The Gospel we have just heard is preceded by the account of a difficult moment in Jesus’ mission, which we might call one of “pastoral desolation.” ...read more

We join the Holy Father in praying for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world. ...read more

“Together.” Like the early Christian community on the Day of Pentecost. Like one flock, loved and gathered by one Shepherd, Jesus. ...read more

To my mind, the most striking image from the Instrumentum Laboris happens to be the most traditional. ...read more

Saint John Paul II would often say that “the Church must breathe with her two lungs!” (Ut Unum Sint #54) ...read more

“Let Justice and Peace Flow” is the theme of this year’s ecumenical Season of Creation, inspired by the words of the prophet Amos: “Let justice flow on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (5:24). ...read more

Many synod observers may be tempted to think of "Communion, Participation, Mission" as three discrete and potentially disconnected "pillars" of synodality. The IL directly confronts that perception (#43), ...read more

This has truly been a World Youth Day of words. While the main theme prompts us to reflect on the verbs "to arise" and "to go with haste," many other words jumped out at me as well. ...read more

The theme for World Youth Day, Lisbon 2023 came from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke: “Mary arose and went with haste” (1:39). ...read more

The Instrumentum Laboris (IL) or “Working Document” for the 2023 General Assembly was released last month by the Synod Secretariat. ...read more