The Pope is an important world player. So why do we assume that what he says and does has little if nothing to do with our real world—with what's going on around us as we drink our morning coffee?
Take some recent headlines:
Pope launches drive to reclaim lapsed Western Catholics
(Reuters)–Oct.7
Catholic leaders gather to counter decline of faith
(AFP)–Oct. 7
Both articles mention the current synod of bishops, with the Holy Father and bishops meeting to discuss important issues and hot spots for the Catholic Church all over the world. Both also go on to harp on the fact that the Pope and bishops are worried about the Catholic Church struggling to connect with a world that no longer shares its views on issues like gay "marriage" or divorce.
Old news.
Of course the world and the Church don't see eye to eye! That was already true back in the days of the Roman Empire. And it hasn't changed.
However, this week the Pope isn't worried about those particular bits of old news. He and the bishops meeting with him in Rome are tuned in to what's going on right now.
The Pope's not just worrying about finally getting Catholics to practice what they preach. (That wouldn't be news, although it would a good idea: see my post on Baking Catholic here.) The Pope also cares about the world. With faith on the fall—a recent poll by the Pew Research Center (here) has one out of every five Americans saying they have no particular religion—Benedict doesn't think that Catholics are the problem. He does think they're part of the solution.
The Pope's message for this week's world? Catholics, practicing what you preach is fine, but preaching what you practice is even better.
What made so many Catholics key figures in world history was that fact that they got out and shared their faith. They weren't content to simply practice it at home. If you're Catholic and believe that Christ is for real, you have a powerful message for the world. Share it!
Preach what you practice. And just maybe others will start believing, practicing, and doing some preaching of their own.
Father Benejamin: Preaching what we practice and practicing what we preach is very important. It is difficult to believe the stats about the loss of Catholics to the Church and
ReplyDeletethe same stats must be similar in Canada. The U.S. Church has always been "ahead" so to speak in Church matters.....am wondering which country is sliding faster! In our particular
Parish...we see Catholics returning and more young people attending. Answer to prayers. Our Parish prays to St. Joseph daily...for the fallen-away to return home! What the Holy Father says is vitally important to us....and we
Thank God for Pope Benedict.
Doug in Canada