From Your Pastors
The gospel this past Sunday concluded with these words spoken by Elizabeth to Mary: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” As we come to the end of the season of Advent, the witness of Mary and Elizabeth underscores for us the importance of accompaniment in the journey of life and faith. Mary, met by the angel and moved by the Holy Spirit, embraced God’s call to embark on a journey with no clear path. She rushes to her kinswoman to see what was being done in the life of Elizabeth who herself would bear a son in her old age. Together they rejoice in the work God is doing. Each of these women is filled with the Holy Spirit and walks in this Spirit as the Divine unfolds a future that is neither clear or certain for them or their children. But together, they follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, trusting and expecting God to accomplish what is needed, to do great things in the midst of a messy and threatening world.
As we accompany one another over the Christmas season and in a particular way as we enter this time of intentional listening to one another in the months ahead, we ask you to keep in mind and heart the call to synodality. Our parishes will be scheduling and hosting listening sessions with people across our community and even beyond. Pope Francis wants to hear from all of us, church goer or not, devoutly faithful or doubter. In sharing our hopes, dreams, and fears, perhaps like Mary and Elizabeth we might hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, as we accompany each other in prayer and trust in the sovereignty of God.
Over the Christmas season perhaps we might ponder these questions as a way to begin to enter the conversation. They might even be shared with friends and family with an ear to listen to what is spoken from their hearts. It is all these voices we seek to hear, make note of, and share with the broader church as we join in the synodal process.
- How do we promote a free and authentic communication with the community of the church and its organizations?
- How do we listen to one another and to the Holy Spirit?
- How do we encourage openness in our society to those who are poor or living on the margins?
- What kind of change can build up the Church so that the church speaks to the needs of the 21st century?
- What do you hope for, for the church?
- What do you want Pope Francis to know is important to you as a child of God?
Through the intercession of Mary, Elizabeth and Philip Neri. May the Holy Spirit give us minds and hearts sufficient to believe that what is spoken to us by the Lord will be fulfilled. A blessed Christmas to you and yours from us and from the Fathers and Brother of the Brooklyn Oratory.
Blessed are you.....
Fr. Michael Callaghan, c.o. and Fr. Mark Lane, c.o.
