Engage the culture, influence society for good

BY RACHEL DEL GUIDICE
CATHOLIC VALUES COLUMNIST

It’s hard to believe that another semester has come and gone. It’s hard to believe that another string of projects and tests are leading us to the finish line.

As we near the end of another semester, I would like to leave you all with a challenge for you to take with you as you not only engage in summer activities but for the rest of your life.

This summer, challenge yourself to be more knowledgeable and proactive about what is happening in the world. Recently, more than one hundred Nigerian Christians were massacred during a Holy Week service. Twenty-one Christian men were beheaded on a beach in Libya less than a month ago. Just a few weeks ago, Terri Shiavo’s family remembered the 10th anniversary of her brutal euthanization.

While these events may seem of little or no consequence to you, they have deep and significant consequences. What goes down now, even if it happens in other countries, will certainly affect you. The only control you have over the consequences of these events is whether you take action or not.

Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

While I am not speaking about creation, I would like to look at this verse in regards to our responsibility to remain active in what is going around us. It is the duty of the Christian to influence and respond to what happens in society, be it in our hometowns, our state or events occurring in another country.

When we die, we will face Christ, and he will ask us if we have fed the poor, clothed the naked and bore witness to his name and his truths. Part of this mandate from Christ is influencing society for good and taking a stand for truth and justice. We are without excuse.

For example, stand up for the Christian couple who is forced to go out of business and face bankruptcy for simply declining to serve a gay wedding in order to not violate their consciences. Engage your peers in conversation about issues under debate in the news. Instead of just posting goofy memes, selfies and vines (while they do have their place), take a few minutes to read local, national and international news and post articles or thought-provoking messages about a current event that deserves the attention of the faithful. Use your influence to inspire others to get involved and influence society for good.

I would like to leave you with a quote from Martin Niemöller, who eventually became an outspoken public opponent of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of the Nazi occupation in concentration camps.

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”