I work in several languages and it is my position that all Catholics need to be at least diglots, (speak two languages) if not polyglots (speak more than two.) Many in the United States reject that position. “This is America!” You will hear them say, “Speak English!” This is not a Catholic position but a secular US position. Indeed, as Catholics if we only speak English then we close ourselves to the way of international fellowship with those who worship as we do.

Instead of buying into this attitude of “English only”, we must humble ourselves before God and ask if we are indeed doing his will as he has called us or are we missing the mark of Christianity? As one who works in three of the five languages of the Americas (English, Spanish and Portuguese) I see a great contrast between the English speaking manner of living Catholicism and that of the other languages. Are we here in the United States living a false faith and considering ourselves orthodox faithful? My personal belief is yes, otherwise there would be no reason for me to write this book. All would be well and we could just continue being who we are.

I write this book to indicate that we need to re-examine our witness to the faith and start living it in ways that reflect God’s intention for us as Catholics. That should be seen within the context of our individual lives and in our communal lives in our families and in our communities.

If I go back to my four o’clock in the afternoon Easter Vigil analogy, then I can ask the question if indeed we are not standing there with candles on a sunny afternoon, but rather if we are standing there with unlit candles at midnight absolutely useless to anyone who seeks to know the truth or the way. I would certainly not say that this is a universal position, but I do believe it is indeed one that is not uncommon in our Catholic community here in the United States.

How do we stand with unlit candles? We do that by living our lives out fundamentally indistinguishable from those around us. Maybe we embrace the Atheist world view that surrounds us even though that is incompatible with Catholicism. Or maybe that of fundamentalist Christians who see Christianity as nothing more than following laws.  Think of it this way: A candle without a match is useless for anything but to wax up the runners of sleds in winter. A match without a candle is literally a flash in the pan or more accurately stated a flash on a stick. It is light that lasts only a few seconds then returns to darkness. A candle and a match put together become a source of illumination for hours on end.

Are we a candle without a match, a match without a candle or are we ignited with the passion of our faith to become a light to the world. The choice is ours. It is a choice we make and this is what this book is about, that very choice.

Just as the book was being put to print, noted journalist Tim Russert died suddenly of a heart attack. Here is a man whose reputation for excellence in his work was beyond reproach. What made Russert different? I am sure he would say that he lived his faith through his journalistic vocation. This is something that virtually every other journalist remarked in remembering him. As Catholics we must take note, are not we all called to do this?

From the book Be Catholic Agents for Change by Fr. Robert J. Carr

Fr. Carr edits this blog. He is a Diocesan priest, Pastor at St. Benedict Parish in Somerville, MA and is an alliance member of the New Song Community.

(Please note: book link is to site not affiliated with the Archdiocese of Boston nor New Song.)