Pray with the Pope: That we may listen

Every month Fr Chris Chatteris SJ reflects on Pope Francis’ prayer intention

Intention: We pray 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.

On my annual retreat, made with a group of fellow Jesuits, there was a daily session of what we describe as “spiritual conversation”. This is a wonderfully liberating exercise in the spirit of synodality.

So many of our conversations are characterised by the cut and thrust of argument. In theory, argument and debate lead to the truth; in practice we know that our lower motives, such as scoring points against one another, can fatally subvert the search for truth. It is lost in the pride-charged desire to come out on top in the battle of wits.

Spiritual conversation, by contrast, lays aside the weapons of the wit-war and takes up the tools of active listening. Sharing the insights and consolations of one’s prayer and reflection on a particular topic or issue — without the danger of being shot down or taken to task —enables one to broach the subject at a certain depth. Being confident that what one says will be listened to with respect and in a prayerful atmosphere empowers a person to speak from the heart as well as the head.

‘Talk-time’ dominators

What I call “talk-time” is another besetting problem of ordinary, everyday argument. So often the most dominant character devours the lion’s share of the talk-time, so much so that others hardly get a word in edgeways. Apart from this being unjust to the less assertive, it means that the quieter and perhaps more thoughtful people do not get their considered opinions heard.

Sometimes it’s the loudest mouth and emptiest head that carries the day and wiser counsel is smothered and marginalised. Might is right and the verbal Putins prevail!

The spiritual conversation

Spiritual conversation, by contrast, has a structure of fairness and divine charity built into it. In each round of sharing, every individual has an equal “ration” of talk-time. It’s not obligatory to use it all but neither can you run over your limit. And after each intervention, there is a respectful moment of silence during which the person’s words are allowed to sink in, a space for the “still small voice” of the Spirit.

As the process continues the structure can be relaxed a little to allow for more spontaneity, but the general rule applies that we are not out to shoot down what others say but to listen out for the Holy Spirit in their words.

Apart from being able to go more deeply into the matter at hand and being on a surer path to what is good and truthful, this way of proceeding has the positive side effect of building up the community of interlocutors and strengthening the bonds between them. In a small way, I think that even the Jesuits, argumentative and opinionated lot that we are, can benefit from the synodal vision of Pope Francis SJ!

A synod is a large and loving spiritual conversation. Let us pray and give thanks for the synodal Church to which we belong.

The first session of the Synod on Synodality will be held in Rome from October 4-29. The second and final synod on the subject will meet in Rome in October 2024.