Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6), capture the heart of Christian belief. He is not just a guide but the very path to God, the source of truth and eternal life. In today’s Catholic Church, the concept of synodality—a shared journey of all believers—brings this truth to life in a communal way. By walking together under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the Church follows Jesus’ path. This article explores how Scripture presents Jesus as “the way” and how synodality reflects this in the Church’s mission.
Jesus: The Path to Salvation
Scripture consistently presents Jesus as the exclusive route to God. In John 14:6, when Thomas asks how to reach the Father, Jesus declares Himself the way, emphasizing that no other path leads to divine communion. This is echoed in Acts 4:12, where Peter boldly states that salvation comes only through Jesus’ name. Similarly, in John 10:9, Jesus calls Himself the door, through which people enter into safety and abundant life.
The Gospels also describe this path as challenging. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus speaks of a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, contrasting it with the wide, easy path to destruction. This narrow way requires sacrifice and commitment, mirroring Jesus’ own life of obedience, even to the cross. The Old Testament hints at this in Isaiah 35:8, with a “Way of Holiness” where the redeemed walk securely. To follow Jesus, as 1 John 2:6 urges, is to live as He did, embracing His teachings and example.
Synodality: Walking Together as the Church
Synodality, a term emphasized by Pope Francis, means the Church journeying together as one people. Rooted in the Greek words for “together” and “way,” it reflects a shared pilgrimage guided by the Spirit. It involves everyone—laity, priests, and bishops—listening to each other and to God to discern the Church’s mission. This process, seen in the ongoing Synod on Synodality, encourages dialogue, prayer, and collective responsibility to renew the Church and spread the Gospel.
Far from a modern invention, synodality recalls the early Church, like the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, where leaders and believers discerned together. It fosters unity and shared purpose, ensuring the Church remains vibrant and missionary in a changing world.
Jesus’ Way and Synodality Intertwined
The connection between Jesus as “the way” and synodality is deep. Jesus is the path, and synodality is how the Church walks it together. Just as Jesus journeyed with His disciples, teaching and accompanying them, synodality invites the faithful to travel as a community, listening and discerning. The story of the Emmaus disciples in Luke 24:13-35 beautifully illustrates this: Jesus walks with them, listens to their struggles, explains the Scriptures, and reveals Himself in shared bread—a model of synodal dialogue and communion.
Synodality calls the Church to live Jesus’ way collectively, transforming relationships with God and each other. It reflects His prayer for unity in John 17:21, that all may be one. By journeying together, the Church becomes a living witness to Christ’s mission, inviting all to follow Him.
Towards a Shared Pilgrimage
Jesus as “the way” invites us not to walk alone but as a community. Synodality embodies this, making the Church a people on pilgrimage, following Christ toward holiness and mission. In a divided world, this shared journey offers hope. By listening, praying, and walking together, we live out Jesus’ call to be His disciples, bringing His light to all.
