Associative life in the church a means, not an end

Authorised and created to foster individual and communal growth towards holiness, they are often marred by somewhat scandalous but redeemable dysfunctions. Associations and movements of the Christian faithful are not always the beacon of light they should be in the Church and in the world.

Material considerations, hypocrisy and pride often take precedence over spirituality and the requirements of discipleship among their members. Meanwhile, Jesus commanded His disciples to remain united in Him, endeavouring relentlessly to walk by faith rather than by sight, loving God and neighbour as He Himself did in the days of His earthly life and ministry.

Very often, however, one sees an association or a movement labouring under the plagues of gossip and character assassination, discrimination and breach of unity, unhealthy personal ambition and fascination for power; thus becoming a cause of indignation and scandal.

In so doing, the association or movement fails to live up to its nature and raison d’être in society, namely a sustained commitment to walk together in genuine faith, steadfast hope and sacrificial love. “I have the feeling that my spiritual life has shrunk over the last two years.

I really wonder whether I should continue or quit”, lamented a single mother of two, Joyce F., who joined an association of laywomen in her parish, hoping to grow in her relationship with the Lord.

Fellowship with Christ is not an automatic distributor of salvation. Neither does membership in an association or movement give anyone a license to disregard the demands of the gospel. “Pope Paul VI, forty-six years ago, reminded us of the centrality of the witness of life.

Of course, being a witness to Christ is better than anything else one might do or say to please God. Out of this framework, everything is useless. I really mean everything”, says a catechist of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Douala.

Membership in an association or movement of the Christian faithful, among the laity, the clergy or both, again, is not an end in itself but actually, a means of perseverance in the spiritual warfare every believer must wage to claim the merits of the Redeemer’s passion for the glory of God and the salvation of men.

To reap and enjoy the temporal and eternal benefits attached to their fellowship, members of Catholic movements and associations should devote themselves constantly to a life of prayer and charity, not only among themselves but also towards others in and outside the Church.

They should also respect to their bylaws and internal regulations, and collaborate with the Church’s hierarchy from their leaders to the magisterium, through their parish priests and other pastoral companions.

Briefly, one might say, they must remain individually and together open to the biblical standards of genuine Christian fellowship wisely summed up in the Sermon on the Mount.

Sermon on the mount “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for hey will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sakeof righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5: 3-12)