To speak of individualism and synodality is to express or contrast two very different concepts, since within synodality there is no place for individualism.
We are aware that we are living in a time when humanity is becoming more selfish, more individualistic or, better said, more narcissistic. This causes human beings to preferentially look at their own navel, and not to think or not to be interested in those around them.
Individualism is not uncommon in the Church. It also takes place in ecclesial communities, which has led to clericalism, abuse of power and even abuse of conscience. On many occasions, individualism has led some confreres not to participate in the celebrations of the parish community. In addition, the fear to commit responsibly in different activities of the parish reveals a very personal and not very ecclesial faith. Some come to the temple only to receive sacraments, and do not consider themselves part of the life of the Church; hence they are consumers of sacraments rather than shapers of the community.
When individualism stands out in ecclesial life, what emerges is a Church that is more concerned with celebrating the sacraments and limiting itself to a small group; this does not encourage others to come and be part of our community assembly. It is not, therefore, a Church that welcomes, but a Church that offers the products, and each one, to his home; it resembles a shopping mall rather than a house or home where everyone feels part of the community.
In the face of this prevailing individualism in the Church and in society, the antidote – thanks to the action of the Holy Spirit – is nothing less than synodality. This has enlightened Pope Francis, so that together with the rest of the Christians, they undertake the synodal process, the initiative to walk together; this contributes to dilute the prevailing individualism.
One of the challenges that Pope Francis poses to us in this journey together is a sincere conversion and a change of attitudes that will help us to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ with determination and encourage us to apply the teachings of the Church in fidelity.
Another challenge that synodality offers us is to marginalize protagonism and self-referentiality, and to be able to participate together. When we think only of ourselves and do not listen to others, we are certainly hindering the Holy Spirit. But from the moment we think of our neighbor’s needs more than our own, we facilitate the action of the Spirit, and it is possible for us to walk together.
In pastoral activity, overcoming individualism, habit and the “gray pragmatism” to which Pope Francis often alludes, nothing is out of the ordinary: it has always been done this way! This obliges us to overcome pastoral indolence, which weakens us and makes us lose our passion for the Kingdom and for carrying out the evangelizing mission.
With this call of the Pope to move from the I to the we, from individualism to communion, we have before us the opportunity to stop thinking about me, only about me, and to keep others before us. It is a great opportunity to forget a little about myself: I have to be in tune with the feeling of the Church. If Jesus, being God, wanted to form a community to carry out this work of the Father, who are we to pretend to carry out the divine project individually? We need each other.
The Church is Church when it acts as such. We are all part of it. If we pretend to do things individually, in the end we get tired: I get discouraged, and I give up the purpose, since it all falls under its own weight.
Therefore, in this great synodal initiative, let us listen to the voice of the Spirit of God and the message of Pope Francis. May each of our communities be small, where communion, participation, listening and discernment reign. Let all personalism and individualism be conspicuous by its absence. May we all listen to each other and feel heard as members of this great family. May there be room for everyone, so that no one may feel excluded from this great family of God: the Church.
Fr. Wilmer Moyetones, OAR