for justice of God’s Kingdom and engaging themselves in Christian social action (AA 7). That is how they infuse a Christian spirit into the mentality, customs, laws, and structures of the community in which they live (AA 13).
PROTAGONISTS. Often, catechists have been true lay apostles with amazing courage.
municate it, life remains untouched. Meantime, some evangelical preacher with deep conviction carries away the f lock. Laypeople, with deep Christian convictions, turn out to be powerful witnesses in married life, in the field of education of children, in guiding the choice of vocation, defending the indissolubility and sacredness of marriage, in promoting prayerlife, offering hospitality, assisting migrants, affirming the rights of the weaker sections to have a share in the expanding economy (AA 11). Strengthening the Role of Catechists. Speaking to the Episcopal Conferences of the Pacific and New Zealand, Pope Benedict XVI said sometime ago: “I understand from your report that your task of spreading the Gospel often depends on the assistance of lay missionaries and catechists. Continue to ensure that a sound and ongoing formation be afforded them, especially within the context of their associations. In doing so, you will equip them for every good work in the building up of the body of Christ (2 Tim. 3:17; Eph. 4:12). Their zeal for the faith under your continued leadership and support will surely bear much fruit in the vineyard of the Lord.” This precisely is my own experience in the mission during half a century. More depends on the generous work of the laypeople, especially the catechists, than can easily be described. They pioneer into difficult areas, stand
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opposition, work out their own solution to problems, explain Christian teaching in the most creative way, and continue to break new grounds year after year. Aside from the service of teaching, there are times when they help in the administration of temporalities of the Church. They have the courage and creativity to approach immigrants and bring together people of different cultural background in the parish and the diocese. They foster a universal outlook and promote keen interest in the missions (AA 10). Risking Lives for Christ. About such courageous Christian workers, the Council says (AA 17), they teach Christian doctrine where there is no freedom with risk to their lives, and manifest “heroic fortitude in the midst of persecutions.” During the recent harassment of Christians in Orissa (India), there were generous catechists who gave their lives for their faith. Lay apostles show amazing courage in areas “where Catholics are few in number and widely dispersed.” They “gather in smaller groups for serious conversation…giving spiritual help to one another through friendship and the communicating of the benefit of their experience,” and overcoming isolation (AA 17). They have no difficulty in cooperating with fellow citizens of other faiths in discussing social problems in the light of higher principles and working
Acting in the Secular Space. The secular space offers opportunities for believers and non-believers to meet on equal terms, and listen and interpret the ‘many voices of our age’ (Instrumentum Laboris 129). The public opinion that emerges is like the people’s parliament, towards the shaping of which everyone has the possibility to contribute in order to build a society that is built on justice and peace (Instrumentum Laboris 73). Intelligent Christian leaders can propose, in the light of their faith, loftier motives of action in their family, professional, cultural and social life and make them known to others when the occasion arises (AA 16). Be Close to Thinking People. Duc in altum (Lk. 5:4), we hear today: meet people at their depths, be close to ‘thinking people’ in every community, reflect with them on the future of society, humanity. Our prophetic mission is not at its best in denouncing and humiliating those who think differently from us, but inviting them to ref lect, and to change when required. God has a plan for Asia. We need to open ourselves to that plan operating mysteriously in the diverse heritages of this continent, so that we can present our own heritage of faith in all its richness (Instrumentum Laboris 67). A ‘depth’ dimension of ref lection and a ‘sense of responsibility’ linked with it, can be brought to every sphere of human life: to the market, to the digital world, scenes of ethnic tensions, areas of corruption, damaged environment and slums, and contexts where life is undervalued. And the indepth search for the Absolute, that is evident in the Asian spirit of inquiry, can help Christians, f loundering in faith, to deepen their own and share it with others.