It is a joy to serve the church as a Permanent Deacon. Of course, I’ve not been a deacon a lot longer than I have been one. For so long, as a Catholic in the pews, I always assumed the deacon would just “be there”. I never really gave much thought to his comings and goings, his life, his family, his health, his hopes, his concerns.
For to many of us, we tend to think of our deacons, and our priests too, as always being there, not struggling with day to day anxieties of family and work. I also believed that these ordained men must surely have some pipeline to 24/7 holiness.
For permanent deacons, we are always reminded of our priorities: God, family, career, serving as a deacon. As a new guy, I try to manage these according to the formula. Many times I am successful at this, sometimes not so successful. While deacons handle many different ministries and requests, I already find it challenging to balance prison ministry, parish ministry, family, career and countless other requests. The real challenge results in trying to manage all of this on my own and not relying and trusting in guidance, from the Holy Spirit and from others who have been there, done that.
Now that I personally know so many deacons, all good, dedicated servants, I too come to know that many experience joy as well as sadness, hope as well as times of despair, good health and bad health, peace and times of turmoil, thriving careers and stress at work. As our 401k goes down so does the 401k of a permanent deacon. Just as we have arguments or disagreements with family and friends, so too does this happen to a permanent deacon. But to the ordained “man of God” times of hurt, stress, difficulty can bring the added pressure of “how can this happen to me?”
Certainly we can take our cue from Job of the Old Testament, or Peter and the apostles who were hurt by the explanation of Jesus that he had to suffer and die. We can take refuge in the knowledge that God intends good from bad for all that hope in Him. And we can be fortified and supported by the friendship, help, support and prayers of so many people like you.
If you know a Permanent Deacon, whether he is your parish deacon, or you work with him or live by him or you are related to him, or you love him be mindful that he too needs you. For he too, from time to time, will sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) but like all of us takes comfort in that we all can receive one another as Christ received us, for the glory of God (Romans 15:7).
And if you do not know a Permanent Deacon, that’s o.k. as well. Offer prayers for all of our deacons, priests, bishops, and religious, those who devote part of their day to ministering to others. Pray for their perseverance, for their well being and for their spirituality. One thing you can be assured of, these dedicated servants of God will be praying for you.
I get much peace from the Scripture verse I have used often in these last few months and do so today, for in our good times and bad, in our coming in and going out…
Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Heb 13:8
Deacon Mike
abitadeacon@yahoo.com
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