Welcome to HomilayUSA: CforC’s New Weekly Wakeup Call to Action! It’s not a homily, because we’re not priests. It’s just Catholic lay people talking to other laity.
Ash Wednesday is a special day. Aside from initiating the holy season of Lent, it’s the ONE day out of the entire year, when you can determine WHO’S CATHOLIC and who’s not.
The ancient tradition of ashes on the forehead becomes a VISIBLE sign of someone living out their Catholic faith. From Hollywood actors, to newscasters, to your barista at Starbucks, people you’ve never thought of come out of the woodwork and give you the gleeful realization of, “oh this person is Catholic.” Aside from being a day of penance, Ash Wednesday is a day of special unity as we Catholics make a PUBLIC profession of our faith.
But here’s the deal. Why are we only this public with our faith this ONE day a year? People need to know we’re Catholic. If you’re a Chiefs fan, you don’t wear your Kansas City merch once a year. Why? Because you love your team and realize they’re the best and you want people to know about it.
Recently, I received a call from a major political campaign. They knew we here at Catholics for Catholics seek to rally behind those Catholics in the public square who are boldly living their faith. Because of our mission, they wanted our endorsement for their Catholic candidate! I responded, “No problem, that’s what we’re here for.”
Once we started asking our friends who were familiar with the campaign about whether the candidate was truly a good, practicing Catholic, they responded with, “I’m not sure” or “I don’t think they’ve really discussed their faith.”
Look, our organization is not in the business of judging people’s souls. That’s God’s department. But if you believe that Jesus Christ is the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE even though you may screw up and be sinners like the rest of us, that FAITH should be expressed PUBLICLY.
As we begin this Lenten season, let’s be bold in who we are as Catholics. Our country needs our Catholic witness now more than ever. We need to get involved and support those on the front lines who are taking hits to bring America back to God.
God Bless, Fight On, and have a blessed start to Lent!
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