Deacon Jon DeLuney We wish all mothers and those who mother in a special way to others, a blessed and Happy Mother’s Day. We especially wish those who are expecting a child who will become new mothers a blessed Mother’s Day. We dedicate this month of May to the Blessed Mother who intercedes for us and who is our protectress during this time of the coronavirus in this nation.
I requested to preach this Sunday because the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles addresses the beginning of the Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church. Seven men of spirit and wisdom were entrusted with the duty of taking care of widows and orphans who were being neglected by the apostles and the community they had formed after Jesus enlightened them with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostles laid hands on the new deacons, and the seven began serving the marginalized in their growing faith community. Over the past 2,000 years, this ministry of Permanent Diaconate, which is the third tier of ordinations (bishop, priest, and deacon), has grown to over 46,000 deacons worldwide and about 200 deacons in our local diocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis. Catholic priests are named Transitional Deacons six months prior to ordination to the priesthood. A permanent deacon is a life-long ordination commitment reserved for both married and single men.
In the Gospel from John, Jesus is telling the disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and where I am going, you know the way.” These words made me think of how our lives have been transformed by an unseen virus. When Thomas answered, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way,” it reminded me of how none of us, even the scientists, know where this virus is taking us or how changed our world will be after it’s gone. Our economic future is threatened; many have suffered loss from employment to their very health and lives, and to an extent, surrendered constitutional rights, albeit to avoid the spread of the virus. We continue to grieve the loss of receiving Holy Communion, hugging family and friends, and simply going into work to be with co-workers. These are all losses we are enduring that will come to an end when this virus is defeated. We will continue to pray for those who have lost loved ones to the virus and those who are suffering from its effects.
I hope you will have an opportunity to read the back page article of the April 25 issue of the Catholic Spirit, featuring a piece entitled, “When This is Over” by Laura Kelly Fanucci. It addresses the idea of never taking for granted all that we experience in our daily lives. Yes, we are struggling with this prolonged shutdown and stay at home edict from the Governor and wonder when the economy will be opened to prevent an economic collapse. We wonder where God is in all of this. In the dialogue between Jesus and Philip, he is asking Jesus to show them a sign. “All” Jesus had to do was show the disciples the face of God. They still didn’t realize that after three years, they were in the midst of God, who was in the human form of Jesus. We struggle with faith issues and where God is during this virus. We are called to continue an intimate relationship with Jesus and to establish that relationship if we don’t already have it. We aren’t able to “see” God either, but through our deep faith, we “feel” God in our hearts and souls as if He were sitting next to us, which He IS. Please don’t give up hope. Wherever this virus takes us, we still have our beloved faith and trust that God will watch over us wherever it takes us.
May God continue to bless you and keep you healthy.
Deacon Jon
I requested to preach this Sunday because the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles addresses the beginning of the Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church. Seven men of spirit and wisdom were entrusted with the duty of taking care of widows and orphans who were being neglected by the apostles and the community they had formed after Jesus enlightened them with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostles laid hands on the new deacons, and the seven began serving the marginalized in their growing faith community. Over the past 2,000 years, this ministry of Permanent Diaconate, which is the third tier of ordinations (bishop, priest, and deacon), has grown to over 46,000 deacons worldwide and about 200 deacons in our local diocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis. Catholic priests are named Transitional Deacons six months prior to ordination to the priesthood. A permanent deacon is a life-long ordination commitment reserved for both married and single men.
In the Gospel from John, Jesus is telling the disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and where I am going, you know the way.” These words made me think of how our lives have been transformed by an unseen virus. When Thomas answered, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way,” it reminded me of how none of us, even the scientists, know where this virus is taking us or how changed our world will be after it’s gone. Our economic future is threatened; many have suffered loss from employment to their very health and lives, and to an extent, surrendered constitutional rights, albeit to avoid the spread of the virus. We continue to grieve the loss of receiving Holy Communion, hugging family and friends, and simply going into work to be with co-workers. These are all losses we are enduring that will come to an end when this virus is defeated. We will continue to pray for those who have lost loved ones to the virus and those who are suffering from its effects.
I hope you will have an opportunity to read the back page article of the April 25 issue of the Catholic Spirit, featuring a piece entitled, “When This is Over” by Laura Kelly Fanucci. It addresses the idea of never taking for granted all that we experience in our daily lives. Yes, we are struggling with this prolonged shutdown and stay at home edict from the Governor and wonder when the economy will be opened to prevent an economic collapse. We wonder where God is in all of this. In the dialogue between Jesus and Philip, he is asking Jesus to show them a sign. “All” Jesus had to do was show the disciples the face of God. They still didn’t realize that after three years, they were in the midst of God, who was in the human form of Jesus. We struggle with faith issues and where God is during this virus. We are called to continue an intimate relationship with Jesus and to establish that relationship if we don’t already have it. We aren’t able to “see” God either, but through our deep faith, we “feel” God in our hearts and souls as if He were sitting next to us, which He IS. Please don’t give up hope. Wherever this virus takes us, we still have our beloved faith and trust that God will watch over us wherever it takes us.
May God continue to bless you and keep you healthy.
Deacon Jon
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