Devotion 

The Diaconate 

Frances Taylor 

This passage of Acts gives us the institution of the order of Deacon. The purpose of the deacon was to serve. The word for deacon comes from the Greek word for "to serve." This is the first separation we see in those called to spread the Gospel message. The apostles continued their ministry of prayer and preaching the good news. The apostles understood that there was another whole side of ministry and that was to serve the needs of the people. This continues today with some men and women called to a ministry of prayer and preaching and some being called to serve more practical needs. God wants the whole person to be served. Just as he both healed the sick and fed the multitudes and prayed both alone and with others while talking about the coming of the kingdom, Jesus expects us to serve the whole person as well. It is no less a ministry to serve in a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter, than it is to preach or to teach.

We are physical as well as spiritual beings and when our physical needs are not met, it is hard to concentrate on the spiritual. When we're hungry, when we can't take care of our families, we need to spend time taking care of these needs. As James says in his letter, what good does it do to wish a person a good day and then do nothing to help him have one. The apostles understood that and so the order of deacons began. Not all of us are called to the order of deacons, but we are called to reach out and help alleviate the needs of the poor as best we can.

Prayer 

Lord, thank you for showing us the importance of reaching out in love to the whole person if we want to lead them to you. May we be witnesses of your love in all ways and at all times. Amen.