John 15 states, “If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.”
The saying that Christians are “not of the world” is often repeated. But what does it really mean to be in the world but not of the world? To help answer this question, “Practicing Catholic” radio show producer Kayla Mayer spoke to Auxiliary Bishop Michael Izen about how to understand the paradox and how it should affect our lives as Catholics.
Bishop Izen said that not being of the world doesn’t require that we discard all our possessions, but rather that we order them to God.
“Anytime we put something ahead of God, that’s problematic,” he said. “Our material goods, the stuff that we need to live our life effectively, that can never become more important than our faith.”
It also doesn’t mean that people need to disregard the news, he said, but rather recognize that God is at work in it.
“As Catholics, we’re going to pay attention to the news, we’re going to pay attention to politics and culture, but it’s not the end-all. We know there’s something greater than anything that’s going on or anything that we hear on the news,” Bishop Izen said.
Being knowledgeable about current legislation is important, he said, to advocate for change when proposed legislation does not align with Catholic values.
“I think it’s important that we as Catholics know what’s going on, but we don’t have to be bogged down by that,” said Bishop Izen, who went to the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul in March, along with Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams, to speak with legislators about several concerns, including the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) that does not include a religious exemption. Nearly 500 people rallied at the Minnesota Capitol building May 8 to protest the ERA.
The bishop said that “it is important not just that the bishops, but that all Catholics are aware” of legislation that threatens the faith.
To hear more about what it means to not be “of the world,” including a discussion about technology, tune into the “Practicing Catholic” episode that debuts at 9 p.m. May 17 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. May 18 and 2 p.m. May 19.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program also includes a discussion with Rebecca Brubaker, founder and CEO of the Elija Institute, about the importance of an integrated Catholic psychotherapy. Also, Deacons Christopher Yanta and Hjalmar Gudjonsson discuss their journeys to the priesthood ahead of their May 25 ordination.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
