Saint Stephen and some thoughts on ministry
Dear friends in Christ,
Yesterday Our thoughts in meditation led Us to the sixth chapter in Acts. This morning (Feast of Saint Stephen), the first nocturn Scripture is taken from the same chapter of Acts.
“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) There is much fruit in this for all Christians, but especially for those in the clergy called to the Office of preaching. Notice that the Apostles appointed deacons, so that they could give themselves continually to prayer. Prayer is mentioned first, because all Christians are called to constant prayer. “And he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray, and not to faint,” (Luke 18:1; We recommend reading the parable that follows.)
The Vulgate refers us to the first chapter of Acts (1:14): “All these were persevering with one mind in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” As Christians we should also be persevering together in one mind, as the Christians were before the first Pentecost. The Apostles were awaiting the Holy Ghost and were observing the first Novena (nine days of prayer) between the Ascension and Pentecost. The balance of the Christians were praying, asking God’s blessing on the Apostles, just as all Christians are called to pray for the Pastors, God has appointed over them, the Pope, the Bishop of their diocese and the Pastor of their parish.
The Vulgate also refers us to the second chapter of Acts (2:42): “And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” After Pentecost, the early Christians were persevering in three things, the doctrine of the Apostles, the Mass and in prayers. Jesus told the Devil: “It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Notice the order here. The doctrine of the Faith comes first. And we learn this doctrine by the teaching and preaching of the Apostles and their legitimate successors in the ministry of the word.
“And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:27-28) Saint John Vianney, the holy Cure of Ars comments on this passage from Sacred Scripture: “Perhaps it seems to you, my brethren, that Jesus Christ teaches us that he who hears the word of God with the earnest wish to profit by it, is more pleasing to God than he who receives Him in Holy Communion. Yes, without a doubt, my brethren, we have never really understand what a precious gift the word of God is.” Without the word of God, we are not properly prepared to appreciate the Holy Eucharist, and thus receive it but coldly at best. The word of God coming in the written form from the Holy Ghost in Sacred Scripture, and taught to us orally by those God has sent to us through His holy Church prepares us to properly receive the Holy Sacraments.
The prophet Amos (8:11) tells us of a time to come: “Behold the days come, saith the Lord, and I will send forth a famine into the land: not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, but of hearing the word of the Lord.”
Let us return to Acts: “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) Only after those, who possess the Office of preaching have become men of prayer, devoting themselves constantly to prayer, then they devote themselves to the ministry of the word. “If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” (I Corinthians 13:1) Charity only comes through prayer and without charity (We recommend spending much time in the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, and in reading Saint Alphonsus work on this chapter. https://amzn.to/2t07kUG) our preaching will be worthless.
There are two stories where a pastor approached another priest for advice. Both pastors started enumerating all of the preaching and projects they had done in order to make their flocks more fervent, but saw no success in their work. Both pastors were asked by the other priest: “Have you fasted? Have you prayed? If not you have done nothing.” We, as Pastors, are tempted to begin with the ministry of the word without the necessary preparation of prayer and fasting. Pray that pastors do not fall into this trap. Remember that your Pastors NEED your prayers and sacrifices as well. We all have responsibility for the Church, our Diocese and our Parish and the Pastors God has placed over us.
How can we sit idly by, when there is a famine of hearing the word of God. (Amos 8:11) Yes there is a famine of hearing the word of God. We see the evidence every where.
In Acts we read that the Apostles appointed deacons to take care of the simpler chores of ministry to free them for prayer and the ministry of the word. Today, pastors are constrained even to take secular employment in order to support the ministry of the word, and this takes us away from prayer and the actual ministry.
“But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided.” (I Corinthians 7:33) In the early ages of the Church, the Bishop of a diocese was considered married to his Church. If a Pastor must take secular work in order to support the ministry of the word in his parish, his diocese, or in the case of the Pope, in the world, then he also feels this division. Let us pray and work that this necessity may be lifted from pastors.
Above all, let us acquire the spirit of prayer, so that even when we are divided and distracted by worldly concerns, we are still close to Almighty God,
Have a blessed Christmas season,
With Our Apostolic Blessing,
+Michael pp
Read MoreThe Real Meaning of Penance
John the Baptist said: “Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) A footnote in the Bible says: “Penance: Which word, according to the use of the scriptures and the holy fathers, does not only signify repentance and amendment of life, but also punishing past sins by fasting, and such like penitential exercises.”
Dear friends,
Before we consider the above, We would like to remind everyone that Saturday, December 7th is the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception, a day of fast and partial abstinence. Wednesday, December 18, is Ember Wednesday with the customary fasting and partial abstinence. Friday and Saturday (20 and 21) of that week are also Ember Days with the Customary fasting. Abstinence is full on Fridays as it is on all Fridays, and partial on Saturday.
Penance here consists of three things. The first is repentance of our sins, which is a good things to remember in this penitential season of Advent. And so repent of your sins and confess them to a priest sent from God. The next essential step is amendment of our life. The Fathers of the Church tell us that conversion is a complete change of customs and habits. Go now and sin no more, Jesus advised two different people in the Gospels.
Once we have repented and asked God to help us change our customs and habits in order to amend our life, then we are ready to undertake penitential exercises. These go beyond the weak fast laws of today and should be tailored to bring our body into subjection. (I Corinthians 9:27)
When we read the word penance let us remember what it truly means.
Have a Blessed Advent,
+Michael pp
Read MoreNew Book
Brother Lawrence
Recent Comments