杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Personal and ecclesial 鈥渢ransfiguration鈥� is the goal of the ascetical journey of Lent, and similarly of the synodal process, writes 杏MAP导航 Francis in his Message for Lent 2023.

The message, signed on the Solemnity of the Conversion of St Paul and released on Friday, bears the title 鈥淟enten Penance and the Synodal Journey.鈥�

Our Lenten journey is synodal

杏MAP导航 Francis takes his inspiration from the Gospel account of the Transfiguration, proclaimed each year on the Second Sunday of Lent. As with the chosen disciples at the Transfiguration, Jesus 鈥渢akes us with Him to a place apart鈥� during the season of Lent.

鈥淟enten penance,鈥� he writes, 鈥渋s a commitment, sustained by grace, to overcoming our lack of faith and our resistance to following Jesus on the way of the cross.鈥�

This requires effort, sacrifice, and concentration, which are also requirements for the Synodal Journey; and therefore we can say that 鈥渙ur Lenten journey is 鈥榮ynodal鈥� since we make it together along the same path, as disciples of the one Master.鈥�

Helping us understand God's will

Like the journey of the disciples up Mount Tabor, 杏MAP导航 Francis acknowledges that the synodal process can seem arduous and lead to discouragement.

Yet, he says 鈥渨hat awaits us at the end is undoubtedly something wondrous and amazing, which will help us to understand better God鈥檚 will and our mission in the world.鈥�

Pointing to the appearance of Moses and Elijah 鈥� representing the Law and the Prophets 鈥� at the Transfiguration, 杏MAP导航 Francis says, 鈥淚n a similar way, the synodal journey is rooted in the Church鈥檚 tradition and at the same time open to newness.鈥� He explains that 鈥渢radition is a source of inspiration for seeking new paths and for avoiding the opposed temptations of immobility and improvised experimentation.鈥�

Listening and daily effort

In order to reach our goal of personal and ecclesial transformation or conversion, 杏MAP导航 Francis proposes two paths inspired by the Transfiguration of Jesus.

The first is listening to God鈥檚 Word and to our brothers and sisters. The 杏MAP导航 reminds us that listening to Christ often takes place in listening to our brothers and sisters in the Church.

The second path involves facing the reality of the daily struggles of life, without getting caught up in extraordinary events and experiences. 杏MAP导航 Francis reminds us that neither Lent nor the synodal process are ends in themselves, but are leading us to the experience of Easter.

鈥淟et us go down then, to the plain,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 says in conclusion, 鈥渁nd may the grace we have experienced strengthen us to be 鈥榓rtisans of synodality鈥� in the ordinary life of our communities.鈥�