The structure of Synodal Document
Life & Mission goes together
The final document on the Synod of Synodality is published. I am not going to comment on the document here; it is divided into 5 chapters, and i thought it is good to reflect on gospel passage (from resurrection narratives in the gospel of John) which gives the introduction to each of the chapters.
- Chapter 1: Called by the Holy Spirit to conversion
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. (John 20, 1–2)
- Chapter 2: On the boat together — conversion of relationships
Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” (John 21, 2–3)
- Chapter 3: Cast your nets — Conversion of Processes
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (John 21, 5–6)
- Chapter 4: An abundant Catch — Conversion of bonds
The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish […] So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. (John 21, 8.11)
- Chapter 5: “So I send you” — Forming a people for missionary Discipleship
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20, 21–22)
Similar to the chapter structure of the document, I see a sequence in the celebration of eucharist, in a religious life and in married life. I am sure it can be extended to other vocations too. In some sense, document is speaking in a very familiar language.
Definitely each of the synod chapters bring many practical suggestions to live out synodality in the church. So we have a journey, clear cut linear journey from stage 1 to stage 5. But i believe, synod is also an invitation not to limit ourselves to considering this as linear journey. What are the other options?
Circular Model: This is probably the second easiest after the linear model to imagine. No stage is done once and for all. It is a process, which continues. Some like to see it as a spiral model, where each full cycle is making us more authentic to our own vocation.
When I feel that the circular model (or better spiral model) is very sensible, it may not do full justice to wide variety of human life situations or it is imitating the above five steps a little too blindly. Many a times, we may be in more than one steps (for eg: I am joyful of the fruits produced and I am equally sad about my own struggles, stage 2 and 4).
No document will be able to provide guidelines for all of us. Synod gives a document structured in a certain way which I feel has a lot of similarities with the life of the church and the people. Each of those chapters also give many practical suggestions which has to be implemented that the church becomes truly synodal. As synodal churches, communities and persons, may we be able to adapt, innovate, apply and implement these structures according to the need and context of our local situations. And we are called to never forget that line from Madeleine Delbrêl (quoted by Pope Francis on the last day of the Synod),
“There are places in which the Spirit breathes, but there is only one Spirit who breathes in all places.”
