If someone calls our name, we usually respond. If God calls, we often don’t hear, because we are distracted by other sounds and messages. This is more so when men are called to be Deacons. The pressures of work and family life can often dissuade them from saying YES to God.
On December 8, 2015, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the start of the year of Divine Mercy, in the season of Advent, I witnessed something beautiful. On a rainy, grey evening, 16 men were ordained Permanent Deacons in the city of Vancouver, B.C. It was their first batch of Deacons, so the excitement in the over-crowded cathedral reached new heights accompanied by the choir, alumni from St. Michael’s choir school, Toronto.
The moments when the deacons made their vows and donned their dalmatics were powerful, but nothing compared to their surrender to God as they lay prostrate on the sanctuary floor around the altar. It was evident that the atmosphere was charged with the presence of the Holy Spirit.That experience brought me to musing about the role of the deacon. Usually married, these men wear different hats as they juggle the demands of the world, and the spiritual dimension of their ministry. Unpaid, unsung clergy, they can baptize, marry, preach, distribute the Eucharist, perform funeral services outside of Mass, and be present to those who need a listening ear.
After four and a half years of study, these newly ordained deacons re-entered life with a brand new perspective. The joy that flowed was tangible, from the deacons to their families, friends, and all the clergy present. From my vantage point, I am often lifted by the homilies that deacons have given. As one said the other day, he was taught to hold a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other while preparing to give a homily. Consequently the message is scripture based, topical, and well delivered, spiced with a dash of real life humor. Stories of their interaction with parents, wives, children, and grandchildren lend authenticity to what they have to say.
Here in Toronto, we have been blessed to have had deacons serving us for many years. My life has been enriched by some of my deacon friends. Those who are quiet and prayerful, give deep, reflective homilies. Then there is one who invited me into the healing ministry, teaching me how to pray with sick people in hospitals. A few days ago I was privileged to attend a wedding, when a legally blind deacon walked his daughter down the aisle, conducted the marriage ceremony, and gave a well thought out homily starting with a question to the bridal couple, “What took you so long?”
Reviewing the history of the church brings us to the Acts of the Apostles, where it is clearly stated that the apostles assigned 7 service ministries of the church to 7 deacons. Till 500-600 AD their duties were similar to those of today’s deacons. During the Middle Ages, the permanent diaconate disappeared until it was restored during Vatican II.
One of the newly minted deacons gave a homily on Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel “Come to me, all you that are weary…and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me…for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” He joked about the fact that most young people don’t know what a “yoke” is other than the yellow centre of an egg. He was right, because later on, that is the exact answer he got from a young man when asked. Deacons are with us to connect the dots and minister in a meaningful way. I am grateful that there are deacons serving us in our church today.
If you are wondering why I am so full of the role of deacons, it is mainly because my brother-in-law was one of the chosen men, who was called by God, and recently anointed a permanent deacon. Have you noticed that the deacon gets the last word at Mass? “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” And we reply, “Thanks be to God.”