Three years on the road
About a month ago Father Tony started walking the boundaries, or “Beating the Bounds” of St. Mary’s Cathedral, and although several parishioners walked with him the first week, and despite his pleas for companions, he has been pretty much walking, praying and conversing with and by himself for the past fortnight; likewise, “After the opening of the synodal process on 9-10 October 2021, (St. Mary’s Cathedral and) the local Churches worldwide, at different paces and in diverse ways, embarked on an initial listening phase“; however, perhaps due to a combination of both Bishop Zurek’s clericalism and pending resignation, doesn’t it seem we have stopped journeying together on the path of synodality; so, as I move my own way with a searching crowd, have I considered what Jesus’s answer to me will be when I ask him, “…when did you come here❓“
Today’s Office of the Readings
Now that I have finished part of my experience with this “the few” I need to address you who are not part of them.
From a letter from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek to the Faith Community at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Amarillo.
“Belonging to the Church means being part of the one People of God, composed of people and communities living in concrete times and places“; yet, “For the three crimes, the four crimes, of” being one of, “the few”, Bishop Zurek told me I was no longer a part of the People of God at St. Mary’s Cathedral; nevertheless, after three years of being on, “this path of synodality”, “I am now convinced and fully aware that I have learned much by speaking with you, for the Lord accompanied me on the road to righteousness, and so I am driven in all ways to love you more than my own life“;…
Today’s First Reading
…indeed, “Synodal listening started from these communities (like St. Mary’s Cathedral), moving through diocesan, national and continental stages as part of a continuous dialogue the General Secretariat of the Synod helped foster by publishing synthesis and working documents“; subsequently, even though Bishop Zurek clericalism causes him to believe, “I have heard the grumbling of“, those who do not, “Reverence…Deacons, Priests and especially…Bishops“, should I not remind him of, “the purpose of the Synod”;…
Today’s Responsorial Psalm
…furthermore, “The circularity of the synodal process recognizes and enhances St. Mary’s Cathedral’s rootedness in various contexts, serving the bonds that unite us“, so can I not say it is the way, “The Lord gave them bread from heaven” so as to overcome, “The insidiousness that divides”;…
Today’s Second Reading
…therefore, “that (I) should put away the old self of (my) former way of life,…
Today’s Alleluia
…Alleluia, alleluia;
...must I not remember that, “One does not live on bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God“;
Alleluia, alleluia…
Today’s Gospel
…thus, will I realize, “Here we see how environmental deterioration and human and ethical degradation are closely linked”; and unless I become part of a synodal St. Mary’s Cathedral: ‘going forth’, a missionary Church”, ‘Walking the Bounds’; will not the deterioration and degradation continue and I will never have the opportunity to even ask Jesus, “…when did you get here?”❓