Dear brothers and sisters, we return this morning to our reflection on Gaudium et Spes, considering the Church’s mission in the contemporary world. As the Son of God became incarnate to fulfill his redemptive mission, so the Church dwells in the world as a living sign of God’s plan to reconcile the world to himself. By discerning the signs of the times through the lens of the Gospel, she carries out this task by helping people respond to the profound questions of life and contributing to society through her witness of faith and charity. To be effective in this mission, the Church depends on every baptized person cooperating with the grace of the Holy Spirit and seeking holiness. The lay faithful, in particular, are called to animate the culture in which they live with a Christian spirit. In our call to build up the Kingdom of God, may we renew our efforts toward personal sanctification, justice and fraternal love, and thus be signs of hope for all people.