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INTENTION : |
We pray for the Church, ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel; may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.
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The Joy of the Gospel is the title Pope Francis has chosen for this first major document of his pontificate, putting down in print the joyous spirit of encounter with Christ that characterises every public appearance he has made so far.
The man who has constantly kept the media's attention with his desire to embrace and share his faith with everyone he meets now urges us to do exactly the same. To "recover the original freshness of the Gospel", as he puts it, through a thorough renewal of the Church's structures and vision.
Including what he calls "a conversion of the papacy" to make it better able to serve the mission of evangelisation in the modern world.
The Church, he says, should not be afraid to re-examine "customs not directly connected to the heart of the Gospel" even if they may have deep historical roots.
In straightforward and personal language, the Pope appeals to all Christians to bring about a "revolution of tenderness" by opening their hearts each day to God's unfailing love and forgiveness. The great danger in today's consumer society, he says, is "the desolation and anguish" that comes from a "covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience." Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests, he warns, "there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor."
As we open our hearts, the doors of our churches must always be open, and the sacraments available to all.
The Eucharist "is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak"
"God saves us," he exclaims, "from a worldly Church with superficial spiritual and pastoral trappings!" Urging a more significant role for the laity, the Pope warns of "excessive clericalism". He calls for "a more incisive female presence in the Church", especially "where important decisions are made."
Looking beyond the Church, Pope Francis denounces the current economic system as "unjust at its root", based on a tyranny of the marketplace, in which financial speculation, widespread corruption and tax evasion reign supreme. He also denounces attacks on religious freedom and new persecutions directed against Christians.
Noting that secularisation has eroded ethical values, producing a sense of disorientation and superficiality, the Pope highlights the importance of marriage and stable family relationships.
Returning to his vision of a poor Church and for the poor, the Pope urges us to pay particular attention to those on the margins of society, including the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the elderly, migrants, victims of trafficking and unborn children.
While it is not "progressive" to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life, he says, it's also true that "we have done little to adequately accompany women in very difficult situations, where abortion appears as a quick solution to their profound anguish."
Finally, better relations with other Christians, Jews and Muslims are indispensable ways of promoting peace and combatting fundamentalism. While urging Christians to "avoid hateful generalisations" about Islam, the Pope also calls "humbly" on Islamic countries to guarantee full religious freedom to Christians."
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What is a Synod?
A synod is a gathering, traditionally of bishops, that helps the Church to walk forward together in the same direction.
The word "synod" comes from the Greek syn-hodos, meaning "the same way" or "the same path." Synods were common in the first centuries of Christianity, giving bishops the opportunities to meet and discuss issues of importance to the life of the Church.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI instituted the Synod of Bishops at the universal level of the Church. He wanted a way of continuing the fraternal, collegial exchange that had been experienced at the Second Vatican Council, where bishops from across the globe had gathered together between 1962 and 1965.
Since then, synods have been organised every two or three years, bringing together bishops, experts, and various delegates to discuss topics like the Eucharist, the Word of God, the Middle East, the new evangelisation, the family, young people, and the Amazon.
In each case, bishops vote on a Final Document, and then the pope writes his own text - called an "apostolic exhortation" - to open new pathways and shed new light on what was discussed at the Synod so that it can radiate across the entire Church.
What's unique about this Synod on synodality?
Unlike past synods, this one isn't about addressing a particular issue but about becoming who God calls us to be as a Church, all of us together amidst the reality of today's world! The Synod starting in October 2021 is totally unprecedented, for at least three reasons.
1. It is no longer only a one-month Synod of Bishops but a two-year synodal process for the entire People of God, all the baptised! All are invited, and no one will be left behind or excluded!
2. It is a synod that aims to give the entire Church a lived experience of synodality. It's not just about filling in a questionnaire but gathering the fruits of what the Holy Spirit is saying to us here and now.
3. The aim of the Synod is not just to talk about synodality, but to put synodality into practice from now onwards, in every diocese, parish, and country across the whole world. This calls all of us, at every level of the Church, to renew our way of being and working together moving forward.
Holy Spirit of God, lead the Church on our pilgrim path as we listen to You speaking through one another. Enkindle Your love in our hearts to walk forward together as a Church that accompanies all of humanity on our common journey to You.
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