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As I've listened in church recently to parables and stories of
miracles, courage, faith, sacrifice, and discipleship I am reminded that following Christ is an everyday activity. It's not Advent or Lent, Christmas or Easter when I might be inclined to be particularly attentive to my thoughts and actions. It's Ordinary Time. We might be bored with the mundane and might even feel like we are ordinary. But this long stretch during the summer is no less special.
I've been thinking about my own story. What's my role and who are the other characters? What's the plot? Is there drama? Is there a happy ending? Is there a lesson to be learned?
Upon reflection, we each have a role in life. We're not so ordinary even during ordinary times. We are parents/grandparents, children/grandchildren, aunts/uncles, students, teachers, employees/employers, leaders/followers, spouses, neighbors, friends, strangers, homeowners, gardeners, cooks, parishioners, community members, drivers, customers, volunteers. We are also missionaries - even if we haven't take time for a mission trip or a year of service. We are missionaries in our ordinary everyday lives. In our daily interactions we are called to bear Christ to the world.
If you haven't heard about it already, the church will be more vocal in the coming year about the "new evangelization." In the Church documents, all the Church - laity included - is called to bear witness to Christ in the world. And it doesn't mean evangelizing on the street corner or in a third world country. Fr. Chaminade knew this when he said, "You are all missionaries."
We as Marianists have a gift to share with the world. Marianist Lay Communities and the New Evangelization is Circular 2 by MLC President, Isabella Moyer. In it she explores the themes of the new evangelization and how our history, charism and aspects of our community life have prepared us to take an active role in evangelization.
If you were the central figure of a parable or other story what would be the plot? Are you making a difference in the world regardless of how ordinary it might feel? What roles do you play in your daily life? How about your community? Need a topic for a community meeting? Discuss the Circular and how your community embodies the qualities that are described.
Be something and about something; even if it's ordinary.
Peace,
Matt Dunn
Editor |
titled Marianist Lay Communities and the New Evangelization. The Circular attempts to show the strong parallel between Blessed Chaminade`s vision for rebuilding the Church in France and today`s call for a new evangelization. The new evangelization is the topic for the upcoming Synod of Bishops in 2012. As our Marianist Lay Communities continue to grow and mature, we are called to share our charism more energetically and intentionally. We have a simple yet effective model to answer the needs of our Church and world today. 
