John 4:5-15, 19b-26,39a, 40-42

Because of their participation in the teaching office, all the faithful, including those without a formal theological training, have an instinct for the truth. ‘God furnishes the totality of the faithful with an instinct of faith - sensus fidei - which helps them to discern what is truly of God' (Evangelii Gaudium 119).

Participating in the priestly office enables the full and active participation of all in the celebration of the liturgy of the Church where the whole assembly offers praise and thanks to the Living God.

Participating in the kingly office empowers all the baptised to play an active part in the governance of the Church.

Together, participation in the threefold messianic mission of Jesus Christ calls for a Spirit-filled community that listens, prays, meditates, dialogues, accompanies, discerns, decides and acts as all the baptised jurney in Christ to God the Father. Even as the difference between the common priesthood of the baptised and the ministerial priesthood of the ordained is recognised, the essential equality of the one People of God is maintained. Ordained ministers are to serve the community of baptised disciples in its responsibility for the one mission of the Church, a mission that takes on new requirements in an ever-changing world.