Question i (2) - Faithful Deacon

Will you in your ministry try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?

No doubt aware of the servant pattern of Jesus in his ministry, early Christians chose the general Greek term diakonos to describe specifically a pattern of ministry in Jesus’ name marked by acts of service, humility, and mercy. As such, deacon training and subsequent ministry will always benefit from scriptural studies of instructive episodes in Jesus’ ministry. Passages such as Mark 2:1–12 and 8:1–9 provide insight for deacons wishing to examine the shape of Jesus’ love and justice, and how that same charitable love and wise justice might be practiced among “the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress” (BOO, G-2.0201).

For Reflection and Discussion:

Consider the ways in which the Gospel’s depict Christ’s ministry of compassion, witness, and service with individuals and communities.

Beyond your initial training to serve as a deacon, how might you keep these examples in the forefront of your ministries, reminding you of the “why” of service as a deacon?