Promptings of the Spirit

Remember way back in 2022 when Pope Francis floated the idea of a "Synod on Synodality," and many people were touting it "Vatican III in disguise?" In one interview with EWTN, , Cardinal Gerhard Müller warned tht the synodal process could indicate a “hostile takeover of the Catholic Church,” and even seemed to suggest that it could destroy it. “If they will succeed, that will be the end of the Catholic Church,” Müller said. Others were hopeful that the Synod would be an opportunity for the Church to move forward with reforms, beyond what Vatican II tried to accomplish.

Pope Francis himself, at the opening Mass of the Synod on Synodality in October of 2023, reminded the synod’s participants, as well as its critics, that the primary task of the synod is “to refocus our gaze on God, to be a Church that looks mercifully at humanity. A Church that is united and fraternal, that listens and dialogues; a Church that blesses and encourages, that helps those who seek the Lord, that lovingly stirs up the indifferent, that opens paths in order to draw people into the beauty of faith. A Church that has God at its center and, therefore, is not divided internally and is never harsh externally. This is how Jesus wants the Church, his bride, to be.”

We live in a society and culture that values quick results. When it comes to what is most important to us -- recognizing Jesus in our midst -- we cannot expect quick results; learning to recognize Jesus in the many ways he comes to us requires patient waiting that opens our eyes wide to new possibilities. We all probably take two steps forward and then a few more steps backward and get mightily discouraged on the way. We don't always recognize him in the person who annoys us or the mundane, everyday tasks that bore us.

In this Sunday's gospel (John 1:29-34), the Lord speaks to John, telling him how he would recognize Jesus (the one on whom the Spirit descends). Today we need the quiet moments to listen to God speaking to us, to open ourselves to the message, to prepare ourselves to encounter Jesus and embrace the mission of testifying and gospel living that he asks. All this is possible because the Spirit descends upon us too. We testify to Jesus' presence because the Spirit within prompts us, guides us.