OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“Celebrating a Synod means walking on the same road, walking together. Let us look at Jesus. First, he encounters the rich man on the road; he then listens to his questions, and finally he helps him discern what he must do to inherit eternal life. Encounter, listen and discern. I would like to reflect on these three verbs that characterize the Synod”. (Pope Francis, homily for the opening of the synod process, Oct. 10, 2021)
As Catholics worldwide begin the multi-year discussion in preparation for the 2023 Synod of Bishops, our Pope Francis and Bishop Larry Silva are calling all Catholics to participate in a process of encounter, listening and discerning how to live the Gospel faith and witness to Jesus. The Gospels often show Jesus “on a journey,” encountering, listening and discerning with others about how best to love their God and neighbor. All Catholics are called to do the same during this synod process. It will require time, attention, and a willingness to be present to others, to listen with an open heart and discern together the best course of action for the common good.
After the Synod opening Mass and Angelus at the Vatican on Oct. 10, the pope met with “street people” who came together because others were willing to listen to them with their hearts. As Pope Francis said in his homily: “Whenever we listen with the heart, people feel that they are being heard, not judged; they feel free to recount their own experiences and their spiritual journey.”
Makia Malo (file photo)
One example of someone who could really listen and see with his heart was the late Elroy “Makia” Malo, an amazing Hawaiian storyteller and musician from Kalaupapa, who lost his fingers and eyesight to the debilitating effects of Hansen’s disease. Although some might have viewed him as disabled, Makia knew he possessed very special abilities. Besides playing the piano, writing poetry, singing Hawaiian and Filipino songs, he was a master of listening and seeing with his heart. He could really talk story, and he also really enjoyed letting others speak, so he could learn more about the person behind the voice.
Makia often demonstrated in his amazing life journey that to really encounter another person, one needs to “care for look” beneath the surface. He was especially fond of St. Damien and St. Marianne, who shared similar gifts of seeing and hearing with their hearts. Makia was able to see the invisible with his heart and, with others, do the seemingly impossible. Makia passed away one week before what would have been his 87th birthday on Oct. 10, the same day Pope Francis launched the synod process, reminding us what the Gospel that day promised, that “all things are possible for God.”
Here in Hawaii on Oct. 17, Bishop Silva officially opened the synod process by focusing diocesan discussion on one key question: “How can all the members of the Catholic Church be more effective in proclaiming the living Jesus Christ to the world?” The synod consultation process involves several steps that start with prayer, reflection and discussion. Open conversations will be conducted with various groups such as the parish pastoral council, finance council, school board, parishioners, families, neighbors, youth, young adults and kupuna. The goal is to be as inclusive as possible.
Leaders will collate the responses in a brief summary and then repeat the process with a different set of groups, including those they encounter, listen and discern with beyond the parish pews. The responses will be submitted to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which will in turn participate further in the synod process with the Canadian Catholic Conference and then send the results to the Vatican in preparation for the October 2023 Synod of Bishops led by Pope Francis.
Let us pray for a productive, constructive process, as proposed by our Holy Father: “Dear brothers and sisters, let us have a good journey together! May we be pilgrims in love with the Gospel and open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit. Let us not miss out on the grace-filled opportunities born of encounter, listening and discernment. In the joyful conviction that, even as we seek the Lord, he always comes with his love to meet us first.”
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
