Like you, I read Fr. Joe’s Pastor’s Desk containing his synod commentary. I love reading the Pastor’s Desk because there are challenging thoughts and ideas. Woe betide any of us if we get to the point of immovability in our thinking, position or critique of the Church!
Some say, “well, the Church says it, and that is the final word”. As a student of theology at the Master’s level, this approach is left wanting. Theology, by its nature, is ever-evolving; therefore, so is the Church because revelation is constant.
If you read the evolution of the ecclesiology of the Church—the study of how we understand the Church—you will see the historical fact is ecclesia semper reformanda (the Church is always reforming). Vatican II ecclesiology understands this maxim. There is nothing to be afraid of here. In fact, change is the norm.
This normative process has been brought alive by the Holy Father in the synodal process. It comes from the Second Vatican Council. We have a history, right from the Early Church of being synodal. Indeed, the only constant is change.
The response to the synod process across the world was amazing. People are quite misinformed if they think that the Holy Spirit has not been a part of the process or that some leftist agenda is being pushed by the synodal process. The presence of the Holy Spirit is evident in the discernment (listening to) the Spirit.
Those who deny the presence of the Holy Spirit in the synodal process suggest to me: 1) that they took no part in the process; 2) they did not understand the process 3) they continue to have no idea of what synodality is.
I was privileged to be part of the team that facilitated the synodal process in our diocese. I was intrigued by the responses from different people across the diocese – it is quite the phenomenon.
There is another phenomenon at work that is couched in disengagement. Many people are not participating in the synodal process; perhaps they are just consumers of the faith, the community and its resources. This phenomenon is reflected in Matthew Kelly’s book Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic. In it, Kelly claims that only 7 per cent of Catholics are engaged. This 7 per cent of Catholics are doing everything in the Catholic community, including being engaged in the synod process. His seminal question is: What is the difference between disengaged and engaged Catholics?
I wonder about the answer to his question and if the answer lies in our need to keep our comfort zones comfortable.
I wonder if you—the reader—have been challenged by the concept of Synodality, lay leadership, and standing at the Eucharistic Prayer? If you have been challenged to let go of some traditional practices in the Church that no longer have meaning or give us life, the Traditional Latin Mass, or customary cultural practices of the cultures and lands you and I come from?
If you and I have been challenged by these things, this is good because we are engaged, and consequently, our faith is being agitated to grow.
Agitation initiates action. Conversely, complacency breeds mediocrity and contempt. If you have not engaged in Catholic formation since leaving Catholic schooling (secondary or primary), what can you contribute to the direction and movement of the synodal Church today?
The Church is not static, yet some people are in a time warp, stuck and stunted because of the rigidity they cling to. Their comments reflect a Church that was not the Church that is.
Jesus’ invitation from John 1:39 is eternally repeated to us: “come and see.”
This points to the truth that something is continually being revealed, something that will radically change our lives, just as it did the disciples.
Through their radical experience, the disciples have passed on the faith (c.f., Matt 28). The Church’s Living Tradition has evolved and developed throughout the centuries.
Fr. Joe’s homilies comment on transitus, about transitioning and transforming. Ironically, the traditions that some want to hold on to started in another time, often centuries ago. Our energies are better directed into the traditions we will leave for those who come after us from transitioning and transforming our own time.
Nick Wilson, Diocesan Young Catholics Team Leader