WHAT IS GOD’S WILL?  IT IS GOD’S DREAM for us and the world. Vatican II started as a dream inspired by the Holy Spirit. But how can we know God’s will? – by listening to the Spirit and responding accordingly. That was exactly what Pope John XXIII did in calling the Second Vatican Council. On January 25, 1959, the last day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, speaking to a small group of cardinals, he announced to his startled audience that he would call a universal council of the Church. But his listeners were not the only ones surprised. As we let Pope John’s words * speak for themselves, we can gain some insight from the announcement made in 1959 and from his sermon at the opening of the Council on October 11, 1962.

“I know that everyone is watching me as the new pope, wondering what kind of time this will be for the Church.” The Pope desires a “more fruitful and deeply spiritual life for the Church….” In the long history of the Church he says that “renewal has always yielded wonderful results.” John’s voice, trembling a bit with emotion, announces “to you my intention to hold… an ecumenical council for the universal Church.” John’s courage and trust in the Spirit reveals itself when he says, “I would be happy to hear your opinion of this and also grateful for your suggestions….” Pope John believes what he is doing will “bring about enlightenment for all Christian people as well as a renewed invitation to our separated sisters and brothers” in the search for unity and grace.

John did not fear change as did the Curia** as he set one of the goals for the council to be aggiornamento (updating the Church). In the opening sermon, which set the tone and agenda for the council, the Pope shocks the world by revealing his own surprise at calling the council and issues his hopeful words against the “prophets of gloom.” 

John tells of when the idea of the council came to him: “It was completely unexpected, like a flash of heavenly light.” A moment of grace brought on by an intense listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and response to the light… perhaps a glimpse of God’s dream for his people, a response to and cooperation with the will of God.

 

* Quotes of all conciliar documents are taken from Vatican II in Plain English, 3 volumes by Bill  Huebsch. Ave Maria Press, 1997. These volumes possess a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur.

** Roman Curia refers to the departments in the Vatican that advise the pope.