In our increasingly secular society, it can be hard to
maintain our Christian identity. Because of the separation of church and state,
it can seem like Christian values have no place in a public forum. Gaudium et
spes, one of the four constitutions that resulted from the Vatican II council,
highlights the importance of holding true to our Christian values in this
every-changing society. When it seems like people are constantly trying to make
you question your beliefs and turn away from God, that is when it is most
important that we ban together to stay strong. The more corruption, violence,
and hatred in this world, the more of God’s love we have to bring to it.
Because
of the separation of church and state, there is a constant struggle between
staying true to our identity as a Christian and as a citizen. There is a debate
over whether our duty as a citizen should come before or after our duty as Christians.
Gaudium et spes provides a solution where we can kill two birds with one stone
by combining our civic duties and our Christian duties. One way that we can use our citizenship to promote our
Christian values is through our right to vote. Gaudium et spes says, “All
citizens, therefore, should be mindful of the right and also the duty to use
their free vote to further the common good” (75). Through voting, we can
complete our civic duty as well as influence the decisions made in this
country. Our Catholic values can manifest themselves in the policies that we
create and pass in our country. Because of our democracy, we have the power to
change things within our government for the good of society. Gaudium et spes
continues to tell us that “The Church praises and esteems the work of those who
for the good of men devote themselves to the service of the state and take on
the burdens of this office” (75). We can even chose to enter directly
into the realm which seems to be turning more secular, and work to make changes
from the inside.
As Christians we strive
to discern our vocation. Gaudium et spes makes it clear that “all Christians must be aware of their own
specific vocation within the political community. It is for them to give an
example by their sense of responsibility and their service of the common good”(75). It is through discerning our own
callings from God that we can truly realize where and how we are called bring
the light of Christ to others. Through our vocation, we can strive to work for
the common good.
In this short clip below, Quentin L. Cook gives some more
insight into how to bring God’s light to our society through all of the struggles
and push-backs that we face every day. He mentions many ways that we can maintain our Christian identity such as building up our families through daily
family prayer and staying virtuous in the face of evil. Being honest and
treating all others, no matter what their faith or background, as brothers and
sisters of Christ is another way we can overcome the consequences of the increasingly
secular society in which we live.
Balancing a Christian and secular life is a touch act. For many people who practice a religion, not just Christians, they find that it seeps into every part of their life. This is to be expected, since Christianity demands that God be put before all else. How then are they to separate themselves in their secular life? The simple answer is that they can't. As Elizabeth explained above, rather than push their religious self to the side when performing public tasks, Christians are encouraged to use their faith to do the best job that they can. After all, Jesus preached the Golden Rule, and that following that alone would lead us to a better world.
ReplyDeleteFor sure, being a Christian in a secular world is difficult because of the pressures many feel to conform to the ways of the world, to be accepted; but Christ says that "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first" (John 15:18.) We have to be in the world, but not of it, and when we are hated, trust that Christ has got us. Voting, and doing what we can to shape our society are great ways to be a Christian in a secular society. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThis election definitely made it difficult to vote in a way that supports Catholic ideals in the political sphere. On one hand, we had (and ultimately elected) a man who identifies as supporting Christian values, but in reality does not seem to live them out in an honest and loving way. I feel that a lot of Catholics had a very hard time voting their conscious this election year, myself included.
ReplyDeleteI think this post is much needed encouragement in the increasingly secular society you talk about. As Christians, it is our duty to live out our faith and be examples of Christ’s love in the world. We are also called to evangelize, which can be so difficult when it seems as though everything in society is against our beliefs. I like to remember this quote from St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.” Live out your faith in joy, and people will notice!
ReplyDeleteLiving as a Catholic American (or American Catholic) was especially hard during this election. When both candidates didn't totally align with our Catholic Social Teachings, many people, including myself, felt like there were no options. Yet is was our American duty to vote, regardless of our religion. You perfectly summed up what it felt like to be a young catholic during this important time in our life!
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