How to be a Christian in a Non-Christian World?
Is there a Lay Theology?

by Mark and Louise Zwick

Houston Catholic Worker

It happened again, and as usual we had become upset and angry. An
immigrant just asked us for the upteenth time, “Marcos, usted es un
sacerdote y Luisa una monja?” (Mark, are you a priest and Louise a
nun?)

“No! No!” We say for the upteenth time. “Somos laicos.” We are lay
people. And if they insist, we say in frustration, “No! Somos laicos
tontos y estupidos.”

A priest or sister might run Casa Juan Diego better than lay people. No
matter what they say, all the good people have not left the active
ministry. As a matter of fact, priests and sisters have been
instrumental in bringing Casa Juan Diego to where it is today–and that
includes our chief shepherds.

But the point is: Lay people can and should be doing this work. Why
should anyone think that to be committed, one must be a priest or
sister? Why should it seem unusual for lay people to try to live the
Gospel? Continue reading “How to be a Christian in a Non-Christian World?
Is there a Lay Theology?”