Our contemporary culture seems to have a rapid pace. With amazement we consider the world of telecommunications and the speed with which we are able to send messages and mail to each other. The swift world of communications and the hectic rush of the business world have made us more impatient. Seemingly everyone is in a hurry and waiting is quite inconvenient. Consider the impatience you may experience when stopped at a traffic light, an open drawbridge or railway crossing. Consider the aggravation you feel standing in long lines while Christmas shopping. Consider the annoyance which builds up when you are caught in a traffic jam. The time we spend waiting seems endless, tedious and cumbersome.
How interesting it is that the Church presents for us an entire liturgical season which focuses on waiting and expectation. The season of Advent highlights the long millennia during which the people of Israel waited for the coming of the Redeemer. They longed for the consolation of the One who would bring victory, freedom, peace and glory. The season of Advent also highlights for us as members of the Church the long millennia during which we await the return of Our Redeemer. It is our faith that Christ who came to earth to save us will return to earth to judge and lead to eternal glory all who have placed their hope in Him. Advent emphasizes then the aspect of waiting, the feeling of expectation.
The longing felt by those of ancient days is illustrated in Mark’s gospel account about John the Baptist. This charismatic speaker, dressed like prophets of old, drew great crowds of people, all expecting the Messiah. Many thought that John was the Messiah. After informing the people that he was not the Messiah, John fueled their anticipation even more by telling them that One even greater than himself would come and baptize with the Holy Spirit. John, too, conveys his own longing to see the Messiah and his desire to prepare a straight path in the hearts of all people.
The Church greatly admires John the Baptist. His zeal for the conversion of the world, his adherence to his vocation, and his total humility are inspiring and edifying. In the person of John the Baptist, the Church recognizes a model for each Christian. The individual must decrease and Christ must increase. John the Baptist stands in contrast to an age of rampant individualism. John tells us that we must diminish, becoming absorbed in the greatness and the oneness of the person of Jesus Christ.
During these recent months, we witnessed the mindset of John the Baptist in action. Our Tenth Archdiocesan Synod stands for us as a concrete model of what happens when individual agendas and personal prejudices are replaced by an attitude of common faith and belief, united in the purpose of increasing the presence of Christ in our families and parishes, in our Archdiocese and, indeed, everywhere. Our Tenth Archdiocesan Synod has reflected the communio which symbolizes the unity of all the members of the Church. United with the common goal of making Jesus Christ more known and felt, we can honestly say that we have a greater understanding of what it means to be part of the Body of Christ and how it feels to know that we all have contributed to increasing Christ’s life and light within ourselves and within our world.
As I carefully observed the proceedings of the Synod sessions, I was greatly moved by the love, faith and integrity of all who came together to forge a future for our Archdiocese. In my interaction with many of you, I saw an energy and enthusiasm which guarantee that the Church, in a time when the Church is seemingly besieged by the negativity of the secular world, is supported by the love and solicitude of men and women, young and old, who want nothing more than to see the presence of Christ increase. For the gifts, talents and insights which you brought to the sessions, as well as the personal sacrifices which you made to be in attendance, I thank you profoundly.
There is also, I know, a certain anticipation as we await the outcome of our Synod. While the sessions are finished and the time of our Synod seemingly concludes with this liturgy, the work of the Synod continues as I study, reflect on, and pray over the many recommendations which were offered to me. Bearing in mind that the work of the Synod is the work of the Holy Spirit, we place each recommendation before the Wisdom of God, seeking the guidance to make the necessary decisions which will conclude the work of the Synod. For that reason, I ask your patience and beg your prayers that this period of discernment will allow me the understanding and judgment necessary to respond as soon as possible to each recommendation as it will influence and shape the future of the Church in Philadelphia.
Our Archdiocesan Synod already has accomplished much. Strangers who met several months ago have become friends. We have learned to listen attentively to and respect the opinions of others. We have given a new value to the meaning of dialogue. Above all, together we have deepened our appreciation for the working of the Church and the important role of every member of the Church – laity, religious and clergy – in the task of evangelization. Together, we have worked to build up this local Church. Through all our efforts, our sacrifices, our deliberations, our common prayer, in the best understanding of the term, as individuals we have diminished, while Christ has been more clearly visible as we increase His presence in our homes, neighborhoods, parishes, Archdiocese, and, indeed, our entire world.
May Mary, the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Saint John the Baptist, Saints Peter and Paul, and our own Saint John Neumann and Saint Katharine Drexel pray for us and guide us as we complete the work of the Tenth Synod of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. May they protect us as we await the return of Our Lord Jesus Christ!