Amidst the many responsibilities they carry, Brazil's bishops found sacred space to pause, breathe, and listen. During the 62nd General Assembly of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, a spiritual retreat offered precisely that: an intentional pause. This was not merely an interruption in proceedings, but a deep immersion in what sustains all ministry: God's Word, prayer, and the fertile silence that allows the Holy Spirit to speak to the heart.
These moments of withdrawal are essential for every Christian, but especially for those called to guide the flock. As Psalm 46:10 reminds us: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (NIV). In the fast-paced rhythm of the contemporary world, stillness before God is not passivity, but an active posture of trust and openness to His will.
The retreat, begun in an atmosphere of expectation, invited participants to reflect on what touches the very core of Christian identity. Far from being an isolated event, this gathering echoes a universal call to all God's people: the need to constantly realign ourselves with the source of our service and our mission.
Gospel Courage: Far More Than Human Boldness
One of the central themes of reflection was "evangelical parrhesia." This term, which may sound unfamiliar to our ears, carries deep and transformative meaning. In the New Testament context, "parrhesia" refers to courage, frankness, and freedom to speak the truth of the Gospel. It is not mere bravado or confidence in one's own ability, but a boldness that springs from certainty of God's love and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The apostles experienced this courage in remarkable ways. After being threatened by the religious authorities of their time, they gathered in prayer and asked for precisely this: "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness" (Acts 4:29, NIV). Boldness, or "parrhesia," was a gift asked of God, not an innate quality. This same courage is needed today, not only by bishops, but by every baptized person who desires to witness to their faith in a complex world.
This gospel courage manifests in various forms. It may be the courage to defend the poor and marginalized, to promote unity amid diversity, to forgive when resentment seems easier, or simply to live Kingdom values in a context that often contradicts them. It is a courage that doesn't shout, but persists; that doesn't impose, but proposes with conviction and love.
Servants by Love: Jesus' Radical Model
The second pillar of meditation led participants to one of Jesus' most shocking and revealing gestures: the washing of feet. On the eve of His passion, the Master and Lord kneels before the disciples and performs a slave's task. This act goes far beyond an example of humility; it is a profound theological revelation about God's nature and the meaning of power in the Kingdom.
John's gospel records this moment with a clarity that continues to challenge us: "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (John 13:14-15, NIV). Jesus completely reverses the world's logic. Greatness in His kingdom is measured by service. Authority is exercised as care and self-giving.
For the Church's shepherds, this passage is a constant mirror. The episcopal ministry, with its dignity and responsibility, finds its true meaning not in prestige, but in the capacity to lower oneself, to touch the often dirty and painful realities of people's lives, to spend one's life for the sheep. This service, however, is not a heavy burden, but an expression of love that liberates and gives life. As Pope Leo XIV teaches in his first encyclical, true Christian leadership is found in humble service, following Jesus' example who came "not to be served, but to serve" (Mark 10:45). In a world seeking power and recognition, Jesus' model calls us to rediscover the beauty of selfless service.
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