50 years ago — February 14, 1966
We must work out our ministry in the structures of everyday experience, at work and at leisure, in family and neighborhood relationships, as buyers and consumers and as politically responsible citizens. … There is grinding and humiliating poverty in many areas. There is gross inequality and discrimination. There is continual danger of conflict between the nations, great and small. … These running sores — and many more — compel us to face hard decisions we would prefer to avoid. It hurts to accept solutions which go against our traditions and prejudices. … But Jesus Christ accepted pain and suffering; and we are called to accept it with him. We trust him to redeem our mistakes and confusions, and to use us even in our weakness in the fulfillment of his purposes for his world. The church is called to be a living community of faith. The laity of the church have a compelling responsibility to live with, work with and learn from other men of all faiths and none.
From “Ministry of the laity” by The North American Conference on the Ministry of the Laity in the World
