Animals live at the sense level. Satisfaction of the senses is their goal. They are led by instincts and impulses. Humans have, besides all the senses, intelligence and freedom. They should respond to the senses but must not be led by them. Rather, they should think and find out what is the best and choose that. That is why man is defined as a rational animal. In man there is something finer than the senses and reason. We call it the spiritual. Teilhard de Chardin, scientist and mystic, very perceptively said ‘man is a spirit living in a body’. The spiritual is an openness to the beyond, the supernatural, like, God, human soul, life after death. It is the realm of faith.

In life man has to take decisions. Decisions should be based on good reason and faith. The faith of the Jews is expressed in the Old Testament. Being a Jew, Jesus knew the faith, the spiritual and religious convictions and practices of the Jews. But, being a discerning Jew, Jesus did not accept much of the Jewish religion. Like the Jews, Jesus believed that there is only one God who is the creator and law giver. For the Jews, God was mainly a warrior God, ‘Lord of hosts’ or ‘Yahweh’, a mystery. But for Jesus, God is Abba, his (and everybody’s) most loving father. Everyone is God’s beloved son or daughter, that is, all are brothers and sisters. Jesus summarized the hundreds of commandments of the Jews into one, that is, unconditional and total love for the other.

Christians are those who love, respect and follow Jesus. At his baptism Jesus became fully aware that he was God’s beloved son. He wanted to discern what God wanted him to do. In the desert he became clear about his mission, and did it wholeheartedly. Whenever he was in doubt he retired into solitude and discerned what God wanted of him. At the end of his life, when he was in crisis, he retired into the solitude of Gethsemane with the sole intention of finding out what God wanted him to do, though he had to sweat blood to find it out and accept it. Such was his fidelity to his Father that he cried out, ‘I have come to do His will’ … ‘My food is to do His will.’ This is the heart of Jesus’ spirituality.

Christians should follow the path of Jesus in decision making. Their aim should be to find out what God wants them to do, that is, what best suits the situation. This applies to personal choices as well as common issues. This presents many preconditions, the most important of which is sincere commitment to do God’s will. This involves absolute internal freedom to say sincerely ‘Your (not my) kingdom come’, ‘Your (not my) will be done’.

When a decision concerns common issues (as in the case of synods) participants must have, besides the conditions mentioned above, sincere respect for all others, must believe that God communicates directly with each one. All should listen attentively to the others. The worst attitude is to come with an agenda that is to be imposed. All should believe that the Church belongs to God. Surely it belongs to us too, but we are members and servants, not masters and owners! (I recall the behaviour of a ten-year-old boy. The first thing he did on arrival was to walk into the principal’s room and ask ‘how is our school today?’). In an attitude of respect and prayerfulness, consensus will emerge. The final decision will not be that of the majority, but that of the group, and it will be unanimous. The happiness that ensues is proof that the decision is right.

Some time back, a council of bishops insisted on two qualities in bishops, namely ‘spirituality and being poor with the poor’. Both these are important for all, especially for those in authority. But today there is a lamentable lack of it. This is the real cause of today’s problems. Therefore, the only answer is growth in spirituality. Solemn celebrations, devotional practices, piety and rituals won’t do.

What is spirituality? Being unconditionally committed to do only God’s will is the heart of spirituality. Spirituality is openness to others, respecting them and listening to them. Spirituality is unconditional love. Spirituality is sharing, having the attitude of ‘all I have is yours’. Spirituality is taking seriously the last commandment of Jesus, ‘feed my sheep’, especially the lost ones. Spirituality is the freedom to revisit an earlier decision and correct it if necessary. Spirituality is the ability to say, ‘You are right, I am wrong’. Spirituality is commitment to imitate Jesus more and more, knowing that only love is effective and lasting.

• M.J. Thomas, SJ