Inside ML

Continuing our year-long journey through the great commission, this issue of ML explores ways of witnessing to the word. Preaching the gospel is a responsibility of all the baptized. Although not all of us may preach or proclaim the gospel at liturgy, each of us is called to bring the light of God’s word wherever shadows are found. In every area of liturgy and life, the good news stands between despair and hope, fear and freedom, and ultimately between death and eternal life.

Witnessing to the word demands that we live the paschal mystery each day, calling the people we serve to join us in that challenging way of life. Proclaiming the word that transforms a gathered people into the living word asks of us a commitment to a continually evolving journey into that ministry. Those who would reveal the mystery of the word in ever-new ways need to pray each day as though they would preach each day, finding their center in Scripture. All of this requires faith, study, practice, formation, patience, and time away. 

This issue offers insight into each of these areas. Bill Graham offers a perspective on discerning our place in the paschal mystery as we enter into the celebration of Triduum. Tom Iwanowski traces the development of a minister of the word from reluctant reader to proclaimer and reflects on how that journey continues to form the way Scripture is shared. Honora Werner considers the many facets of the preacher by reflecting on images of the prayerful preacher. Supporting all of this is this year’s Ministry Formation Resource Guide, listing academic programs and retreat opportunities of all types. We cannot lead and serve without a commitment to ongoing learning and deepening spirituality. 

All of this is about sustaining the work of ministry. And ministry is not just the work of the ordained, as some bishops would have it, but the gift offered by all who have said “Amen” to the Spirit stirring in their souls. The recent document Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord addresses some of these formational issues but seems to have threatened the identity of some. Some bishops who oppose the use of the word “minister” when referring to the 32,000 lay people who do the work of the church say they are concerned that the Catholic people “may not understand clearly the difference between lay ministry and the ministry proper only to those who are ordained.” One bishop suggested upending a longstanding custom (not to mention a handful of documents) by suggesting “the word ‘minister’ be used as little as possible except when (referring) to the ordained” (“Bishops approve lay ecclesial ministry guidelines” [CNS 16 Nov. 2005]). There should be no confusion. Lay ecclesial ministers are those who are first in and last out whenever there is a job to be done. They will be the ones sitting for hours, days, and months at a bedside until replaced by an ordained “co-worker,” who may be a stranger, to anoint a sick person in her final days. They are the ones being fingerprinted, background checked, and monitored. They will be the ones teaching but not preaching. They will be the ones who, unlike their ordained counterparts, work two jobs to afford the ministry to which they are called and pay for their own education and retreats. The distinction is clear. Thank God that the voices of wisdom among our bishops prevailed in recognizing the validity and reality of lay ministry. 

If we are to work together, minister together, worship together, be human persons together, and witness together, we have to reach for and claim the ideal. That means we work with mutual respect, just compensation, access to education opportunities, and dedicated time for retreats and enrichment. 

If we fail to find a way to be true “co-workers,” we cannot authentically witness to the word that proclaims that we are one Body in Christ, without distinctions to divide us. If we allow those divisions to persist, we will indeed be neglecting our mission, and the gospel will not be revealed in us. May our prayer be for renewed integrity and commitment that we may well be empowered for the work of ministry. 

Lord, you give the great commission:
“Heal the sick and preach the Word.”
Lest the Church neglect its mission, and the Gospel go unheard,
Help us witness to Your purpose with renewed integrity,
With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry. ML

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