Vincent Kundukulam
One who closely observes the document on synodality, namely ‘Synodality in the life and mission of the Church’, shall notice there in a great determination to implement its proposals. The very first number of the document, referring to Pope Francis’ quote at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops, says: ‘it is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium’. A few paragraphs later, it continues to say: ‘synodality is not simply a working procedure but the particular form in which the Church lives and operates’ (No 16).
Ensuing Pope’s appeal to make Church-life synodal in nature, much work has been done at different levels. Seminars, symposia, study classes and surveys are being conducted with pomp and extravagance. Reports containing valuable suggestions and decisions come out with attractive titles in the press. But regrettably, the initial enthusiasm has come down. The thinking minds ask: what has now changed in the Church except that a certain awareness is being created on the subject in some people, who were even otherwise active in the Church?
If there is no reason to be positive about synodality and interreligious dialogue, one may then ask, why to hang around reflecting on it. The answer is simple. We cannot but do it. Because, as it is stated in the introduction to the Vademecum for the Synod on Synodality, the crisis in which the present world and Church are caught up is crucial. On the one hand, Church has to respond to global issues like pandemic, conflicts, violence, wars, climate change, migration, racism and inequality among various sections of people across the world. On the other hand, she has to resolve the sufferings of vulnerable people within Church, especially of those who become victims of the abuse of power, money and sex by the clerics and religious. Those who are concerned about the well-being of Church and those who find meaning of life in and through the mission of Church cannot remain silent when she is set on fire. Flowers spread fragrance and birds sing without seeking whether there is somebody in the surroundings to appreciate them. This is the way God proposes to overcome the present crises in Church.
Speaking from the Christian point of view, the principal agent of mission is Holy Spirit; we are only His instruments. It is up to God’s Spirit to fix the date for our works bearing fruit. Jesus’ own model is inspiring for us. Before beginning the public ministry, he might have certainly known that He would be rejected by all. But that did not refrain him from doing the mission entrusted to him. That may be the reason why Pope Francis writes this in Evangelii Gaudium: ‘Some people do not commit themselves to mission because they think that nothing will change, and that it is useless to make the effort (EG 275) … Christ’s resurrection is not an event of the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Where all seems to be dead, signs of resurrection suddenly spring up (EG 276).
Hence let us be hopeful about the efforts done by various agencies to organize synodal assemblies at different levels of Church. It does not matter whether the heads of Church change their ways. We are the people of God. We can cut across a good image of being Christians by fulfilling our responsibilities in the society with a spirit of synodality. When we engage in the civil society by listening, dialoguing, discerning and journeying together with our colleagues, that will definitely make a difference in a world which is infected by divisive ideologies and practices and contribute to the irruption of God’s reign in the world.
kundu1962@gmail.com
