Pope Benedict Says Enough With the Lay Ministry Stuff

Ten Reasons has a good post here on recent comments the Pope said. See Lay ministry apostolate

There is so much truth here and a ton of destructive mischief has occurred because of confusing these concepts. The comments are good too as they describe how the Apostolate e is a very high calling and need.

Not to be cynical, but-- I think part of the appeal of lay "ministry" rather than apostolate (apart from mis-guided notions of power and being "in charge") is spiritual laziness. Lay ministry requires one to show up at the scheduled time to lector or catechize or lead songs or whatever. Lay apostolate OTOH, by its very nature is a 24/7 proposition, and presupposes a commitment to striving for holiness and a life of prayer. I can tell you which one sounds way easier to me...

Now of course that is way too broad as to folks but there is some truth there.

and this comment

I couldn't agree with you more in regards to the lay apostolate - it seems to be the great struggle of our time to engage the laity in understanding their critical role in evangelization and the spread of the Gospel. As you are well aware I am sure - Paul VI's Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity is a beautiful description of our critical role - one small snippet for anyone unfamiliar "One engages in the apostolate through the faith, hope, and charity which the Holy Spirit diffuses in the hearts of all members of the Church. Indeed, by the precept of charity, which is the Lord's greatest commandment, all the faithful are impelled to promote the glory of God through the coming of His kingdom and to obtain eternal life for all men-that they may know the only true God and Him whom He sent, Jesus Christ (cf. John 17:3). On all Christians therefore is laid the preeminent responsibility of working to make the divine message of salvation known and accepted by all men throughout the world." What an amazing world it would be if we (all us laity) could live out this apostolate!

More perhaps after SAINTS SUPERBOWL WEEKEND when I can think more about what the Pope is saying on this.