By Fr. Johnston Z. Mlambo
The second session of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality began with a penitential vigil in the Vatican on October 1, during which Pope Francis asked for forgiveness for the sins of the baptized. The vigil included testimonies, such as that of a sexual abuse victim.
The Pope emphasised that reconciliation is essential to the Church’s synodal journey, as it fosters communion in Christ.
“How could we be a synodal Church without reconciliation? How could we say we want to walk together without receiving and giving the forgiveness that restores communion in Christ?” said Pope Francis stressing the importance and necessity of reconciliation and forgiveness.
Yesterday, Pope Francis presided over a Mass in St. Peter’s Square, marking the official opening of the Synod on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Zimbabwe’s Archbishop Robert Ndlovu, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Harare, and Bishop Raphael Ncube, the bishop of the diocese of Hwange, were among the delegates present.
In his homily, the Pope stressed the importance of a synodal Church that reaches out to all, especially those in existential and geographical peripheries. He encouraged the delegates to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who guides and consoles, particularly in times of sorrow, injustice, and difficulty.
Drawing on a homily by a spiritual author of the fourth century, the Pope reminded the assembly that the Holy Spirit ignites a fire of love that embraces all humanity, urging them to forgive others just as they have been forgiven. He emphasized the need for humility, explaining that true humility fosters love and unity within the Church.
“The Holy Spirit always accompanies us. The Spirit consoles us in moments of sorrow and grief, especially when – precisely because of our love of humanity – things are not going well, injustices seem to prevail, we realize how difficult it is to respond with good in the face of evil, we see how hard it is to forgive and what little courage we show in seeking peace. It seems in these moments that there is nothing more to do and we yield to despair. Just as hope is the humblest and strongest virtue, despair is its counterpart.
“The Holy Spirit wipes away our tears and comforts us because he communicates God’s gift of hope. God never grows weary; his love is tireless,” stated the Holy Father.
Reflecting on the penance service, Pope Francis urged the Church to continually reform itself, guided by the Holy Spirit. He reminded the faithful that their journey began with God’s mercy and continues under His care, with the mission to bring all peoples together in one community of love.
Highlighting the inclusive nature of this synodal assembly, the Pope welcomed the participation of laypeople, priests, and bishops, emphasizing that episcopal ministry is carried out in communion with the People of God. He warned against pitting the clergy against the laity, advocating instead for harmonious collaboration that respects the unique roles and charisms within the Church.
“This inclusive understanding of the episcopal ministry is meant to be clearly seen, while avoiding two dangers. First, an abstractness that would ignore the concrete fruitfulness of differing places and relationships, and the value of each individual. Second, the danger of breaking communion by pitting the hierarchy against the lay faithful.
“It is certainly not a matter of replacing one with the other, rallying to the cry: ‘Now it is our turn!’ No, this does not work: ‘now it is up to we the lay faithful’, ‘now it is up to we priests’. No, this does not work. Rather, we are being asked to work together symphonically, in a composition that unites all of us in the service of God’s mercy, in accordance with the different ministries and charisms that the Bishop is charged to acknowledge and promote,” he said.
The Holy Father concluded by calling on the Church to remain attentive to the signs of the times, continually renewing itself and striving to be a credible witness to God’s mission of mercy and unity for all humanity.
Below is the link to the full homily:
