As I write this, we are counting down the days, God-willing, until my husband will be ordained as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
We have been preparing for this day for over 7 years, over 12 years if you count when Tom and I first started discussing his discernment. We have prayed, studied, and prepared. We have made lifelong friends with the other couples traveling this journey alongside us. We have been supported in prayer and love by our parish family. The time is almost here.
In the Sacraments of Initiation, we receive the grace we need to live our lives as disciples of Jesus. We received at Baptism every grace we need, and it was strengthened and sealed at our Confirmation. Everytime we attend Mass and receive the Eucharist, we are fed and strengthened for the challenges we will face on our road to heaven. We are given the grace to die to self so that we can live as Jesus calls us to live, so that we can be his disciples in love and action.
In the Sacrament of Marriage, we are given the graces we need to bring others with us. In marriage, the two become one, the graces are given to both the man and woman, so that they are no longer simply two people sharing space, but a family. The family is a living icon of the Holy Trinity in the world. Out of the giving and receiving of love, new life is created and goes out into the world. This is true even for those of us who weren’t blessed with children! It is just a different form of life. In marriage, we no longer receive grace simply for our own salvation, but for the salvation of those closest to us, our family. God, once again, gives us the grace to die to self, so that we can bring our families to Jesus.
In the Sacrament of Ordination, the grace is given to live out discipleship through service to others. These graces aren’t our own, but are meant to be passed on to those around us; our parish, our diocese, our world. Because my husband and I are one in the Sacrament of Marriage, the graces given to Tom at his ordination will overflow to me too. He will be a deacon and we will be a diaconal family. God has a task for us.
God’s grace, through all of the Sacraments, makes God present in our lives and gives us the strength to live today’s Gospel in today’s world. With God’s help, we can be the grain of wheat which falls to the ground. Please, dear Lord, help me to die to myself so that much fruit will be produced for your Kingdom.
Saint Lawrence, pray for us.
Daily Reading
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin Reading 1 1 Kgs 19:4-8 Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert,until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath…
Saint of the Day
Saint Clare of Assisi
Saint Clare of Assisi was one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.
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