Discernment Assignment 4
In reflecting on the various ways in which we can identify with Jesus, Christ the servant is the one that speaks most to me. As a husband, I want to be a servant. As a father, I want to be a servant. As a brother, as a son, as a friend, I want to be a servant. This has been a theme throughout my whole life, but is now even more as I try to emulate Jesus in my life.
My life of service begins in my home, as a husband and a father. “The various forms of our service rest on the solid foundation of who we are as followers and imitators of Christ.” (Ditewig, Loc 62). Being an imitator of Christ is the highest aim that I can have for my family. I want my son’s to grow up imitating Christ, hopefully better than I have. When I help my kids with their homework or help my wife with my chores, I hope to be like Christ the servant. I often fall far short of this goal.
Throughout my college years, I was a member of a service fraternity that served the UCF Marching Knights. Most of close friends to this day come from this time in my life, which means that I have been surrounded by fellow servant leaders for over 20 years. Before I knew anything about Christ the servant, I was living a life of service.
I try to embody Christ the servant in my work. For the past 1 1/2 years, I have worked teaching and mentoring adult learners. In this role, I am getting partial practice for what my life as an ordained minister may one day look like. “The purpose of the ordained is to shepherd, to nurture the constant growth of the People of God … [working] for the good of the whole body. The ordained receive ‘sacred power’ to serve others” (Ditewig, Loc 157). I do not have this sacred power in my role as a mentor, but I work for the constant growth of my students. This goes far beyond the narrow role of a teacher. In order help my students learn, I work to help them in any area they ask me for help, which can often include counseling them or advocating for them with the administration.
At Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, I am constantly serving. It was here that I most intimately encountered God. Since that moment, I have sought to give as much of my life to God as a I could. This has involved countless ministries, as well advisory roles, or whatever meets the needs of the parish. “When people encounter us, they should be able to experience a confluence of meaning: how the proclamation of Christ (the Word) leads us to worship and praise (Sacrament), which in turn leads us to work for Charity and Justice. We must have a relationship with each and all of these functions so that we can truly be sacramental icons of diakonia.” (Ditewig, Loc 361). My most common role recently has been helping in the sound booth. This has been because of a need for the parish. It puts me in a good location to interact with many parishioners and foster a relationship with them.
In my community is where I have done some work, but need to do much more. I have helped with prison ministry in the past. More recently I have helped with food deliveries for the local food pantry and giving talks for the Diocese Human Trafficking task force. “So, who are we, then, as deacons of Christ? We are disciples who are also now apostles with a mission. We are people who may not simply revel in our relationship with Christ and ignore the commission we have been given.” (Ditewig, Loc 242). Taking my mission from the church to the community is an area where I desire to serve more. Bringing Christ to the world is my mission, but I am not doing enough. After this new year, I am going to emphasize finding some way to serve my community more.
Washing the feet of his disciples is the image of Christ the servant. I had my feet washed on Holy Thursday and it is a moving experience. Seeing Father Dom kneeling at my feet and then gently kissing my foot was moving. That feeling of gratitude and love is something that I want to bring to the world. Hopefully in a way that is a little less uncomfortable.
Works Cited
Ditewig, William T.. To Be and To Serve: The Ministerial Identity of the Deacon (Deacon Books) . Abbey Press. Kindle Edition.