Nature teaches fundamental wisdom lessons.
“Growth occurs by shedding or dismantling the old, allowing the new to emerge.”
Snakes shed old skin.
Trees shed dried leaves.
Furry animals shed old fur.
Humans shed old nails, skin, and hair.
Newness erupts when the old surrenders.
“To insist on the spiritual practice that served you in the past is to carry the raft on your back after you have crossed the river” (Buddha).
Synodality is a call to a NEW WAY of being Church
- to journey together
- to listen together
- to discern together
- to decide together
- to plan together
- to implement together
- to evaluate together.
But the old needs shedding
- the old, false masks.
What’s the old?
The old is what’s harming us
- Clerical model of Church seen as the privileged clergy’s holiest power to lead in front and the laity to simply follow like obedient slaves on the sugar plantation.
The clerical model has brought harm to everyone even to those who exercise.
“. . . once you understand the harm you have done to others, as well as yourself, you are on the verge of becoming the person you are meant to be” (Joan Chittister, The Monastic Heart).
Like the dry season, the signs of the times cause the leaves of the tree of the clerical model of Church to become dry, fall to the ground, and wither away. In this synodal time or dry season, the leafless tree of the Church waits in anticipation for new leaves, a new model to spring forth.
It’s a time of CONVERSION.
Beloved Reflections 
Very well said Fr Don. Good food for thought.
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Very interesting message. Thanks for sharing.
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