Catholics Must Become Christians
“If ever there was a time when humanity needed followers of Christ and fewer fence-sitters, that time is now.” (Doherty, Catherine: The Gospel Without Compromise, 76). Catherine Doherty’s words—written nearly 40 years ago—still speak to my heart. Humanity’s heart is wounded; we are witnesses to abuse and abortion, pornography and power-hungry politicians. The list can, and does, go on. Humanity needs followers of Christ, those who share in His prophetic mission to “bring glad tidings to the poor,” to set the captives—prisoners to injustice, addiction, and especially sin—free! And most importantly to proclaim a “year acceptable to the Lord,” to announce in boldness and charity that now is the time of Mercy (Luke 4:18-19); that Jesus Christ has come to reconcile us, not to condemn us (cf. John 3:17). The Gospel is the battle cry on behalf of the Kingdom of God—a message fulfilled in Christ, which must take root in us. Earlier this year, one of the professed friars that I live