At the Ceremony Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis exclaimed, “It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.”
Synodality, the “journeying together” – the literal meaning of synodality – is the very essence of what it means to be Church. So much so that St. John Chrysostom was able to say that “Church and Synod are synonymous.” What is also amazing is that for the first time in the history of the Church all 1.37 billion Catholics are invited to take part in the process of listening and discernment. One writer commenting on this grand invitation described it as “the largest and most ambitious listening exercise in the history of humanity.” That is powerful! Such an invitation must not be wasted.
It is also true that upon hearing of the Pope’s invitation some, including some within our own community, have responded more in fear than in hope: fear of change, or fear of no change. Still others, as one reported noted, “are trying to use the process to push a particular agenda; some see it as a cynical exercise in ecclesial politics; some dismiss it as a colossal waste of time.”
Nevertheless, the fact remains. We, as a people of faith, as disciples of Christ, are called to come together in this time and in this space. In the midst of a world marked by a breakdown of trust, polarization, social fragmentation, violence, and various symptoms of distress, including loneliness, addiction, self-harm, depression and nihilism we are asked to speak. As part of a Church challenged by these same issues and exasperated by the ongoing pandemic, struggling with what can be described as a time of deep spiritual malaise, a time when the sexual abuse scandals are still fresh in our minds, we are called to speak honestly, truthfully, humbly and share our experiences of faith and life and give voice to the working of the Holy Spirit in out midst. All voices are needed. Everyone must be listened to and heard for all are God’s people and the Spirit blows, like the wind, where it wills. Significantly, in the Preparatory Document the Bishops are instructed to reach out to everyone, “so that, in the orderly unfolding of the synodal journey, what the apostle Paul recommends to the communities may be realized: “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good” (1 Thess. 5:19-21).
The Pope has made it clear, the purpose of the synod is “to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.” To this noble cause the People of God, imbued with the Holy Spirit, are called to share their experiences of faith, their joys and their struggles, to remember God’s actions in ages past and in their lives today, to journey together and find ways to proclaiming the Gospel to an ever-changing world and become the Church that God is calling us to be.
On our part, Listening Sessions will take place during the gatherings of our already established various groups and committees. We have also scheduled a number Listening Sessions for anyone who wishes to participate. Dates and times are available on our website, through Flocknotes, and in the narthex. In order to appropriately prepare space and material please register. Above all join us. Your voice is important. Peace and blessings, Margaret