Why is synodality making a buzz everywhere? Recently a curious child asked, “Brother, what is this synodality?” When I explained that synodality meant ‘come let us journey together,’ the child promptly asked, “Brother, weren’t we journeying together these past years?” I replied, affirming that while we were, there’s always a way to make our journey more fruitful. I stressed its threefold purpose: communion, participation, and mission. Yet, I felt my explanation fell short.
Is understanding synodality solely for the educated? Is it just theological jargon? What does “journeying together” truly mean? These thoughts haunted me until I revisited the parish on Sunday. Praying fervently to Mother Mary, I hoped to evade the child’s questions. Fortunately, the boy was absent that Sunday. Walking back to the community after catechism class, my mind raced, and suddenly, a simple realization struck me. Synodality isn’t exclusive to humans; even animals, even insects, follow it.
The term ‘Synodality’ might be a new term but the concept is old. During the time of Mahatma Gandhi, he encouraged all Indians to come under the banner of Non-violence. He was not their superior, not their master in any way. He became one among them though he was the one who inspired all others. Gandhiji gave what he possessed. He asked everyone to do the same: to give what they have. His concept garnered fruit, many people from overseas like Nelson Mandela embraced his ideology in order to earn freedom for their country. The church teaches us the same: to journey together as a united family, to share what we have with others and to create a synodal church that walks, talks and listens just like the early Christian Church (Acts 2: 43- 47).
Novice Jackson SJ
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