Weekly THIS AND THAT for March 18, 2007: Differences -- Do They Divide or Unite?

THIS AND THAT:
Differences: Do They Divide or Unite?

Our Lenten Family Friday presentations continued this week with our theme: “How What We Believe Can Make a Difference.” The topic of Session 4 was “Differences: Do They Divide or Unite?”, and the focus was on the various roles of members of the Church. Unity with diversity is one of the great gifts of the Church.

From the beginning of the church, we have always believed that we are the Body of Christ, with Jesus as the Head. We have various roles, gifts and functions that serve a common mission: to actualize the Kingdom of God in this world.

We find this image in the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 12:
“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ… Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” (vv. 12 & 27) St. Paul also says in this letter that we need all of the parts of the Body of Christ and one part cannot say that it does not need any other part.

With this image from St. Paul in mind, we had table discussion on the following questions:

In the Body of Christ – the faith community – what part would you be?

• Eyes – seeing our mission in the needs of others?
• Ears – listening to God in prayer?
• Hands – reaching out in service?
• Feet – going out to others with the Word of God?

Our discussion led us to see that all roles in the Church are of equal value, they all flow from Baptism, and they all involve the investment of time, talent and treasure
This understanding was stated well in the vision of Vatican II: “There is a true equality with regard to dignity and the activity whereby all cooperate in the building up of the Body of Christ in their own unique manner.” (see LG #32)

Differences in roles must not divide us from one another as followers of Christ. There is no difference in the value of the various roles. Differences are not meant to create division or levels of importance in the eyes of God. We are only the Body of Christ when all parts are functioning, and each person, function or role needs all the others.

Even when it comes to leadership in the Church, people with different roles may be calling us or leading us at different times. For example, the Chairperson of the Outreach Committee may be calling us to meet a need, and he or she speaks to ALL about that need. An Ecclesial Minister, such as the Youth Minister, may be serving a specific need, but they are asking for the support of ALL members. In the same way, the Pastor fulfills his role by proclaiming the Word and administering Sacraments to ALL members. We experience the Holy Spirit at work in the Church through multiple ministries: liturgical ministries, service ministries, managerial ministries, spiritual ministries and educational ministries.

We discussed at our tables how this model of the Body of Christ compares with the previous hierarchical model, in which the levels of importance were: 1. Clergy; 2. Vowed Religious; and 3. Laity.

Returning to the vision of Vatican II, we looked at one of the documents that came from that Council, The Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People, which states: “The parish offers an outstanding example of community apostolate, for it gathers into a unity all the human diversity of the Church.” This decree outlines the role of the laity in the church as follows:

• Work in the parish in close union with their priests
• Bring before the ecclesial community their own problems, world problems and questions regarding our salvation
• Examine these issues together and solve them by general discussion
• According to their abilities: co-operate in all apostolic and missionary enterprises of church

This helped us to see the valuable that the laity have in the Church.

We then reflected on these two questions:
• As a lay person, what does my Baptism call me to:
– As a member of this faith community?
– As a person of faith with influence in the marketplace?

Our final large group discussion focused on the question: “How do I experience unity in the church, amid the different roles?”

The evening ended with a closing prayer:
Loving God, you keep together those you have united. Look kindly on all who follow Jesus, your Son.
We are all consecrated to you by our common baptism; make us one in the fullness of faith and keep us one in the fellowship of love.
We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Next Week’s Topic is: “SAY YES TO GOD -- BUT LOOK OUT!” Everyone is welcome to join us for an interesting evening!