Week Two: Called to Holiness…
Opening scripture
I beg you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you’ve been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3
Introduction to the theme
The past few decades of our Catholic life have been a process of sustaining our faith and mission in the face of a challenging world. How do we share the Gospel in such a world? The passage of the Final Synod Document for this session urges us to practice a radical holiness that stands aside from our own agenda, and is open to the Holy Spirit.
Reflect on this passage from the Final Synod Document:
Take time to let the words sink into your heart and allow yourself a moment to listen for the stirrings of the Holy Spirit. What words stood out for you in what you have read? What phrases or ideas touched you?
A question to ponder through your day…
Virtues such as patience and humility are not popular dispositions in our competitive world. How do we begin to cultivate them more deeply, both for ourselves and in our community?
Closing Prayer
Breathe into me Holy Spirit,
that all my thoughts may be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit,
that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit,
that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Hold Spirit,
that I always may be holy.
- St. Augustine of Hippo
Image credit: Vatican
Pope Leo, Homily for Jubilee of Synod Teams, 26th October 2025:
“Please trust me when I tell you that by listening to the Spirit in dialogue, fraternity and courage (parrhesia), you will help us to understand that, prior to any differences, we are called in the Church to walk together in the pursuit of God… This will enable us to live with confidence and a new spirit amid the tensions that run through the life of the Church: between unity and diversity, tradition and novelty, authority and participation… Being synodal Church means recognising that truth is not possessed, but sought together, allowing ourselves to be guided by a restless heart in love with Love.”
Lent Reflections by week:
Want to know more about the Final Synod Document?
As we move into the implementation stage of the synodal process, here are some key resources from the School for Synodality to help guide our understanding of the Final Synod Document, including our Book Club taking it chapter by chapter with synod experts: Lectio Divina on certain passages, and our small group resources ‘A Feast For All Peoples’.