The Pope Preps the Synod | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Pope's September 4th point is that it is in the tragedy of sin that we find God, not in simply saying a few magic words to acknowledge sinfulness. Turns out you really do have to hit some kind of bottom to really get what salvation is. The September 12th point is that smugness does not save souls. There should be no street prophets in the Catholic Church. September 18th brings the sinful woman and the point that the Lord made that forgiveness means we are with the sinner, not above the sinner. Now, all of these things were homilies, not encyclicals. Any priest could have made them (and should have). This time, it was Francis who did so.
In the prayer vigil preceding the Synod, he speaks of a familiar meal (which sounds like Mass) and of those who come in loneliness (sounds like he knows some of his bishops) and the privilege of preaching the gospel. As the synod starts, the Pope speaks of the scent of the people as where to begin (so much for wanting to quickly affirm past teachings and leave). He preaches that Christ wants the Synodal fathers to bring light to the people where they live, as this is what the Gospel demands. This is said to be an echo of St. John's introduction to Vatican II, 50 years before (although John pulled punches at first in saying the Council was not new - we are still debating that point). Unlike a Council, however, this process is a two week thing - talk about a real fortnight for freedom!
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