How can lay people be involved in the mission of the Church?
All members of the people of God are both fundamentally equal and functionally diverse. All baptized individuals, known as the faithful, are equally called to strive for sanctity and share equal dignity in the Church as children of God. They are also equal in both dignity and duties. The call to seek sanctity and engage in apostolate is what unifies them and serves as the basis of their equality.
Therefore, God calls each member of His flock to take on the mission of the Church. Each in his or her own sphere of influence or area of expertise must be a shepherd, responsible for those under their care or whom they have the opportunity to serve.
While some individuals have a specific calling to be pastors, such as bishops and priests, the role of the Church's pastors is not to directly intervene in the political and social organization of society. The Pope and bishops can certainly address the civic issues they observe and establish the moral principles that should guide efforts to solve them. They may also offer practical advice on how to address these issues. Pope Francis exemplifies this approach in his encyclical Laudato si'.
The laity, by virtue of their unique vocation, are tasked with seeking the kingdom of God by actively participating in temporal affairs and aligning them with God's will. They live in the world and are involved in every aspect of earthly work, business, and ordinary social and family life, which comprise their existence.
However, addressing these issues and finding solutions falls within the vocation of the lay faithful, who take their own initiative alongside their fellow citizens. The role of the laity is to infuse temporal realities with Christian commitment, demonstrating their witness and agency for peace and justice. This responsibility applies to individuals at all levels, whether they are national leaders or residents of a neighborhood.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the lay faithful feel like clay in the potter’s hands, trying to accomplish the will of God. They recognize that they are the Church and have a distinct and noble mission entrusted to them by God Himself. They understand that this mission arises from their identity as Christians. Consequently, like all faithful members, lay people have a duty to spread the message of salvation.
In the broadest sense, the social action taken by the laity should always prioritize the common good and align with the teachings of the Gospel and the Church.
The common good encompasses the conditions of social life that allow both social groups and their individual members to achieve personal fulfillment.
For instance, individuals, businesses, civic organizations, and governments can act in pursuit of the common good, seeking to benefit both themselves and others. Conversely, they can act against the common good, prioritizing their own interests at the expense of others or even causing harm to others.
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