Do not Fear

Today's Gospel conveys a moment of crisis in the early Church community.  The Christians of Hebrew background, and those of Greek origin, are in conflict over food and the basic nuts and bolts of the community.  The Presbyters determine that they do not have time to take care of these conflicts, serve at table, and preach the Word of God as well.  After some prayer and reflection they appoint several of the elders to be table waiters.  These men will be what we call Deacons in in our Church today.  The Diaconate began and continues to be one of service.

Very importantly this order came out of a need in the early community.  The successors of the apostles determined that in order to continue the mission and ministry of the Church this new group of ministers were needed to serve in the Church.  While we try to shy away from conflict, we also have to realize the importance that these moments can have in a community.  Like any of our growing pains they invite us to look at our life, our purpose, and most importantly our relationship to God the Father.

What is essential here is to recognize that this community goes into prayer to bring resolution to the situation.  Problems are brought into the faith context.  It would be nice if we could do that in parishes today!  The early Church would often gather for prayer and liturgy before making major decisions or sending missionaries off on a journey.  Our lives begin to unravel when we lose that connection to holiness and truth.  To be sure so does our faith community when we lose sight of the ministry entrusted to us.

I can think of a dozen families whose children went off to a distant college, a volunteer program, or even to the military.  This movement was one probably a difficult moment, a conflict really, in which change and growth was taking place.  There was some letting go that had to be done, as well as dying to one;s self.  The early Church in beginning a new order of ministry had to re-evaluate how it was carrying out the Gospel message.  The ministry could no longer be the twelve apostles visiting every once in a while, or relying on their letters.  In order to survive the Church had to journey through this crisis (there would be others to follow)

Again and again this is a reminder to us that we have to go back the cross throughout our faith lives.  Sometimes we are called to make radical and even unpopular decisions in our lives.  But we have to base them in the Spirit and Truth of Christ Jesus.  Our Church can never be lethargic in its proclamation of the Gospel.  The people of God take responsibility for the faith they profess, and continue to renew it in the waters of the paschal mystery.