Commonly referred to as the “Synod on Synodality,” the Sixteenth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, launched in October 2021 and due to conclude in October 2024, has drawn the attention and participation of many Catholics throughout the world.  In fact, the ancient concept of synodality, which was resurrected by Pope Paul VI at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), is now to be considered THE guiding principle of ecclesiology under the papacy of Pope Francis.  He states with conviction:
“It is precisely this path of synodality which God expects of the Church of the third millennium.”

In keeping with the nature of the word “synod,” which simply means “walking together,” the Synod on Synodality has proven to be an experience of listening to a broad range of life perspectives from Church officials, theologians, and lay faithful of all stripes.  In order to prepare for the general assembly in the fall of 2023, Pope Francis appointed the former master general of the Order of Preachers, Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., to serve as retreat master and spiritual advisor for this historic gathering.  In this capacity, Radcliffe preached a preparatory retreat for three days prior to the beginning of the October assembly.  This small book contains these retreat conferences and meditations.

Six talks and three scriptural meditations comprise the contents of Listening Together.  In keeping with the book’s title, the themes of Radcliffe’s material center around encouraging and preparing those participating in the synod to approach listening as a spiritual discipline.  Two scriptural passages serve as the author’s lens for developing a foundation for synodality.  First, Radcliffe uses the story of the transfiguration (Mk 9:2-8) as a means of describing the dynamics for what he calls the “first” synod that allowed Jesus’ disciples to journey with “a fragile hope” (6).  Second, Radcliffe employs the image of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35) in order to talk about the art of making friends with unlikely characters who are able to engage in holy conversation. 

While the short talks and meditations found in Listening Together were crafted for a particular audience, namely the delegates called to the 2023 assembly of the Synod on Synodality, this book has tremendous value for all Christians.  Understanding the importance of hearing the voices of all the baptized will take time, effort, and will involve unavoidable tensions.  While we live in a world that demands quick decisions and immediate results, the way of synodality calls for patience and process.  Radcliffe writes in his final meditation: “The synodal process is organic and ecological rather than competitive. It is more like planting a tree than winning a battle … But if we keep our minds and hearts open to the people we have met here, vulnerable to their hopes and fears, their words will germinate in our lives, and ours in theirs.  There will be an abundant harvest, a fuller truth.  Then the Church will be renewed” (116-117).

Listening Together is easy to read and offers a valuable mini-retreat on synodality.  Rather than providing formal instruction, this book prayerfully invites readers to hear anew and to understand true “listening” as a form of Christian spirituality.  A Church that defines itself as walking the road with one another on a common journey is a Church with a listening heart, able to discover the gift of unity the Lord desires.