Word to the Wise
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 2nd Week of Easter - Sat
[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....
In Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-37 we are presented with a community "of one mind and one heart." In Acts 6, things are getting a little frayed! There are cultural differences that result in a perceived neglect of one group, the Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews), as compared with the Hebrews (Aramaic-speaking Jews). We aren't told what caused the problem, but it is a familiar one in any multi-cultural society. Here in Houston, TX, where I live, there is always one cultural group complaining about favoritism toward another group on behalf of the authorities! So it was with the early Christian community. This is part of the territory of any leadership! So, what do the apostles do? They discover DELEGATION! There's nothing like a group of angry widows to get some action! Thus, the idea of the diaconate began to take shape.
Although the modern Permanent Diaconate is not quite the same as the group appointed and commissioned in today's scripture, the basic idea is the same. There are some important functions in the community that require a particular class of administrators or form of discipleship on a level different from that of leadership in prayer and preaching. The apostles delegated those functions to a new group that they formally commission to ministry. The Permanent Diaconate as we know it now is involved on just about every level of ministry except celebrating Mass, hearing confessions and anointing the sick. However, they do work on a level different from that of the pastor because they are not perceived as priests. It is an interesting dynamic! If you have a Permanent Deacon in your parish, just ask him! I should note that in some "mission" cultures, bishops have opted not to ordain Permanent Deacons, but instead rely on "catechists" who perform many of the same functions, including presiding at baptisms, weddings and funerals!
Whether it be a Permanent Deacon or a commissioned catechist, we should be aware of the diversity of ministries in the community. It doesn't all depend on a bishop and priests. We all need to share our talents to make sure that all the "widows" are taken care of! AMEN