SYNOD ON SYNODALITY: In a Layperson’s Context

 

On October 10, 2021, Pope Francis formally opened the “Synod on Synodality” with a Mass at the Vatican, and on October 17, 2021, all over the world, the Diocesan Phase also began with an Opening Mass.   Perhaps, for an ordinary layperson, it may seem another Church event, but, as news ensued, one will come to know that it is more than an event because it is a call to reflect and voice opinions on the communion and participation within and among the People of God in fulfilling the mission of the Church. From the very local church to all the churches in the world, the opinions and voices on relevant issues have to be synthesized in the form of an Instrumentum Laboris for deliberation in the 16^th Ordinary Synod of Bishops in Rome in October, 2023. Pope Francis emphasizes, however, that this Synod on Synodality is more than just a process; it is an experience of a church working as one whole living body towards fulfilling the mission. As an ordinary lay person, my notion of a synod was changed because all the while I thought of it as exclusively episcopal in nature, that the laity has no place in such process.

The church, just like in the past, faces challenging demands of the present world.  It cannot continue to remain oblivious and insensitive to prevailing situations and issues.  At times, it has become a cliché that the church is bombarded with the question, “Where is the Church in a situation like this? What has it done to help the people?”  Sometimes the principle of separation of church and state becomes a burden in the role of the church in protecting its people.  Consumerism, corruption, political pressures, economic crisis, socio-cultural revolutions, environmental concerns and even religious variances and abuses have become setbacks in the church.

Catechism teaches us that “We are the Church.” As Christians and Catholics in particular, we know that our role and responsibility in the church stem from the very sacraments that we have received – baptism and confirmation. In the sacrament of baptism, we became disciples of God.  Matthew 28:19-20 says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” The sacrament of Confirmation, further solidifies our commitment to our responsibilities in our Church.

Pope Francis, in the midst of challenging times, calls for Synodality in the church, that is, taking on a journey together in communion and listening to one another with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This is the very essence of the Church, and we are invited to take part in it.  The Pope believes that without synodality, there is no Church. For synodality to take place, it has to start and should involve all the faithful at local Churches, within different and across sectors of the society, promising to listen to all, especially to laypeople.  The voices of the clergy and the laity should resonate and need to be heard, especially from those who have been left out, those from the marginalized groups, those from the peripheries in our society. This is not just an event, it is a process, whereby the best output is the experience of how a Church works together towards the path of living in the mission of the church.  It is tedious and lengthy because the synodal process tries to get to the very core of the people in the church.

The Holy Father further emphasizes that the Synod is not a parliament or an investigation into opinions, but “an ecclesial moment” whose protagonist is the Holy Spirit, because without the Spirit, there is no Synod.  The consultation meetings are channels by which voices of the people of the church will be listened to and addressed in the future.  These gatherings should not be construed to be highly intellectual, structural or elitist.  There should be freedom, openness of views and opinion, closeness in relationship, inclusion and compassion. 

Together, as one living body of the faithful, we shall bring to light the answers to the question: A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together”: How is this “journeying together” happening today in your particular Church?  What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together?”

 

Personally, I hope that this convergence of the People of God, could offer an opportunity for us to renew our faith, to open up to the church, to feel its compassion, to add sparks to a flickering commitment in the mission and perhaps to heal the wounds of an anguished faith.

One Church, One Path, One Mission!

 

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