Synod, three key-words to walk together

A Church that "walks together." A Church that is close and that listens. A Church where "the sole authority is the authority of service" that embraces, with a spirit of love and sharing – following the teachings of the Second Vatican Council – the joys and hopes, suffering and anguish of the human family… The commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, Saturday October 18 in the Vatican, reaffirmed the importance of the Synod process – of "walking together" – transmitting the image of a living, diversified ecclesial reality, that is not divided internally, as many would want to make others believe, but that instead listens to the problems of the world – at present those regarding the family – ready to respond through the words of the Gospel.  "The journey of synodality – Pope Francis said in his speech – is the journey that God wants from his Church in the third millennium." He added: "What the Lord asks of us, in a certain way is already contained in the word ‘Synod.’ "Walking together – laity, pastors, the Bishop of Rome – is an easy concept to express in words, but is not so easy to put into practice." These simple words depict the face of reality highlighting the richness and the stumbling blocks along the common journey. Precisely for it could be said that Francis has depicted the outlines of synodality: listening, service and communion. Three key-words that apply to everyone – lay Catholics, pastors and bishops – since synodality, at different times, involves all the faithful inside the Church.Listening, first of all. "A synodal church is a listening church, aware that listening is more than hearing. It is a reciprocal listening in which each one has something to learn." The  "attitude of brothers in the Lord", highlighted by Francis to the synod Fathers at the opening of the 2014 Synod, return to mind. "Speaking of parrhesia and listening with humbleness." Listening is a choice of method and field. In fact, listening is a source of authentic, ever-renewed relations. In these relations, that become an encounter with others, is developed the authentic, free dialogue that is not burdened by words that only speak of one’s "ego." Listening means availability, mutual enrichment, relations. And this applies especially to the ecclesial realm. Humble listening with the yearning to go beyond, to look into oneself to establish a connection between a moment and the Eternity, the fragment and the whole, the provisional and the definitive. Then, there is service. On this point Pope Francis has been clear and his words, as always, need no interpretation. "For the disciples of Jesus – yesterday, today and forever – the only authority is the authority of service; the only power is the power of the Cross, following the words of the Teacher: ‘"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave’ (Mt 20; 25-27). Not so with you: through this expression we reach the heart of the mystery of the Church – ‘not so with you’ – and we receive the light needed to understand hierarchical service", that is also the service of the successor of Peter. Since while it is true that there exists the Primate of Peter, is it equally true that in this force resides the primacy of the Church at the service of charity. The primacy of the Pope is thus at the service of charity. "Si amas, pasce", said Saint Augustine. Finally, communion. "The Bishops’ Synod – underlined Pope Francis – is the most evident manifestation of a dynamism of communion that inspires all ecclesial decisions." Also in this case the reference is not only to the college of bishops but also to all the people of God: lay Catholics and pastors alike. Moreover… Speaking of communion the emphasis is placed on an aspect that post-Council ecclesiology is very sensitive to, whereby the Church is "mystery of Communion." The forms of existence of the Church are characterised by communion. If this concept is taken seriously this profound, original reality will manifest itself in the life of every ecclesial community as a norm of life. In fact, communion is not a partial aspect of the Church. It is its constitutive dimension.  Three key-words to "walk together." But for a careful verification, to what extent do we listen to others? Are we capable of serving? Do we live and are we communion? The answers of each one of us (Church – people of God) determine the "journey of synodality."