Carmel Bulletin, 30 March 2014
We continue to celebrate the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults throughout Lent with the scrutinies that lead to the initiation of Rodger, Sally, Leoni and Domonic at the Easter Vigil. Like any liturgical rite, there are a variety of ministerial roles that must be fulfilled to ensure its proper celebration.
In naming and commenting on the various ministerial roles in the Christian Initiation of Adults, you might expect that the priest or the bishop might be considered first. In fact, the introduction to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) starts elsewhere, stating that:
… the people of God, as represented by the local Church, should understand and show by their concern that the initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptised. Therefore the community must always be fully prepared in the pursuit of its apostolic vocation to give help to those who are searching for Christ. (article 9)
Through the RCIA, adults are initiated into the Church – a Church which is not merely a building or an institution, but a community of people bound together by their faith. We share in the responsibility of leading and welcoming people into our faith community. Christ’s command at his ascension to “make disciples of all the nations” is not one that is entrusted to a select few to carry out, but to all of us. We are the disciples of today, who must entrust this same mission on to those who will be the disciples of tomorrow.
What’s more, it’s not enough to simply hope it will happen, or assume that by our implicit support of the need to call and form disciples that we’re doing enough. We need to be deliberate and purposeful in our “[giving] help to those who are searching for Christ.” As we also consider how we as a parish implement the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, we will find that this is essential to achieving the goals to Grow in Faith and to Share Our Faith.
Image Credit: Just as the people of God in Moses’ time were led by a pillar of fire, a true contemplative today can be guided interiorly as if by a strong sweet fire. It teaches and consoles in just the way that Christ does. Elizabeth Wang, from Radiant Light, code T-04296-CW.
Liturgy 