As we finish up our journey through John Paul II’s Christifideles Laici, we find all of his insights converging on one essential theme: formation.

But why does it all lead here? Because, as JPII reminds us, formation is not just about learning new skills or gaining knowledge—it’s a lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus and so it’s central to the Christian life, including lay life.

Throughout this series, we’ve encountered the enormity of our vocation as laypeople: Jesus calls us to live lives of radical holiness that both challenges us and our culture. It’s a stirring mission, but if we’re honest, a daunting one that demands us to be transformed. 

We might find ourselves asking, “Can I do it? Am I ready?”

I think back to holding my baby girl for the first time. I was filled with excitement but also with the realization that I had so much growing to do—and always will! I remember thinking, “Can I do this? Yes, because God called me. Am I ready? Not entirely”.

But that’s okay. Because formation isn’t about arriving at some imagined place of readiness. 

Jesus doesn’t need us to be perfect or completely prepared—He simply needs us to come to Him over and over again throughout our lives to continually allow Him to transform us, so that every day we become just a little more capable of responding to His call.

That transformation is formation—it is what JPII calls a “marvelous yet demanding task” and, again, it is the mission of the Christian life, including lay life.

And so, JPII ends Christifideles Laici exactly where he began, reminding us of the words that Christ speaks to us: ”You too go into my vineyard”.

So, will you go? Will you run to Jesus every day and ask Him to form you? Will you respond to His call and bring His love into every crevasse of the world around you? Will you enter into His vineyard?