This Monday will be spent at home; feeling a bit under the weather today. I usually feel guilty about such days off but not today as I truly realize that I am in dire need of some rest. We have arrived at the Monday between the important feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost. As a Catholic, both of these feasts have a profound impact on my understanding of God's plan and the need for the Church. With the Ascension I rest comfortably in the knowledge that Jesus is seated at the Father's right hand in Heaven to intercede for me(and for you too). With Pentecost I know that I, along with all of you, have a powerful advocate in my spiritual journey in this life in the Holy Spirit. And with these two powerful feasts of the Church, we are also reminded that we are still experiencing the glory and the joy of the Easter season.
The reality of the Mondays in our lives show us that we are challneged to live for Christ, to live our faith even on our less than favorite days. Now Monday might not be as much as a challenge for some as it is for others. I readily admit that Mondays present a rare challenge for me, in part, because I get so pumped about Sundays. If I have a Sunday that includes an opportunity to preach, or baptize, I'm especially tired come Monday morning. I like that there is a physical tiredness that comes over me after my Sundays as a Deacon because that means, to me, that I am pouring my whole self into the ministry. Often, when my Sunday responsibilities are over, I retire to the house and often time take a nap. And for me, I must prepare for the start of a new work week, which always begins on a Monday.
One of the great misconceptions about the ministry, the order, of the diaconate, is that I function as a Permanent Deacon on weekends, maybe a few nights during the week, and that the rest of the time I'm not a Deacon. While it is true that I have a job, have been happily married for 35 years, have helped raise 2 children and await my role as a grandfather, I am always a Deacon. You know Permanent Deacon really implies that I will never move on to the Priesthood(although in rare circumstances this has occured) but it could really imply that I'm always a Deacon.
We Deacons who work are constantly challenged to be radically available for our ministries and responsibilities while having to complete the task at hand at work, or be a good husband, dad or granddad, while keeping the grass cut or the car washed or folding the clothes, which seems like a task I can handle even on this sick day.
For all of us I think we are called to examine how we live the Mondays in our lives. And Monday may be a metaphor for any day, thing or experience which you find challenging. Are these days lived well, like our easiest of days; our favorite days? Do we embrace the Mondays in our lives like we do our Saturdays or Sundays? This is a great thing to reflect upon today and the many other days of our lives that we find challenging.
At the end of this Monday, can you say, with total confidence, I lived it well? Remember, between this Ascension and Pentecost, we are in a great place because Jesus is there at the Father's right hand to intercede for us and the Holy Spirit is there to be our advocate.
Happy Monday!
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