Is the “American Dream” Catholic?
“Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
As we Americans celebrated the founding of the United States last month, I reflected on our heritage as Americans and our heritage as Catholics—where they overlapped and where they conflicted. This year, as an election year, we are forced to grapple with great divisiveness, which can lead to frustration and even fear. How do we, as Catholic Americans, walk in the truth of our faith while embracing with gratitude the privileges our country has provided?
America and the Church
America was weaned on the ideals of independence and freedom, and it matured with iconic songs like “I Did it My Way” by Frank Sinatra and classic heroes like the Lone Ranger. These archetypes perpetuate the belief that we must be rugged individualists who don’t need anybody.
Phrases such as “It’s lonely at the top” and “self-made man” suggest that success can only come through our personal skills and hard-fought, independent effort. The Church teaches us that our individual identity is valuable and precious to God. Each person is given special gifts and abilities that are vital to the community, and the right of the individual to express those gifts is part of his or her human dignity (1 Corinthians 12). However, the Church also teaches us we are all one body in Christ and should “regard others as more important than [ourselves]” (Philippians 2:3-4).
The truth about success, purpose, fulfillment, and “living the dream” is more about community, collaboration, and humility than about having the title role. It is difficult to articulate this point when the very foundations of our country rely on stories of individual glory. Like many in the west, America is one of the nations that values individual successes more than collective ones.
Regardless of the political or cultural tendencies of various nations, however, the Church recognizes the value of the whole both for good and for evil. For example, the sins of the individual impact the entire body of the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1469), and the efforts, talents, and skills of the individual—when offered in a collaborative spirit—benefit the whole.
These ideals are about community, not socialism or communism. Catholicism professes the inherent value of the individual, who has dignity and value within or without the context of collaboration and communal efforts.
A Personal Journey
It’s important that we recognize the individualized, recognition-driven culture in which we work while growing in our knowledge and understanding of our faith so that we may better serve our Lord. This practice stretches our souls and forces us to broaden our vision of our American dream. For me, this journey took much longer than I like to admit.
When I consider my formative years during the 1980s, when everyone was going to be a millionaire by 30, I recognize there was little respect given to people who lifted up the people around them or who took a seat at the back of the room. Things began to change when I finally learned that my weaknesses were opportunities for growth, not failures in moral character; when I embraced my identity as something inherited from God before I achieved anything; and when I accepted that the success of others did not diminish my contribution.
When we attempt to keep up with the Joneses, we are unable to be vulnerable, authentic, or flawed. As leaders in business and prophets of God, we should not strive to hide our mistakes or pretend that we have it all figured out. Our American dream (or the dream of whatever country we live in) can be one that embraces the individual gifts and talents that God gave us while recognizing the gifts He gave others. By being vulnerable with the people we lead, we enable them to do the same.
Living the Faith in Our American Dream
We need each other to find real fulfillment and lasting success. It is a lie to believe that any one person can possess all the virtues and skills they need, and when leaders attempt to be that person, huge failure awaits them. My perfectionism led to the collapse of my first business, and while it devastated me both financially and professionally at the time, it freed me from the lies of a culture convinced of its own superiority and enabled me to embrace my own flaws and see others as equal contributors to success.
Living the American dream does not have to contradict our walk with the Lord, but it is important for us to pay close attention to what we are striving for and what we are willing to sacrifice to achieve it. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are noble aspirations. Christ is life. Christ came to bring liberty to the captives. Christ has spoken these so things that His joy may be in us and our joy may be complete (John 15:11).
When our life is in Christ and our pursuits bring freedom from enslavement to the ways of the world, our joy will be complete, and our protected rights afforded by living in the United States of America can be realized.
Laryn Weaver is a career chameleon with a consistent focus. Her goal is for each person she encounters to have a deep understanding of their own worth and value and an awareness of the skills and gifts that they bring to the world. While not technically a business coach, 95% of her clients are in the business world. For 25 years, her desire has been to build up the women as they build their lives.
Laryn is the author of four books and spent part of her career as a motivational speaker for Catholic women and women in business. She regards her marriage of 31 years and her four adult children who love Jesus and have a commitment to beauty, truth, and goodness her greatest accomplishments. Her latest blessings are the four grandbabies who add abundantly to her gratitude! Find out more about Laryn and the services she offers at larynweaver.com.