Christianity is born as a new way (cf. Acts 9: 2; 2:4) more than a new doctrine or a series of norms; it is new kind of life that has Jesus Christ as its supreme law. All Christians and the whole of Christian life must be understood only from Christ and in Christ. The apostle tries to say truly and sincerely, like Paul, “For to me living is for Christ” (Phil 1: 21). For him Christ was the only eloquence, wisdom and knowledge who destroys any human wisdom (cf. 1Cor 1. 19) and makes his life meaningful. It was also the same with Claret. The apostolic life is a courageous itinerancy amidst various ups and downs of life. And Claret lived this sort of life.
Sustained by his faith, the lay apostle is called to work to improve the family, economy, arts, professions, relations between nations…..whose protagonist is always man. His mission is to bring man to perfection, humanizing him and leading him towards his aim, guided by the Message of Jesus until attaining a renewal of the activities, atmospheres, criteria, interests and ways of thinking.
The Church has shown a special concern for the seekers of truth, thinkers, explorers of men, the universe, the history who are sometimes discouraged by vain search. It has shown its interest in the works of the poets, intellectuals, artists and masters in the arts of communication. The Church journeys with them towards the integral human being whose ideal is Christ, the perfect man.
What sign can I make use of from my concern to make Christ as the norm and compass of my life? Is my social involvement a result of a demand to take seriously the human condition according to the mind of Christ, the prefect man?