Diakonia

The readings for this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time not only build upon those of last Sunday, particularly the Gospel, but they offer us a model of what it means to obey the two greatest commandments: love of God and love of neighbor. They also contradict the worldly understanding of philanthropy, which emphasizes one’s material possessions over personal motives. Of course, this is not to denounce wealthy philanthropists, for even the church relies on their support for its mission. Rather, they remind us that the abundance or lack of one’s material possessions should not obscure the greatest gift we can give God and others: ourselves.

The first reading narrates the first of two miracles God performed through Elijah for the widow of Zarephath. The prophet asks her to make a small loaf of bread for him. This poor widow, facing imminent starvation, had only enough flour and oil for her and her only son to eat a final meal together.  Despite facing her own desperate need, one can only admire the faith she showed in choosing to use her very last bit of food to make bread for this man. She believed his promise that her dangerously low flour supply would never run out and was rewarded for it. What great faith! Her generosity is an example to us to give of ourselves generously in serving God and others, even when it is very difficult. The true test for this widow was not in giving the last bit of her food to a stranger, but in choosing between him and her son. Between even God and her son. A similar test for us is choosing between ourselves and giving ourselves to others.

The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews underscores the importance of Christ’s sacrificial death for us. After his Resurrection and Ascension, he went into the Heavenly Temple to present to God the gift of his life on our behalf. Let us not forget that Christ ascended into heaven with his human body, a visible proof of his profound love for us. Whenever we partake of Holy Communion, we are united to that same body. We are also reminded that to emulate him is to live a life of self-sacrifice.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35-36)

The Eucharist is our injunction to love as he did, giving our lives for the building up of his mystical body: the church.

But how do we do this? Perhaps we are people of no great means, like the poor widow in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. Jesus watched her contribute two mites to the temple treasury, worth about two-eighths of a US penny. As Jesus explained to his disciples, she, like the widow of Zarephath, gave all that she had. We do not know what became of that widow, but we can be certain that the Lord rewarded her generosity, as he will with us if we do the same.

One way this self-giving love is reflected in the church today is through the diaconate. Deacons are mostly identified with serving the priest at the altar. But a central part of their ministry is serving the people of God and their material needs. This includes widows, many of whom, despite their loss, continue to contribute significantly to the life of the Church. Deacons, like the priests, are a reflection of Christ's love for us, and they rely on our support to continue giving of themselves generously.

This Sunday's readings beautifully remind us that offering our lives in service to God and others is the greatest gift we can give. It is also the most difficult gift, especially as we navigate a world consumed by selfishness, greed, and indifference. Let us emulate the widows of this Sunday’s readings and the Blessed Virgin Mary, who gave everything they had, even their own children, in service to God and others. Let us also pray for and support our deacons, so that they will continue to reflect Christ’s love in a world that so desperately needs it.

Saint Stephen and Saint Lawrence, patron saints of deacons, pray for us!