What does it mean? What does it mean to be truly, genuinely, sincerely Catholic? Does it mean making sure you never hurt anybody’s feelings? Does it mean going to Mass on Christmas and Easter? Does it mean wearing a crucifix around your neck? How can we become authentic Catholics and avoid becoming “cafeteria Catholics”?
In the Book of Revelation, St. John the Apostle wrote of the people of the city of Laodicea:
“I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)
That should immediately convey to the reader what God thinks of those who reside in the tepid waters of lukewarm faith and spirituality. It should be obvious that He looks on lukewarmness with unabashed disfavor. In other translations of the Bible, it even goes so far as to say that God will “vomit” the lukewarm from His mouth.
God has no need or desire for passive discipleship. That “cafeteria”, lukewarm approach to faith makes Jesus sick to His stomach. How lost is a person that has no zeal or fire in his or her heart for the truth? Regardless of whether someone has come to all the right conclusions or not, if one seeks the truth in earnest, they will be looked upon more favorably than one who stands idly by as the war between good and evil is fought.
An authentic Catholic isn’t someone who does the bare minimum. There’s nothing authentic about phoning it in, in any aspect of life. A true Catholic is someone who has a growing, dynamic relationship with Christ. As St. Paul says in his second letter to Timothy, we have been blessed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are charged with stoking those flames, not only helping that fire survive but thrive!
Sloth, acedia, and lukewarmness are always waiting in the wings to pull us down and keep us from attaining our full potential. One of the dangers posed to our personal spiritual journey is the temptation of comparative holiness. There’s plenty of time later. It’s not so bad to skip. I’m better than I used to be. I’m better than that person next door.
In order to feed that flame and avoid getting pulled down, the core directive is to allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit and not by the world. The word “allow” may deceive us, implying that we simply wait for Our Lord to drag us to do His will. No, allowing ourselves to be led by God means actively cooperating with His will because He knows what’s best for us. Ultimately driving us to cooperate with God and allow Him to deepen our love for Him is the desire for sanctity, for sainthood, and for eternal happiness.
One of the most helpful things that can jumpstart us or help move us in the right direction is establishing the habit of daily prayer and meditation. Implementing prayer throughout the day, especially in the morning, is a simple and effective way of deepening our relationship with the person of Christ. Even if mornings are not ideal for an extended time of prayer, at least invoking His name as a form of a morning offering is an excellent way to start the day. Jesus, I am yours. Jesus, I trust in you. Jesus, I give this day to you.
In addition to daily prayer, attend Mass at least once a week. Make that non-negotiable. The thought of missing Sunday Mass should never even cross your mind. And if you can, attend daily Mass. Attend confession regularly, bi-weekly or monthly if possible. Every saint knows that they’re a sinner. Every sinner thinks that they’re a saint. We need the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
To begin one’s journey to becoming an authentic Catholic, start with three things: Daily prayer, Sunday Mass, and monthly confession. If you build those habits, you will love the person you become. Every time you look in the mirror, you won’t be looking at just a human being, just a man or just a woman. You will be looking at a Son or Daughter of God.
When you give at the dollar-a-day level, you’ll receive A Year of Daily Offerings by Fr. James Kubicki, S.J. In this book, Fr. Kubicki, a seasoned spiritual guide on Relevant Radio, offers a yearlong journey of 366 daily morning offerings designed for busy laypeople. Rooted in the liturgical calendar and drawing from Ignatian spirituality, these reflections invite you to cultivate—or renew—the practice of starting each day with a heartfelt offering to Christ.
Give now!
And if you have already given to support the Relevant Radio Pledge Drive, thank you for your generous support!