Defining the News
Even when it seems like nothing is happening, we can trust that loving words will blossom and flourish in the lives of people we might not even know In his spiritual message titled “The Seed Germinates,” Father Timothy Radcliffe drew a parallel between the period from the first session of the Synod in October 2023 to the second in October 2024 and the process of gestation.
Over the next 11 months, Father Radcliffe stated, “If we remain receptive and empathetic to the individuals we have encountered here, open to their aspirations and anxieties, their words will take root in our lives, and ours in theirs. “This nurturing will yield a bountiful harvest, a deeper understanding, and in this renewal, the Church shall be revitalized.” The 11–month break, according to Radcliffe, will be “the most productive stretch of the entire Synod”, a time of growth and progress. Referring to a remark once made by Jesus, “The kingdom of God is like someone sowing seeds in the ground and then going about their daily activities while the seeds sprout and grow, even though they don’t understand how.” He said that over the past three weeks, the synod participants had been inundated with an abundance of words, sometimes feeling like an overwhelming deluge. According to him, most of these words have carried a positive sentiment, brimming with hope and aspirations; words that have been “planted in the fertile soil of the Church and will silently work within us, in our thoughts and our subconscious, over these eleven months.He illustrated this point by referring to Rainer Maria Rilke, the Austrian poet, who wrote, “Despite all the farmer’s efforts and concerns, he can’t reach down to where the seed is slowly ‘Transformed into summer.’ The earth gives.” Even when it seems like nothing is happening, we can trust that loving words will blossom and flourish in the lives of people we might not even know. As St. Therese of Lisieux wisely noted, “It is confidence and nothing but confidence that must lead us to Love,” he adds. Radcliffe then reminded his audience about the story of Abraham and Sarah, who were promised numerous descendants, more than the sands on the seashore, yet nothing seemed to be happening. Sarah even laughed at the promise when she heard it multiple times, hidden in her tent as strangers conveyed the message in Genesis 18. But within a year, she would give birth to a child of joy. In effect, the synodal fathers are anticipating new life, a period of active expectation. For Radcliffe, the concept of “active expectation” offers a stark departure from the prevailing cultural norms, especially in a time when global culture tends to be polarized, confrontational, and dismissive of differing viewpoints. The speaker emphasized that people often ask, “Which perspective do you align with?” Upon returning home, we might encounter inquiries about whether we supported a specific side or opposed those holding contrary opinions. It’s essential to maintain a prayerful disposition and resist the temptation to embrace a partisan mindset, as it would only drag us back into the sterile language of societal conflict. The synodal process is more akin to an organic and ecological endeavor, resembling the act of planting a tree rather than waging a battle. Although conflicts may occasionally arise, understanding our approach, even for ourselves, can be quite challenging, he opined. Yet, according to Radcliffe, if people were to remain open to the people they’ve encountered during this time , receptive to their hopes and fears, “their words will take root in our lives, just as ours will in theirs. This will lead to a bountiful harvest, a deeper truth, and a rejuvenation of the Church,” he said. He pointed out that in the outset, humanity’s role in the Garden of Eden involved being caretakers. Adam’s responsibility was the care of creation, as he used God’s creative words to name the animals.The question the participants face is whether their words will be filled with hope and productivity or if they will opt for cynicism and destruction. Will their words feed the growth or contaminate it? “The destiny of this garden rests within our grasp, and each of us plays a part in this decision. Just as St. Paul advised the Ephesians, Let no harmful speech leave your lips, but only that which is beneficial for building up others according to their needs, so it may be of help to those who listen,” he concluded.
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