{"id":18208,"date":"2023-10-04T14:55:19","date_gmt":"2023-10-04T14:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/?p=18208"},"modified":"2023-10-04T14:55:19","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T14:55:19","slug":"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","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communications.amecea.org\/index.php\/2023\/10\/04\/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\/","title":{"rendered":"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"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fr. Andrew Kaufa smm<\/em><\/p>\n

Today, Pope Francis has reminded the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod that the Synod is not a parliamentary meeting but \u201ca moment to contemplate God\u2019s 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 \u201cone of pastoral desolation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the moment of desolation, Jesus has a gaze capable of seeing beyond<\/em>: 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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,\u201d adding, Jesus \u201ctook up only the weapons of the Gospel: humility and unity, prayer, and charity.\u00a0 Let us do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf 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. \"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cJesus\u2019 gaze that blesses invites us to be a Church that does not face today\u2019s 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,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn synodal dialogue, in this beautiful \u201cjourney in the Holy Spirit\u201d 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\u2019s challenges with his gaze; to become, using a fine expression of Saint Paul VI, a Church that \u201cmakes itself a conversation\u201d (Encyclical Letter Ecclesiam suam<\/em>, 65),\u201d said he.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet us open ourselves to him and call upon him, the protagonist, the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 And let us walk with him, in trust and with joy,\u201d he said as he concluded his homily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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