“Modernism at its core is looking to the well-being of man but at the sacrifice of the righteousness of God.” (p. 22). Modernism in the Church matters way more than we think, as it is progressively corrupting God’s people. Modernism welcomes and embraces the sick but doesn’t heal them from their wounds. Rather, it encourages them to be comfortable with them, as their wounds continuously bleed. It is being moved by the desire to please the world rather than God. In doing so, the goal to bring more people to the Church through modern ways is falsely giving hope and turning sheep away from the Shepherd, Jesus.
The error of modernism lies in its teachings. Modernism claims to love the sinners but does not hate their sins. This is why they allow the blessing of same-sex couples, that pro-abortion advocates can receive Holy Communion, human fraternity which affirms that all religions lead to the divine, discouraging proselytizing (which is to make converts or evangelize), and more ideas that want to be neutral in fear of offending the world. This enemy is already within the Church through some of our leaders; thus, we must be vigilant in knowing and living out the truth. As the truth is, we can be in this world but not of the world (John 17:14–16).
Striving to be a true Catholic youth missionary in a world that will hate you for it can earnestly feel like it’s better to hide and be silent about the issues that affect the culture of life and the Church. Woke ideologies that target us youth can be so persuasive with how passionate they sound. We are torn to choose between two sides, both of which come with a cost.
As a youth missionary, I face times when I feel afraid after speaking up for what I believe in. I fear that I will be judged and will lose more friends because they think I’m being hateful. Through Modernism in the Church, I learned that modernism pushes that agenda into our young minds. It encourages us to accept sin and these ideologies for what they are because we must consider the emotions of the people. Speaking up about my pro-life views contrary to abortion, divorce, LGBTQ+, and the like comes with a “threatening cost” that I will be left out from the world. However, this book affirmed to me that, at the end of the day, the Church wasn’t made to please the masses, but rather to glorify God. And as a Catholic youth missionary, my purpose is to live for Him, that includes facing fears, doubts, and hate from the world. Today, modernism spreads its false teachings from social media to even within the Church itself. The only way to defeat it is to stay rooted in Christ. When we are rooted in Truth and Goodness, who is Jesus Christ Himself, there is nothing that we can fear. Our Catholic faith is the fullness of truth, and its beauty should never be diminished for the sake of man’s well-being.
Modernism in the Church reminded me of my very mission as a Catholic youth: to make Jesus known. As a youth missionary, I am called to love and see goodness in everyone just as Jesus did. A great part of love is speaking out for the truth. If we don’t speak out and correct them, then we become unloving. The truth can hurt, but ultimately it is liberating, as it leads us to Jesus—the Jesus who was passed on to us by the apostles and early Church Fathers. As missionaries, we are called to evangelize and proclaim the Church’s Tradition. We must bring the Church to the people and the people to the Church. We must gather the lost sheep and lead the way back to the Shepherd. We must not be afraid to step out of our comfort zone. After all, “Jesus appointed his apostles to carry on with his work.” (p. 7)
Modernism in the Church warns us of Satan’s plague. This plague is spreading within the Church because the way to destroy our faith is through her—to degrade her roots and manipulate her people into turning their backs on her. Modernism coats itself in compassion and acceptance, but its true essence is to give false hope and mercy while leading souls away from the truth of Christ. As the review reflects, this danger especially affects the youth and the culture today. Therefore, the book teaches us how to combat it through great love rooted in Jesus Christ, remaining faithful to the Church’s truth and courageously leading others back to the Shepherd.
Above all, Modernism in the Church reminded me that being a Catholic youth missionary is a unique calling and that my Catholic faith must always be on fire, steadfast in bringing other people back into God’s arms. The Church isn’t merely a building we go to on Sundays; it’s not just a part of life—it is our life. Our life must be rooted in Christ and firm on the Church He built solidly on rock.
