October 24, 2021
DIOCESAN PHASE OF THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY:
FOR A SYNODAL CHURCH - COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION, AND MISSION
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In the Gospel of Mark today, Jesus encounters a blind man named Bartimaeus. He needed help and believed Jesus was the one who could assist him. The people around him told him to keep quiet. Probably they judged his need to be of no importance to Jesus. Bartimaeus, however, did not stop; he continued to call out: "Son of David, have pity on me." Despite the disapproval of others, Jesus took time to listen to Bartimaeus, without judging him to be undeserving of God's care but in fact gave the man his full attention. As they began to talk, Jesus simply asked him what he wanted, and Bartimaeus replied that he wanted to see. Jesus restored his sight because he recognized something more in him. He recognized faith. His persistent faith was a sign that he wanted God to be near him and to have Jesus accompany him.
My sisters and brothers, this gospel passage is a suitable episode to introduce us to the invitation to walk together and to journey together as Jesus' disciples did at the beginning of the Church. We are called to not pass by one another as strangers, but to pause and get to know one another. We are asked to seek out the lost and not to ignore those who have turned away. We are charged with taking time with those, who like Bartimaeus, cannot "see" or do not understand, or have deep questions about their relationship with God, with the church or even experience division within their families.
In the light of this encounter between Jesus and the blind man Bartimaeus, I officially open today, our participation as the Diocese of Corpus Christi with the diocesan phase of the Synod on Synodality: For a Synodal Church - Communion, Participation and Mission. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, is encouraging us to return to the spirit found among Jesus' disciples and followers at the beginning of the Church. They lived in communion with one another especially through the Eucharist and their love for one another. They participated in supporting one another as the Body of Christ by sharing their unique gifts and talents. And together they witnessed themselves to be "friends of Christ". Some shed their own blood to show their love for him, but most showed that they knew him by their love through word and deed. Communion, Participation and Mission are all essential elements of a Synodal Church - being the Body of Christ together.
I invite you, brothers and sisters, to be a part of this journey of faith in order to experience being a family in Christ. The Second Vatican Council described the Church as the Body of Christ and the Family of God. The journey of synodality can assist us to reclaim who we truly are in God's eyes.
Plans are being made to offer opportunities for us to come together and share moments of faith as a renewal of families, parishes, schools communities and within neighborhoods. Details will be made available in the coming weeks and months. I ask that you keep in touch with the synodal process through the information that will be shared with your pastors for parish bulletins and on the website and social media of the Diocese of Corpus. To begin I encourage you to read or reread the article in the Spririg 2021 edition of the South Texas Catholic and other articles available on our website and other Catholic Media sites.
I am excited about our synodal journey as we encounter Jesus together and through the presence of the Holy Spirit are able to strengthen our mission of encountering many Bartimaeuses today.
May Mary, Mother of the Church and Seat of Wisdom be our companion on this journey in the same way that she accompanied those who first followed her Son.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. Wm. Michael Mul y, STL, DD
Bishop of Corpus Christi
Given at the Cathedral of Corpus Christi
24 October 2021