Week 20: Passages 901 - 953

Passages 901-953
These readings cover the vocation of lay people, the consecrated life, and then begins to explain the communion of saints.
The participation of lay people in Christ’s priestly office

“’Hence the laity, dedicated as they are to Christ and anointed by the Holy
Spirit, are marvelously called and prepared so that even richer fruits of the
Spirit may be produced in them. For all their works, prayers, and
apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind
and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit- indeed even the hardships of
life if patiently born- all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ. In celebration of the Eucharist these may most
fittingly be offered to the Father along with the body of the Lord. And so,
worshipping everywhere by their holy actions, the laity consecrate the world
itself to God, everywhere offering worship by the holiness of their lives.’”
(CCC 901)

Lay people can serve as lectors or acolytes, and if there is necessity can exercise the liturgy of the word, preside over liturgical prayers, confer Baptism, and distribute Holy Communion.
Participation in Christ’s prophetic office
Lay people fulfill their prophetic mission through evangelization, both through the witness of their lives and through direct teaching of the Gospel to others.
Participation in Christ’s kingly office
One way we can participate in Christ’s kingship is to have authority over our passions, and not let sin reign in our hearts.
Another is to cooperate with our pastors in service to the ecclesial community.

The Consecrated Life
The consecrated life is characterized by a vow of chastity, poverty, and obedience. It is a way to become more intimate with God, to dedicate oneself totally to Him.
One great tree, with many branches
There are many different religious families, all of which aid their members in progressing in holiness and benefit the Body of Christ.
The eremitic life
Hermits devote their lives to praise God through separation from the world, prayer, penance and solitude. They manifest the interior aspect of the mystery of the Church, personal intimacy with Christ.
Consecrated virgins and widows
Virgins or widows can be consecrated by the diocesan Bishop and are then betrothed mystically to Christ. They become a sign of the Church’s love for Christ and are called to prayer, penance, service, and apostolic activity.
Religious life
Religious life is distinguished from the other forms of consecrated life by its liturgical character, the public profession of the evangelical counsels (chastity, poverty, and obedience), fraternal life, and the witness given to the union of Christ with the Church.
Religious life is a gift from the Lord, and signifies the charity of God. All religious help the diocesan bishop in his pastoral duty. Historically religious families have been instrumental in spreading the faith.
Secular institutes
A secular institute is an institute of consecrated life in which the faithful living in the world share the task of evangelization and act as “leaven in the world.”
Societies in apostolic life
Alongside the different forms of consecrated life there are societies for members without religious vows to pursue the purpose of the society.
Consecration and mission: proclaiming the King who is coming

“In the Church, which is like the sacrament- the sign and instrument- of God’s
own life, the consecrated life is seen as a special sign of the mystery of
redemption. To follow and imitate Christ more nearly and to manifest more
clearly his self-emptying is to be more deeply present to one’s contemporaries,
in the heart of Christ. For those who are on this ‘narrower’ path
encourage their brethren by their example, and bear striking witness ‘that the
world cannot be transfigured and offered to God without the spirit of the
Beatitudes.’” (CCC 932)

Paragraph 5. The Communion of Saints
The Church is the communion of Saints, all the faithful form one body and there is a communion of goods.
Communion in Spiritual Goods

• Communion in faith – faith is enriched by being shared
• Communion of the sacraments – the sacraments are sacred links uniting the faithful to one another, and binding them to Jesus Christ. The term communion can be applied to all of them in particular the Eucharist.
• Communion of the charisms – the Holy Spirit gives special graces to the faithful for the good of the church.
• “They had everything in common” – Everything a Christian has is a possessed by all, a Christian is a steward of the Lord’s gifts and should help the needy.
• Communion in charity – Every act of charity profits all, and every sin harms all.

Questions for Reflection:

• In these reading we read about the mission of the lay faithful. In what ways do you participate in Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and kingly office (CCC 901-913)?
• CCC 953 discusses communion in charity. Do you think of your sin as affecting the entire body of Christ?