“YOU GO INTO MY VINEYARD TOO” (MATT. 20:4): LISTENING TO THE MURMUR FOR EFFECTIVE SYNODALITY

Abstract

Christ, during his earthly ministry, manifested his large-heartedness in a missionary disposition that was all-inclusive. He showed love to all and sundry through his healings, miracles, and show of compassion. It was love that was as unconditional as it was boundless. His attitude towards the Jews was the same to the Gentiles, to the utter consternation of many, especially those who received the favour. His spirit of synodality was matchless, especially in accepting into his vineyard all who desired to participate, not minding the variation in the time of arrival. He carried everybody along by giving empathic listening to all, especially the dregs of society, the widows and orphans, the oppressed and the marginalised. He always listened in order to bring every sheep into the one sheepfold. At the end of his earthly ministry, he mandated his apostles to the ends of the earth. Even today, the Church goes on tirelessly in the bid to achieve a fruitful realisation of that mandate in our time. Such effort through the instrumentality of the clergy, consecrated persons, and lay faithful is widespread in parishes, dioceses, and religious congregations on different continents around the world. The researcher intends to explore the crucial role of unselective listening in the process of synodality.