How can I encourage my loved one who says the Catholic Church is irrelevant today?

Brief Overview

• The Catholic Church remains relevant because it addresses the deepest human questions about meaning, purpose, and how to live a good life that haven’t changed in two thousand years.
• Many people feel lost in our modern world and the Church offers real answers grounded in faith and reason rather than just trends that come and go.
• The Church continues to teach important truths about human dignity, love, and community that speak directly to real problems people face every single day.
• Modern challenges like loneliness, confusion about identity, and the search for purpose are exactly what the Church helps people work through with its ancient wisdom.
• When we look honestly at what the Church does in the world today through hospitals, schools, charities, and social services, we see it making a real difference in millions of lives.
• Understanding how the Church’s teachings connect to our everyday struggles can help your loved one see that faith is not just about the past but about having real solutions for life right now.

What Does Relevance Mean in a Modern World?

When someone says the Catholic Church is irrelevant, they usually mean it doesn’t speak to their life in ways that feel real and practical. Relevance means something makes a real difference in how we understand ourselves and what we do with our time. The Church has always been about helping people understand who they are and why they exist. Many people today feel confused about these basic questions because our culture offers them only shallow answers. The Church steps in and says that you matter because God created you with a purpose. Your life has meaning that goes beyond what you can see or measure. The faith teaches that every person has value simply because God loves them. This truth is just as important today as it was centuries ago. In fact, people today need this message even more because we live in a world that often makes people feel worthless. The Church’s relevance shows itself when it speaks to these real human needs.

The Church Addresses Eternal Human Questions

Throughout history, people have asked the same big questions no matter what century they lived in. We all wonder what happens after death, whether anyone or anything cares about us, and how we should treat others. The Catholic Church offers answers to these questions that come from God’s revelation to humanity. These answers don’t change because human nature doesn’t change. A person in the year 2025 feels the same loneliness, fear, and desire for love that a person felt in the year 1025. The Church recognizes this and provides wisdom that works across all time periods. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus tells us the greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This teaching is not outdated because love and community remain central to being human. The Church helps people understand what real love means in practical ways. When your loved one is struggling with loneliness or feeling like nothing matters, the Church’s message that they are loved by God provides real comfort. This is not a message for one generation only but for all people in all times.

How the Church Speaks to Modern Loneliness

Our world today has created a strange situation where people are more connected through technology than ever before, yet many feel more alone than ever. The Church recognizes this loneliness and offers community as a real solution. When you come to Mass, you join with other people who share your values and beliefs. You become part of something bigger than yourself. The Church teaches that we are made for community and that we find true peace in belonging to a body of believers. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul explains how the Church is like a body where each person has an important role to play. No one is left out or considered unimportant. This teaching applies directly to the modern problem of loneliness and isolation. When someone attends a Catholic parish, they can find genuine friendships based on shared faith rather than just surface interests. The sacraments like Confession and the Eucharist draw people together in ways that create real bonds. Many people today are searching for authentic community and the Church provides exactly that. Your loved one might find that the Church is actually more relevant to their loneliness than they realize.

The Church Offers Practical Guidance for Daily Life

Many people think the Church only talks about abstract spiritual ideas, but this misses how much guidance it offers for everyday decisions. The Church teaches us how to treat our family members, how to work honestly, how to handle money, and how to be good friends. These are not old-fashioned topics but real issues everyone faces today. When you face a difficult decision at work about being honest, the Church’s teachings about integrity matter. When you struggle with how to treat someone who has hurt you, the Church’s message about forgiveness offers real help. When you wonder if you are being a good parent or child, the Church provides clear guidance. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains how Christ’s teachings apply to these modern situations (CCC 1949). The Church does not ignore the world but actively helps people live better lives within it. Your loved one probably faces daily choices where they wish they had clear guidance. The Church steps in and says that God cares about how we treat people, how we spend our time, and how we use our resources. This is highly relevant to anyone who wants to live a meaningful life.

The Church and the Search for Truth

In our modern world, people are told that truth is whatever they believe it to be and that all opinions are equally valid. This leaves many people confused and unsure what to trust. The Catholic Church stands firm in saying that there is objective truth and that we can know it. This truth comes from God’s revelation through Scripture and through the traditions the Church has preserved for two thousand years. When everything around us changes and cultures shift, the Church provides something stable to hold onto. Many people today are tired of living in a world where nothing seems certain. The Church offers the peace that comes from knowing what is true and real. In John 14:6, Jesus says “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” This promise speaks to the modern person who is searching for meaning and direction. The Church helps people understand that following Christ leads to the truth about who we are and how we should live. Your loved one might feel drawn to the Church’s confidence in truth without even realizing it. In a confusing world, the Church’s clarity is actually very relevant.

How the Church Cares for the Poor and Suffering

The Catholic Church runs more hospitals, schools, and charitable organizations than almost any other institution in the world. These are not just old buildings from centuries ago but active places where the Church serves people every single day. In hospitals run by the Church, doctors and nurses treat people with dignity and try to heal them with compassion. In schools, teachers help children learn and grow. In soup kitchens and shelters, volunteers feed and clothe homeless people. This is not irrelevant work but essential work that addresses real human needs. When someone says the Church is irrelevant, you can point to these concrete actions. The Church does not just talk about helping the poor but actually does it through millions of workers and volunteers. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus says that when we help someone who is hungry, sick, or in prison, we are actually helping him. This teaches that serving others is at the heart of faith. The Church takes this seriously and works constantly to help people who are suffering. Your loved one may not realize the scale of the Church’s charitable work. When they understand how much good the Church does in the world, they might reconsider whether it is truly irrelevant.

The Church Teaches About Human Dignity in the Modern Age

Our modern world often treats people as if they are just workers, consumers, or data points to be used by companies and governments. The Catholic Church stands against this and teaches that every human being has infinite worth because God created each person in his image. This teaching is deeply relevant to modern problems like exploitation, abuse, and discrimination. The Church says that your loved one matters, not because of what they produce or what they own, but simply because they are human. In Genesis 1:27, we read that God created humans in his own image and likeness. This is not just a nice idea from ancient times but a truth that should change how we treat ourselves and others. When people are struggling with low self-worth or feeling like they don’t matter, the Church’s message about human dignity offers real healing. The Church also fights against modern injustices by speaking out against things like human trafficking, poverty, and discrimination. These are current issues, not historical ones. The Church’s defense of human dignity is highly relevant to making the world a better and more just place. Your loved one probably cares about justice and fairness, and the Church shares these values in practical ways.

Faith and Reason Work Together in the Church

Some people think that faith and reason are opposed to each other, or that the Church asks people to believe things that don’t make sense. This is not what the Catholic Church teaches. The Church believes that God gave us reason and that faith does not ask us to abandon our thinking. In fact, the Church encourages people to use their minds and to think deeply about faith. Many brilliant thinkers throughout history have been Catholic, and the Church has a strong intellectual tradition. When your loved one uses their intelligence to understand the world, the Church says this is good and important. The Church does not ask people to believe things that contradict reason but rather to understand how faith and reason work together. In Romans 12:2, Paul encourages us to renew our minds and to think about what is true and good. The Church has produced great philosophers, scientists, and scholars who show that faith and learning go hand in hand. Your loved one might be drawn to a Church that respects their intelligence and ability to think for themselves. This shows that the Church is relevant to people who value truth and understanding.

The Church Offers Sacraments That Mark Life’s Important Moments

Throughout our lives, we experience big moments that feel sacred and significant, like being born, becoming an adult, committing to another person, or facing death. The Church recognizes these moments and provides sacraments that help us understand their meaning and receive God’s grace. These are not just ceremonies from the past but living practices that help people today connect their lives to God’s plan. When a baby is baptized, the Church welcomes a new person into the community of faith. When someone receives Confirmation, they publicly commit to living as a Christian. When two people marry, the Church blesses their love and commits to supporting their relationship. When someone is dying, the Church brings comfort and helps them face that final moment with faith. These sacraments are deeply relevant because they speak to experiences every person faces. Your loved one has probably experienced some of these moments or will face them in the future. The Church says these moments are not just personal events but connections to something greater than ourselves. This is highly relevant to anyone who feels that their life should mean something beyond the ordinary routine.

The Church Provides Moral Guidance in a Confusing World

Modern culture sends out thousands of messages about what we should do and how we should live, and many of these messages contradict each other. One day we hear that we should be successful and ambitious, the next day we hear that we should be humble and simple. One message says that pleasure is the most important thing in life, while another says we should always think of others. This confusion leaves many people unsure about what is actually right and wrong. The Catholic Church offers clear moral guidance based on God’s law and the teachings of Christ. This guidance is relevant because people today desperately need help knowing right from wrong. The Church teaches about virtues like courage, honesty, justice, and kindness that help us live well. The Church also warns against vices like greed, pride, and anger that damage our lives and our relationships. When your loved one faces a moral question, the Church offers wisdom rather than just letting them guess. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains how to apply Jesus’ teachings to modern situations (CCC 1962). This is not irrelevant advice from the distant past but practical guidance for life today. Your loved one probably struggles with moral questions sometimes and the Church’s clear teaching can provide real help.

The Church Speaks to Modern Struggles with Identity

Many people today feel confused about who they are and what makes them valuable. Young people especially struggle with questions about identity, fitting in, and finding their place in the world. The Catholic Church addresses this confusion by teaching that our identity comes from being loved by God. We are not defined by our looks, our clothes, our job, or what others think of us. Instead, we are defined by being God’s children. This teaching is very relevant to people who are confused about their identity. When someone struggles with low self-esteem or feels pressure to be someone they are not, the Church offers an alternative vision. The Church says that you have worth simply because God loves you, and this love does not depend on your success or your appearance. In Ephesians 3:17-19, Paul prays that people will know how deeply Christ loves them. This is not a message from an old book but a living truth that addresses modern confusion about identity. Your loved one may be struggling with questions about who they are and what matters. The Church can help them find a solid sense of self based on something real and permanent.

How the Church Helps People Find Meaning

One of the biggest problems in our modern world is that many people feel their lives have no real meaning or purpose. They go through the motions of working and consuming but feel empty inside. The Catholic Church offers an answer to this modern crisis by teaching that our lives have a purpose given by God. We are here to know God, to love God, and to serve God and his people. This is not an abstract idea but a concrete purpose that can guide all our choices. When someone understands that their life has a purpose, it changes how they approach each day. Work becomes more than just a way to earn money; it becomes a way to serve God and others. Relationships become more than just companionship; they become opportunities to practice love and sacrifice. Even difficult times become meaningful when we understand them as part of God’s plan for our growth. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says “I have plans for you, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This promise speaks directly to the modern person who feels lost and purposeless. Your loved one probably wants their life to mean something significant. The Church can show them that their life does have meaning and purpose.

The Church Teaches About Real Love and Commitment

In our modern world, love is often treated as a feeling that we have or don’t have, and when the feeling goes away, love ends. The Catholic Church teaches a much deeper understanding of love that is based on commitment and sacrifice rather than just feelings. This teaching is very relevant to people who want their relationships to last and to be truly satisfying. The Church teaches that real love means choosing the good of another person even when it costs us something. Real love stays committed through difficult times, not just when things are easy and pleasant. Real love builds up the other person and helps them become their best self. This understanding of love is desperately needed in a world where many relationships end as soon as they become hard. The Church supports marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. The Church also teaches that single people and celibate people can live meaningful, loving lives devoted to serving God and others. In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells his followers to love each other as he has loved them. This teaching about love is not outdated but more needed than ever. Your loved one probably wants to experience real love and to build relationships that last. The Church offers wisdom about love that actually works in real life.

The Church Stands Against Modern Lies About Money and Success

Our modern world teaches that money is the most important thing and that happiness comes from having lots of possessions. People are told that they should spend their whole life working to get more and more stuff. The Church stands against this false teaching and offers truth about money and what actually makes us happy. The Church teaches that money is useful but not ultimate. Money can be used to help others and to do good in the world. But money should never become our main goal or our identity. When we make money our god, we become slaves to it and never feel satisfied. In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul says that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. This teaching is highly relevant to people in our consumer society who feel pressure to constantly work and buy. Many people today are exhausted from pursuing money and success and find that it does not make them happy. The Church offers a better way by teaching that what matters most is how we treat people and what kind of person we become. Your loved one might be trapped in the rat race of chasing money and success. The Church can help them step back and think about what truly matters in life.

The Church Provides Hope in Times of Suffering

Everyone faces hard times and suffering at some point in their lives, and these experiences can make people question whether life has meaning. Serious illness, death of loved ones, job loss, or broken relationships can shake our faith in anything good. The Catholic Church recognizes suffering as real and painful, and it does not offer false comfort or pretend that bad things don’t happen. Instead, the Church offers something deeper: the truth that suffering can have meaning when we unite it with Christ’s suffering. In Colossians 1:24, Paul says he is filling up what is lacking in the suffering of Christ. This means that when we endure suffering with faith, we are participating in something greater than our own pain. The Church also teaches that God does not abandon us in our suffering but walks with us through it. Many people today face suffering and feel completely alone. The Church steps in and says that God understands pain because Christ himself suffered and died on the cross. This is not an irrelevant message from the distant past but a living reality that speaks to modern suffering. Your loved one might be going through a difficult time right now. The Church can offer both practical support through its community and spiritual hope through its faith.

The Church Teaches About Death and What Comes After

One modern problem is that people rarely talk about death, and this silence leaves many people afraid and confused about dying. The Church speaks openly about death because it is a natural part of human life that everyone faces. The Church teaches that death is not the end but a transition to eternal life with God for those who have faith. This teaching is relevant because it removes much of the fear people feel about dying. When your loved one thinks about death, whether their own or someone else’s, the Church offers real answers. The Church teaches that our time on earth is not all there is, that there is something more, and that how we live here matters for eternity. In John 11:25-26, Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live.” This promise speaks directly to modern anxiety about death. The Church also teaches about heaven and about judgment after death, helping people understand that their actions have lasting consequences. Many people today have no framework for understanding death and so they ignore it or live in fear of it. The Church offers a healthy, honest way to think about death and to prepare for it by living a good life.

The Church’s Community Offers Real Friendship and Support

When someone feels isolated or struggles with a problem, the Church provides a community of people who care about each other and support each other through life’s challenges. A Catholic parish is not just a building where people go once a week but a living community of believers. The people in that community are there for each other in both good times and hard times. When someone in the parish has a baby, the community celebrates. When someone suffers a loss, the community mourns and offers support. This kind of genuine community is increasingly rare in our modern world where people often live isolated lives. The Church is relevant because it addresses the modern problem of loneliness by providing real relationships. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul encourages the believers to encourage and build each other up. This is exactly what a good parish does. When your loved one joins a Catholic community, they find people who share their values and who care about them as whole persons, not just as coworkers or classmates. This real community support is deeply relevant to modern people who feel isolated and unknown. Your loved one might be surprised to find genuine friendship and support in the Church.

The Church Adapts to Modern Times While Holding to Eternal Truths

Some people think the Church is irrelevant because it has not changed, but they miss an important point. The Church’s core teachings about God, love, and how we should live are eternal and do not change. However, the Church does adapt how it expresses these teachings and applies them to modern situations. The Church uses modern technology and communication to reach people today. The Church addresses modern issues like environmental protection, economic justice, and the ethical use of science. The Church listens to what is happening in the world and speaks to people’s real concerns. In Matthew 16:3, Jesus tells the Pharisees they can read the signs of the sky but cannot read the signs of the times. The Church takes this seriously and tries to understand what is happening in our modern world so it can offer relevant guidance. Your loved one might not realize that the Church is constantly engaging with modern problems and questions. The Church is not stuck in the past but actively working to help people live faithfully in the present age.

How to Encourage Your Loved One Through Conversations

When you talk with your loved one about why the Church is relevant, start by listening to what they actually think. Ask them what specifically makes them feel the Church is not relevant. Maybe they have had a bad experience in the Church, or maybe they think religion is just old superstition. Listen without arguing and try to understand their real concerns. Then share how the Church has been meaningful in your own life. Tell them about specific ways the Church’s teachings or community have helped you. Share personal stories rather than abstract arguments. Invite them to attend Mass with you or to talk with a priest about their doubts. Tell them that the Church welcomes questions and that doubts are normal. Avoid being pushy or judgmental because that will only push them further away. In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter says to always be ready to give a reason for the hope you have, but do it with gentleness and respect. This is good advice for how to talk with your loved one about faith. Show them that faith is not about being ignorant or closed-minded but about seeking truth and meaning. Demonstrate through your own life that being Catholic makes you a better, happier, more loving person.

The Church Points to Jesus as the Reason for Hope

Ultimately, the reason the Church is relevant is because Jesus Christ is relevant. Jesus is not a figure from the distant past who no longer matters. Jesus is alive and present through the Church and through the sacraments. When someone receives the Eucharist, they are actually receiving Christ’s body and blood. When someone goes to Confession, they encounter Christ’s forgiveness and mercy. When someone prays, they are speaking to Jesus who hears and cares about them. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus promises his followers “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This promise means that Jesus is not just a historical figure but a living presence today. The Church is relevant because it connects people to this living Jesus who offers forgiveness, healing, healing, purpose, and eternal life. Your loved one might not realize that being Catholic is not just about following old rules but about having a relationship with Jesus. When they understand that the Church offers them a real connection to Christ, they might see the Church differently. The Church’s relevance comes down to this simple truth: Jesus loves your loved one and wants to know them and help them live the best possible life.