Resurrection and the Synod

“He has been raised just as he said.” With these words of the angel at the empty tomb, a small group of holy women heard the astounding news that Jesus was risen, and they ran to tell the other disciples, who were gathered together in hiding. In these days of the Easter season, we are overjoyed just as those women were, celebrating the great victory of Jesus over sin and death. The Resurrection of our Lord is the foundation of our faith, the reason we persevere. He is risen, and he promises a like resurrection to those who believe in him and walk in his ways.

Inspired by this resurrection hope, the Church in the Diocese of Fargo will very soon hold its first diocesan synod in over seventy years. Representatives from throughout the diocese, along with our clergy, will gather for three days of prayer, discussion, and discernment. Together we will reflect on the needs of our diocese in light of the central mystery of our faith, the Resurrection of our Lord, which gives life and purpose to all who call themselves Christians.

If you read the resurrection narratives of the four Gospels, you will notice an important sequence of events. First, there was an encounter. Jesus revealed himself to his followers in his new, risen life. They encountered him as Lord, the same Lord they had always known, but now he stood before them in a new, glorified life. This encounter was life-changing for them, and they came out of hiding with renewed faith and confidence. Then, during the days that followed his Resurrection, Jesus continued to teach and form them. He opened their minds to the full meaning of these events, and he formed them as the disciples and witnesses he called them to be. And finally, he sent them forth on mission: “Go, and make disciples of all nations.” They became missionaries to their own people and to the whole world.

Encounter, Formation, and Mission. These three stages in the resurrection accounts of the Gospels are the key themes of our diocesan synod as well. When the synod delegates gather at Sts. Anne and Joachim Church in Fargo (because the Cathedral is under renovation), we will consider the encounter with the Risen Christ that all are invited to. We will deliberate on the formation of the faithful as disciples and witnesses of the same Christ, and we will reflect on the mission that Jesus has given to all the members of the Church in this diocese.

The Resurrection of our Lord emboldened Peter and the other apostles to live openly as disciples of Jesus, and to proclaim his Gospel even in the face of fierce opposition and persecution. News of the Resurrection moved thousands to accept and embrace the Christian faith in those early days of the Church. The Resurrection of Jesus inspired courageous missionaries to venture forth and zealously share the Gospel with people in every corner of the world. Our Lord’s Resurrection made it possible for ordinary believers to hang onto their faith even when this meant great personal sacrifice. And, the Resurrection of Jesus has moved believers like us to live the faith and hand it on to their children and grandchildren right here in North Dakota.

It is that same resurrection faith that encourages us and enlivens the Church today in the Diocese of Fargo. With our eyes fixed on the Risen Christ, we acknowledge the challenges before us, and we also recognize the graces and opportunities that our Lord offers us every day. Having encountered Jesus ourselves, we resolve to carry forward the mission that he has entrusted to us in our own time and place. This is the faith that will guide our diocesan synod, as we seek to discern the Lord’s presence in our diocesan Church and the path forward that he reveals to us.

The Third Synod of the Diocese of Fargo will take place April 11–13, and I ask all the faithful of our diocese to pray for God’s blessing on this important gathering and the time we will spend together. As you approach our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, both at Mass and in adoration, please pray that we may all share in the communion of his risen life. Let us also turn to Mary, the Mother of the Church, and ask her to intercede for us and to lead us in all things to her Son. Finally, I invite you to join in praying the prayer we will use at each session of the Synod, an ancient prayer to the Holy Spirit used in synods and councils of the Church throughout her history:

“We stand before you, Holy Spirit, as we gather in your name.

With you alone to guide us, make yourself at home in our hearts. Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.

We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.

Let us find in you our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.

All this we ask of you, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.”