+THE SYNODALITY OF COMMUNTY LIFE ChapTalk 27 Feb. 2022
In order to allow time this morning for Br Gregory to give us an overview of what took place at the recent General Chapter, I will be brief with my own comments. I would like to share a few more comments about the practice of synodality after reading through the document called Vademecum, for the Synod on Synodality. I would encourage you to read this document if you haven’t already, as to have a clear understanding of why Pope Francis has worked so hard on this aspect of the Church’s nature.
One of the statements early on in the document is good to remember where it says: “This Synodal Process need not be seen as an overwhelming burden that competes with local pastoral care. Rather, it is an opportunity to foster the synodal and pastoral conversion of each local Church so as to be more fruitful in mission.” In a profound sense the synodal process is something we engage in everyday of our lives if they are to have meaning and be fruitful for all of human life. When done well, each of our lives is greatly enhanced.
The Synodal Process is encouraged to root our experience “in meditation on Scripture, the liturgy and prayer. In this way, our journey of listening to one another can be an authentic experience of discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit. Authentic discernment is made possible where there is time for deep reflection and a spirit of mutual trust, common faith, and a shared purpose.”
From reading the document Vademecum, one sees it is about “journeying together” in our discernment, the knowing and faithfully carrying out the will of God in our lives. We will be as authentic and fruitful in our life together, to the degree that we enter into this process and so, let me quote the following:
The Synodal Process is first and foremost a spiritual process. It is not a mechanical data-gathering exercise or a series of meetings and debates. Synodal listening is oriented towards discernment. It requires us to learn and exercise the art of personal and communal discernment. We listen to each other, to our faith tradition, and to the signs of the times in order to discern what God is saying to all of us. Pope Francis characterizes the two interrelated goals of this process of listening: “to listen to God, so that with him we may hear the cry of his people; to listen to his people until we are in harmony with the will to which God calls us.”
Learning the art of personal and communal discernment enables us to be attuned to God’s living Word in our everyday lives. It helps us to continually grow personally and communally so as to experience that vitality that we are all seeking to have in our lives. Enough from me, Br Gregory will now give us a living example of this vitality!
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