“Take up space” is progressive terminology that has been popular in recent years to influence, intimidate, and normalize aberrant behavior. It implies bringing symbols, artwork, and gatherings into the pubic square to garner sympathy and support. This radical activist maneuver is also intended to make it appear that there are many more supporters of a particular ideology than there are. The best example of how this tactic has been implemented in recent years is the complete takeover of June by the LGBTQ+ lobby.
For too long, the faithful have given up ground to the radical left by simply standing down and allowing these elements to bulldoze over our long-standing rich Catholic culture and heritage. Activists have employed sinister methods of control by targeting and isolating those who stood up for Christian values. If anyone dared speak out against the castration of children or criticize public displays of debauchery at “Pride” parades, the mob on social media demanded a pound of flesh. Many brave souls lost friends, relatives, and livelihoods for standing up for what was proper. This is classic Marxist behavior as memorialized in the book Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky.
Rule 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it and polarize it. Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
The good news is that many companies and corporations have pulled funding from the decadent and indecent parades as popular support for these events has fallen off a cliff. Cancel culture is also waning, so there is no longer anything to fear. The time is ripe for American Catholics and Christians to reclaim the month of June for the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In June, we celebrate the Corpus Christi feast and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope Urban IV instituted Corpus Christi in 1264 in response to a Eucharistic miracle in Italy.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus has been celebrated as early as 1790 based on a private revelation to Sr. Margaret Mary Alacoque in France. These pious devotions have fallen by the wayside in our modern world, replaced instead by relativism, narcissism, and the sin of pride. It is time for us to “take up space” and bring them back.
There are many simple ways that anyone can participate this June. Here are some ideas:
- Fly a Sacred Heart of Jesus flag at your home (see com)
- Donate to a Sacred Heart or Christ is King billboard in your area (see Lifesite News)
- Post a picture of the Sacred Heart in your window (see Marian Helpers)
- Place a Sacred Heart magnet on your car (see the Catholic Gift Store)
- Participate in a Corpus Christi procession at your church
Here are some other ways to reclaim the Christian culture the rest of the year:
- Ask your local library to showcase a religious art collection you may have (statues, rosaries, paintings)
- Create a grotto to the Blessed Virgin Mary in your garden
- Hold an outdoor rosary event in your community (make sure some men are present to provide needed security)
- Participate in public prolife events
- Support the positions of the church with your family and friends
If every adult Christian in the country began to proclaim the gospel in big and small ways, we might be able to change the culture. Like Esther, we are called to this time and place.
Even if you now remain silent, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another source; but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows—perhaps it was for a time like this that you became queen?” Esther 4:14
Rekindle the fire of love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and give June back to Him, to whom it always belonged.