The Surprise Summer Page-Turner

Don't Leave it To The Priests by Peter Yaremko

Posted on: November 22nd, 2016

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In this final column of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which ends today, the message is to the point. Our call—as individuals—is nothing less than to spread the news of God’s mercy.

It was Vatican Council II that issued this call to us, the laity, because we “live in the midst of the world and its concerns.”

Recalling that after Jesus had sent out the Twelve (Luke 9:2), he sent seventy-two others to spread his kingdom throughout the earth to offer all people a share in god’s mercy.

In the Church there is a diversity of ministry but a unity of mission, with the laity sharing in the priestly office of Jesus. The Council fathers stated flatly that we, the laity, are called by God to exercise our mission by openly bearing witness to Christ and promoting the salvation of humankind.

We are challenged to do this with the ardor Jesus himself demonstrated. This means with passion, fervor, zeal, intensity, fire, emotion, enthusiasm, eagerness.

A tall order. But one we cannot walk away from now that the Year of Mercy has ended.

Our prayer today: Lord, enkindle in us a missionary zeal so we may boldly proclaim Jesus in our daily lives and ceaselessly promote the salvation of our brothers and sisters in every corner of the world.

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