Pope Francis praises the role of the laity in the Church

In the General Audience this Wednesday, Pope Francis reflected on the charismas, gifts granted by the Holy Spirit that help value the role of the laity in the Church.

Below is the complete catechesis of Pope Francis:
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

In the last three catechesis we have talked about the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, which is carried out in the sacraments, in prayer and following the example of the Mother of God. But let us listen to what a famous text from the Second Vatican Council says: “Moreover, the Holy Spirit himself not only sanctifies and directs the People of God through the sacraments and mysteries and adorns them with virtues, but also distributes special graces among the faithful.” , distributing to each one as he wishes (1 Cor 12:11) his gifts” (Lumen gentium, 12).

We also have personal gifts that the same Spirit gives to each of us. The time has come, then, to also talk about this second way in which the Holy Spirit works in the Church, which is charismatic action, a somewhat difficult word. I will explain it: Two elements help define what charisma is. First, the charisma is the gift given “for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7). In other words, it is not primarily and ordinarily intended for the sanctification of the person, but for the “service” of the community ( 1 Pe 4:10). Secondly, charisma is the gift granted “to one”, or “to some” in particular, not to all in the same way, and this is what distinguishes it from sanctifying grace, the theological virtues and the sacraments. , which on the other hand are equal and common to all. Charisma is a special person or community, it is a gift that God gives you.

The Council also explains it to us. The Holy Spirit – he says – “With these gifts he makes them fit and ready to exercise the various works and duties that are useful for the renewal and greater edification of the Church, according to those words: To each one… is given the manifestation of the Spirit for common use” (1 Cor 12:7).

The charismas are the “jewels,” or ornaments, that the Holy Spirit distributes to beautify the Bride of Christ. It is thus understood why the conciliar text ends with the following exhortation. “These charismas, both the extraordinary ones and the most common and widespread, must be received with gratitude and consolation, because they are very appropriate and useful to the needs of the person and the Church.” (LG, 12).

Benedict XVI affirmed that “looking at the history of the time, we can recognize the dynamics of true renewal, which has frequently taken unexpected forms in moments full of life and which makes the inexhaustible vivacity of the Church almost tangible”, this is the charisma, a group of people and the charisma of the person.

We must recover the charismas, because this means that the promotion of the laity and of women in particular is understood not only as an institutional and sociological fact, but in its biblical and spiritual dimension. The laity are not the last, no, the laity are not

a kind of external collaborators or auxiliary troops of the clergy, no, but they have their own charismas and gifts with which to contribute to the mission of the Church.

Let’s add one more thing: when talking about charismas, we must immediately dispel a misunderstanding: that of identifying them with spectacular and extraordinary gifts and abilities; Instead, these are ordinary gifts, each of us has our own charisma, which acquire an extraordinary value when inspired by the Holy Spirit and incarnated in the situations of life with love.

This interpretation of the charisma is important, because many Christians, upon hearing about charismas, experience sadness and disappointment, since they are convinced that they do not possess any and feel excluded or “B” series Christians. There are no “B” series Christians. Each one has their own charisma, personal and also community.

In his time, Saint Augustine responded to these with a very eloquent comparison: “If you love – he told his people – you have something, since, if you love unity, whoever has it in it also has something for you. …In the body the eye alone sees; But does the eye see for itself alone? Go also for the hand, go also for the foot, go also for the other members.”

Here the secret is revealed by which charity is defined by the Apostle as “the most excellent way” (1 Cor 12, 31): it makes me love the Church, it makes me love the community in which I live and, in unity, all the charismas, not just some, are “mine” just as “my” charismas, although they may seem like a small thing, belong to everyone and for the good of all. Charity multiplies charisms, it makes the charisma of one the charisma of all.