Feeding the Hungry

Did you ever wonder why it is the deacon who prepares the altar for the Holy Eucharist?

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. - Acts 6:1-7

The deacon is called to serve at table.

The apostles, who would become the church's first bishops, were getting so busy and were in such demand to spread the word of God that they needed someone to distribute food to the widows.

So, what we see the deacon do in the church on Sunday, setting the table and helping the priest distribute the bread and wine, is a reminder of the work the deacon is called to do for God.

But it is not all the deacon does. The real work is what is done in the world, feeding the hungry.

Now, we can take that a few ways, from providing nourishing food to those who cannot afford a meal to providing spiritual nourishment through the Gospel.

We deacons do both. And no matter how involved we get in the duties of the church, we should never stop doing the physical, in-touch work of healing via sustenance and grace.

In other words, stay out there among the people who are hungry for knowledge of Jesus, the Christ.

Maybe they just need food. Feed them. Maybe they need clothing, clothe them. You know the drill. Matthew laid it all out for us.

The great thing about being a deacon is that people want to do what we do. They want to help their friends and family, to offer them something to eat or drink, to be with them.

So, the work of a deacon is to set an example of God's love in the world. 

And we are all called to do that. Merry Christmas.

More to come...