OUR LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT

Mike Van Vranken, Spiritual Director

SO MUCH OF THE RESEARCH OVER THE LAST TWENTY YEARS HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON CHURCH ATTENDANCE. Who’s regularly attending, and who’s not? Natural responses have included trying old programs to bring people back, creating new ideas to reduce the numbers who are leaving, and denial, hoping it’s just a cycle and everyone will return soon. These have mostly been knee-jerk reactions to a global issue that most have not stopped to consider contemplatively. In short, are we willing to take a long, loving, non-judgmental look at the complex reality of who we have become as the Church and who we are called to be as a church?

Fortunately, we have a leader who has steadfastly brought together the entire worldwide church to engage in this activity by listening to the people of God for answers. And the result of his commitment to Christ continues this month with the Roman Catholic Synod on Synodality. You have been personally invited to engage in this process over the last two years, and that invitation continues.

This month, in Vatican City, you, as a part of the local, diocesan, and U. S. Church, will be represented by more than 400 participants. And the call for each of us to

be personally engaged persists. More than just reading about what happens at the synod sessions, we are called to pray with and have open local discussions about the issues being simultaneously considered in Rome. If you have the heart and desire to do so, the following are very few of the questions you are asked to discern with others prayerfully.

How does the service of charity and commitment to justice and care for our common home nourish communion in a synodal Church?

Walking together means not leaving anyone behind and remaining alongside those who struggle the most. How are we building a synodal Church capable of promoting the belonging and participation of the least within the Church and in society?

What steps can a synodal Church take to imitate ever more closely its Master and Lord, who walks with all in unconditional love and proclaims the fullness of the Gospel truth?

How can welcoming migrants become an opportunity to walk with people from another culture, especially when we share the same faith? What provision is made for migrant communities in local pastoral care?

Other questions include the poor, women, youth, elderly, LGBTQ+, those with special needs, and all people everywhere. How do we become the loving and real presence of Christ to everyone?

Our own level of engagement in the synod is not dependent on what others think or what some pundit considers important. This is about both our personal and communal relationship with our ever-loving and forgiving God. Your level of engagement with the synod is determined by you and God. How will you respond?