3 reasons Catholics are leaving and what you can do about it
Why Silence is Golden – but Not Always
We have all heard to expression “silence is golden”. Silence is certainly beneficial in certain circumstances, but too often Christians remain silent for the wrong reasons and at the wrong times.
The potential retaliation, harassment, disagreements, and more that we may face by expressing truth in light of Christ to others causes many to just simply remain silent. A choice to not share the Gospel and share truth with others is not what we as Christians are called to do.
“But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please human beings, but rather God, who judges our hearts.” (I Thessalonians 2:4)
You are the recipient of a faithful Christian. You have heard the gospel of Jesus because someone else was faithful to speak rather than remain silent. What if the person or people who shared Jesus with you had chosen to remain silent? Where would you be without Jesus?
St. Paul had a vision that is recorded in Acts 18:9 where Jesus spoke to St. Paul and told him to not remain silent but to continue speaking.
Silence is certainly golden when we are seeking to hear the Holy Spirit, understanding others as they speak, or when we are angry. There are definitely times that call for silence but those times are not when we are faced with the opposite beliefs. When we see others in sin, advocating for sin, or others pushing ideas and philosophies that are contrary to the truth that Jesus Christ has delivered then it is our duty as Christians to share the truth with others.
Sharing the truth is not an act of arrogance but is an act of love. Others have shared Jesus with you out of love so that you may one day spend eternity in heaven. It should be the heart of every Christian to see others come to repentance and obedience to Jesus Christ. It should be our desire for every person we know to one day be a saint. That desire is not achieved in silence. It is achieved in speaking the truth, in love, with others and urging others to obey the commands of Jesus.
Many feel inadequate to share Jesus. Others feel they do not know enough, or the sins of their past are so dirty that no one will listen. Moses complained to God that he was not an eloquent speaker and could not bring God’s Words to the Pharoah, Abraham was a drunk, David was a murderer and adulterer, and St. Paul was a persecutor. It is not your qualities or abilities that Jesus seeks, but it is your obedience.
If you are not confident in yourself to know enough to talk about faith with others, then begin a daily routine of reading. In the age of technology and Church teachings at your fingertips, there is no reason you cannot learn more about your faith.
Go ahead. Speak up and speak out for Jesus. God has called you to be His voice, and not His muzzle.
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About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
