Feroz Fernandes

The Uncommon Priest

9 Things to know about the Synod on Synodality

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Synod and Synodality are two words doing rounds in Church circles. What does it mean?  People are not used to the jargon of words –unfamiliar and difficult to pronounce. Synodality is one such word.  Pope Francis officially inaugurated the Synod with a theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission” on October 10, 2021. I have listed 9 things you may not know about the Synod on Synodality.

1. What is a synod?

Synod is a meeting of church leaders. The word ‘Synod’ is based on a Greek word meaning journeying together. The idea is rooted in the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 15 in the New Testament.

2. What is Synodality?

Synodality is the way the Synod makes decisions.  The model includes listening to a broad range of people, discussing issues to hear the Holy Spirit guiding the Church. Synodality is not about winners and losers. It is about speaking with frankness and boldness, listening humbly and being open to new ideas. In theory, Synodality can embrace any topic and even disagreement is welcome. Synodality is the top priority for Pope Francis.

3. When does Synod on Synodality begin?

The Synod on Synodality is a two-year process from October 10, 2021, to October 2023. The diocesan level listening phase will run until April 2022. A continental phase is scheduled from September 2022 to March 2023. And the last, the Universal Church phase will culminate in the traditional assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican in October 2023.

4. What is unique about this Synod on Synodality?

Unlike past Synods, the Synod on Synodality is not addressing a particular issue. It is becoming what God wants us to be as a Church – journeying together amid the reality of our times.

The uniqueness is seen for three reasons. It is no longer a one-month Synod of Bishops but a two-year synodal process for the entire people of God. It is a synod that seeks to give a lived experience of synodality, not just questionnaires. The Synod aims to put synodality in practice in the church’s life, not talk about a synod – but working together to move forward.

5. What happens after the Synod of Bishops?

The Synod of Bishops will draft a document and vote, paragraph by paragraph, to approve it. The Pope then uses the document to make informed decisions following the Synod. The goal is to reach a consensus, but it does not mean that what people support will be adopted by the Pope. The Holy Spirit guides the Pope’s decision. It’s not by a majority vote. The decisions are arrived at by a prayerful discernment.

6. Why hold a Synod on Synodality?

Synodality is messy – contrary to the method of command and control. Pope Francis thinks there is a long way to go before the church makes decisions. Pope Francis wants to see synodality at every level. Synod on Synodality is the best way forward for finding out what synodality means in practice. Will Synod on Synodality completely overhaul the church’s top-down decision-making? It may not happen. Pope Francis aims to give an experience for every Catholic in the participation process rather than discerning alone

7. What are the three words for the Synod?

Three words to animate the synodal process are communion, participation, and mission. Communion is about origins and identities. Communion is based on being children of One God – no matter what divides us. Participation involves playing our part in the welfare of others and caring for our common home.  The mission is to go forth to listen, learn and love others.  The mission is often misunderstood as sent out to destroy the ones who disagree. The mission is to go beyond our religious silos to listen to the Holy Spirit on the synodal journey.

8. What risks should a Synod avoid?

Pope Francis warned that a Synod can be a mere formal event, intellectual and complacent. A Synod is a process of authentic spiritual discernment, not an image building of the church. It’s a process to facilitate dialogue between the priests and the laity. Another risk is Synod becoming an abstract approach to the problems of the church – far from the reality of God’s holy people. Complacency is another risk – saying we have always done it this way. It’s like applying old solutions to new problems.

9. What are the opportunities of the synodal process?

The synodal process offers opportunities for encounter, listening and reflection.  The synodal process is to feel at home and participate as a people of God. It’s time to listen first to the Holy Spirit, then to our brother and sisters, and the crisis of faith. The synodal process opens us to see God’s style of closeness, compassion and tenderness – healing broken hearts.

The success of the synod on synodality depends on the capacity to listen and learn. God’s spirit cannot be confined to one particular enclave. Synodality is about people of God, as the African saying says: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

 

About the Author

Feroz Fernandes, a Catholic Missionary, identifies himself as an Uncommon Priest. Father Feroz loves adventure in the apostolate. Check out his debut book The Uncommon Priest: Incredible Stories You Never Read on amazon. And also, the YouTube Channel: Feroz Fernandes promotes a better understanding of scripture.

 

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15 Things You Should Know About Guardian Angels

Filed Under: Leadership Ideas 2 Comments

Why should you spend time to know more about Guardian Angels? Because you have one! That’s excellent news. You can always access the guidance and protection of your special Guardian Angel. According to the Christian tradition, a Guardian Angel accompanies each human being from birth to death and beyond, stays on our side at every moment, even during the most challenging times.

What are the best metaphors for guardian angels?

A Guardian Angel is like a personal coach, coaxing you to be the best version of yourslf before God and keep walking the path to greatness. No one should think that a Guardian Angel is a private detective, reporting your exclusive faults to make a case against you.

Instead, the Guardian Angel is more like your defense lawyer, making a case for you and advising you in the right direction. But your Guardian Angel will not defend you when you do something unethical or illegal. Guardian Angel will offer the best opportunities to correct your ways to forever remain connected to God.

Every Guardian Angel is like a nurturing mother, always looking after her child, doing her best to keep the child safe.

What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about Guardian Angels?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church proclaims that “from infancy to human death life is surrounded by their [angels’] watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth, the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God” (CCC, n. 336).

What can the Guardian Angel do?

You know by now that Guardian Angels can do many things – give comfort, offer guidance, and bring new opportunities into your life, but at the same time Guardian Angels also have limitations – there are some things they cannot do.

But Guardian Angels’ protection will benefit those who respond to the Holy Spirit’s direction and for those who willingly collaborate. The Church prays to the angels for herself and others in her liturgy, calling upon their protection and intercession. One who lives within God’s grace can see the great wonders.

Guardian Angel fights for you, not just plays the harp

Your Angel fights on your side with all the strength. Your angel is not just a delicate plump beside you playing the harp. Your angel is a warrior, a strong and courageous fighter. Your Guardian Angel protects you when you are too fragile to do it alone – a walk of the path of goodness.

Guardian Angel is your messenger before God

Guardian Angel has to keep you connected to God. Guardian Angel is communicating like a personal coach to make you understand the Word of God and move in the right direction.

Asking help from a Guardian Angel

Angels are not boring. Angels buzz around looking for ways to make your earthly journey enjoyable, dynamic, and satisfying. Angels intervene even when people stop praying.  But asking for their assistance can significantly benefit you. It gives the angel more freedom to help you in more ways.

As humans, we are free to make decisions on our earthly journey. One such significant decision is to interact with your Guardian Angel – keep your angel in your thoughts and prayers. Your angel is the best even to make a major detour to move towards the highest good.

Why do you have a Guardian Angel?

Guardian angels cannot force us to follow the path of goodness. The angel cannot decide for you or impose choices. You remain free. Angel is a silent and trustworthy advisor to obtain salvation. Guardian Angel guides you on the path to heaven.  In this life and the next, you will know to count your guardian angel – an invisible and special friend who never leaves you alone.

Your Guardian Angel is not a spirit of a dead person

It is easy to think that angel is a spirit of a deceased person. Guardian Angel is not a dearly departed member of your family. Angel always existed – a spiritual presence generated directly by God.

Is there a test to qualify for the role of Guardian Angel?

The Guardian Angels are always near to us. Guardian Angels exist and always existed. But not all angels are Guardian Angels. Angels differ from each other in their tasks and their position in heaven compared to God.

Guardian Angel has no name

The three archangels mentioned in the scripture have names, such as Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. Beware of famous and fancy angels’ attributes that are not mentioned in the scripture or confirmed by the Church. Your Guardian angel has no name. It is better to keep it like that.

Guardian angels don’t have religious affiliations

Guardian Angels don’t just help Christians. Guardian Angels work with people of all faiths and with people who are spiritual but don’t identify with any religion. Guardian Angels have a big heart to show mercy and compassion towards humanity. The Guardian angel can feel your suffering, so you don’t suffer alone. But a Guardian Angel is an emotional expert.  Guardian Angels are not genies that pop out of a bottle to grant wishes.

You don’t get to choose your angel

Your Guardian Angel chose you. It’s like you don’t get to choose your mother. The angel is devoted to you because they chose you. It is a sacred duty to stand by your side and guide you. It’s pure devotion rather than an obligation.

Guardian Angels Know You Better than Anyone

Your Guardian Angel has been with you before you were born. The angel knows you exceptionally well – can see straight into your heart – your deepest desires and troubling fears. Guardian Angel is an expert on you, like having multiple post-doctorates on you.

Guardian Angels are with You Through Thick and Thin

Guardian Angels will never abandon you, nearer to you when you are in need. Unlike humans, Guardian angels don’t judge. Guardian Angels know that you are a fallible human, doing the best you can.

Special Prayer to the Guardian Angel

The Church has a special prayer to the Guardian Angel available to the faithful. A faithful can pray twice a day, morning and evening. Kindly find the prayer below

Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God!

My guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here

Ever this day, Be at my side

To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen

 

About the Author

Feroz Fernandes, a Catholic Missionary, identifies himself as an Uncommon Priest. Father Feroz loves adventure in the apostolate. Check out his debut book The Uncommon Priest: Incredible Stories You Never Read on amazon. And also, the YouTube Channel: Feroz Fernandes promotes a better understanding of scripture.

 

 

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St. Matthew: Few Things You Missed

Filed Under: Leadership Ideas 1 Comment

You know about a tax collector who became an apostle of Jesus and is now known as St. Matthew. You know that St. Matthew wrote one of the four Gospels. There is more to learn about how the most hated man among the Hebrew community became a faith leader connecting the Jewish messianic expectations to Jesus. Although we don’t know much about the early life of Matthew, I hope you will find something of interest here below.

Factual details about St. Matthew

St. Matthew was the son of Alpheus, likely born in Galilee. His original name, before he became a disciple of Jesus, was Levi.  Levi became Matthew – a name change just as Simon was called Peter. Matthew in Hebrew means “Gift of Yahweh.”

Factual details about St. Matthew

According to the Gospel, Matthew worked at a tax collection booth in Capernaum. He collected taxes for Herod Antipas, the then governor of Galilee in the Roman Empire. In the era of Jesus, the Jews hated the profession of a tax collector. Although Matthew was a Jew, he was hated publicly by the Hebrew community. Collecting tax itself is enough reason to hate him. But the Hebrew people were paying taxes to the Roman Empire. Matthew was not just collecting taxes; he was a Jewish agent of the Romans.

What happened when Jesus called Matthew?

It looks trivial – Jesus walked to Levi and said, “Come follow me.” And he left everything and followed him. Matthew became a disciple. Was it so easy as pictured above? The Hebrew people distrusted Jewish people who worked for the Roman Empire. These Jews were seen as greedy, selfish, and traitors. There are accounts that the Hebrews would not allow Jewish tax collectors to marry Jewish women or even worship in the synagogue. Jesus’ call of Matthew reversed all the hatred into love – a story of acceptance of a perceived traitor.

The confusion Matthew creates in the Jewish minds.

Matthew left everything and followed Jesus. Matthew paid back those he cheated, renounced worldly possessions, and committed himself to follow the new teacher. There were repercussions.  The Jewish community did not trust him immediately.

Pharisees and Scribes criticized Jesus for eating with a sinner and tax collector. But Jesus calling Matthew is a sign of God’s forgiveness.

The leaders were already suspicious of Jesus for engaging with the lowest in the Jewish society. Now the new addition to Jesus’s core group was the one hated and distrusted in the community.  Matthew offered a feast after Jesus called him. And the Pharisees and Scribes criticized Jesus for eating with a sinner and tax collector. But Jesus’ call to Matthew is a sign of God’s forgiveness.

Matthew is the author of the first book in the New Testament.

The Gospel, according to Matthew, is believed to be authored by Matthew – one among the twelve apostles of Jesus. It is from Matthew we know about Jesus as Christ or Messiah. Matthew wrote the book in Aramaic around 41-50 AD, much after the death of Jesus. He hoped that his account would convince his fellow people that Jesus was the Messiah and his kingdom was fulfilled spiritually. The account was contrary to the popular Jewish expectation of the return of a militant Messiah to overthrow the Romans.

What is unique about St Matthew’s Gospel?

Matthew wrote for a Jewish Christian audience living within the proximity of Jerusalem. The community was encountering tensions after the first revolt. The book does not contain the name of Matthew. A superscription “according to Matthew” was added in the second century. The Gospel, according to Matthew is offering a Jewish perspective. He quotes mostly from the Old Testament as compared to the other Gospel writers.  There are more references to the Torah present in Jesus’ teaching. The book contains 130 Old Testaments quotes and allusions.

How did St. Matthew die?

There is no historical record on Matthew’s death. It is not known how St. Matthew died, whether his death was natural or as a martyr. According to the legends, Matthew fled to Ethiopia to escape persecution after 42 AD.

What is Matthew’s Symbol?

The four evangelists are shown as four living creatures in the Book of Revelation “The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a bull, the third living creature had a human face, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle” (Revelation 4:7).  Mark is represented as a Lion, Luke as a Calf and John as an Eagle.  St. Matthew is depicted as the man – a living creature with a human face like an angel. He is represented as a winged man – humble and meek.

St. Matthew Prayer

O Glorious St. Matthew, in your Gospel, you portray Jesus as the longed-for Messiah who fulfilled the Prophets of the Old Covenant and as the new Lawgiver who founded a Church of the New Covenant.

Obtain for us the grace to see Jesus living in his Church and to follow his teachings in our lives on earth so that we may live forever with Him in heaven.

St. Matthew is a patron saint of Bankers.

Since Matthew was a tax collector, he is a patron saint of tax collectors and bankers. The Church established St. Matthew’s feast day as September 21.

The Final Words on St. Matthew

Matthew’s focus was not on the life and personality of Jesus but on the preaching of Jesus by which Jesus interpreted the Law of Moses in a new way. It is Matthew who first introduced Jesus as a Messiah. Matthew repeatedly uses two phrases no other Gospel uses: the “Kingdom of God” and the “Kingdom of Heaven” almost 32 times in the whole bible, and all of it is in Matthew.  Matthew links Jesus to the Old Testament. I am sure learning about St. Matthew will guide you to discover the connection – an alignment with God.

 

 

 

 

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Why celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows?

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The curious seeker wants to know why we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15, a day after the feast of the exaltation of the Cross to show the close connection between Jesus’ passion and Mary’s sorrows.

The devotion to the seven sorrows of our blessed Mother has roots in Sacred Scripture and Christian piety, associating Blessed Mother with her suffering Son. The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15. And the feast is like an octave for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on September 8.

The feast was so popular that before Second Vatican Council, there were two feasts devoted to the sorrows of Mary, one on Friday before Palm Sunday and the other in September.

Over a decade ago, I was invited to lead a reflection on our Lady of Sorrows. I planned to focus on joy and wondered why people are so much attached to the feast of our Lady of Sorrows. I learned that people identify with the suffering of Mary, the intensity, compassion, and spiritual martyrdom.

Suffering can lead you to Christ, or faith in Christ can alleviate the pain. I felt that connecting with the suffering, offering consolation, and leading others towards healing is service. And Blessed Mother Mary is an excellent example of overcoming sorrow trusting in God’s plan.

The title: Our Lady of Sorrows

The title Our Lady of Sorrows, given to our Blessed Mother, focuses on her intense suffering and grief during the passion and death of Jesus. The suffering is not limited to the passion and death of Jesus. It comprised of the seven sorrows of Mary.  Simeon, the priest in the temple, foretold the pain of Mary in these words – Jesus “is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword also that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare” (Luke 2:34-35).

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

Because of the seven sorrows, Mary is depicted with her heart exposed and with seven swords piercing it. The seven sorrows of Mary are as follows:

  1. The Prophecy of the aged Simeon in the temple (Luke 2:25-35)
  2. The flight into Egypt with the Infant Jesus – 300 miles (Matthew 2:13-15)
  3. The loss of Jesus in Jerusalem, when He was 12 years old (Luke 2:41-50)
  4. Mary encounters her Son on His way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; Jn. 19:17)
  5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
  6. The Body of Jesus from the Cross placed on her lap  (Luke. 23: 50 – 54; John 19: 31 – 37)
  7. His burial (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15: 40 – 47)

Historical Origins of the Feast

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows became widespread in the Church during the fourteenth and the fifteenth century. But the feast was popular in the twelfth century under various titles and among the Benedictine monks in the eleventh century.

The feast was placed in the Roman Missal under the title of Our Lady of Compassion in 1482, highlighting the love of Blessed Mother in suffering with her Son, Jesus. In 1668, the feast in honor of the Seven Sorrows (Dolors) was set for the Sunday after September 14, the feast of the exaltation of the Cross. Pope Pius X fixed a permanent date of September 25 for the feast of the Seven Sorrows of Blessed Virgin Mary, now commonly called as the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The key image of Our Lady of Sorrows

You will notice the Blessed Mother standing faithfully at the foot of the Cross with her dying Son. John records: seeing His Mother at the foot of the Cross and the disciple whom He loved, Jesus said to His Mother, “Woman, here is your son.” And Jesus said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27). Mary kept the divine plan, even in the face of suffering and grieving with her only begotten Son

Is September the month of Our Lady of Sorrows?

September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. Each month of the liturgical year is devoted to a particular Catholic tradition, usually centered on a feast during that month. August is the Immaculate Heart of Mary; September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows. Remember we also celebrate the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. And the month of October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary.

What does Our Lady of Sorrows represent?

The three common artistic representations of a sorrowful Virgin Mary are Mater Dolorosa, Stabat Mater, and Pieta. Our Lady of Seven Sorrows is sometimes represented in sad and anguished mode by herself, her expression being that of tears and sadness.

Mary knows pain because she suffered from Bethlehem to Calvary. Mary, our Mother, understands us as her own children and consoles us in times of trouble.  Therefore, we honor Mary as a faithful disciple and exemplar of faith. We unite our suffering to the Lord Jesus, facing them with courage, love, and trust.

About the Author

Feroz Fernandes, a Catholic Missionary, identifies himself as an Uncommon Priest. Father Feroz loves adventure in the apostolate. Check out his debut book The Uncommon Priest: Incredible Stories You Never Read on amazon. And also, the YouTube Channel: Feroz Fernandes promotes a better understanding of scripture.

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