I was able to attend a mass yesterday where there were 13 bishops, and more than 20 monks (not to mention those of us in the congregation). These bishops were on retreat led by Father Cantalmessa, preacher to the papal household. At one point in mass, I was taken back by the power of all of these mall voices in unison. The power of the words as they reverberated in my ears and my soul. It is an awesome experience to see these leaders of our Church united in worship. I am grateful that I was there to take part.
That visible & auditory sign of unity and the power of their one voice in faithful worship brought to mind the importance of unity in the Church, of the awesome power when we speak with one voice. All of us need to ask if we are speaking with the voice of the Church. This challenge is both for our bishops and for us, the laity. While we are not the leaders, together our voice is strong. Separate we not only fail to make that voice heard, we work against it by causing confusion.
Do we speak and act in unison with the voice of the Church
or do we add to the cacophony obscuring that one voice?
