From Margaret, a member of our discussion group

For as long as I can remember I have been told that I belong to the laity of our church.  Then one day I wanted to understand more of what this word or label meant.  Webster's dictionary describes LAITY, as people of a religious faith, as distinguished from clergy.

I began to ask myself why this distinction and when did it begin? I believe it began when the hierarchical system began, about seventeen hundred years ago.  But, I cannot recognize this distinction in anything Jesus said or did.  Now I ask myself, do we really want this kind of system to continue within the Body of Christ?  Do we still want a hierarchical system in our church, which categorizes or labels its members, from those on top who dictate to those they consider are on the bottom, as they perceive the laity to be? Unfortunately, for a very long time, we "the laity" believed and accepted that we, the majority of God's people, were on the lowest rung of the ladder in our church.

On the other hand, Simon, whom Jesus called the Rock, tells us, the followers of Christ, that we are a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation."  What lofty descriptions of God's people, you and me.  It really doesn't get any better than this!  We need to believe this. We are "a people of His own, (priesthood) so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."  (One Peter 2: 9) It is time to believe in these words and claim the truth in them. The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to tell us that we have been favored and raised to new spiritual heights in the life of Christ.  For our sake and for God's sake, we must accept this favor, this grace that is given to all of us.  The Spirit of Christ in Peter and the Spirit of Christ within us has called us out of darkness.  The Light has entered into us.  That is why we gather in new communities or we communicate on the internet, or speak with one another in our social gatherings about all that is happening within or to our church.  We are all tired of that former darkness, along with a secrecy that was sinful. We are people who love the Light.

Jesus let us know that there is something special about being a ROCK. It happened the day that Jesus asked his disciples; "Who do people say that the Son of Man is? They replied with, "Some say." "But Jesus said, "Who do you say that I am?"  Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."  Jesus said in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah.  For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my heavenly Father.  And I say to you, you are Peter, (which mean rock) and upon this rock I will build my church, (community) and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."  (Mt 16:16-18) What Jesus is telling us is that we, like Peter, who confess and believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, are Rocks and he will build his church (community) upon us. And this is exactly what he has been doing for two thousand years. Peter affirms this truth as he says,  (One Peter 2:4-8) "Come to him a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."  It is important to believe in these words; otherwise we shall always be labeled, LAITY.

We are a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation"; these are lofty descriptions of God's people, you and me.  It really doesn't get any better than this! Or does it? I am recalling a few other words that Jesus said to Peter, and to all the rest of us who become a Rock for him. Jesus tells us, "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven."  Now, I am suggesting that we believe what Jesus has offered to us.  Imagine, keys to the kingdom of heaven! It is time to use the keys that Jesus has handed to us and open up the treasures of the kingdom, "broadcast the seed" of Christ's Spirit here and now!