We, the People of God are being asked, through the Synodal Process, what type of Church we want to leave to those who come after us on the journey of faith.   The important word here, for me, is Church –the Institution that regulates the faith, and I use that word advisedly.  Faith does not change as we are reminded in the readings today.

‘Faith is the realisation of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen’

As the Synodal Process continues throughout the Catholic world I pray by its completion the Spirit will move and bless us with her wisdom.

The responsorial Psalm today tells us, “Blessed are the people the Lord has chosen as His own.”

I often wonder about the choices made by God for me, my loved ones and the world be they good or bad. Then I remind myself who am I to doubt God?

The Lord called Abram and Sari and their descendants. The Lord called all the prophets and the leaders of the world’s great faiths.

We all have a part to play in this journey of faith – in this journey of believing in something greater than self. The process is laid out in today’s readings.

We are called to be light to others, using the gifts we have been given.  We are called to allow others to light the way for us too.

I think today of latter-day prophets who inspire me – Sr. Dorothy Stang, who worked with the indigenous peoples of the Brazilian rain forests; of Maria Elena Moyano, from Villa El Salvador who worked against the oppression of women and children.  Oscar Romero, who through the witness of his own priests, came to understand the true plight of those he served.   Dorothy Day, worked unceasingly to enable those who had little to carve a way forward to a more sustainable life.

A name that may not be familiar to people is that of Irish woman Jennifer Sleeman.  Over ten years ago, Jennifer called on Irish women to boycott Mass for one Sunday in September.  This was in response to the recently published Irish Clerical Sexual Abuse reports, and the treatment of women by the Church. Jennifer made news headlines at the time but more for the fact that she was 80 years of age and had a son who was a priest rather than the issue she was highlighting.

These people I like to call lamplighters.  We, too, are these same lamplighters.  Perhaps the person lighting the way for us is our next-door neighbour, the homeless person, the substances addicted person, the immigrant or war refugee simply seeking the kindness of a stranger; our families and friends journeying with us each and every day.

‘Faith is the realisation of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen’

Perhaps the time space between ‘realisation’ and ‘not seen’ is the important space in which we should and could be most productive.

So let us go forward this week lighting our lamp, being the lamplighter for others and those who follow on.  For it was through the example of others that I am here today – believing as I believe that all are equal and loved in the sight of God for we are born in the image and likeness of God.  

We do not know, as Luke says, the day or the hour when the Lord will come.  Nor do we know the day or the hour when we are, have been or will be the light to others or the opportunity for others to lead us in ways that are blessed.

May your kindness be upon us Yahweh as we place all our hope in you.