“I participate in the Church community” – aspect of synodality

Abstract

The Church community is a living organism, going beyond a static structure, where each of us plays a unique role thanks to our gifts and talents. The Apostle Paul describes this reality beautifully in his Letter to the Romans: “For just as we have many members in one body, and not all the members have the same function, so we, all of us, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of the body – one to another” ( Romans 12:4-5). These words make us realize that each of us has significance and makes a valuable contribution to the life of the community. The Pastoral Year 2023/2024 and the teachings of Pope Francis encourage deeper reflection on how to fully fulfill our role in the Church. Active participation in the liturgy, involvement in the activities of parish groups, Catholic movements, charitable and missionary works – all this promotes the spiritual growth of both individuals and the entire community. An individual approach to each member and building an atmosphere of synodality contribute to building a vital community based on mutual respect and love. Participating in the life of the Church is not only an obligation, but above all an opportunity to share faith and support each other on the way to salvation. It is also an extraordinary experience of building the Kingdom of God on earth, where we experience the joy of being part of something greater, united with God and with our brothers and sisters in faith.