In our particular charism, spirituality and mission form a unified whole. They are intimately and inseparably linked. Driven by apostolic zeal, our spirituality is only complete when we respond to the urgency of the mission. Likewise, our missionary activity becomes hollow talk without a deep spirituality. In a way, Claret sought to emphasise this in his apostolic prayer. Can we truly lead others to know God if we ourselves do not know Him well? How can we help others love and serve Him if we do not love and serve Him ourselves?
From this perspective, the life of a Lay Claretian also becomes a constant “forge”, in which, through the blows of Gospel reality, God gradually shapes your person and your existence—made malleable by the fire of His Spirit. It is this fire that encourages you each day to build, with your spouse and children, a welcoming home and turn it into a domestic Church, a “living stone” of the Kingdom. That same fire inspires you to be a source of joy, good humour, harmony and unity in all your relationships—relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbours and anyone you come across in everyday life, whether in planned encounters or chance meetings. It is the fire of the Spirit that urges you to be honest, competent and committed in your work, to offer the best service possible to those who benefit from it. It also stirs your heart to care about building a more just and inclusive world, one that defends the dignity of every person and the protection of creation as our common home, working for the common good through political, social and cultural participation. The fire of the Spirit also moves you to share your faith with your parish community and local Church, so that you can journey together in grateful praise of the same God who calls and gathers us.
Ultimately, it is the fire of the Spirit that enables us to bring the Gospel to life in every age, seeking constantly the will of God in the many situations and stages that life presents us with. From this viewpoint, it becomes clear how essential it is to continuously feed this fire of the Spirit, cherishing every opportunity for closeness with God the Father as a privileged space for deepening our intimacy with Him. To live in constant communion with God becomes a non-negotiable aim, no matter how difficult or ambitious it may seem. There is no better way to be a missionary witness of Christ than by seeking to become ever more conformed to Him: to feel what He feels, to care about what He cares about, to pursue His same purposes… until the Gospel begins to radiate naturally from every pore of your being, and is reflected in every word, action, look and gesture.
Miguel Ángel Sosa
Lay Claretian
