Easter 6C25 (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29): Pope Leo XIV, synodality and the future

A reflection on the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29), in the light of the ministry of Pope Leo XIV. Written and spoken by Kieran J. O'Mahony OSA.

Gentle piano music to close the meditation

Transcript

John’s Lane
D08 F8NW
25 May 2025
Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 (it would be good to read the whole chapter in fact)
The story of the Council of Jerusalem

Welcome
So, we have a new bishop of Rome. In our Order, as Augustinians, we are all really honoured and are basking a little in reflected glory! We pray for the Holy Father, Leo XIV OSA, that God may bless him and give him all the gifts of the Spirit he will need to fulfil his new role as chief shepherd of the flock. The new Holy Father has triggered a lot of curiosity about his previous experience and opinions. It is natural to wonder how he will turn out and will he continue the reforming work of Pope Francis.

Topic
Fro this, our first reading today in instructive: it tells the story of the so-called Council of Jerusalem. It helps us with synodality itself and there are lessons to be learned from the account in the Acts.

Steps
First of all, synodality. The experience across the Catholic world has been uneven, both nationally and locally. Embedding this new way of being together as church is going to take time, which is natural. All along, Cardinal Prevost was a solid supporter of synodality, both as something old and something new. It is old — there have always been synods. But it is also new. This particular experience includes a consultation of all the Catholic lay faithful — i.e. the vast majority of the church. It also included, under Pope Francis, the participation of lay people with voting rights, half of them women, a real innovation. The closing document, Towards a Synodal Church, is a programme for the future of church as communion, participation and mission. A time of embedding is now foreseen. In Ireland, we will have diocesan synods and eventually a national assembly. There is to be a worldwide review and celebration already planned for 2028. In other words, synodality is here to stay. In his first address from the loggia of St Peter’s, Pope Leo said:

To all of you, brothers and sisters of Rome, of Italy, of the whole world, we want to be a Church of the Synod, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close, especially to those who suffer.

These first words are of the greatest import for the future. 

What can we learn from the Council of Jerusalem? Lots! The key is to pay attention to how they made their decision and discernment. The issue at stake was a key one for the evolution of Christianity: how to integrate non-Jews, Gentiles, into an essentially Jewish movement? Would they have to follow all the ritual rules and regulations? There was no specific guidance from Jesus, because he encountered so few Gentiles in his own mission. There was, however, his example: he did go to the marginalised. In the eyes of some contemporaries, the inclusion of sinners etc. was indeed a scandal. But, the early church was left to its own devices and had to make up its own mind. How did they do that? As it happens, in an exemplary manner.

First of all, they paid attention to experience — what was actually taking place. In particular, they noticed where the Holy Spirt was simply ahead of them. The story of Cornelius in Acts 10:1-11:18 serves as a powerful illustration. They also listened to all sides — they heard each other out, so to speak. The Word of God was also important: they read the Scriptures and found there an eventual openness to the other, the outsider, especially to the Gentiles. Finally, they made their decisions, registered in today’s first reading. The letter sent around is repays close reading. They decided to impose no burdens — with some compromises. It was hard for Jews to eat non-kosher food. Would the Gentiles mind making allowance for the sake of full table fellowship? Those of Jewish background were already compromising so a little generosity from the other side would be appreciated!

Such a way of proceeding can certainly be a signpost for us today. As we go forward together, we need to pay attention to where the Spirit is ahead of us, to listen to each other deeply, to read the Scriptures and to see what is the Spirit saying to the churches in our time. We may also need to accommodate each other with generosity. Again, in his first speech, Pope Leo underlined dialogue, in the wider context of humanity in general:

Help us, too, and help each other to build bridges, with dialogue, with meetings, uniting us all to be one people, always in peace.

Conclusion
Let me conclude with a prayer for the new bishop of Rome: 

Almighty God, shepherd and guardian of all, We pray for your servant Pope Leo. Grant him grace to follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, to preach the Gospel with boldness, to build up your people in unity and peace, and to serve them with humility and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.