In these days, Pope León XIV is extending a special invitation to the cardinals of the worldwide Church. From June 26 to 27, 2025, they will gather in Rome to consult on contemporary ways of proclaiming the faith. This extraordinary exchange follows conversations in January, which already focused on questions of synodal participation and the landmark document "Evangelii Gaudium" by Pope Francis. Now, as evident from his published letter, the Holy Father wishes to explore certain themes in more concrete detail.
The Enduring Mission of Proclamation
Passing on the Christian faith has always been the core mission of the Church. It is rooted in the command of Jesus Christ himself, who charged his disciples: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV). This missionary mandate remains unchanged, even though the manner of its fulfillment must adapt to times and cultures.
In an ever-changing world, Christian communities face the challenge of communicating the Good News in a way that can be understood and embraced by people today. It is not about changing the content of the faith, but about finding a language and form that reach the hearts and minds of our contemporaries. Pope León XIV seems to want to foster precisely this dialogue: How can the Church today give authentic and convincing witness to Jesus Christ?
Synodality as a Path of Discernment
The upcoming exchange in Rome stands in the tradition of the synodal path the Church has been walking more intentionally in recent times. Synodality means listening together to the Holy Spirit and journeying together as the entire People of God. It is not a democratic vote, but a spiritual process of discernment. The Apostle Paul exhorts the community in Ephesus: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, NIV). This attitude of mutual respect and attentive listening is the foundation of every fruitful ecclesial dialogue.
The cardinals' deliberations can thus be understood as a moment within this larger synodal process. It is about shepherds reflecting together on how the pastoral challenges of our time can be answered in the light of the Gospel. Such high-level conversations can provide important impulses for local community life, for ultimately, the proclamation of faith always happens in the concrete fellowship of believers.
Practical Dimensions of Passing On the Faith
The Pope's invitation encourages reflection on concrete forms of evangelization. Several levels are likely to play a role:
- Personal Witness: Often, it begins with personal testimony of faith. The Acts of the Apostles reports how the first Christians "never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah." (Acts 5:42, NIV). The personal, heartfelt sharing of one's own experience of God remains irreplaceable.
- Community as a Sign: The loving community of believers itself is a powerful witness. Jesus says: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35, NIV). A welcoming, supportive, and vibrant community attracts people.
- Service to the World: Care for the poor, commitment to justice, and protection of creation are integral dimensions of evangelization. As James notes: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27, NIV). Concrete service speaks eloquently of God's love.
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