Christifidelis Laici 57 & 58

Finally, we come to the last chapter of Pope St. John Paul the Great’s exhortation on the laity.  Having reminded us that every baptized person is called to mission, called to evangelize, in the next several sections he turns to the means by which we are prepared to carry out that mission.

The Holy Father begins by pointing out that our preparation for mission is “a continual process of maturation, of always bearing much fruit.”  He points out further along that this maturation cannot happen unless we remain firmly attached to the “vine” – Jesus Christ.  Thus, we reminded that we cannot give to others what we do not already have ourselves – a deep and intimate relationship with God.

He then points out that this is something that is revealed to us individually and  gradually.  Generally, the way we have been called to live and give witness to that vocation to holiness is revealed over time with the help of parents, spiritual guides, teachers, and other significant adults who help us to recognize our talents, our strengths, and those places where we need to grow more.  The particular periods of time where this occurs in a more focused way is the time of adolescence and young adulthood.  Our Holy Father reminds us that “no one must forget that the Lord, …, calls at every hour of life so as to make his holy will more precisely and explicitly known.”

He finishes this section by pointing out that knowing God’s will and desiring to fulfill it in our lives is not enough…we need to develop the capability of fulfilling His will as well.

So, with that in mind…

    1.  Are we consciously cultivating in our young people a trust in God which elicits in them a desire to seek, know, and do His will at all times?

    2.  How am I cultivating the tools & skills the young people in my life will need in order to carry out God’s will; especially cultivating in them a life of virtue?

    3.  Do I recognize the need to assist in developing that relationship with God through personal evangelization and catechesis of the young people around me?

Challenge:  In considering the above questions: What is my first step?