We’ve reflected on the image of ‘Enlarge the space of your tent,’ faced the hesitations voiced by respondents, and identified the ‘pillar’ of the effort in the common dignity of the baptized, as we have considered the insights of this theological working document for the continental stage of the synod process. This set the context for…you guessed it…touching base with the sacred scriptures. What do we learn?
The document goes straight back to the tent image, and offers the sense of exile as a start. There is the call for discernment. The many local reports envision a Church as an expansive, but not homogeneous dwelling, capable of sheltering all, but open, letting in and out, and moving toward embracing the Divine and all of humanity.
Enlarging the tent means welcoming others into it, and making room for diversity. This means ‘dying’ in a way out of love to my selfish preferences, and finding myself again in Christ, in his openness and love. This is going to be asked of us as an entire Church. “Unless the grain of wheat dies…” (Jn. 12:24).
The fruitfulness of the Church depends on accepting this death. It is not an annihilation, but an emptying in order to be filled. The selfishness must go, to be replaced by the Christ and his Spirit. The result is richer relationships and deeper ties to God and each other. We open ourselves to grace and transfiguration. “Have among you the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus…Who…emptied himself…” (Phil.2:5-7). This is a liturgical and Eucharistic act.
It is only under this condition, that we, the members of the Church, each and all together, will be able to cooperate with the Spirit of God in fulfilling the mission assigned by Jesus to his Church.
Get ready. It is to this mission we will go next.
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