BY KIPLY LUKAN YAWORSKI

In line with the Synod of Synodality and its emphasis on listening, the Diocese of Saskatoon has embraced open ears in its series of recent faith gatherings.

Listening was the theme of the recently held four-week Adult Faith Awaken formation series, and it’s a theme adhered to with the diocesan Spring Congress, aptly titled “Speak Your Lord, Your Servant is Listening,” which wraps up April 25 in Kindersley.

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The Awaken series explored the foundational elements of listening to others, the role of deep and intentional listening in evangelization and in living as a synodal Church, as well as the importance of listening in the context of one’s relationship with the Lord, said diocesan Adult Faith coordinator Astrid Alas. Held earlier this year at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Saskatoon, it opened with director of Ministry Services Marilyn Jackson introducing the concept of listening with a lively presentation that revealed the profound impact that effective, active listening has on relationships.

Jackson explored the vital importance of feeling heard and how the art of active listening can lead to healing, placing the discussion in a reflection on how Jesus listens to the dismayed disciples on the Road to Emmaus.

The “art of accompaniment” encouraged in Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium “The Joy of the Gospel” is grounded in the art of respectful, loving listening, she added. It is a necessary first step and ongoing posture that opens hearts to the saving message of the “Kerygma” — redemption through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity explained how an open mind, an open heart and an open will are needed to move towards “generative listening” — the level of listening at which we move beyond the automatic, the factual and even the empathic to come to new connections and new realizations about oneself and others. It is a level of listening that requires conscious effort and concrete steps to pay attention to what is being said, what lies behind the words and what effect all of that is having on the listener.

The enemies of listening are inner voices of judgment, cynicism and fear, Piano said. 

“Overcoming these enemies requires recognizing these voices, rather than suppressing them, and actively engaging in suspending (judgment), redirecting and letting go” to move to a place of deeper awareness and understanding.

“Open the eyes of your mind, open the ears of your heart, open the hands of your will and we will dance with God in all our relations,” she said.

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Fr. Joseph Salihu, pastor at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon and chair of the Diocesan Synod Committee, reflected on pathways to becoming a “Missionary Synodal Church” grounded in listening — to each other, to those on the margins, and most importantly, to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Noting that the meaning of the word synodality is “together on the way,” Salihu said this is the nature of the Church.

“The synod is not a program, it is a way of being. It is meant to help us appreciate one another and our dreams and aspirations, and to provide ways to heal, enabling us to become stronger missionary communities eager to spread the Gospel,” he said, describing the fundamental synodal themes of communion, participation and mission.

The four marks of synodality are “relating, listening, discernment and self-emptying,” said Sailhu.

“Listening is central to the synodal process and fundamental to relational conversion. We listen to God and to the marginalized to discern God’s will,” he said. “Listening is more than hearing. It is a reciprocal process that underscores the reality that everyone has something to learn.

“Listening to the laity as much as to the clergy,” he continued, “is a way of acknowledging that they exercise a special charism among Christ’s faithful.”

At the same time, Salihu stressed that “It is, however, important to realize that one must ultimately listen to the Holy Spirit. Some perspectives may be practical, but may not conform to the truth that Jesus reveals.” This is precisely why synodality includes discernment, a discernment that calls for “humility, openness to the Spirit and ongoing conversion.”

He cited the Synod on Synodality final document, saying: “Discernment comprises a threefold practice: ecclesial discernment, decision-making processes and a culture of transparency, accountability and evaluation. The process must be rooted in the principles of the Gospel.”

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Salihu also expressed the hope that synodality can be the reality of how we are Church together. 

“Synodality is a way of being Church that brings together the fundamental elements of our faith life: communion, the foundation of our spiritual life; participation, the path we are invited to travel; and mission, the goal of our journey.”