Lay Life in a Year

52 Reflections on JPII's vision for the Laity

Week 8: The Laity Is A Source Of Hope And Love

The challenges are immense, even overwhelming. Facing the sheer depth of despair, anxiety, helplessness, and fear in the world and in the Church can make us discouraged.

Very quickly we begin to hear the lie creep in, “This is all too much. What can you do? You are insignificant and small. Besides, you’re just a lay person, and a sinful one at that.”

But it isn’t up to us! We aren’t being asked to save the world. We are being asked to point to the one who saves the world—Jesus Christ.

Jesus alone can conquer all the misery and brokenness of life, but He invites us to help announce His Good News. In a special way, Jesus calls the lay faithful to be “a sign and source of hope and of love” by living every moment of our lives pointing to Him (CFL, No. 7).

If given completely to God, our everyday, seemingly ordinary life can become a beacon of light that the Lord uses to save those lost in darkness.

Lay Life in a Year Overview

Read the original: CFL Introduction, No. 7
Last week: The World’s Hunger For Truth
This week: The Laity Is A Source of Hope And Love
Next week: The Laity Belong To The Church

Week 37- A Response to Busyness

Oct 13, 2024

In a meeting with my pastor about our parish, he said: “If we don’t fix things, the bishop will close this parish. We have to get more young families engaged.” Caught off guard and growing in concern, I asked him what activities the parish was currently doing....

Week 36 – An Unexpected Discovery from 1979

Oct 6, 2024

When I was a kid, my dad was obsessed with one particular VHS tape—it was like some secret treasure from the past. He held it out with a grin and said, “Now I’ll show you what basketball is supposed to look like.” It was the 1979 NCAA championship game—Larry Bird vs....

Week 35: Answering God’s Call—Even in the Small Things

Sep 27, 2024

It was a regular Wednesday—sun shining, birds chirping—and there I was: 15 years old, grumbling as I stood over the lawnmower. Mom had asked me to mow the lawn, and like most teenagers, I dragged my feet. The job seemed pointless and hot, and honestly, I’d rather be...