Separation between Church and Self

I have been thinking a lot recently about the idea of separation Church and State.  As a general rule I understand and agree with the concept that the Church should stay out of political rule, and the government should stop trying to redefine human morality and truth. However, I think the idea of separation between Church and State has led many Catholics into a much more personal separation, the separation between Church and self. I began thinking about this idea Tuesday morning when I was discussing abortion, euthanasia, and homosexual marriage with some other men.  It was after we were done talking and I was on my way home that I realized that it is still legal to kill my child. Not Thomas (though some argue that it should be) but our baby that my wife has been toting around in her womb for the last 40 weeks or so.  Shawn could be born any day, or I could have him killed this afternoon and feminists everywhere would praise my choice to exercise my participation in this murderous act.  In fact many well-meaning Catholics and Christians in general see no problem with the legalized murder of innocent children, probably because they are too busy trying to get the death penalty abolished for convicted rapists and ensure a “death with dignity” for our nations aged. It all stems from a failure, as one of my friends put it, to recognize the sovereignty of Christ. I think it has something to do with the modern American trend of showing disdain for all authority who can make a claim to control how you live your life. As a general rule no one hates firefighters or EMTs, but lots of people love to talk about how much they hate police officers, teachers, or politicians.  The biggest difference is that police officers, teachers, and politicians have the authority to tell us how we need to live our lives.  I find that many Americans, especially youth and young adults, find any such control absolutely unacceptable. Even those who don’t usually find it at least a little uncomfortable.  When people find civil authority uncomfortable, is it any surprise that when it comes to matters of faith and morality that they would tend to rebel even more?  If we don’t like being told what speed to drive on the highway, is it any wonder that we get uptight when we are told what speed to go in our relationships?  While a separation between Church and State may be a good and valuable thing, a separation between Church and self is exactly the opposite, but it is even more necessary.  The struggle is greatest when we are asked to do something either extremely difficult or extremely personal. In other words, the things that ask us to truly put our money where our mouth is and not just say that we are Catholic, but actually live it out. Not just say that Christ is the most important thing in our lives, but actually live our lives as if we believe it. Isn’t that when we really have faith? When we put all that we have and all that we are into our prayer and offer it to God and agree to live our lives His way. We don’t use the copout of “If God is really a loving God He’ll understand.”  To take such a stance is to say that you don’t really trust in God.  You want to do your own thing and then demand that God approve of your actions in the name of “love.” What you really mean is that you want to be your own god. You want to call all the shots and decide what is right and wrong, sinful and good and then demand that others (especially God) approve of you and agree with your decisions.  People who want a separation of Church and self want to proclaim Christ as their king at Mass on Sunday, but don’t want to listen to that King when he tells them that abortion is murder, that marriage is meant to be a complete and mutual gift of self between a man and a woman (which contraception destroys), and that sex is not a casual pass time between two people who find each other reasonably attractive. To eliminate the separation between Church and self n our culture requires true courage, the kind that can only be attained through grace. The question is, will we ask for that grace?