What is our role as Marist Laity?

What is our role as Marist Laity? I was walking with my husband in the inner city recently. Strolling along, enjoying the brisk air and a freedom of spirit. As we waited at an intersection for the traffic lights to change, we noticed one of the city's drifters standing opposite us, also waiting to cross. He wore the vacant and harassed look of many in our city who 'live rough'. While we stood contemplating the relative calm of the place, a bloke nudged our drifter friend as he passed him. Our friend, startled, turned and mumbled something. The other guy, who had passed by now, returned and began yelling at our friend. It wasn't long before the bloke was throwing punches at our perplexed and frazzled friend. It was all a misunderstanding and those of us there, as onlookers, intervened. How often there is injustice and mis-understanding. How often what is required is simply a calm presence. How better to live our Marist spirituality - to be that calm and thoughtful presence.

Jina Mulligan, St Patrick's Church Hill