Fifth Sunday of Easter
The first reading, and its accompanying story, has held particular interest to me for many years. As one of the men chosen to be a deacon – Stephen – is my monastic patron. My name, Etienne, is French for Stephen, and so the story surrounding Stephen, and his own, has shaped my monastic life. I find in this particular passage the first principle by which I understand deacons, and by which I try to shape my life – the gift of charitable service.
We read that there was a disparity between the needs being met of the Jews and those of the Gentiles: apparently, the Jewish widows and poor were being served first within the daily distribution of goods, creating tension and even greater need. With boldness, a boldness we should imitate, the Gentile widows demanded something be done; they were, after all, part of the same community. In its wisdom, the Church responds with ingenuity, gentleness, and with care by instituting the office and ministry of the deacon.
The ministry of the deacon, under all of its historical forms and adaptations, has, since the 1960s, reemerged as a vital ministry within the Church, a ministry dedicated, in its ideal form, to charitable service. As helpers to priests, the deacons were to go out, each day, and offer to those in need the daily distribution—bread, oil, money, clothing, drink. Today, this ministry takes a similar shape. Deacons, uniquely living in and among the people, are able to offer their lives as a share in the daily distribution for those in need. Deacons go out as bankers, as teachers, as EMTs, as businessmen, as laborers, as fathers, as husbands, and serve the poor and needy. They are able to bring Christian faithfulness to their work and transform those industries. They bring back from the poor and needy, from those industries, the prayers of the Church to be offered in Her most sacred liturgies.
The witness given us by deacons is valuable and should be imitated: our lives should be a life of charitable service to those in need, transforming the world around us. Jesus, in the Gospel today, with powerful but surprising words calls each of us to this pattern of life: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”
What a surprising thing to say! We will do the same works as Jesus, and with even surprise, do greater ones! There are countless ways this might be accomplished in our lives, the variety of saints point to this; nonetheless, we must take Jesus’ words at face value: we will do great things. Here, with an irrevocable belief in Jesus Christ, do we find the great witness of the office and ministry of deacon: their actions are the actions of Jesus Christ: seeking out the lost and humble in our world and offering their lives to them in charitable service.
Each of us is challenged to find ways to live this intense but surprising summons of Jesus, to allow the witness of Stephen and those first deacons to shape our lives. Who are those around you who are neglected and require help? Find them and offer yourself to them! Whose voice and needs are not heard? Find them and speak for them! What industry needs to be transformed by your faithful Christian presence? Go and announce the Gospel. Where is there a need for ingenuity, gentleness, and care? Go, hear the words of Jesus, who says to you: you will do even greater things!
Reflection by Fr. Etienne Huard, OSB
Posted in Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources