Whom Shall We Appoint to this Task

Whom Shall We Appoint to this Task

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. 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."  Acts 6:1-4

The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid." They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading. John 6:18-20

Piety

If Prayer Would Do It by Stephen Levine

If prayer would do it
I’d pray.

If reading esteemed thinkers would do it
I’d be halfway through the Patriarchs.

If discourse would do it
I’d be sitting with His Holiness
every moment he was free.

If contemplation would do it
I’d have translated the Periodic Table
to hermit poems, converting
matter to spirit.

If even fighting would do it
I’d already be a black belt.

If anything other than love could do it
I’d have done it already
and left the hardest for last.

Study

Acts 6 is a passage read on days in the liturgical calendar very near to our two most joy-filled seasons.  Acts 6 is the first reading on the very day after Christmas, December 26, when the church celebrates the Feast of Saint Stephen, the first martyr.  The same passage reappears today -- Saturday of the Second Week of Easter.

 

The notes in the New American Bible explain that commentators think that this passage is not about serving of food but instead it may be about keeping the accounts that recorded the re-distribution of food to the needy members of the community that was noted elsewhere in Acts of the Apostles. 

 

We also know that this passage inspires the Office of the Diaconate. Before Cursillo, I probably did not know anyone who was a Permanent Deacon.  While growing up in New Jersey, a steady stream of transitional deacons served at St. Mary's in New Monmouth and the Trenton Diocese.  However, the following year, they were ordained to the priesthood. Now, through our movement, we are blessed to have the service and friendship of many permanent deacons like Jim Bayne, Jack Ligon, and Gene Betit. 

 

They are among the many in the ranks of permanent deacons.  Many, many more would like to serve if chosen.  Not a bad thing unless you are an applicant-in-waiting. 

 

The Easter Vigil and every baptism remind us that we are all baptized “priest, prophet, and king.”   Perhaps, the proximity and repetition of Acts 6 to Christmas and Easter is meant to be a reminder that we also are all born “deacon, prophet, and king.”

 

Many sources remind us that the name/title/office “deacon” (from the Greek diakonos) means only minister or servant and has a direct bearing on Jesus’ mission. “So it is that the Son of Man did not come to have service done him; he came to serve others, and to give his life as a ransom for the lives of many. (Matthew 20:28)

 

Scholars say that one of the first references to such service ministry is in John’s Gospel after the Lord heals Peter’s mother-in-law.  It is a very short scene but powerful.  Shortly after Jesus delivers the influential, service-centered Nazareth Manifesto in Luke 4:18-19, we read this:

 

After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. Luke 4:38-39

 

Again, like in Acts 6, do not read this to assume that Peter’s mother-in-law merely cooked and fed the Lord as if she was a waitress at Olive Garden.  The word used in the Aramaic was “diakonos” (see above reference!).  Peter’s mother-in-law became one of the first servants, ministering to the followers of Jesus.

 

Action

Our holy seasons remind us not only of the call to piety but also of the parallel call to service – the call to action.

 

Easter is about removing the obstacles in our life that we have erected that get in the way of our triple mission.  Once we remove or overcome the barriers of fear and doubt, we can be free to accept our appointment to serve others according to our time, talent and treasure. Once Jesus helped Peter’s mother-in-law overcome the obstacle of her illness, she was free and healthy to be of service.

What appointment does this Easter season promise to you? What appointment does this Easter season ask of you?