I have often used this blog in the past to draw attention to
issues in current political, ethical, or scientific news that I believe require
the serious examination of a faithful, globally aware Catholic. However, I feel
it is equally important for my blog to encourage and strengthen Catholics
soldiering on through an increasingly secular world. Let me begin with an
example.
My brother, a bright, intelligent, and amazingly analytical
recent college graduate, enjoys nothing more than playing the game Risk. Now
for those of you who are not familiar with this game, it involves about a
thousand colored plastic army men. Little soldiers count as one army, cavalry
units represent five armies, and artillery cannons represent ten. The object of
the game is complete global domination. Using the army pieces, each player
takes his turn attacking surrounding countries in an attempt to control as much
territory as possible, eventually the entire board. When one player’s army
covers the entire map, the game ends. It is this game that with its small book
worth of rules, time consuming turns, and mind boggling strategy captivates my
brother like no other game.
One hint as to the cause of this attraction is the fact that
he has never lost a game. Indeed, every game he has played, he emerged
victorious. It is no wonder, then, that this game is rarely removed from its
box on a family game night. As the
younger brother, I have excitedly begun many games with my older brother tense
with the anticipation of dethroning him in just one game. Each time I am sorely
disappointed. Almost without fail as my luck begins to decline, I throw a fit, promising
I will never again play. I am thrust into a state of despair and the game is
put away for nearly a year until I once again gain the confidence to play.
So too is the fight against secularism. Time and time again
I find an issue that I am passionate about, and time and time again I am
disappointed as no change is seen. This continuous disappointment can cause a
type of despair, which, if unchecked, can cause severe damage to both our own
spiritual lives as well as to those around us as they witness our actions. Despair is toxic to our relationship with
Christ and must be dealt with quickly through increased prayer.
As in Risk, we are called to gain territory for Christ.
Evangelization is not to be left for missionaries and those with vocations to
the religious life. Each and every one of us is called to be witnesses for
Christ to the secular world. We will
undoubtedly meet obstacles throughout our journeys but Christ is always waiting
for us to turn to Him. He will give us the strength to move on, calm our
temper, soothe our nerves, and nurse our wounds. He never asks us to do more
than we are capable of. As Bl. Teresa of Calcutta said, “We can do no great
things, only small things with great love.”
We are not called to move mountains, but we are called to do
what Christ asks of us, and this may not always be enjoyable. In these moments, remember Phil 4:13. “I have
the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” Christ has grace
enough sufficient for us. All we need to do is ask. Put your hope in Him and
not in your own accomplishments and you will not despair. Rather than
retreating from the game as I do with Risk, return with the increased vigor
that only our Lord Jesus Christ can provide.
