Vatican II at 50 - The Spirit's Gifts

The Second Vatican Council declared the Church to be the “people of God,” and in so doing encouraged the laity to offer their gifts in order to build up the Body of Christ.  Indeed, the past 50 years has seen a surge in lay ministry, in particular, lay liturgical ministry.  Parishioners actively minister as cantors, lectors, ministers of Holy Communion, etc.  But from the beginning, council documents have cautioned against playing more than one liturgical role:

In liturgical celebrations each one, minister or layperson, who has an office to perform, should do all of, but only, those parts which pertain to that office by the nature of the rite and the principles of liturgy.  Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #28

Still, this isn’t always easy when there are not enough people to fulfill all the roles needed in liturgy.  Nor is it easy in our current society which encourages constant multi-tasking.  Still as we celebrate Pentecost and acknowledge the gifts the Spirit has given, it’s worth remembering that the Spirit calls the entire community to particular gifts.

Though many of us participate in a particular liturgical ministry, all of us are called to the ministry of the assembly, whose work is poetically captured here:

     Yours is a share in the work of the Spirit of all that is holy,

     for in who you are and in what you do is found the most powerful experience of the sacred.

     Yours is the kingdom community whose very assembling is sacrament of God's presence in the      world.

     In the living words, gestures, sacrifice and meal of your common prayer,

     the living God is disclosed as the faithful and redeeming Lord

     whose tent is pitched among us.

     Come to your ministry from your personal prayer.
     Come prepared to be surprised by God's word and presence.
     Come as you are!
     Come as sinners who need to find mercy, as the redeemed who need to give thanks.
     Come with all that needs to be healed, to the Lord who comes to heal you.
     Come with no expectations but the sure hope of communion with the Holy One
     in the family of God's people.

Taken from Yours is a Share by Austin Fleming.