Re: In Search of Harmony - Synodality in the Light of Tradition and Mission
Seeking the Still Small Voice
In 1 Kings 19:11-12, we read that when Elijah met God at Mt. Horeb, “…a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” That still small voice, gentle even under those circumstances, was the voice of God subtly instructing Elijah.
Sometimes, we only perceive the powerful and dramatic events around us, missing the most important teachings and guidance within and following those events. It happens because we do not pause and seek to listen to the “still small voice.”
After everything that has been said and done about synodality, if we pause and reflect on its central idea, we may hear the “still small voice” of God conveying that His Church needs us—the People of God—present with our love in an active and obedient way. The key words for us are: love, present, active, and obedient. This is not about adopting a new and different way but rather about actively engaging in the mission of the Church. Our Church has always needed us in a kind of need that in fact arises from our need to serve and be with our Lord.
The term synodality became the reason for a Synod, however its essence may be found in our Church from the very beginning. I believe that at that very moment our Lord said, “…upon this rock I will build my Church”; the word Church, “ekklesia” in the original text in Greek, was transformed, elevated, and validated as the way for His people to be close to Him.
I am not an etymologist or theologian, but I would like to offer some food for thought on how that moment at the inception of our Church relates to synodality, hoping it will provide some comfort as we walk together seeking to do His will.
Three words, ekklesia (church), kuriakē (of the Lord) and katholikos (catholic), translated into any language, share common ground with discussions on the meaning of synodality, embodying the idea of a united Church in mission:
Ekklesia: This Greek word, originally meaning "assembly" or "gathering," acquires profound meaning when applied to the People of God. It underscores the religious and communal aspects of the Church, where believers regularly come together to worship the Lord and serve each other. Therefore, a place for worship and then for decision-making, and mutual support. In other words, worshiping, professing the creed, accepting our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, discerning, and walking together as People of God, it is in the essence of the reason for people convening in the church, something that also appears to be at the heart of the meaning of synodality.
Kuriakē: Deriving from the Greek word for "of the Lord," this term emphasizes that the Church (ekklesia – see above) belongs to Christ. Synodality as presented during the Synod, also involves a divine aspect, as it is a process of collective discernment seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in connection therefore with what is of the Lord, necessarily keeping Christ at the center.
Katholikos: Meaning "universal," this term highlights the nature of the Catholic Church, loving all and welcoming all those willing to accept Jesus as the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) and keep His commandments (John 15:10). Synodality can reinforce this universality by ensuring that all voices of the People of God, within the church community, are heard, addressing issues and maintaining unity.
Therefore, Ekkllesia, Kuriake and Katholics reflect a foundational common ground with synodality, understanding it as our collective journey of faith, while following, and therefore protecting, the doctrine that has come from revelation and inspiration from the Holy Spirit over the centuries and preserved in tradition.
Our focus must be on how we, the People of God, will conduct ourselves in synodality, faithful to doctrine.
For those of us concerned that the idea of synodality could be fragilizing the doctrine and the Church, think again—it might be the opposite, depending on our actions within the Church. In fact, since laypeople is the vast majority of the People of God, the doctrine might be better protected with more involvement of those not ordained among the People of God, acting in strict accordance with The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 897-913). Many times, in history, ordinary blessed people have come to the rescue of the true Church in circumstances equivalent to circumstances we are witnessing now. Just consider some misconceptions and events we are seeing within the Church in Germany or some high clergy members from various parts of the globe defending the end of celibacy, setting aside tradition, apparently without even understanding the practical consequences and risks arising from worldly laws. Ending celibacy, the priesthood will be much closer to becoming a 9-to-5 job, pursued not for vocation to serve the Lord, but as a means for livelihood. This lack of comprehension of tradition and in many cases of scriptures does not mean those clergy members have lost their special graces given to the apostles and inherited by them with the imposition of previous bishops’ hands. It only means they are also frail human beings, requiring the prayers and support of the People of God as a whole.
This support can be seen for example, when, in Brazil, over 500,000 people, following tradition, gather for several subsequent days, at 4:00am, to pray the full Rosary for about two hours and then go to work, many of them facing long bus rides. It is also seen when an increasing number of young people attend Mass, seeking our Lord in the Eucharist. It is this fervent and active faith that will protect our Church and provide for a strong clergy faithful to our Lord. We must remember that the future members of the clergy will come from lay members of the People of God. This is why the call for synodality, bringing lay people closer to the daily life of our Church, may be, at this point in time, the most secure way to keep tradition, protect the sacred scriptures and do our Lord’s will.
Let’s serve the Lord together in the best way we can: in harmony and peace.
God bless you all
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