MAY212025

Pope Francis urged that one of the major efforts of the church be “synodality.” The idea is pretty basic — let’s get the whole church together from around the world, clergy and laity, to talk about preaching the Gospel today. This goes back to the practice of the early church from the very beginning. The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter. “This matter” meant in this instance what was essential to maintain the truth of the gospel. Some were urging a continuation of Jewish law. Paul and his companions believed that was not demanded for followers of Jesus. So they practiced synodality, praying about it and talking about it together before comint to a decision. You might remember the post Vatican II days many discussions about what was essential to being a Catholic. The mass in Latin, organ music, Gregorian chant? As St.Augustine is reported to have said: In essentials unity. In non-essentials freedom. In all things, charity.