Have you been following the news that next month Pope Francis will convene a synod on synodality? This will be another step in the process which began several years ago. The Holy Father wants us as Church to hear the voices of the global body of Christ: Laity, religious and ordained. There have been howls of protests from certain corners that the synod will “change doctrine.” Pope Francis has made it clear in words and in actions that it is not doctrine that needs to change but pastoral practice. This sounds eerily like what happened to Jesus. Certain corners of his world complained that he was changing Jewish traditions by doing things such as welcoming sinners to the dinner table. Jesus’ approach was people oriented — don’t try to squeeze somone into a pre-determined religious box but see the intention of traditional practices and make sure they are working as intended. The phrase, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath,” reminds us that the compassion and forgiveness of Jesus must be the guidestar for all our religious practice.
