The First of Five Diocesan Synodal Goals Leading to Our Eucharistic Revival:
Over the course of the past year, we have seen the Holy Spirit work in the Synod Survey, the Convocation preparation, the Convocation, and the Parish Visitations. Even beyond what we had planned, the Holy Spirit was able to bring these efforts together so that we heard what the Spirit was saying to the Church in the southern half of Colorado. This in itself gives us peace. We know that we are not alone, that Jesus has not left us orphans (John 14:16-18).
But we also know that we have work to do to hear and follow the Holy Spirit better. These experiences of the past year surfaced longings to pray together, to discern the will of the Holy Spirit, and to be led in our efforts by the Holy Spirit as we realized that we do not have all of the answers ourselves. We have good hearts, and we have good people, but we need to learn to hear and to follow the voice of the Holy Spirit so that our efforts are more focused and more effective, bringing the light of Christ to the world.
"But we also know that we have work to do to hear and follow the Holy Spirit better. "
This gets to the heart of who we are as the Body of Christ. As our bodies are enlivened by our spirits, so we, as the Body of Christ, are enlivened by the Holy Spirit. This is a realization that the Holy Spirit is calling the Church throughout the world to make: that we learn to base our decisions in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not in our own personal opinions. We are to bring our opinions, but we must have the humility to submit them to revision by the Holy Spirit.
This listening to the Holy Spirit and how He speaks through the Body of Christ is something that we need to practice. So, let us pray together, let us listen to one another as we speak of how the Holy Spirit is leading us, and let us gather for the Parish Discernment Sessions so we can practice hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit as the Body of Christ.
"...how He speaks through the Body of Christ is something that we need to practice."
My travel schedule will soon lead me to attend the November Plenary Session of the USCCB. Our synodal process continues through these times of renewal in the Universal Church. We are not alone. As our Parish Discernment Sessions begin, you are in my prayers and I ask for yours for our diocese. That the Holy Spirit lead our deliberations on how to enter into a True Eucharistic Revival, that Jesus the Good Shepherd be ever at our side, that God Our Father be our sure foundation, to this we pray….
Come, Holy Spirit!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg
Bishop of Pueblo
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