Authentic Catholicism

Details: 24 February 2012

A recent directive from our President that violates our First Amendment right to the free practice of religion without interference from the government has given rise to an unprecedented response from Catholic leadership in our country, most especially from our bishops. There is no shortage of commentaries on the proper relationship between church and state as defined by the framers of our Constitution. But there also are plenty that speak specifically to what it means to be Catholic—really Catholic.

A sad state of affairs that has been a "monkey on the back" of the Catholic Church is that we have such a deplorably large number of folks in our land who identify themselves as Catholic while neither living according to Catholic teachings nor thinking with the mind of the Church. The Catholic Church is sometimes called a "sleeping giant" that has protected its turf perhaps a bit too sheepishly over the past couple of decades, but now it seems to be waking up. The sad reality it that current dangers to our institutions are in large part due to a weak Catholic identity.

Regrettably, many of our schools, hospitals, social service agencies and other Catholic organizations have sacrificed their Catholic identity to trends of modernity, to social pressure and to liberal ideologies. As Sacred Scripture reminds us in so many ways, we reap according to what we sow. Where authentic Catholicism is sown, the fruits are plentiful and desirable. Where Catholic identity is weak, or sacrificed altogether, confusion and dissension prevail.

Lent provides an apt setting for Catholics everywhere to examine whether or not they currently are living up to their religion’s high standards. In marriage vows, individuals commit themselves unconditionally to a spouse, stating: "I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad…all the days of my life." We priests often remind couples that this promise is something they need to fulfill on a daily basis, in big ways and in small ways. Catholics identify themselves as Christ’s spouse, His beloved Bride, His Church. As such, we need to reflect daily on how well we fulfill our promises to Jesus. Are we true to Him in good times and in bad, or just when things are going our way, or when my Catholicism is convenient and non-confrontational?

We are rightly incensed when prominent self-styled Catholics give a bad name to our religion while they flaunt their liberal, contemptuous, immoral convictions as somehow being compatible with a Catholic identity. Perhaps the most effective response to such crass displays of ignorance is authentic Catholicism. While we know that a biased media rarely brings faithful Catholics into the public view to represent us (and Jesus) accurately, such would not be a problem if they were to find it really challenging to locate anything but authentic Catholics.

As we fast and pray this Lenten season for the protection of our religious liberties and for our many other intentions, we can help to reinforce the Catholic playing field by being truly Catholic, worthy of the name. Our Reflection upon the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, the Divine Mercy, reception of Confession and participation in the Sacrifice of the Mass all help us to recognize our sinfulness and to appreciate our reliance upon the gifts of Jesus. And the gift that encompasses all is our splendid Catholic Faith. May the way we daily live out our faith reveal how much we truly cherish this most wonderful of gifts.