In the scheme of things it can sometimes be too easy to become unaware of our proper place in the world. We focus on our own career, family, hobbies, and personal responsibilities. That’s enough to draw anyone’s full time attention, but it can be a road block when we try to progress in the spiritual life.
Each of us is a vital part of God’s plan. We must not forget that his plan includes the place we have in our own personal sphere as well as the sphere of the universal church. We are literally the big fish in a little pond and a little fish in the big pond, all at the same time.
While we are doing our best to function as a believer in our personal circles, the world is also observing us and constantly formatting their definition of “Christian” based on how they view every believer and their actions.
Starting with the great commission it has been the Church’s job to be present in and evangelize the world. This was Jesus’ vision when he taught: “Go and tell everyone about this life”. (Acts 5:20)
As believers, each of is a living extension of that two thousand year old teaching: “Brothers and sisters: you are God’s building…. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (I Cor. 3:11, 16)
Clearly we have each been charged with standing as a beacon in society rather than someone who fades quietly into the background to go unnoticed. Today’s Church is no less a living entity than it was in Jesus’ time. We are even more a growing entity than we ever were before. The stats on Catholics are that we are two billion, worldwide.
“This body wants to propagate itself. The Church will forever aspire to the world. She doesn’t need the world in order to accomplish her mission, but without the world, she would have no mission. The world is stubble and the Church [each of us] is the flame. (Madeleine Delbrêl t 1964, French laywoman and mystic)
We each have a unique commission. It might have high visibility or not. That doesn’t matter. As people who are growing and working on our own faith journey we need to have a level of awareness which recognizes each of us is the Church in particular as well as the Church at large. This never changes.
We bring the Spirit simply because of who we are. Remember this responsibility wherever you are, whatever you are doing or whatever you are caught saying. Make sure the people around you always have the opportunity to find out the truth of what the Spirit’s really like. From the beginning, this was never meant to be someone else’s job.
“You are the light of the world! A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on a lampstand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:13-16, Jerusalem Bible)
Copyright © 2012, Kathryn M. Cunningham
Kathryn M. Cunningham
Kathryn holds a Master’s in Education from Saint Xavier University. Most recently she completed Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from The Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. This recent degree was part of a “retirement project” after teaching for 35 years. She has also worked as a spiritual director, music minister,council member and prayer team warrior. Kathryn has a deep interest in catechesis for the people in the pews. As a “sort of” convert she finds the wisdom of the Church a source for encouragement, joy and survival in a world not sure of anything. Her writing has appeared in diocesan publications and on-line sites, most recently for Zenit. To learn more about Kathryn check out her thinking at: www.atravelersview.org">ATravelersView.org.
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