THE ESSENCE OF HOLINESS

 Pope Francis says that holiness doesn't mean doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith."

He adds, "Having faith does not mean having no difficulties, but having the strength to face them, knowing we are not alone."

Faith Is A Lamp

 Pope Francis has said, "Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey."

Everyday Holiness

 Pope Francis has said, "Holiness doesn't mean doing extraordinary things but doing ordinary things with love and faith."

That means that the everyday routines and demands of life are occasions for growth in the spiritual life.

I must remember that the next time I clean out the refrigerator!

AFRICAN CONFERENCE FOR SYNOD

I have a hunch that the Catholic Church in Africa is taking Pope Francis’ initiative “A Synod on Synodality” more seriously and more successfully than the Catholic Church’s representatives in the United States and Canada.

African Catholics are currently engaged in a conference to discuss what synodality implies and to encourage some 200 participants (including nine cardinals, 29 bishops and 41 priests as well as laity) “to listen to each other about what the Holy Spirit is commanding the Church family of God in Africa in order to start a new era of evangelization.”

We are currently in the “Continental Phase,” the process in which seven continental meetings (Africa, Oceana, Asia, Middle east, Latin America, Europe and North America) will produce seven Final Documents that will serve as basis for the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023.

The African Catholics’ continental meeting is lively, open, prayerful, and attune to African mentality. The participants are intent on making the meeting truly synodal, that is, an authentic  process calling people to listen to the Holy Spirit and share what they hear. 

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg came to Africa to address and to listen to the participants of this conference. He reminded the assembly that “Synod is not about power. It is not about democracy. It is about the Holy Spirit. It is about a Church which is open to the world. Its mission is to all humanity. It is a Church which knows how to pray. It is a Church in line with the Holy Spirit.”

I have a hunch that some conferences of bishops  have paid only lip-service to Pope Francis’ call for synodality, and have reluctantly and half-heartedly engaged in the process which was designed to listen to God’s people and offer recommendations to the bishops who will be engaging in the Bishops Synodal meeting in October 2023.

 A Lenten Insight from Pope Francis:

   There's something attractive about Lent beginning in the middle of an ordinary week, catching us in the middle of our daily occupations and asking us to take time out to find God there.  

   Lent doesn't take us away from our ordinary lives, but rather it invites us to bring a new and holy attention to those activities. This should be the way with all our spiritual practices.

   We take time apart in order to return to our daily practices with new inspiration. God will always surprise us with possibilities when we least expect them. Let this Lent be one of those surprises.

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