If you have access to the January issue of America magazine, I suggest you read “The Cure for Political Polarization?” by James Martin on pages 46-47. Martin describes the past two Octobers when he participated in the Synod on Synodality. While he noted the disagreements, he also noted the agreement on the essentials. Although the delegates found themselves at opposite poles on some issues, they could still “speak civilly to one another, worship together, chat over coffee – and even laugh and tease one another.” The reason? The delegates listened to one another. Martin wondered how the lessons he learned from the Synod could “extend to our polarized nation.” He feels they can be. Unlike the first session, the second session of the synod ended with “a great deal of joy, friendship, and camaraderie.”  How can our political leaders at any level end with the same amiable results?

Martin suggests three tactics. First: pray. Prayer prepares our minds and hearts to come to the discussion with openness. With this comes the second tactic: listening. Listen to everyone no matter which side of the aisle or issue. Listen without interrupting or preparing your response. “Everyone is worthy of being listened to,” the author writes. Then identify areas of convergence. Martin uses the example of welcoming immigrants and their need for fair rules of entry. Get to know the other person or the other side of the issue. My favorite line in the article quotes St. John Paul II: “Affective collegiality precedes effective collegiality.”

Pray, listen, identify common ground. It’s a method that can work whether at the dining room table, the next committee meeting, or the next Congressional debate.