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33 "That's such a good, consol- ing thought. You matter to God. Therefore, it actually matters on Sunday whether you show up or not. Because you matter to God, your choices matter. If you didn't matter to God, you can do whatever you want because you don't matter, your choices don't matter, it doesn't matter. But there's a responsibility that comes along with the fact that God loves you and that you matter to him," Father Schmitz said. "If it's true that you matter to God, then when you show up for Mass, he's just that much more glorified and loved. And if you don't show up for Mass, he's just that much less glori- fied and loved," he continued. As we let the truth that we matter to God and his mission sink in, we realize the import of our response to the loving invitation to follow Christ. We aren't floating in the ether of nothingness where nothing matters. We have a purpose and goal: to know and love God and make him known and loved in the world. In fact, Father Schmitz said, there are some ways that only the lait y can bring God out into the world; he cannot preach the Gospel in the same places and situations that lay- people can. The Church 's Dogmatic Constitu- tion Lumen Gentium tells us as much when it says, "The lait y are called in a special way to make the Church present and operative in those places and circumstances where only through them can it become the salt of the earth. Thus, every layman, in virtue of the very gifts bestowed upon him, is at the same time a witness and a living instrument of the mission of the Church itself 'according to the measure of Christ's bestowal '" (33). "There are places that God can only go if you're willing to bring him there. So, my willingness to actually do that or not will result in God being known and loved or him remaining unknown and unloved. There are so many places that the laity can go that I can't go, that I would never have the chance to go. That's your circle; that's your part of the world," Father Schmitz added, encouraging the laity to live their mission faithfully. "You might be the only Catholic they ever meet." Having discerned their "why" and "how," each Christian is called to be the cavalry, going forth and trans- forming his or her own sphere of influence, faithfully living whatever mission is given them. Through that fidelity, countless others are empowered to say "yes" themselves. Through Mary's "yes," the world received its Savior. Through each of our "yes," Jesus seeks to come into the world anew. "Another thing is that they matter. Your neighbor actually matters to God so much that he lived, suffered, died and rose from the dead for your neighbor - not just for you. But they might have no idea because you're not willing to tell them, Father Schmitz concluded, emphasizing the part each of the faithful has to play in Christ's Great Commission. "We might think, 'I haven't done that; I haven't gotten in anyone's way!' But have you ever shared him with anybody?" By accepting our mission in Christ, by being the cavalry and going forth to preach the Gospel, we play our part in God's plan. BE THE CAVALRY. CONFOUND THE WORLD. No matter your particular mission, the Lord is inviting your "yes" to make him "present and operative" in those places where only you can. No reinforcements are coming to relieve you of your mission; you are the cavalry, called to go into your world and sanctify it with your joy- fully countercultural witness. The good news is this happens alongside your pastor, parish and community. You're not alone! You Matter. Your priest needs you, and the Church does, too. DENVER CATHOLIC | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024