KNIGHT TIME | The Sacred, the Spectacle, and the Sword of the Paris Opening Ceremonies
In a world bursting with contradictions, how do we remain steadfast in our beliefs? This question was at the forefront of our minds as we experienced the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremonies.
At the heart of this discussion was the portrayal of the ‘Last Supper,’ a cultural display that unwittingly highlighted for the faithful Christian the importance of the Rule of Primacy—honoring God as the Creator rather than idolizing His creations. This entire story–including all of its nuances–led to an exploration of societal tendencies to misinterpret and idolize figures like Trump, or even God’s creations, diverting focus from the centrality and personhood of God Himself.
As we navigate modern society, it’s crucial to understand that love and anger can coexist, especially when it comes to defending Jesus Christ. Biblical teachings remind us to prioritize God’s commandments above all else. In a world filled with flamboyance and false idols, we are urged to evaluate and defend our faith in Jesus Christ—acknowledging Him as Person, Priest, and King.
The show and the accompanying article empower believers with the confidence to express what they inherently know, especially as we face the challenge of overcoming modern distractions. Often, society is consumed by tribalism, pigeonholing individuals into caricatures without truly understanding their beliefs. This environment demands a strengthened resolve to fight the good fight, a call to defend Jesus Christ as the rightful king amid the distractions of temporary binaries like Trump versus Biden or Republican versus Democrat.
The ceremonies were a reminder that we must rise above these noise-filled distractions and focus on the only binary that matters: God and not God, good and evil. The event was also an illustration of the pagan influences that still persist, a nod to the ancient Greeks and their practices—a stark reminder of what Christ intended to save us from.
Reflecting on personal stories, we close by drawing inspiration from St Rita, a testament to the radical personal sacrifices that faith may demand. Her story is a profound example of choosing God’s will above earthly ties, a lesson in prioritizing the divine over worldly connections–even our children or other cherished loved ones.
In the call to action, it becomes evident that our spiritual journey is about more than defending Christianity; it is about upholding our allegiance to Jesus Christ–the Man-God–above all. The ceremonies served as a vivid reminder of the world’s need for a greater respect in the difference between the two greatest Commandments. In the face of this ongoing information war, let us pledge to read beyond headlines, embrace deeper reflections, and nurture our unfailing love and devotion to Christ. Only then can we be prepared to wield the sword of our faith when confronted with challenges, grounded in the knowledge that God’s commandments must always take precedence–especially if we ever have to choose between the Creator and his creations.
00:00 Introductory teaser
00:55 “He’s Him,” as my students would say!
01:28 Defending faith in modern society
02:03 The true baseline: Christ is King
02:20 Empowering believers with the words they already know
03:37 The challenge of modern distractions
04:17 The binary of good and evil
07:21 The true Commandments
09:52 The pagan influence
13:29 The sword of division
19:39 The remarkable example of St Rita
21:05 Final reflections and call to action
