Lay Life in a Year

52 Reflections on JPII's vision for the Laity

Week 4: Why Do You Stand Here Idle?

“Why do you stand here idle all day?” (Mt. 20:6)

The world needs you. The Church needs you. Christ is calling you. So why do you stand here idle?

Is it because the brokenness of the world feels too overwhelming? Is it because it is easier to spend life doing things we pretend are important rather than face the immensity of our real call? Is it because deep down we are afraid that we are too weak and will fail?

You’re the only one who knows what tempts you to be idle. But the reason doesn’t really matter. Regardless of why, Jesus Christ is looking you in the eyes and telling you to give up a life on the sideline and join Him.

The world is suffering; too many hearts are shattering for you to sit idly by when you have so much to give.

The world needs you. The Church needs you. Christ is calling you. Do you trust Him enough to go?

Lay Life in a Year Overview

  • Read the original: Introduction, No. 3

  • Last week: Real Holiness

  • This week: Why Do You Stand Here Idle?

  • Next week: The Urgent Issue Of Secularism In The World 

Read More Reflections

Week 40 – Every Disciple Is Called By Name

This week I want to do something a little different. We’ve talked A LOT about being called. We’ve said that the laity is called to: the universal call to holiness evangelize and sanctify the secular participate in our parish and help build up the Church But if we...

read more

Week 39 – The Mission of the Church

I think we've all been there—sitting through a homily when the "mission appeal" part comes up. Our minds drift, we hear the familiar phrases—“mission,” “help the poor,” “time, talent, treasure,” “spread the faith…” —and yet sometimes, it feels like the message gets...

read more

Week 38 – How to Respond to a Divided World

Division is something that seems to grow more each day. Nations, families, and relationships seem to be falling apart. In my own life, I have struggled to find something to hold on to. In weathering the storm, I often find myself grasping for anything to keep me...

read more

Sign Up for the Weekly Reflection

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.