eyes of faith to see the great cloud of witnesses
who are cheering me on and encouraging me
to follow your Son,
the perfecter of my faith.
Bestow on us, through the prayers of so many intercessors,
an abundance of your blessings through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.
—Hebrews 12:1–2
Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran are coauthors of the bestselling Rebuilt Parish series, including the award-winning Rebuilt—which led to the CatholicTV series The Rebuilt Show, which they host—Tools for Rebuilding, Rebuilding Your Message, The Rebuilt Field Guide, and ChurchMoney. They also are the coauthors of Seriously, God?, Rebuilt Faith, and the bestselling Messages series for Advent and Lent. Corcoran is the president of Rebuilt—an organization designed to rebuild parishes for growth and health. White is its cofounder.
This excerpt from Rebuilt Faith: A Handbook for Skeptical Catholics is reprinted with permission of Ave Maria Press.
