The Calling of the Baptised

AST MONTH I wrote about the priesthood. This month I turn my attention to the life and work of the priesthood in a wider sense, the priesthood of lay people. Two contrasting, but complementary, insights have become ever clearer. The first is that the Church is depending more and more on lay people to run things. The second is that the vocation of Christian people - the calling of the baptised - is more and more 'out there' and not at church. So, on the one hand, priests are sometimes being asked to look after more than one parish - or combine parish ministry with another job or retirement. They can do this only with the help of lay people. And, on the other hand, we are relying more and more on the contribution of Christians in their ordinary work and life to express the values of the kingdom of God and spread the Gospel. Christian business men, doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and teachers are worth their weight in gold. So too are Christians in less obviously vocational employment.

A prayer begins, 'Thou hast a work for me to do. O Lord, show it to me'. The real challenge for a baptised Christian is this task of discernment. There are people whose Christian contribution is to serve, sing, or sew. There are people for whom Sunday Mass - the weekly chance to reflect and receive Holy Communion - is the only contact they have with the congregation, so busy are they in other parts of the Lord's vineyard. One of the tasks of a priest and the spiritual leadership of the parish is to help people discern what contribution they can and should make. This means protecting some people from being exploited by the Church or diverted from their real vocation into churchly tasks. It means challenging others to put some of their considerable gifts, talents and money to work in and for the local church. Inevitably there are some who could do much for the Lord who do very little and there are some who are hopelessly over-stretched. There always were drones and workers!

Summer is upon us when most of us have space to pause and reflect. Am I doing what God wants me to do? If not, how can I do something about it? Several of my life changes have taken place during the summer months. How about you?

Whether you reflect on these things on a sun-kissed beach, a wind-swept promenade or during a day or two's rest in the comfort of your own home, may God bless you as you seek to serve him and work for his kingdom.

+ Andrew Ebbsfleet

The Bishop of Ebbsfleet
Bishop's House, Dry Sandford, Abingdon, OXON OX13 6JP
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 390746

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