Just a Word before we go...Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time...October 10, 2021
What do you think of when you hear the word inheritance? Is it eye color or disposition? Perhaps it is property, or social position or Grandma’s silver. Inheriting eternal life is essentially the subject of our gospel today, and Jesus makes it clear that such an inheritance is God’s gift to bestow, not ours to earn.
Part of our heritage as Catholic Christians is membership in our apostolic faith, conferred upon us at Baptism and renewed at Confirmation. It is exactly this heritage that is the concern of Pope Francis as he opens a two year synod process today in Rome. Espousing a synodal church, the hallmarks of which would be communion and participation for mission, our pope has refashioned the traditional Synod of Bishops to include preparatory synods at all levels of the church, beginning with the parish. Francis’ dream for the church is one that engages people in a listening and learning dynamic, rooted in the principles outlined at the Second Vatican Council, but not yet implemented. The pope’s vision of consultation with as wide a variety of people as possible, reflects his idea of “walking together” as the only path forward in this century. Recognizing the ways in which the church and the world are polarized and fragmented, Francis believes that it is through a collaborative process of discernment, the wisdom inherent in our tradition will emerge, enabling us to unify as we become women and men for others. Francis envisions a people, guided by the Holy Spirit, who can heal and reconcile, embracing the lost, reaching out to the poor and marginalized, and reflecting more fully the love of God in the world. Part of this vision includes transparency and accountability in confronting the sins of our past life as church, especially those of the abuse of persons and power, of exclusion and clericalism.
What does this all mean for us? Each parish selects four delegates who will prepare a report of the findings of a parish listening session and forward the same to the diocese to become part of the diocesan report to the Vatican. In this way, the voices that are never heard will have an opportunity to play a role in our future.
The success of this two year endeavor for the Church writ large will depend on the humility, honesty and sincere reflection of those involved, from every lay person to every cardinal. The result will not be a clinical collection of opinions and feelings, to be compiled in a transactional manner, but rather, will be a spiritual process. Relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, each person and the church herself, will open themselves to the possibility of being transformed into a clearer picture of the inheritance that Jesus intended for us, for the good of the world.
The future of our church, and perhaps of our world, may well depend upon our participation in this process, one that carries the potential of enriching and revitalizing our tradition for the generations to come.
