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            The CCC (no. 837), under the title of "Who belongs to the Catholic Church?", teaches that full incorporation into the Church is possessed by those who "by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion, are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ". This of course means that others, without being fully incorporated, still belong in some way to the Church. All of those in fact who have received Baptism begin to live the life of Jesus Christ and become *de facto members of the People of God (cf. c. 204). But non-Catholic Christians, though participating in the life of Christ, do not enjoy all the benefits or means of sanctification that Jesus wished his followers to have, for the completion of their growth in him (cf. Eph 4:12-13).

            Jesus Christ is the light of the world (Jn 8:12), the Savior of all mankind (Jn 4:42). He spent the three short years of his public life teaching his followers. He was their "Magister", their Teacher; for them he had "the words of eternal life" (Jn 6:68).

            For each person, the one really important thing is to meet Jesus, to be enlighted by him, to follow him. Even with failures, our efforts will be fruitful if they are directed toward believing our Lord's Revelation and doing his will. We will be on the right track, even though we often run it badly. But if we mistake his words or his will, we may apparently run well, but off the track.

            The Apostles had the immense fortune to meet Jesus Christ; their lives and eternities were stamped by that meeting. Though their faith was put to many tests, they stuck with Our Lord. In a moment when many abandoned him, Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (Jn 6:68). Peter's answer was that of a man bound to Jesus by love. He did not say, "to what, but to whom, shall we go?". His faith, his fidelity, was to the Person of Jesus. But that also meant fidelity to his teaching, to the words of Jesus: "words of eternal life".

            "" means people. The laity are "prototype" members of the People of God; each one has been divinely chosen with a specific calling and mission. The proper place of the laity is in the world. What is asked of them there is to sanctify themselves through their ordinary work and life, so that their presence, friendship and example can lead others around them to God.