Christian Apathy

Mark S. Roberti, Director of Stewardship & Development

Heartland Parishes of Ellis County

This article is about Christian apathy.  I’m going to start by providing a few definitions.   After developing the article, I will close by submitting to how American Christians are teetering on the edge of a Christianity that is becoming less and less Christian.  In the end, if we don’t do something as Christian -- and as individuals -- we are in for a long, hard, fall.   Christianity will survive.  The question is will we? 

My Webster’s Dictionary describe the word “apathy”  as being from the Greek word  “apatheia, ” meaning without passion or, without emotion.  Some other expressions or clauses that Webster’s uses are: lack of feeling or emotion, impassive, lack of interest or concern, and indifference.  

Phrases or words it uses to describe “Christian” are: an adherent of Christianity,  based on conformity with Christianity, and disciple.   

The ironic thing is that to be apathetic, or without passion, is the last thing a Christian should be.   Christians should be filled with passion.   We should be on fire.  Why aren’t we?  Really, these days, most of us are pretty apathetic.  Sure, sure, we complain a lot about how things are in the world today, but other than complain most of us don’t do much to change it.  That’s particularly the case when things are uncomfortable for us or time consuming.  

When it comes to the major moral issues of our time, things such as abortion, “gay” marriages, child abuse, war, etc., “we say there is really not much one person can do.”   When it comes to the small stuff we say, “we have bigger things to worry about.” 

In my mind, it all comes down to another word: comfortable.  We are comfortable.  Again, Webster defines these in terms such as: affording or enjoying contentment and security, affording or enjoying physical comfort;  free from vexation or doubt, free from stress or tension.

Striving to be comfortable is almost as natural to us as trying to breathe…almost, but not quite.  The necessity of comfort, unlike the necessity of breathing, is relative.  Many people, while having a lot less, are more comfortable and happier than we are.

I had an uncle who, by my standards, was quite rich.   He sent my cousin to an Ivy League school.  My cousin used to tell us stories about how rich some of the kids were.  Her roommate, and all her roommate’s siblings, had individual personal therapists.  I kid you not.  They were comfortable, very comfortable, but were they happy?             

Most of us are comfortable too… at whatever level of life we are living.  But are we passionate about life?  Are we fulfilled?  I would submit to you that we are not fulfilled if we are living life to be comfortable.

Truly living is about a lot more than having.  It’s about giving.   When we are so prestige oriented or so busy that we can’t give of ourselves, we are empty shells. What is the value to having lived comfortably then die? 

For a Christian, the value in life should be in living like a Christian.  Then, rather than empty shells, we are vessels filled to the brim and overflowing.  The reward in this life, as well as in the next, is in doing God’s will for us.  It is in serving God and each others.  That’s why Jesus called loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself, the greatest commandments.  It’s the greatest commandment because it’s God divine plan for the kingdom and each of us.

When we concentrate on ourselves and our comforts, we lose sight of the bigger picture.  We lose sight of our very purpose in living.  We are on earth to build His kingdom, not ours.  When we are too busy concentrating on ourselves and our comforts, we become apathetic about the very cause which we were individually created to help make happen…the coming of the Kingdom of God.

When we sit and watch other Christians “fight the good fight” rather than joining the battle, we effectively become one with the other side.   Babies die in the womb, Terry Schiavo and others are euthanized, gay activists wrest control, and wars spring up throughout the world. 

Catholics, all Catholics, need to engage the world.  The Church doesn’t just need your treasure.  She needs you.  She needs your heart.  She needs your energies.  She needs your commitment.  This is our divine and lofty calling from which not one of us is allowed to excuse ourselves.   

We are stewards of the Kingdom of God on earth.  Each of us needs to assume our position and fulfill our divinely appointed task.   That’s what stewardship is all about.