A Church Open To Everyone

A Church Open To Everyone

Deacon Alex Kwok
Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist

The Papal Prayer intention in October 2022 is to “pray that the Church, ever faithful to the Gospel and courageous in preaching it, may live in an increasing atmosphere of synodality and be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome.”

Synodality has been a buzz word since Cardinal Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis in 2013 to succeed Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. As a verb, “synod” means “to walk together on the same road”. Some sixty years ago, St. Pope John XXIII convoked the Second Vatican Council to kick off the modernization of the Catholic Church. He succeeded in opening a window for the Holy Spirit to breathe a new life into the Church. The Church listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit spoken through more than 2000 bishops and theologians. She renewed her identity as the People of God in pilgrimage on earth, sharing the joy and anxiety of men of this age. As a noun, “synod” is the gathering of bishop representatives to deliberate on social issues such as environment, young people and family etc. After Vatican II, it is impossible to assemble all the bishops all over the world to discuss problems. Synods are more manageable. In 2021, Pope Francis took one step further. He wants the whole Church, not just the elites of the Church, to walk together and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in each and every member of Mystical Body of Jesus Christ! He makes the XVI General Assembly of Synod of Bishops last from 2021 to 2013 and the theme is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”. It lasts for three years because the Church tries to listen to the voices from the grass root. We have just finished the diocesan phase of listening to different groups of people across all levels. The Diocese of Hong Kong firmly believes that those findings are voices of the Holy Spirit and they have been submitted to the Vatican.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is a carrier of the Holy Spirit. She visited Elizabeth and “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41) After the Ascension of the Lord, the BVM took care of the 120 disciples and “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer” (Acts 1:14-15). With her presence, the Holy Spirit descended on Pentecost. The BVM gave birth again to a new Mystical Body of Christ. In subsequent ages, the BVM appeared to different types of people: monks, bishops, farmers, shepherds and even children! Therefore, it is true that the Holy Spirit is happy to reside in people of all walks of life. We have to thank St. Luke for preserving for us what the Holy Spirit has spoken and done in the first century. Biographies of saints in subsequent centuries bear witness of the untiring effort of the Holy Spirit throughout the ages. When the Catholic Church started her modernization some six decades ago until now, we are able to discern the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit more clearly day by day.

Brethren! Let us follow the Pope to invoke the Holy Spirit to renew the Church as well as the earth. May the Holy Spirit rekindle the fraternity of all peoples. May the Church open her arms to embrace all, saintly and sinful men and women alike, the powerful as well as the poor, so that she can truly be called the Catholic Church. Amen.
St. Luke the Evangelist, Pray for us.