Communal Management

September 27: Saturday of Week 25 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8; Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17; Luke 9:43-45

What is Jesus saying to us as stewards of his kingship? 

(To support Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life... Step Five).

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“They were afraid to ask him” (Luke 9:45).

When Jesus foretold his death, his disciples did not understand,” and they “were afraid to ask” about it.

In today’s Church the laity are obliged to ask about anything Church authorities are doing that they do not understand. Why? Because they are just as responsible for the quality of the Church’s life and work as the clergy are. By baptismal anointing as “stewards of Christ’s kingship,” we are all part of “management.” It is our right and duty to know what is being done and why.

The Church is neither a monarchy nor a democracy, but a “pneumocracy.” The Spirit governs the Church through communal spiritual discernment practiced in collegiality. The role of authorities (pastors, bishops) is 1. to insist on the discernment process; 2. to involve everyone in it as much as possible and appropriate, given the nature of the decision; 3. to make the final decision about what the Spirit is saying.

We see Pope Francis doing that through his international team of eight cardinals, through synods, and through consistent consultation. He invites those who agree with him and those who don’t to participate. Only thus can he discern what the Spirit is saying.

The clergy sin if they do not invite participation; the laity if they refuse the invitation. All were equally baptized into the responsibility of “managing” the Church and the world as “stewards.”

PRAY: “Lord, prosper the work of our hands!”

PRACTICE: Observe, question, dialogue.