One has only to look on YouTube to see that alarmist headlines are common place as content producers seek to get as many views of their channels as possible. There are two basic responses to such behaviour: anxiety or skepticism. The first leads to people taking fright at every perceived or even imagined threat while the second leads to others dismissing all threats as fabrications which leads to lethargy. Jesus predicts the end times and is realistic to say that trials will come but "... the end will not follow immediately." (Lk 21: 9) When it does come we are to see it as an opportunity to testify to our faith and to let the Holy Spirit guide us. He guarantees us his protection as long as we stand firm: "But not a hair on your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls." (Lk 21: 18-19) As a result, the Christian attitude to crisis is not one of fear or resignation. We are to continue to work steadily and confidently as we trust in God's providence. In our parishes and homes we are discouraged from giving way to passivity and laziness: "For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their own work quietly and to earn their own living." (2 Thess 3: 12)
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