Synod: Snippets from Fr Dr Clarence Devadass

Snippets from Fr Dr Clarence Devadass

Oct 12, 2024


September 30
On Monday, September 30, we began the two-day retreat as part of the Synod gathering. The first meditation was given by Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP. His four meditations are based on the resurrection of Jesus.

In the first meditation, we looked at Mary Magdalene who went to the tomb searching for Jesus in the dark. In her sadness she meets Jesus who calls her by name.

Mary Magdalene, the beloved disciple, and Simon Peter went in search…. Each one looking for Jesus to fill their void differently. There was no competition but only a sincere desire to “find Jesus”. What are we looking for?

The second meditation focussed on the disciples who were gathered in the locked room. The darkness of fear engulfed them. The coming of the Holy Spirit freed them from fear. What are we afraid for the Church? Let the Holy Spirit free us.

October 1
On the second day of the retreat, Oct 1, the third meditation focused on the account where the disciples encountered a “stranger” on the beach who asked them to put out their nets again.

The disciples went back to their old lives of being fishermen. Their lives were empty, no more enthusiasm because their Lord was crucified. They could not even recognise “it is the Lord” who came to them. It was the beloved disciples who recognised Jesus with His “eyes of love”. How are we to recognise the Lord among us today? We (the Church) need that same eyes of love to see Jesus around us.

The fourth and final meditation was anchored on the account of Jesus while having breakfast with His disciples asked Simon Peter three times… do you love me?

Jesus makes no reference to Peter having denied Jesus but seizes the moment. Despite his failing, Jesus entrusts the care of the Church to Simon Peter. Do we trust each other? In the synod, trust is the most beautiful thing we can give each other - the synod depends on this. Carpe diem!

October 2
In his opening address to the general assembly of the synod, Oct 2, Pope Francis reminded the delegates the importance of trusting the Holy Spirit… is the Spirit that guides and leads us in this synodal gathering. We need to have hope and it is the Holy Spirit that bring us that hope for the renewal of the church. In this synodal process, we need humility, a gift of the Holy Spirit that we need to ask for. Humility keeps us grounded in God and one another. A synodal church must be relational.

On the opening day, I had the opportunity to greet Pope Francis personally. During the synod, he makes himself available during the breaks to greet the delegates. Such a powerful gesture of his availability to all. He embodies the loving face of the church.

It is always a moment to remember and treasure even though the conversation was brief. Among other things, I told him… “I bring you the greetings of the people of Malaysia”. He nodded, smiled and gave me a blessing. I’m sure that blessing extends to all of Malaysia. God bless.

October 3
Today the assembly worked in small groups. The groups are divided linguistically to work on Module

1. We focused on the “Foundations” as in the Instrumentum Laboris (working document). Each one has an opportunity to share what was good in this section and then what needs to be improved. It gave us the opportunity to not only share our experiences, challenges, and expectations, but also to listen to one another attentively.

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