Letter to Volunteers

 

If you’re one of those who believe that only priests have the duty to pass on the message of Christ don’t go on reading.   You can keep on coming to church, sitting down in the pews, waiting for the service to finish and then rush out to go on with your life. But if you believe that Christ is sending his followers to pass on his good news, then read on – maybe this will help you adjust your timetable.

 

The early Church was brimming with activity and enthusiasm, but as often happens among humans there was also strife and division.    However, by the work of the Holy Spirit the first Christian community was of inspiration to society and so the Church grew.   I have to ask: are we of example to society with our lives as a good Christian community?

 

Regularly, we have meetings, conferences, prayer groups, etc yet so many are disappointed because attendance is very poor.    Things are discussed and sometimes decisions taken but so many never get to know what is being decided. As if the message given by the absentees is:”I do my little part – you should be grateful that I do it – but don’t bother me with your decisions and your meetings”.   With that attitude we never get close to establishing a community – we don’t get to know each other better - and there’s so much to appreciate in each other’s character and contribution to the community.

 

Sometimes I hear complaints by minister/helpers of Holy Communion or Readers that so and so didn’t turn up for their duties or if they did they didn’t do what was expected of them.   Maybe they don’t know what their duty is besides going up on the altar to do their part.   This attitude hurts the ones of good will – so they start asking questions: why not take them off the list? Why don’t you, Father, tell them that they’re hurting the community?   Why don’t you tell them that the meeting is obligatory?

 

But I would go beyond that and ask “what’s our role in society?”   Did Christ limit the duty to be of good example and to spread the good news only to the Apostles and to a limited number of disciples?   Is this the way to show God that we’re thankful for providing us with the good news since our birth, and for giving us all the chances in life to live close to him and the organization He left for us?   Can’t we really do a little bit more?   It is no use complaining that many have abandoned the practice of the faith when we are only ready to give our minimum for the spreading of the gospel.