Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
(Isaiah 1:10.16-20; Matthew 23:1-12)
Way back in 2015 Pope Francis emphasized the need that constituents
of the Church “walk together.” He was
commenting on church synods as one of the important results of the Second
Vatican Council. Synod literally means “walking
together.” A synod usually refers to
bishops from around the world meeting to discuss Church teaching and
practice. Francis, however, has extended
the concept to include all members of the Church. He hopes that bishops, priests and deacons,
religious and laity dialogue together on church concerns. He is not introducing a democratic form of
governance. He only hopes that the Church
reflect better Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel.
Jesus is forming a church where equal dignity thrives. His disciples should be brothers and sisters to
one another. No one is to wear pompous
garments. Nor should one presumptively refer
to another by special title like “father” or “master.” Rather, all are to serve one another’s
needs. This rule applies especially to leaders
who have traditionally been called “ministers” (literally, “servants”) in the
Church.
Before there can be true dialogue, we must acknowledge our
failure to treat one another with equal dignity. Pastors have too often refused to listen to lay
perspectives on Church policy. Often
enough, laity have tried to claim bishops’ authority by claiming “we are the
Church.” As Isaiah admonishes in today’s
first reading, we all must make justice our aim. We are to redress the wronged, to hear what
women have to say, and to include the powerless in the decision-making process.
