For God and Country

The phrase, "For God and Country" is often found inscribed on the corner stones of Catholic schools in the United States of America and perhaps other nations.  Its origin is found in Johan Salla, a commander in the Royal Forces of Alfonso the Chaste. 

As I was walking by a school, I noticed this phrase and began to think.  What does "For God and Country" really mean? 

In today's America where some polls claim that the majority of Catholics are for contraception, gay marriage and abortion when the mother's life is in danger; this got me thinking.  If these polls are indeed accurate, then this only means that American Catholics are losing their vision.  They are becoming blind to secular matters and have forgotten God.  They are focusing on the country part and setting aside God.

The nation is being placed before God.  The saying places God first and rightfully so.  Catholics cannot support secular rhetoric that opposes the Church's teaching.  One cannot be Catholic and be for contraception, abortion and/or gay marriage.  One of the most important factors of being Catholic is being counter-cultural.  Being a Catholic does not mean that a Catholic must obey all the social norms of the society he/she lives in especially when they are contrary to the Church's teachings.  We are called to transform nations into the image of Christ.  We are called to evangelize our nations, not conform to their ideas, especially when those ideas are contrary to God and His Church's teachings. 

While patriotism is fine and dandy, it should not become idolatrous.  It is OK to be proud of one's nationality; however, our nation of birth is just land and nothing more.  The people make the nation.  As Catholics, our true country - our true nation is Heaven. (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:16) 

Nations will come and go, but God's Word will always remain.  Greece and Rome fell, Egypt fell, the empires of Spain and Britain fell, eventually the United States will fall.  We must not rely on man-made nations, but focus on our true nation: Heaven.  In order to make our current nations better, we must be faithful to Christ and His Church by promoting the teachings and defending life, marriage and the true meaning of sexual relations as a channel to bring new life to the world. 

Catholics wake up!  You cannot be Catholic and support abortion, contraception and gay marriage.