Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell: Who’s Holding the Rope? (Sorry it's a little longer than normal)

Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell: Who’s Holding the Rope?

(Sorry it's a little longer than normal)

There once was a small fishing village that was situated next to a turbulent river that emptied into the ocean. One day, a cry went out; a young boy had fallen into the water and was being carried out to sea. Everyone rushed to see what was happening. Every mother frantically hoped it wasn’t her son, but each also felt desperation and anguish seeing the young boy struggling to stay afloat as he was being pulled further from shore by the receding tide; helpless.

Then, in an instant, while everyone else was doing nothing, a young man dashed onto the scene carrying a long rope. He was the strongest swimmer in the community and quickly tied an end of the rope around his waist, volunteering to risk life and limb to save the boy. After securing the knot, the man tossed the other end of the rope to the crowd and bravely dove headlong into the raging torrent. As everyone strained to see, the man’s head eventually popped up from the water, and he forcibly swam towards the drowning boy.

The crowds watched and prayed, all-the-while encouraging the young man, hoping beyond hope. Eventually, by the grace of God, he reached the child and grabbed hold of him, clutching the boy in his muscular arms. Seeing this miraculous moment, a mighty roar arose as the people celebrated the boy’s rescue.

Turning back in the waters, but utterly exhausted from his efforts, the man shouted to the crowds to pull them to safety. However, when everyone looked around, the end of rope was nowhere in sight.

“Who is holding the rope?” they all cried. But no one was. In all the excitement, no one had taken hold of the end of rope, each thinking it someone else’s responsibility, thus the rope simply slipped silently into the water.

Now powerless to do anything, the crowd disparaged as they watched two precious individuals being pulled out to sea to drown because no one made it their responsibility to take hold of the rope.

Last Sunday I preached how Christ is our “Anchor of Hope,” offering us a lifeline and holding us securely in his unyielding grip amidst the raging storms of life. Yet if we forsake our responsibility or refuse to take hold of the rope and secure ourselves to the other end, no matter how great, sturdy, and powerful that anchor is, its life-saving capabilities are wasted.

All Christians have the responsibility to hold onto the “other end of the rope” and do their part. To hold the rope to follow Christ. To hold the rope and carry your cross. To hold the rope to obey His commandments. To hold the rope to follow His teachings. To hold the rope to support His Church. To hold the rope to love one another. To hold the rope and be charitable. To hold the rope and be apostolic; reaching out to evangelize others, sharing your faith and witnessing to Christ. 

Therefore, this morning there is only one question each one of you must reflect upon and answer truthfully: Am I fulfilling my responsibilities to Christ and His Holy Church by holding the other end of the rope, or do I expect others to do it for me?

Fr. John