Catholic and Patriotic

This weekend we celebrate the great American feast of Independence.  Whether you call it Independence Day or the Fourth of July, it is a patriotic feast.  Jesus told us that His followers were in the world but not of the world (cf. John 17:16-18).  Can we who are faithful to the teachings of Christ be patriotic as well as Catholic?

The simple answer is yes.  Of course we can.  But it is important that we examine what we mean by patriotic.  Many use the word patriotic when they mean nationalistic.  Patriotism is the love of one’s native or adopted place, simply for what it is—not because it is “the best in the world,” not because it is the “richest,” not because it is the “most powerful.” All such considerations are irrelevant to patriotism. Someone living in a third-world country that is poor and that has no power beyond its own borders can be every bit as patriotic as we can. 

Patriotism, being a kind of love, is a good thing. It needs to be contrasted with nationalism, which arises not out of love but out of pride. We know that pride is a sin—the chief of the Seven Deadly Sins.    The pride that underlies nationalism make us think that our country is “the best,” that we are “the best,” that our politics and culture should be the norm everywhere.  Nationalism allows no room for foreigners to be different because their countries and their people are not “the best.” Whether we think they are inferior in history or constitution or military power or table manners. 

Our faith is one without borders.  The worship in the wealthiest nation on earth is not superior to the worship in the poorest.  We recognize that being Catholic is about being one Church, in solidarity with all.  Being Catholic means our citizenship extends beyond borders or geographic regions. 

The Catholic experience in the United States is one of struggle and triumph.  We are black and white, Hispanic, Asian, rich and poor.  Collectively we are the heart and moral compass, representing all that is good in the United States.   And we are patriotic.

But we are not nationalistic.  We recognize, as our Lord teaches, that the best place to be is heaven, and our true citizenship lies there.