Joy of the Just
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Prayers
  • Categories
  • Good Reads

TO WITNESS AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

As Christians, we are all called to priestly and prophetic mission to share and proclaim the Gospel. We hope to share with others the good works of God in our lives and strive towards holiness through Mary and the Dominican Spirituality.
More Info

The Lay Faithful:  We Are the Church also But It Can Be Shown in Many Ways

8/28/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Br. Raymond de Penyfort
 
In Christifidelis Laici, the document of His Holiness John Paul II relating to the role of the Laity, we as laymen are also called to go into the vineyard (the world) [Mt 20:1-16].  The whole world is to be transformed.  Today, however, as never before, we must be cognizant of our role.
 
The document speaks of the PLACE where lives the laity, men and women in every position and walk of life.  For us as Lay Dominicans, the challenge is even more apparent since we already are aware that we must PRAY, Study, be together in Community and Evangelize.  I would suggest that the PLACE implies the time and when and where we must be especially conscious of that role.
 
Today we are going through incredibly difficult times and our Church needs us now more than ever.  The whole Church is being subjected to criticism, in large part due to poor behavior of its leaders; therefore, how must we, the laity, evangelize in this feverish climate?
 
I feel that at this time, it is wise to step back and realize that we are understandably shocked and dismayed and want to see justice done.  It may be difficult for lay people to know what to say or do, but let us continue to pray for the poor unfortunate victims and that this never happens again.
 
In the meantime, I wish to concentrate on other issues that many of us average Catholics face in whatever the forum—the PLACE.  We must continue to emphasize our concern for one another in whatever way we can.  For instance, coming away from a discussion with two acquaintances at a health club who are both facing cancer and sickness, with a sincere “I’ll be praying for you” promise.  There is a novena at SS. Philip and James to St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer patients.  I have several Jewish friends who needed support because of losses of friends and relatives who have been consoled just by the fact that I took the time to listen.  I made a few telephone calls for someone whose relatives needed counseling, and I have recently made efforts in my own family to heal some past wounds between members.
 
My efforts have been ongoing but in none of these instances except one did I include an invitation to attend church—just yet.  But in all of these situations, the individuals have known that I’m Catholic and although not in heaven yet, I believe in my Church.
 
What I’m saying with all this is not to sing my own praises, but that if we can continue to try to show to others kindness and good works, it is because of our Christian beliefs that we are motivated and enabled to do so.  Corporal works of mercy can never stop for us.
 
During this time of trouble, I am reminded of an occasion when I was addressing a sad school board situation that was very divisive and quoted a meaningful poem that I learned as a school boy at Sacred Heart of Jesus School, by John Henry Newman:
             
              Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom, lead thou me on.
              The night is dark and I am far from home, lead thou me on.
              Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see
              The distant scene; one step is enough for me.

Image Source:​By Jacob Willemsz de Wet - The Yorck Project (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei (DVD-ROM), distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. ISBN: 3936122202., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=160203
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Disclaimer: We hope that you enjoy the content of this website.  We are all journeyers on the road toward heaven and these are some of our thoughts and ideas.  None of us is a religious expert; we hope not to make any egregious errors, and we will try to be as accurate as possible.

    Archives

    April 2023
    September 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Fragments Of Faith
    Inspiration
    Living Catholic
    Prayer
    Saints
    The Call

    RSS Feed

Contact Us

Submit
​Joy of the Just - Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic (Eastern Province)
Saints Philip & James Catholic Church & University Parish
2801 North Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21218
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Prayers
  • Categories
  • Good Reads