WALKING THE SYNODAL WAY OF THE CROSS
The Way of the Cross is not a depressing walk to the fate of death. It is instead a path of sacrifice that leads to the radiant light of Christ’s resurrection, opening up the horizons of renewed life in its fullness. It is a way of hope and optimism that we undertake with Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. This Lenten season, we are called to walk a synodal Way of the Cross. Together, we journey with the Lord as his people, in the path of solidarity and renewal. What does walking the Synodal Way of the Cross mean? We turn to three important people of the Way of the Cross for inspiration.
Walking unlike Pilate: The Vademecum for the Synod on Synodality, no. 2.3 states, “Being synodal requires time for sharing: We are invited to speak with authentic courage and honesty (parrhesia) in order to integrate freedom, truth, and charity. Everyone can grow in understanding through dialogue”.
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea, chose not to walk with Jesus. This even though he was given ample opportunities to discover the Truth: a) the pricking of his conscience: (“He knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up” Matthew 27:18) b) His wife’s warning (“His wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him” Matthew 27:19). and c) His dialogue with Jesus (“Jesus answered, For this reason, I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice”. “What is truth?” Pilate asked but did not wait for a reply (John 18:37). Despite these opportunities, his insensitivity, lack of discernment, and hardness of heart hindered him from the vision of the Truth. And therefore, he washes off his hands. He failed himself by opting not to speak with authentic courage and honesty (parrhesia) and ended up excluding himself from the Synodal Way of the Cross. Walking the synodal path means speaking in truth and charity, daring to dialogue with each other, and responding to the call of Jesus to follow his path. Let’s not wash our hands of our responsibilities. Let’s get on with the journey and accompany the crucified Christ on the way.
Walking like Simon: The Preparatory Document for the Synod on Synodality, no.6, pg. 8-9 insists, “We are continually challenged as the People of God to take on the pain of our brothers and sisters wounded in their flesh and in their spirit. For too long the cry of the victims has been a cry that the Church has not been able to hear sufficiently. These are deep wounds that are difficult to heal, for which forgiveness can never be asked for enough and which constitute obstacles, sometimes imposing ones, to advancing in the direction of journeying together.”
Why did Simon have to return from the fields in the middle of the morning? It wasn’t usual for working men. Maybe he was tired or it was a family emergency? Whatever the reason, his journey is
intervened by the Way of the Cross. He couldn’t escape the order of the Roman army representatives. Amidst the tears, cries, mockeries, and lamentations of people surrounding him, Simon endures the effort of carrying the cross of Jesus. Simon’s change of travel plans makes a difference! A farmer now turns a partner in Jesus’ synodal Way of the Cross. Our decision to carry the Cross of Jesus remains an abstract and romantic idea until we find ourselves challenged on the road, like Simon of Cyrene, by the burdened, rejected, mocked, and humiliated person. Every brother or sister in need, who crosses our path awakens us to the challenge of the Synodal way. Does the sight of the dehumanised humanity stir our hearts, question our consciences or leave us indifferent? Jesus teaches us to be welcoming to strangers carrying the weight of their crosses. He wishes that we alter our preplanned paths and plans so that we can help lift the cross of the least of our brothers and sisters for whatever we do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, we do it for Jesus (Matthew 25:40).
Walking with Mary: The Vademecum for the Synod on Synodality, no.5.3 states, “May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles and Mother of the Church, intercede for us as we journey together on the path that God sets before us. As in the Upper Room at Pentecost, may her maternal care and intercession accompany us as we build up our communion with one another and carry out our mission in the world. With her, we say together as the People of God: “Let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38)”.
Mary’s Way of the Cross began much earlier. The cross accompanied her all her life. When she found herself pregnant, she faced the cross of Joseph’s rejection and suspicions (Matthew 1:18-25). While giving birth to Jesus, Mary endured the cross of precarious conditions: the lack of room at the inn, and the birth in a stable (Luke 2:7). After Jesus’ birth, she faced the cross of violence unleashed against Child Jesus (Matthew 2). While at the Temple of Jerusalem, Mary received the cross of Simeon’s prophecy: “a sword will pierce you” (Luke 2:35). And later, during the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she bore the cross of losing her son (Luke 2). While none of the evangelists says that Mary suffered during her son’s departure for his public ministry, the three synoptics report that Mary sought “to see Jesus” with her family and accompanied him. Finally, according to the unanimous tradition of the Gospels, Mary underwent the most terrible ordeal that can befall a mother, that of helplessly witnessing the passion and death of her only son. Mary walks the synodal Way of the Cross in the joys and sorrows of motherhood, in the ordinary days and the exceptional circumstances of life. It was on this very path of the synodal Way of the Cross that she learned to become a disciple, from the Annunciation to the silent distress of Calvary.
May our Lenten observances of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving help us walk the synodal Way of the Cross. Let’s walk unlike Pilate, like Simon, and with Mary.
George Antonysamy,
Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore