What will you do to promote Cardijn’s contributions?
On 13 January 2023, I noted that Cardinal Cardijn suffered controversy, problems, pain and frustration in promoting the dignity of the lay apostolate.
Perhaps, we, too, suffer controversy, problems, pain and frustration in promoting the dignity of the lay apostolate.
Perhaps our understanding of the lay apostolate differs from that of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
But we persevere.
The readings today talk about sad and dark times. The first reading from Isaiah is written in the dark days of the Babylonian exile. The second reading talks about Paul’s relationship with the people of Corinth – and it was not easy.
It is not easy promoting a view that is not considered mainstream.
How do we persevere?
For the people who call themselves Cardijn warriors or followers, formed through the Cardijn approach or influenced by Cardijn, it comes back to our conviction – Do we believe in what we have experienced?
In today’s Gospel, John said, “Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world….” This is one of many titles given to Jesus. Jesus would ultimately suffer and die most terribly. Thankfully, Jesus had Paul, the 12 apostles, and many disciples to spread the good news. Today, we are Christians because of the work of the followers of Jesus. The dark days of the Babylonian exile, or Corinthian stubbornness, arrogance and indifference, is a distant memory. We face new challenges as Christians, but we persevere.
Will Cardijn’s contributions – priest, prophet, king; serve, educate, represent; the truth of faith, experience, and method; see, judge, act – among many stand the test of time?
It will if only those who have experienced his contributions to the Church, the lay apostolate, the worker, and the young workers… do something concrete about it.
What will you do today to promote Cardijn’s contribution to the Church?
Author
Greg Lopez
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