Word to the Wise
Monday, August 10, 2020 - Aug. 10 - St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr
[2 Cor 9:6-10 and John 12:24-26]Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [2 Corinthians] "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me." [John]
One of the major elements of my ministry as an itinerant preacher has been the preaching of retreats for Permanent Deacons and, usually, their spouses. These experiences have instilled in me a respect for this vocation, even though its place in Catholic theology and pastoral life is still in a state of flux 50 years since the Second Vatican Council restored the role. Having a martyr as their patron saint is not far off the mark!! As the scriptures for today emphasize, the deacon (and his spouse) is going to have to give of himself beyond what he may have expected when he felt the call! Does he work for the bishop? Or does he work for the local pastor? That still hasn't been well settled! The requirement that he not remarry if his spouse dies, or if he is unmarried at the time of ordination he has to promise to remain celibate also remains an "elephant in the living room." The church is now giving consideration to opening this role ("order") to women. How would that change the pastoral dynamic?!!! Pope Francis has recently commented that deacons are not glorified altar boys or junior priests and their principal role is not primarily liturgical, but may be directed to social service. That caught a lot of attention! In parishes where there is more than one priest (rare out here in the Lubbock diocese), there has been a question about "sidelining" the associate pastor, often a newly ordained priest. Most pastors out here are glad to have a deacon!
The list could go on and on. St. Lawrence is said to have responded to his Roman persecutors who asked for the church's treasures that the poor in his care were the treasure. He is also said to have been martyred by being roasted on a grill and telling his executioners to turn him over because he was done on one side! Care for God's poor and a sense of humor will go a long way to help a deacon navigate the challenges of his role. Martyrdom is not too strong a word to describe it! AMEN