A MINUTE WITH MIKE
Much discussion has occurred and many concerns expressed since Pope Francis announced the Synod of Synodality two years ago. In his homily for the Mass on “Opening of the Synodal Path,” the Holy Father asked, “Are we prepared for the adventure of the journey?” The Holy Father began by quoting the beginning of the story on The Rich Man from the Gospel of Saint Mark, “As He [Jesus] was setting out on a journey.” Pope Francis reflected on three words, three verbs, he had gleaned from the Gospel reading and compared with the Synod: encounter, listen and discern. “First, Jesus encounters the rich man on the road; Jesus then listens to his questions; and finally Jesus helps him discern what he must do to inherit eternal life,” said Pope Francis.
Pope Francis concluded his homily saying, “In these days, Jesus calls us, as He did the rich man in the Gospel, to empty ourselves, to free ourselves from all that is worldly, including our inward-looking and outworn pastoral models; and to ask ourselves what it is that God wants to say to us in this time. And the direction in which He wants to lead us.”
Discussed views and proposals surrounding the Synod of Synodality ostensibly present contradictions to the teachings of the Catholic Church, suggesting a direction opposite the will of God. We must not be afraid! Many have contradicted the Church ever since Jesus built Her “on the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the capstone.” Knowing this, should we be surprised by current conflicts? After all, at the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple, did not Simeon say, Jesus is “to be a sign that will be contradicted?” Holy Mother Church has faced many serious contradictions over the centuries, some so much so that at one during the Council of Trent, one that took up the 16th century controversy on the chalice being administered to the laity, Saint Peter Canisius sternly retorted by saying, “Better that only a few Catholics should be left, staunch and sincere in their religion, than that they should, remaining many, desire to be, as it were, in collusion with the Church’s enemies and in conformity with the open foes of our Faith.” We must look to these historical moments in salvation history as opportunities for growth in the perfection of truth, a virtuous growth only made possible by our obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Saint Paul teaches us in Ephesians the gifts of Christ that foster redeeming growth. “May we no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming. Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into Him Who is the head, Christ.” May we never be found to be in the words of Saint Augustine, “They [who seek] only to serve their own cause and not Christ’s.”
Unlike the rich man in Saint Mark’s Gospel, let us be hope-filled and joyful, knowing the Holy Spirit is always present and will provide all the necessary graces forbidding “the powers of death” to prevail against the bride of Christ, Holy Mother Church. May we all strive to provide clarity and harmony that constrains obscurity and discord, the body of Christ working as ONE, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church building “authentic unity based on truth.” Let us journey together on this synodal path, welcoming Jesus’ encounter, listening to His every word and discerning what we must do to inherit eternity.
“Every session of the Second Vatican Council began with the prayer Adsumus Sancte Spiritus.” Let us accompany our shepherds, the bishops, as they journey on the Synodal Path this month, standing before the Holy Spirit praying:
We are present before thee, O Lord Holy Spirit.
We are present though we are weighed down by the gravity of our sins.
Yet in thy name, we are gathered for a special task.
Come to us, be with us, and deign to enter our hearts.
Teach us what we should do and where we should go,
and show us what we ought to accomplish,
that with thy help we may have the strength to please thee in all things.
Be thou the only inspiration and perfecter of our judgments, thou who alone with
God the Father and His Son hast a glorious name.
Suffer us not to disturb the order of justice, thou who lovest equity above all else.
Let not ignorance draw us into darkened ways; let not partiality sway us; let not
the taking of gifts nor the respect of persons corrupt our minds.
But unite us to thee efficaciously by the gift of thy grace alone, that we may be one
in thee and in nothing deviate from the truth.
Wherefore, being gathered in thy name, may we hold fast in all things the course
of justice by the rudder of piety,
so that even here our verdict may dissent from thee in nothing, and in the age to
come our good deeds may obtain for us an everlasting reward.
Amen.
| 
