Defining the Job
The diaconate began as a job.
Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us." And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. - Acts 6:1-15
You never really know what the job can become until you make it your own.
Stephen and the others were chosen to serve. Their job was to provide food for the widows and orphans, to basically run a soup kitchen.
I know something about that job, having now run a soup kitchen and pantry for over six of the nine years I have been a deacon.
The job puts me in contact with people from all walks of life, not just those who are poor.
Anyone who is struggling to make ends meet, whether that has been a long term problem, or it is due to some hopefully temporary situation, may come to the table to get something comforting to eat.
Sometimes they just need to talk, or perhaps they find themselves drawn to someone who seems to be a bit more solid, a bit more in control of their lives.
Stephen and the others, filled with the Holy Spirit, were solid. They attracted others to them, and in doing so, were able to share with them, food, drink, compassion, conversation.
The job of the deacon today is to serve and spread the Gospel, then to come back to the Church and bring word of the suffering and good works being done in the world on their behalf, hoping to have them join in.
What began as a job of service, quickly grew into a ministry of faith healing, thanks to Stephen's decision to build a ministry out of a job.
We can each do that with the work we do.
It is not about preaching. It is about doing.
How we plod through this life matters, not just to us, but to those we touch, and those who notice us.
Lord, help me make my job into something more, a ministry for you.
More to come...