Pre-Synod Retreat: Like Jesus, be patient with others
Members of the Synod of Bishops on synodality gather in the Vatican’s Synod Hall Sept. 30, 2024, for the opening of a two-day retreat before the monthlong synod assembly begins. (CNS screen grab/Vatican Media)
By CNS – Synod members must imitate Jesus’ patience and acceptance toward others as they prepare to exchange contrasting visions for the future of the Catholic Church, an archbishop and synod member said.
“We cannot afford to be ignorant of Christ, or forgetful of him, as we seek to discern together just what it is that God is asking of the Church at this time,” said Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth, Australia, a president delegate at the Synod of Bishops.
In his homily during Mass with synod members on Sept. 30, the archbishop urged synod participants to look to Jesus’ many relationships and interactions recounted in the Gospels “to get glimpses of what truly and deeply human encounters look like.”
He said, “We can think of the endless patience which Jesus demonstrates toward those, especially toward his closest disciples, who continually fail to understand him and who so often disappoint him,” he said.
The 368 members of the Synod of Bishops were gathered at the Vatican for a two-day retreat ahead of the opening of the second session of the synod on Oct. 2 and celebrated Mass together at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica.
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