Category Archives: Synod

Synodality and Imperfections

Prior to the Coronavirus lockdown and restrictions, I celebrated Mass with the Bethesda Catholic community. It’s a community that promotes the inclusion of persons with disabilities into the liturgies, through sensory-friendly Masses.  At the Mass there were parents along with children of various ages and located at different points on the autistic spectrum.  It wasContinue reading “Synodality and Imperfections”

Synodality and the Dialectic

A brief conversation between my Mom and Dad offers an insight into one aspect of synodality.  The gardener arrived at their home early one morning.  As is customary, Mom informed Dad that she’s going to prepare breakfast for him.  My father rebutted, “Do you really have to prepare breakfast for him?” Later Mom shared withContinue reading “Synodality and the Dialectic”

Anthropological and Psychological Take on Synodality

Anthropologically, John T. Cacioppo explains that humans derive strength from our collective ability to plan, communicate, and work together because our hormonal and genetic makeup support interdependence over independence. He writes, “Whether we know it or not, our brain and biology have been shaped to favor this outcome.”  Cacioppo further illuminates how our biological machineryContinue reading “Anthropological and Psychological Take on Synodality”

Synod Thoughts – Pope Francis and Brene Brown

The voice of the Holy Spirit speaks loudly through the words of two persons, thousands of miles apart – a religious leader and a qualitative, grounded theory researcher.   Ponder on these words! “The world feels high lonesome and heart-broken to me right now. . .We’ve turned away from one another and toward blame and rage. Continue reading “Synod Thoughts – Pope Francis and Brene Brown”

Synodality and Togetherness

The solar system is a planetary system Not ‘cause of one planet But a diversity of planets. The beach is the beach  Not ‘cause of one grain of sand  But diverse sand grains together. The ocean is the ocean Not ‘cause of one droplet of water But millions of diverse droplets together. Trees are treesContinue reading “Synodality and Togetherness”

Synodality – A Taste of Perfection, Satisfaction and Completeness

We don’t look for perfection, We don’t look for satisfaction, We don’t look for completeness, In one. . . . . . leaf of a tree . . . blade of grass . . . droplet of water or  . . . grain of sand. Then why do we look for perfection, Then why doContinue reading “Synodality – A Taste of Perfection, Satisfaction and Completeness”

Synodal Insights

After reading chapter sixteen, “Community: On Spiritual Companionship,” in Joan Chittister’s book entitled, “The Monastic Heart,” I extracted some excerpts that I believe are Synodal Insights on Communal Journey. LECTIO DIVINA ON THE QUOTATIONS AS A GROUP, A FAMILY OR A COMMUNITY? “The truth is that only in community can you come to truly knowContinue reading “Synodal Insights”

Synodality and the Swimming Pool

This morning I arrived at my swimming class and encountered a new coach. Initially, I thought I had erred in the time for my regular class, but eventually I was assured that I had not erred but that there was a substitute coach for today.  During the class, I felt more relaxed, confident, and lessContinue reading “Synodality and the Swimming Pool”

Synodality – Dance of Kairos and Chronos

Synodality is communication Think of listening, discerning, deciding, implementing, planning and evaluating as beads on a string – the string of communication. Communication is like a dance, A dance between two partners  Kairos moves to an internal rhythm  Kairos lives in the present moment Kairos is sensitive  Kairos befriends silence Kairos reads the “signs ofContinue reading “Synodality – Dance of Kairos and Chronos”