As many already know, Leonard Mier of our community has been accepted by our Bishop to the Formation Program for Deacons. As he and I talked about this, we decided that one of the things that would greatly enhance his preparation would be to be a regular contributor to my weekly Bulletin. This documents his spiritual journey and connects him to our parish in a unique and meaningful way. Here is the first installment.

Reflections on the Deaconate in Christ

Deacon Stephen

During the Divine Liturgy we, as a community, pray also for the diaconate in Christ. Do we, as a community, know what that is – what the diaconate is?

As part of my application for the diaconal program and also my spiritual formation, I have been asked by the Director of the Program to periodically send him my reflections on the role of a deacon in our Church. I would, therefore, as a part of St. Michael’s Parish Family, like to also share my reflections and thoughts with you.

On the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, the church presents us with the narrative of the founding of the second, oldest, ordained ministry in the Church, that of the diaconate. Christ founded the first order, that of the bishop, when He commissioned the eleven apostles. We heard this in the Ukrainian Gospel which was proclaimed last Sunday.

Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Because the community of the early Church was growing at a fast pace, the apostles needed help in the performing the works of charity which they believed Jesus taught was absolutely essential as children of God. What I see as unique about the call to the diaconate is that this call is not only a call from God but, as Acts shows, a call from the community.

Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” … They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them.

Unlike the order of the Bishop and the Priest, the deacon’s ministry is uniquely drawn from the community he lives in and called from to serve. His is a call primarily of service.

The origins of the English word deacon is Greek diákonos (διάκονος), a word that can be easily translated as: servant, waiting-man, minister or messenger. Some have speculated that its etymology is “through the dust” which is expressed in his liturgical vesture, I will reflect on this later. All these words, I believe, define the role that a deacon plays in a community.

It is my hope is to share more with you on the role of a deacon in a Christian Community and also some history of this office. This office has a specific role in the life and liturgical celebrations of the Church.

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During the coming weeks, Leonard and I hope to come up with a continuing program of Discussions on Our Faith which we hope to present at least once a month. The program will be designed to help stimulate thought about what we believe about God, Jesus, the Bible, the Church and our religion.

We would ask your help and assistance in putting together this program. Please simply answer the questionnaire in the next column. Please help us by responding to this questionnaire. It will help us build a program.