Synodality 3: Participation begins by listening to different voices (BJRE062)

Synodality 3: Participation begins by listening to different voices

Jesus Youth and the Synodal Path - 3

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath. Published in Kairos Magazine in 2022)

“At this stage, gathering youth can be risky. They want only fun and play, not spirituality. However, even if we try, no youth will come. Moreover, those who do come may create problems.” One priest spoke up strongly, and many others supported this note of caution. The group was discussing whether to hold a youth convention. This is one of my early memories of starting a youth ministry in the Charismatic Renewal in the state, which eventually became Jesus Youth. 

In early May 1978, a letter arrived from Fr. Fio in Mumbai suggesting that the newly formed Charismatic Team of Kerala should organize a large youth gathering as their first step. Later that month, all senior leaders convened in Trissur to discuss the matter. As I mentioned earlier, most of them were opposed to the idea. Only three or four of us were young, and we lacked the confidence to express our sincere desire to gather our friends. Sitting close together, we could only pray amid the barrage of ‘cautious wisdom’. 

Then, with his gentle, beaming smile, Fr. Justin raised his hand. “Look at these lovely young people,” he said, pointing to our little group. “If we could have a hundred like them, how wonderful it would be!” Fr. Thuruthimattom spoke next: “The Lord has some special plans for our youth, and He will surely use their enthusiasm.” Someone then suggested, “Let us pray for a while.” After a brief time of praise, people began sharing messages from all directions. Each message provided positive assurance from the Lord, speaking of a bright future and an abundance of harvest. Sr. Cleopatra added, “It is clear that the Lord wants us to gather the youth.” 

You can imagine the joy we experienced seeing the Lord’s intervention and the sea change in the group. Someone suggested forming a youth team. Three of us were nominated. I was asked to go around to see if we could get at least a hundred youth for the gathering that Fr Fio proposed.

Today, when I look back, this was one of the numerous occasions in the history of Jesus Youth when the Holy Spirit guided the community through a synodal process.

Participation is key to synodality

The universal Church is now reflecting on synodality. Synod is a process of ‘journeying together’. The Church is to be synodal, and so the core spirit of the Church as well as every community in it is to be synodal. As we look back into the history of Jesus Youth movement, we realize how the Spirit of God has been teaching us the dynamics of synodality.

Synodal processes happen in a community setting, and their outcome is a renewed sense of mission. However, central to this process is a participative approach. What is participation, then? It is being actively involved in or taking part in something. We immediately think of participation in a community’s life or sharing in a family’s daily responsibilities. Most importantly, participation means people have a part in the decisions that affect their lives.

Harkening to the “still small voice”

In the book of First Kings, the Prophet Elijah waits for the Lord but does not find Him in the storm, earthquake, or fire; rather, he finds Him through a still small voice. This image becomes important in the synodal process. What does it signify? Faced with a challenge, problem, or question, a group of Christians gathers, seeking solutions or the Lord’s guidance. In these meetings, we often hear big ideas and strong voices, but the way forward is frequently revealed from unexpected quarters through ‘still small voices’.

How do we connect with these stirrings of the Holy Spirit? A conversion from ‘what we have always done’ and our grand ideas to ‘His ways’ is essential. An important aspect of this search is encouraging everyone to express themselves. We must tell both the rebellious and the quiet ones, ‘Don’t hesitate; share what is in your heart,’ and gradually, new paths will open up. 

Participation in life and mission begins here

An attitude of ‘we leaders know and will tell you, and you will follow us’ is the greatest enemy of cultivating loving communities and a sense of mission. We call this attitude ‘elitism’ or ‘clericalism.’ The Vatican’s document on synodality states, “An ecclesial mentality shaped by synodal thinking joyfully welcomes and promotes the grace in virtue of which all the baptized are qualified and called to be missionary disciples  . . . avoiding the temptation of an excessive clericalism which keeps them [lay people] away from decision-making” (# 104).

Group leaders with a synodal mentality understand the importance of every person's participation in the group. This fosters effective community building and the formation of missionary disciples, which is the key to missionary dynamism within Jesus Youth groups. But where does this process begin? Essentially, it starts with participative decision-making, which involves seeking everyone’s ideas and opinions and providing the freedom and encouragement to express themselves within the group. 

With respect and love

My Jesus Youth journey began soon after my school days. At that time, we had never heard of ‘synodality, ' yet we had numerous opportunities to gather, seek the Lord’s will, and make decisions together.  I was very aware of my own inexperience and the expertise of the influential figures among whom I was sitting. However, that did not stop me from being eager for change. My great blessing was that those giants around me humbly bent down to ask for my opinions respectfully and listened carefully to my immature ideas. This, in turn, helped me grow, build close relationships, and empowered me to take risks in my mission. In brief, this participative attitude is at the heart of the synodal process.

The discernment meeting of 1978 decided to give the youth a chance. The condition was that if we could gather a hundred young people, we would hold the program at the end of that year. A sum of ₹500 was allocated for my travel to consult with youth groups. The outcome was unbelievable: during the six months that followed, we successfully built a network of hundreds of young people. For the December conference, not just a hundred but eight hundred youth attended.