What should I do about the Synod of the Church today?

Called by Pope Francis in October 2021 as a big family conversation, the Synod on Synodality is a special occasion where Christians worldwide are invited to share their thoughts and experiences to help shape the Church’s future.

Literally, the Greek word “synod” means “walking together.”

This gathering aims to make the Church feel more like a community where everyone’s voice matters. This invites us to envision a Church that resonates with the signs of the times while rooted firmly in apostolic teachings. It’s a call for every one of us to deepen our sense of communion, participation, and mission. 

After launching the Unboxing Catholicism Podcast in March 2020, shortly after the Synod’s announcement, I prayed that we could use this platform to accompany Catholics in their desire to discover and defend the faith clearly without being preachy (check the ebook guide below later).

As your friend, I offer you three practical suggestions on what you can do to be involved in this historic spiritual moment for the Church.

Stay Informed, Stay Hopeful:

Our journey of faith is deepened by doctrine, dialogue, and discernment.

All of these elements are essential in our understanding of the synod. 

Whether you consider yourself a “knowledgeable Catholic” or you are just hearing the word “synod” for the first time, I invite you to delve into reputable and balanced Catholic publications, YouTube channels, or podcasts to grasp the essence of the synod.

For this, I strongly suggest that you consult a trusted spiritual director (lay or priest) who can help you discern which materials to use (here’s one) and how to make sense of opinions surrounding the synod.

You don’t have to be an expert to be involved in this global process, but asking and reflecting on the basic questions would be a good starting point:

1. What is the synod and why is this important in the life of the Church? 
2. Why did the Holy Spirit inspire the Pope to call for this assembly at such a time as this?
3. What are the activities in my parish or diocese that are related to the Synod? How can I participate in those?

These are by no means exhaustive because my objective here is to just encourage you to unbox further.

While doing your study, remember that in today’s synod, there are many who seem to fit St. John XXIII’s description of the critics of Vatican II in the 1960s: “prophets of gloom, who are always forecasting disaster, as though the end of the world were at hand.”

You will hear different opinions about what is happening, and given the situation of the Church and the world today, critical and hopeful reactions of people are to be expected. Let us remember that people come from different backgrounds, struggles, and experiences and their “inner worlds” shape the way they deal with changes in their spiritual lives.

Instead “labeling” which person, priest, bishop or influencer is “right” or “wrong”, “liberal” or “conservative,” I invite everyone to rise above these categories that limit the way we see people and have the tendency to define persons based on their opinions.

Instead of choosing a side in theological discussions, I propose a deeper personal reflection and contemplation. Many times we are tempted to weigh in on many things without considering everything on bended knees before the Blessed Sacrament.

There are so many things beyond our control as lay people, and so I encourage everyone to be calm and have a deeper trust in the living Holy Spirit who speaks through the Church established by Jesus.

I don’t know everything about our faith and the issues surrounding it , but I have an unwavering trust in the promise of Our Lord: “I will be with you until the end of age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Pray for the Church and the Pope

St. Josemaria Escriva was once called “crazy” for spending a lot of time praying for the Pope as he looked at the papal residence from the apartment where he was staying. 

When I was still an anti-Catholic Protestant, I didn’t understand why someone would do that, but now as a Catholic I realized how important it is to foster devotion to our Pope no matter who he is – not that we worship him and see in him a perfect human being, but because we know that despite his imperfections, he was called to be the wounded shepherd of God’s people today.

My friends, especially those who were called to defend the faith, we are being urged by the Spirit now to love the Pope even more and to honor our bishops more deeply no matter how difficult it is.

After all, the real measure of love is love without measure.

I know this is not always easy and that is why when loving people who are different from us becomes extra difficult, we run to the one who knew how to love even those who hated Him.

We cannot do this by wagging our fingers but only through the bending of our knees.

Let us spend some time in Adoration and seeking from Jesus the strength and perseverance in enduring the pains that come with loving

Let us continue praying for the grace that heals all division and brings peace to all of our hearts.

Walk Together to Get There

We are never meant to be alone in the faith. 

There are no lone-ranger Christians.

That’s the whole point of the synod – we are meant to walk with other pilgrims in our journey to heaven.

At World Youth Day 2023, Pope Francis reminded us of our duty to lift each other, to warmly welcome everyone—todos, todos, todos—for each soul is treasured in the heart of Our Savior.

The Synod in Rome may sound geeky and technical for an ordinary Catholic, but what it is challenging us to do and think about are rather practical:

• How are we personally treating the least, the lost, and the last at home, in school, at work, or in our community?
• How much do we allow ourselves to encounter Jesus in the weak, the poor, and marginalized?
• How do we try to share and defend the faith with clarity and charity?
• How can we embrace our fellow sinners with a sincere love and desire to bring them to communion?
• Do we participate in the ministry life of the Church? How do we make it a home for all?
• How do we deal with others who share an opinion different from ours? Do we transcend above those labels and encounter others as they are?

These are all questions we can all bring to our prayer and chats with our spiritual mentors.

We thank God for this synod as an opportunity to examine and challenge ourselves.

As we navigate the days and weeks ahead, may the spirit of synodality reign in our hearts and souls.

Let’s learn, pray, and grow together as the pilgrim Church here on earth, ever-renewing, ever-deepening, ever-onward towards the heart of Christ.

I welcome your reflections, questions, or any resources you find enlightening in the comments below.