Discernment Assignment 5
Over the past few weeks I have been given the gift of seeing the needs of the poor in spirit from a whole new angle. I have been sick to a degree that I have not experienced before. I have also never been the one in need of being ministered to in such a profound way. I have always been the one doing the ministering and during this time I found myself in need of the ministry of charity.
I do not believe God gave me any of the ailments that I have been battling, but the Holy Spirit was busy at work pointing out areas where he wanted me to look. The specifics of my ailments are not important for this reflection, but it involved a somewhat urgent visit to the hospital followed quickly by the flu. When I found out that I was going to the hospital, I had two thoughts. I need to let my wife know and I need to see a priest. I have never been in a hospital and I was understandably scared. I needed to make sure I was in a state of grace. Father George was at the hospital before I was checked in. He anointed me and we shared communion in the lobby.
What does any of this have to do with a deacon’s ministry of charity and justice? During my time in the hospital and recovery, I have had plenty of time to reflect on the situation of being sick. I am fortunate in many ways that were made obvious by this ordeal. I was happy that my relationship with God was at the forefront of my thoughts. I was also fortunate that I could text message someone at my parish and get a priest to the hospital within an hour. I am also fortunate that I had many visitors and had very little time by myself in the hospital room.
How many people deal with situations like that and do not think about God or know that they can ask for clergy to visit them? What about all of those people that do not have anyone to visit them when they are in the most need of comfort? I was not in need of any additional material support. I only needed friendship. I saw God’s love reflecting back to me in the outpouring of love I received. Since God does not love me more than someone that does not receive such support in their lives, it is the responsibility of the entire Body of Christ to bring this love to all. The world needs ministers of charity. We need ministers on the front lines of suffering and sadness. Ministers that will bring God’s love to those in need, in whatever form that love needs to take. “Deacons are ordained to serve in ways that will inspire, motivate, and lead others to join with them in service.” (Ditewig, pg 14) This is what I see as the role of the deacon. To be the man that leads those ministers out into the world.
In the hospital, I also reflected on the justice of being sick in our society. I am fortunate that I have good insurance and knew that this visit to the hospital was not going to bankrupt my family. Even the time I needed to miss from work was not going to ruin us. My thoughts went to those who are not in such a position. For too many people, such a trip could mean choosing between rent and medical bills. That is not justice. I also see this as a role of the deacon, to be one that speaks out for those that are in need. “To evangelize is to make the kingdom of God present in our world.” (Ditewig, pg. 64) Providing medical care is not enough. We should also fight for the dignity of every person to receive care and be able to pay their bills. “Mercy, charity, and justice are not optional additions to Christianity; they are at the very heart of who we are as Christians and as deacons. (Ditewig, pg. 65)
How do these ministries of charity and justice connect to the liturgy? A few things come to mind. The liturgy is something that most of us have to travel to. When someone is in the hospital or homebound, the liturgy is not accessible. This requires ministers of charity to bring the liturgy to those in need. Even when someone is able to attend mass, being ill or recovering can severely affect their ability to participate. Through the prayers of the faithful, the deacon or lector, brings the needs of the entire community to the altar, especially for those who are in need.
The strongest connection between the liturgy and a deacon’s ministry of charity and justice relates to the Lord’s sacrifice. At mass, we share in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The path to ordination could be seen as analogous to this progression. There is a path that is travelled willingly that leads to the complete gift of one’s life to God. God takes that sacrifice and transforms it into something new and glorious. Jesus accepted his cross and everything changed. The ministry of a deacon is likewise a permanent gift of self to God.
Sources
Ditewig, William T.. The Deacon's Ministry of Charity and Justice. Liturgical Press. Kindle Edition.