Challenging Catholics to Live the Catholic Vision

Mark S. Roberti, Director of Stewardship

Heartland Parishes of Ellis County

I recently read an article on the Internet from Catholic News Service.  It was titled, “Vatican II and the Church in the World: Archbishop Chaput Challenges Catholics to Live the Council’s Vision.”
 

I think that as the Church prepares to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Vatican II this topic is very apropos. When I think of the number forty, I think of biblical experiences.  During the flood it rained for 40 days and nights.  At Mount Sinai, Moses went up to the mountain with God for 40 days and nights. The Jews wandered in the desert for 40 years.  Jesus fasted for forty day and 40 nights before starting His public ministry.  Forty days after his resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven.  These are all major events.  They have profoundly impacted the Catholic model of faith.

Being very much an optimist about our Catholic faith, I also believe that “40 years after Vatican II” is now also turning out to be a major event in the life of the Church.   Our Church has struggled, journeyed, through some very turbulent times.  I believe we are coming out of the desert once again.      

You and I have been shaped in our faith during this journey.  As Archbishop Chaput explained, “A man born of a Jewish mother is Jewish by virtue of his birth.  He may be very religious, or lukewarm, or an atheist.  But he still is, in a real sense, a Jew.”  Then he went on to how being a Catholic is a very different experience. “Baptism is necessary to being a Catholic.  But it is not enough as we grow in age.  As Catholics, we become defined by what we believe, how we worship, and how actively we live our faith in public and private,” he said.     

He further elaborated on this important point by saying, “It is not possible to be what some people call a ‘cultural’ Catholic.  Catholic culture comes from an active Catholic faith.  Unless we truly believe and practice our faith, ‘Catholic culture’ is just a dead skin of nostalgia and comfortable habits.” 

I heard something similar said by another priest recently.  He said, “The Church is making a comeback, but it’s going to take some time to clear away the dead wood.”  

Archbishop Chaput went on to say, “All of us have been shaped by [Vatican II], and it will probably continue to shape Catholics for decades to come.”  He then went on to say, “The Church in 1945 and the Church in 2005 has exactly the same goal: the proclamation of the Lord Jesus Christ for the conversion and salvation of the world through the truth of the Catholic faith.  The methods and structures may differ.  The vision hasn’t changed.”

Now, I will lead you into what I considered his most profound statement: “But a ‘community of faith’ or a ‘community of the faithful” implies that there is Someone and something we have the duty to be faithful to.  We don’t invent the Catholic faith.  Nor do we own it. We receive it; we live it in community; we witness it to others; we pass it on fully – as good stewards – to our children.  That’s what the life in the Church means.” 

As you and I come out of the desert, as part of this great Catholic faith community that has journeyed together, let us remember and give thanks to those who went before us.  Many of them died in the desert to help bring us to safe ground.  Let us praise God for their faithfulness, commitment, and generosity as stewards. 

Let us be faithful to the Someone and something to which we have the duty to be faithful.  Let us be an example to those who will follow us.