I came across this term about a year ago reading material that had been written by Pope Benedict XVI. I recommend his writings and many Catholics have been long term readers of his publications. When he described this umbrella it rang true: our world is truly blessed and is encompassed by God's love and Jesus' presence here on earth. Evidence of God's plan being worked each day is found in the heroic acts of our government and law enforcement, our healthcare professionals, our families and our friends.
Recent acts of violence have caused all of us to pause and wonder where such evil could have come from. By focusing on shootings and other tragedies, even the weather, we lose sight of many realities, even the environment in which Jesus came and rose from the dead because he loved us. The ancient world was not convenient, food not plentiful, and communication was virtually nil not to mention educational opportunities for the masses. The government was oppressive, seemingly growing pains for the society which has culminated (in the Western World) in what we now so readily take for granted.
After Jesus resurrection, his apostles witnessed the plan of God and began putting it into action. Since then the teachings of Jesus and that of the bible as a whole, along with the inspired traditions of the Church, have guided us to a very high level of cooperation, love of neighbor, and altruism (relative to other centuries). Yes unbelievable acts of evil and crimes can and do occur. And large segments of the population will be apathetic, apostate, atheistic. But Jesus is calling us to faith in God and to act on this. We have a very hard task as Christians, but I am thankful that the umbrella of Christianity is above, shielding me from much of what man's fallen nature is capable of. God has truly blessed us all.
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