The synodal process: a window for dreamers
I think all Christians deep down should be a little like Don Quixote – the protagonist of the most famous novel in Spanish literature. An avid reader, that man from La Mancha became so obsessed with putting an end to injustice he was stirred to leave his small town on the back of a scrawny horse in an attempt to change the world. He was driven to fulfill a dream – considered impossible by some – that would make this a better world.
The synodal process in which we have been immersed in the parishes of our Archdiocese for several months has once again invited us to be dreamers. To be realistic in identifying where we find ourselves, as well as to listen to the Holy Spirit who gently whispers to us, guiding us to the paths – sometimes unexpected – along which we must dare walk. We must do so without fear of facing seemingly insurmountable situations, like those “giants” in Don Quixote that, in the end, turned out to be just windmills.
Pope Francis has asked us, the baptized, to step out of our comfort zones and walk together as a missionary community. “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” (“Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel), 49) A Church with open doors, where everyone can come in, and go out to their world, roll back their sleeves and get the work done. A community called to be saints in the world – out in the streets – among the most impoverished and in need, smelling more like sheep than incense.
In response to the Pope’s call this past October we initiated the synodal process. In order to reach as many people as possible, numerous listening sessions were held in different languages throughout the four counties of our Archdiocese. Many of us have expressed – with sincerity – what we think and feel about our ecclesial family. We have shared the joys, which are many, but also the wounds and difficulties that we have experienced and continue to face daily.
This Synod has invited us to dream. That is the general sentiment shared by those who have participated in this process. But not a dream to escape from an undesired reality. Rather to dream as someone who desires to follow in the footsteps of the Nazarene and those who believed in Him. To dream of a Church anchored in Christ and unafraid of shaking the dust that has accumulated throughout the years. To dream of a Church for the 21st century in which we all walk together, each one of us answering the call we have received as the people of God.
In a few weeks, this diocesan stage of the Synod will conclude. Our voices will continue towards Rome and join the voices of millions of other Catholics as the bishops will gather from around the world next fall.
This Synod will come to an end, but the message Pope Francis has repeated endlessly must remain engraved in our minds: the Church of the 21st century must be synodal. We must walk together with unabashed enthusiasm. Synodality – a word that just a few months ago was not in our vocabulary – will be the Church’s way of being and acting because it springs from its very essence.
We will continue to pursue our dream. And we will do it together, side by side, imploring our Mother to accompany us on our journey, which we will undertake with a quixotic – in this case synonymous with Christian – hope and joy.
In the words of the well-known song among Hispanics, “Aunque te digan algunos que nada te puede cambiar, lucha por un mundo nuevo, lucha por la verdad.” (“Although some may tell you that nothing can change, fight for better world, fight for the truth.”)
Featured image: A group of parish coordinators of the synodal process in Spanish reports on the status of the process in their parishes and discusses the steps to follow. (Photography of Asterio Velasco)
