Light and Leaven

It seems like the only news we get today is bad. We live in a nation deeply divided. Daily we face more news on a pandemic, and our at the same news of a Church that is suffering in more ways than one. What are we, as faithful Catholics to do? Bishop Joseph Strickland has penned a book that gives light in the darkness and hope for those feeling hopeless. Light and Leaven: The Challenge of the Laity in the Twenty-First Century serves as the lantern we need to shine through the fog.

The Diocese of Tyler Texas, is relatively small when it comes to size. Its population of Catholics comprises around 55,000. However, the leader of this small diocese in Texas has a heart for Christ as big as any I have seen. Bishop Strickland’s love for the Church bleeds through in the pages of this book. Perhaps more importantly, so does his humility. Bishop Joseph Strickland is a true servant of God who wants nothing more than to lead those in his Diocese to a deeper relationship with Christ. And now, through the pages of Light and Leaven, he is extending that desire to the greater Church as a whole.

As we look around us at the Church today, we find a Church in need. After the devasting abuse scandal, a pandemic, and now the McCarrick Report’s release, some find themselves lost, hurt, and confused. Now more than ever, the laity needs the Church. Two things have shone a light on that. First, the Pew Study of 2019, showing that 70% of Catholics in the pews did not believe in the real presence. This study alone was extremely disheartening. But why such a large number of disbelievers? Many point to poor catechesis. The Church did a poor job of teaching its members the basics of the faith. Now is the time to fix that. The second issue is the pandemic. Backed into a corner, may dioceses closed parishes relegating the faithful to remote Masses on TV. For that 70% in the Pew Study they were just given a free pass and made it through largely unscathed. We left the playing field empty. Our challenge now is to bring them back.

With the heart of a shepherd, Strickland weighs in on these issues and more. He does so with a light touch and a huge helping of humility. At the same time, he doesn’t pull any punches. As the subtitle of the book suggests, Strickland looks at how the laity can save the Church. He does so while also revealing where the Church, including Bishops, fell short. A key point made by Strickland is how the role of the Bishop has changed due to a shift in focus largely pressured by society. This shift took Bishops from a pastoral role to an administration role, and we are paying the price for that.

The larger question here is how to right the ship. As I mentioned earlier, the Church has taken on water, the boat is listing, now is the time to take action. In the book, Bishop Strickland tackles this in two parts. The first, Light, details what the Church and her leadership need to do. This involves a more pastoral approach and, in so doing, will right the wrong of the past. The second part of the book, Leaven, focuses on the laity and our role and how we can contribute to bringing the Church back.

Our ultimate goal must be a firm foundation that points to Christ and not self. This is a worthy goal from Cardinals and Bishops to the Church going laity in the pews. The time has come to return to the early Church ideals of helping our neighbor, teaching them by example, and through doing so, showing them the beauty of the Catholic Church. The time has come for each of us to be Light and Leaven.

Where to Find

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Read my entire archive at www.catholicbookblogger.com.