THE VOCATION OF THE BAPTIZED TO SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

THE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP OF THE BAPTIZED

Chapter 2 The Vocation of the Laity to the Apostolate
THE APOSTOLATE OF THE LAITY

A translation, commentary and interpretation for our time in the USA in which "apostolate" is rendered as SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP preceded by (voluntary) when it is most likely unpaid leadership the term "laity" is rendered as THE BAPTIZED the word "men" is replaced by MANKIND or EVERYONE and the LATIN word Ecclesia is replace by PEOPLE OF GOD when it may apply to all Christians, but is retained as ECCLESIA (NETWORK, GATHERING) when it applies mainly to Catholics as opposed to all Christians.

"CHURCH" The word “church’ in English has such strong associations with the clergy and worship buildings that I avoid not only in spiritual writing but also as a social scientist that I never talk about the Catholic Church but rather about Catholicism which I define as follows: Catholicism consists of Human Capital, i.e. persons who identify as Catholic with their time, talents, skills, virtues and charisms, and its subset Spiritual Capital which consists of the asset of a personal relationship to the transcendent  Social Capital, e.g. organizations (institutions) such as households, families, parishes, schools, healthcare and social institutions, associations, dioceses, religious orders and their associated social networks of both Catholics and non-Catholics.  What holds these together are “institutions” as agreed upon patterns of behavior such as the Eucharist, Sacraments, the Hours, meetings, etc. which maintain social networks.  Cultural Capital e.g. Scripture, Lectionaries, Missals, Breviaries, books, art and music, expressing ideas and values.

2. The ECCLESIA (PEOPLE OF GOD, NETWORKS, GATHERINGS) was founded 

for the purpose of spreading the kingdom of Christ
to enable all MANKIND to share in His saving redemption,
and that through them the whole world might enter into a relationship with Christ

All activity of the Mystical Body directed to the attainment of this goal
is an exercise in SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (the apostolate),
which the ECCLESIA (PEOPLE OF GOD, NETWORKS, GATHERINGS) 

carries on in various ways through all her members.

For the Christian vocation by its very nature

 is also a vocation to SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (the apostolate). 

No part of the structure of a living body is merely passive 

but has a share in the functions as well as life of the body: 

so, too, in the body of Christ, which is the ECCLESIA (NETWORK, GATHERINGS)

EVANGELIZATION

In the ECCLESIA (PEOPLE OF GOD, NETWORK, GATHERINGS) 

 there is a diversity of ministry but a oneness of mission.
…the baptized likewise share in the priestly, prophetic, and royal office of Christ
and therefore have their own share in the mission of the whole people of God
in the ECCLESIA (NETWORK, GATHERINGS) and in the world.

The BAPTISED exercise SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (the apostolate), in fact 

by their activity directed to the evangelization and sanctification of MANKIND
and to the penetrating and perfecting of the temporal order
through the spirit of the Gospel.
Since the BAPTIZED, in accordance with their state of life,
live in the midst of the world and its concerns,
they are called by God to exercise SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (the apostolate),

in the world like leaven, with the ardor of the spirit of Christ.

TEMPORAL ORDER

3. The baptized derive the right and duty to exercise SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (the apostolate),
from their union with Christ the head;
incorporated into Christ's Mystical Body through Baptism
and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation,
they are assigned to SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (the apostolate) by the Lord Himself.

They are consecrated for the royal priesthood and the holy people (cf. 1 Peter 2:4-10)
not only that they may offer spiritual sacrifices in everything they do
but also that they may witness to Christ throughout the world.
The sacraments especially the most holy Eucharist, communicate and nourish
that charity which is the soul of all SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP 

SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES

One engages in SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (the apostolate), 

through the faith, hope, and charity
which the Holy Spirit diffuses in the hearts
of all members of the People of God.

For the exercise of this SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (the apostolate),
the Holy Spirit Who sanctifies the people of God
through ministry and the sacraments
gives the faithful special gifts also (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7),
"allotting them to everyone according as He wills"(1 Cor. 12:11)
in order that individuals, administering grace
to others just as they have received it,
may also be "good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10),
to build up the whole body in charity (cf. Eph. 4:16).

SPIRITUAL CAPITAL

From the acceptance of these charisms,
including those which are more elementary,
there arise for each believer the right and duty
to use them in the ECCLESIA (NETWORK, GATHERINGS) and in the world
for the good of MANKIND
and the building up of the People of God,
in the freedom of the Holy Spirit
who "breathes where He wills" (John 3:8).

4. Since Christ, sent by the Father,
is the source and origin of the whole mission of the People of God,
the success of the SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (the apostolate),

of those who are neither clergy nor religious
depends upon the baptized living union with Christ,
in keeping with the Lord's words,
"He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit,
for without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Such a life requires a continual exercise of faith, hope, and charity.
Only by the light of faith and by meditation on the word of God
can one always and everywhere recognize God
in Whom "we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28),

In the pilgrimage of this life, hidden with Christ in God
and free from enslavement to wealth,
they aspire to those riches which remain forever
and generously dedicate themselves wholly
to the advancement of the kingdom of God
and to the reform and improvement of the temporal order
in a Christian spirit.

This plan for the spiritual life of the baptized
should take its particular character from their married or family state or their single or widowed state,
from their state of health,
and from their professional and social activity.
They should not cease to develop earnestly the qualities and talents bestowed on them
in accord with these conditions of life,
and they should make use of the gifts
which they have received from the Holy Spirit