Random Ramblings: 6 days left

With less than 6 days before my ordination, I thought I'd simply blog about my thoughts and insights each day until the ordination. My train of thought might not be the most organized in the world, hence the title Random Ramblings.

Last night, I served as acolyte at my home parish, Sacred Heart in Ottawa, KS. After the Mass, it suddenly occurred to me that this was my last Mass as an acolyte. When you are installed as an instituted reader, you begin the steps toward priesthood. When installed as an acolyte, you can still serve as a reader. When you are ordained as a deacon, however, your role completely changes. For starters, ordination imparts an indelible mark on your soul and ontologically changes one forever. Beyond that, however, you exercise your ministry as deacon in so many different ways. As a reader and an acolyte, you are limited to exercising your ministry in the liturgy. As a deacon, though, you not only exercise your ministry in liturgy, but also in the very way you live your life.

An ordained deacon is called to serve in charity to God's People each and every day, both within liturgy and in the greater community. A deacon expresses that indelible mark through his outward actions in service of others. In reflecting on this reality last night, I again came face to face with the immensity of my diaconate ordination. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 13:00 | link | comments |
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