Readings for Sunday, October 1st

In a few minutes we’ll celebrate the Anointing of the Sick. In doing so, we’ll call down the Holy Spirit on each of those who come forward to receive this sacrament. The Holy Spirit wants to do His healing work among us. 

The Spirit has been active in the world since the dawn of time. He acted in and through God’s chosen people, the Jewish people, long before the time of Jesus. He then guided Jesus in his ministry on earth and raised him from the dead. The Spirit inspired the Church from her birth and is alive in the Church today, always guiding us.

And we need the Spirit’s direction, and we need His healing.
Well, I want to point to another sign of the Spirit’s living presence today. I refer to that great meeting that will begin in Rome this coming Wednesday, on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. It’s the 16^th Synod of Bishops. 

A synod is an assembly of a relatively small number of bishops, chosen to represent all the world’s bishops, who offer their advice to the pope as he leads the world-wide Church.

However, while it’s called a Synod of Bishops, and they are certainly principal players, many of its 464 participants aren’t bishops. Scores of lay men and women will take an active role and be voting members. And they, too, will be from throughout the world.
 
So, this synod will be unlike any other. I think it has the potential to be as much a landmark moment for the Catholic Church as the Second Vatican Council was in the 1960s. And I ask your prayers for its success.

The work of the participants will be a deep listening to the Holy Spirit, heard through the voices of one another. That will happen in small groups gathered around tables in a large auditorium in the Vatican. 

This gathering was initiated by Pope Francis, and it may be remembered as his greatest legacy. It’s no coincidence that it begins on the feast of St. Francis, his patron.

Pope Francis is working to revive the mission of the Church. And many hope and pray that the synod will bring new life, a new energy, to the Church. 

The working document which forms the basis of their discussions acknowledges that the global Church in the modern world has been deeply challenged and it stresses the need to address our key concerns. 

Some of the discussions will center on how to better include lay people in governance and decision-making in the Church. 

How to better ensure transparency and accountability of our leaders. 

The “baptismal dignity” of women will be discussed as well as the possibility of female deacons.

The participants will discuss the relationship between the priesthood of all the baptized and the ministerial priesthood. 

And “clericalism” will be a concern. That’s the temptation for some leaders in the Church to misuse their power. It must be said, of course, that the misuse of power is found in all institutions as we see in the daily papers. But it shouldn’t happen here. As Church, we’re called to be servants and encourage one another.

Inside the synod hall, participants will be divided into 35 working groups of 10 to 12 members. The groups will speak in English, Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. These small groups will hold “conversations in the spirit,” where all will speak, and all respond to what they’ve heard. 

There’ll also be sessions bringing the entire assembly together. And the synod will last three weeks.

I’m grateful that some of you participated a couple of years ago when you offered your concerns and insights at our invitation, which we then forwarded as we were asked.

About a year from now a final document will be produced when all these participants will gather again, and Pope Francis will respond to it at that time.

So, again, please pray for the success of this historic endeavor. Pray that the Holy Spirit will pour out his grace on all who participate and guide the Church as we move into the future.

***

And now to a different kind of healing. We’ll anoint the sick.

This Sacrament helps us unite our suffering with that of Christ and bear our affliction with greater courage.  

Sometimes the Sacrament restores physical health.  That’s beautiful when that happens but what’s primary is when our faith is strengthened.  

First, in silence, I’ll impose my hands on the heads of those who come forward. This calls the Holy Spirit down on the person. Please pray for healing for those who come forward.  

Then, using the Oil of the Sick, I’ll anoint the forehead and the palms of each hand.  

As I anoint foreheads I’m praying: “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

They answer: “Amen.”

As I anoint their palms I say:

“May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”

Again: “Amen.”

This Sacrament is for those whose illness is serious and perhaps long-lasting.  And it’s offered to those less strong because of age. 

And now, would those who’d like to receive the Sacrament please come forward?