On The Laity's Involvement In Infallibility

There are a lot of Catholics who haven't seen this paragraph before... or haven't taken the time to really think about it.  The passage suggests two things: number one - a promise, number two - a command.

The promise is that the Church on a whole (including the laity and the Magisterium) will continue to proclaim the truth.  Obviously, people within the church will err.  But the common belief and understanding of faith and morality, as guided by the Magisterium, will always be guarded by The Holy Spirit.

I guess the easiest way to explain that one would be to talk about some of the traditionalists who insist that Vatican II was a sham and that we are now operating under a false pope.  I can sympathize with such conspiracy theorists, but (as the passage suggests) it's just not the case.  That would mean that the entire church (except a few rogue bishops and their followers) have lost the truth.  And that can't happen.

Think of how Jesus had described the kingdom of God.  As a light, on a mountain.  If a few tiny sects (sects that were, until recently, excommunicates) had suddenly become the sole guardians of truth, then where is their light?  Where is the direction for all the world to see?  God's word cannot be hidden within a cult.  If the Word of God is here on earth, then it must be a guide for all of us.  Not just those who understand the values of the Latin Mass.

The second part, the command, needs no example for explanation.  We each have the duty (as parts of the body of the Church) to keep the truth close to our hearts, and to proclaim it through our actions and words.

It's not always easy... especially since we aren't theological scholars.  We're everyday people, doing everyday things.  We don't even always KNOW the truth, much less have the ability to stand up and preach a sermon to skeptical unbelievers.   

But we can know God.  He comes to us sometimes in very simple ways.  And we must always be ready to share that with other people.

You can do that while working from a drivethrough window at McDonalds by being patient with rude customers.  You can do it as a business owner by offering value to your customers (and offering fair and just wages to your employees).  You can swallow your pride when you feel like arguing with your spouse (or parent).  You can change diapers and do dishes without griping about it.

All of these are ways for us to shine the light of truth.  Because, as Paul wrote, all of our actions are futile without charity.  But when done with charity, even the simplest actions become enormous testimonies to God and His Church.