VATICAN SYNOD: A Church That Has God at Its Center, This is How Jesus Wants His Church, Says Pope Francis During Opening Mass of Synod Meeting

Fr. Andrew Kaufa smm

Today, Pope Francis has reminded the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod that the Synod is not a parliamentary meeting but “a moment to contemplate God’s action and discern the present, an exercise which is so important at this moment when the Church is doing its mission in a difficult moment, which he referred to as “one of pastoral desolation.”

“In the moment of desolation, Jesus has a gaze capable of seeing beyond: he praises the wisdom of the Father and is able to discern the good that grows unseen, the seed of the Word welcomed by the simple, the light of the Kingdom of God that shows the way even in the night,” he said.

Reflecting on the example of Jesus who always fixed his eyes on heaven in difficult times, the Holy Father reminded the assembly of Pope John XXIII’s opening address for the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, which urged the Council Fathers to be ever-looking to the present, to the new conditions and new forms of life introduced into the modern world which have opened new avenues to the Catholic apostolate,” adding, Jesus “took up only the weapons of the Gospel: humility and unity, prayer, and charity. Let us do the same.”

Alluding to the inevitability of tensions and differences of opinion among the participants who have their experiences from different parts of the world, Pope Francis insisted that a synod is not a parliament meeting.

“If God’s holy people with their shepherds from all over the world have expectations, hopes, and even some fears about the Synod we are beginning, let us continue to remember that it is not a political gathering, but a convocation in the Spirit; not a polarized parliament, but a place of grace and communion.

“Jesus’ gaze that blesses invites us to be a Church that does not face today’s challenges and problems with a divisive and contentious spirit but, on the contrary, turns its eyes to God who is communion and, with awe and humility, blesses and adores him, recognizing him as its only Lord,” he continued.

He then called on the synod participants to enter into dialogue with an inner attitude of freedom not fear because the Holy Spirit is with them.

“In synodal dialogue, in this beautiful “journey in the Holy Spirit” that we are making together as the People of God, we can grow in unity and friendship with the Lord in order to look at today’s challenges with his gaze; to become, using a fine expression of Saint Paul VI, a Church that “makes itself a conversation” (Encyclical Letter Ecclesiam suam, 65),” said he.

“Let us open ourselves to him and call upon him, the protagonist, the Holy Spirit. And let us walk with him, in trust and with joy,” he said as he concluded his homily.