There are about 51 million Catholics in the U.S., amounting to roughly 1 in 5 Americans. A 2014 survey found that only 39 percent of these Catholics reported attending Mass at least once a week. Even among the Catholics who go to Mass weekly, 87 percent say contraception (which the Catholic Church vehemently opposes) is acceptable or not a moral issue. This is just one example of “Cultural Catholicism”—the idea that one can be Catholic in name, but not in practice; that they can profess their faith, but contradict it with their actions.
This attitude, which is becoming more and more common in present-day America, is the deadliest epidemic to our hearts today. While some may think I am being dramatic, they obviously don’t place enough importance on our immortal souls. To profess a set of beliefs is to accept them with our whole being. But if those beliefs don’t convict and change us—the way we think and act—then we are living a lie and it would be better to stop claiming we are something we are not.
We must live what we profess or get out.
THE LUKEWARM
While I am speaking specifically to the issue of Cultural Catholicism, this concept applies to anyone and everyone, regardless of beliefs. If we proclaim to believe something as absolute Truth, but we contradict and reject that Truth with our actions, then what is that saying about our so called “set of beliefs”? It shows that our “truth” doesn’t mean enough to change our whole being.
As Christians, if we profess to follow Our Lord—the One who died for us to open the way to eternal joy—but don’t seek a relationship with Him and reject the Church He began, are we really Christian? Or are we simply labeling ourselves as “Christian” while following our own agendas and whims?
Truth should change us. Convict us. Transform our whole being and lives. To identify ourselves as Christian, but not allow our faith and relationship with Christ to guide every belief we have, is a huge slap-in-the-face to the God who died for each of us. We are better off walking away altogether then call ourselves something we are not. In fact, the book of Revelation in the BIble speaks right to this issue:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Revelation 3: 15-16
It is better to be cold, an enemy of Christ or directly opposed to Truth, than sit complacent and unchanged in a lukewarm faith that does nothing but provide a label in our lives. In that respect, I admire atheists much more than complacent Catholics because at least atheists are honest and living lives that reflect their beliefs! Claiming the title, “Christian” has responsibilities that we cannot ignore.
If we proclaim something as true, well then we better darn well live it!!
ARE YOU HOT OR COLD?
Either we are on fire for our faith or we’re not. We’re either hot or cold. There is no in-between in the Christian life. If you’re not for Our Lord—and living a life reflective of that—then you’re against Him. Actions speak louder than words.
Lukewarm Christians or “Cultural Catholics” take many forms and oftentimes may not recognize the dangerous state of their souls. They include those who call themselves Catholic, but take no action to have a an intimate and personal relationship with Our Lord. They may go to Mass on Sundays and follow the rules just “enough to get by” as if mediocrity and the bare minimum are enough. They don’t go deeper than surface level. Maybe they are Catholic just because that’s how they were raised and never challenged it or explored why. Maybe they went to Catholic school and were intellectually catechized, but never experienced a personal encounter with Christ. Maybe they don’t even know what a personal relationship with Christ looks like! Chances are the Ten Commandments, the Mass and the Sacraments have become so ritualized and regimented that they fail to see the mystery and miracles present that can change their lives. And that’s the greatest tragedy of them all.
Cultural Catholicism is killing souls by making them lukewarm and apathetic toward the most beautiful mystery in the history of civilization. The God of the universe loves us so much that He sent His only Son to suffer, die, and rise to open heaven for us. He invites each of us—regardless of our sins, failures, and shortcomings—to enter into that Cross with Our Lord and join Him in eternity one day.
Wherever you are in your spiritual life, this is a wake-up call. Christ died for you and desperately wants more of your heart. Will you give it to Him? Will you allow the Truth to spark a desire to change that will transform your heart away from sin toward the life Christ calls you to?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?
If you answered “yes” to that question, then what are you doing about it?
I know many Christians who think it’s strange that I and others have a prayer plan, go to Mass often, receive the Sacraments regularly, and strive to live out the faith boldly in our daily lives. They think we’re going above and beyond, when we are simply seeking Truth and diving deeper into the mystery that sets us free. This should be the norm, not the exception, for every single person that calls themselves Christian.
Are you doing all you can to live a life a virtue? As human beings with temptation to sin, we won’t always be perfect—sometimes we’ll fall. But we can’t despair when we do. Rise. Get up, receive the sacrament of Confession, and try again. Recommit to a life of grace. Don’t remain apathetic—Jesus deserves your whole heart, not just a fraction.
Matthew 10:28 says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Cultural Catholicism and lukewarmness is silently killing souls in modern-day Christianity. Don’t let it take yours. What actions can you take today to set a fire in your heart for the Lord and enter deeper into the life of virtue He calls each of us to?
From the depths of my soul,
