A Gift from Pope Francis
In my office hangs a painting depicting Pentecost by the 16th century Italian painter Girolamo Muziano. A mighty fire, akin to the blazing sun. descends upon the gathered disciples. Some, like Mary are serene and welcoming, some are astonished while others are terrified! Pope Francis gifted the painting to each participant at the recent Synod of Bishops. The participants often remarked that the entire synodal process, from parish level through to the Vatican Assemblies, was a Pentecost experience because the Spirit was working in disciples right across the globe. Pope Francis clearly endorsed this intuition. Indeed the Pope frequently remined us that the Spirit was the protagonist and there could not be synodality without the Spirit.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
Towards the end of the First Assembly (October 24) we received the draft final Report. Nerves preceded it. Having initially read it I remember leaving the Aula in deep peace convinced that Pope Francis intensely trusted the Holy Spirit and that he had trusted that the participants would also be sufficiently open to the Spirit’s guidance. I still have that deep peace today.
I am the only Scot who has been present from the basic grass roots level (parishes and other groups) through to diocesan, national, continental levels and two Assemblies in Rome. For three years I saw and experienced many joys, concerns, hopes, fears, divisions and unity. I experienced how the process developed and most impressively the change in participants (including myself) and I have no doubts this was the work of the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t mean I am blind to the challenges of synodality, but I am convinced that it is the work of the Spirit. I witness to the presence of the Holy Spirit. The passages from the beginning of the book of Revelation often came to my mind “listen to the Spirit speaking to the Churches.” Pope Francis confirmed this is the first sentence of his Accompanying Note to the Final Document (October 24).
Listening
On my return home I was asked to sum up synodality in one word. I immediately replied ‘listening’. There are many elements to synodality – ‘walking together towards the Lord’. What does it mean to walk towards the Lord? What does the Lord want us to do? How can we possibly know unless we listen?
Firstly, therefore we must listen to God. Praying to the Holy Spirit, over the Scriptures, during the Sacraments is essential. However, so too is listening to one another for all the baptised are temples of the Spirit. Everyone has their unique insight, a wisdom which has been gifted by the Lord. Then we discern. Is what we have heard of the Spirit or the world? Openness and humility are needed.
My Hope
If synodality can be described as a Pentecost experience, what is my hope? In short, my hope is that that we seriously and consistently begin to listen and seek God’s will together. This may seem very unambitious compared to resolving this or that hot topic. Yet what should come first for disciples? To listen and put into practice. We don’t do this nearly enough. I think that many good people in the Church want what is best for the Church, for her mission, for society but they try to work it out themselves instead of intentionally and consistently seeking God’s will. We live in challenging times but listening to God, discerning God’s will, will have such a positive impact on the Church and how she carries out her mission. There will always be hope when disciples listen and positively respond to the Holy Spirit.
This Pentecost let us enter the Upper Room together. May we “listen to the Spirit speaking to the churches”. Let us acknowledge and rejoice in our own personal charisms as well as the unique charisms of one another. The Spirit is alive and working. Alleluia! This Pentecost may we welcome the Spirit anew.
