Word to the Wise
Saturday, April 17, 2010 - Saturday in the Second Week of Easter
[Acts 6:1-7 and John 6:16-21]As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task.....
In a few lines from the Acts of the Apostles there is much to be gained not only about the early Christian community but about our own church communities. First of all, we learn that the rosy descriptions of community mentioned not long before in chapters 2 and 4 began to experience some testing as the community began to grow. We tend to forget that there were many people in Palestine at the time who were more culturally Greek than Semite and spoke Greek in preference to Aramaic! It is possible that the Hellenists were a minority and were suffering some discrimination but the text seems to imply it was a matter of not having enough appropriate personnel! Those who are desperately trying to meet the needs of the growing Hispanic population in the American church can identify with the problem! Any pastor who finds himself now in the position of being a CEO of a small (or not so small) corporation knows what it means to be overwhelmed with tasks (and the need to delegate!) unrelated to fundamental priestly ministry. The solution proposed by the Twelve is a differentiation of roles and ministries in the community. The result then (which "died out" and was restored by the Second Vatican Council) was the "diaconate" which takes its name from a Greek word meaning "service" This does not mean that deacons are the only people who perform service or ministry in the community besides bishops and priests! It DOES mean that the community recognizes a level of service that requires an official recognition such as ordination, because deacons perform certain sacramental services in addition to their other ministry (weddings, funerals, baptisms). In a few days I will be preaching a retreat for Permanent Deacons of the Diocese of Tulsa, OK, and I generally preach several deacons' retreats a year. These men come from quite a diversity of backgrounds and their faith is impressive. The formation is very close to what a priest must go through but deacons have to do this while holding down a job and family responsibilities. The wife has to be an integral part of the formation process as well. The diversity of cultures (giving rise to conflict), differentiation of roles (the necessity to delegate) and recognition of gifts of others are all presented to us in a very brief passage. If you meet a deacon, especially one who has begun training since the new directory in 2004, offer him your support! (You might pray that the Holy Spirit will move the church to include women in that role someday as well!). AMEN
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