Who Can You Serve?

I have been working toward ordination in some way, shape, or form for almost six years now. The process has been exciting, enriching, and (at times) frustrating! All frustrations aside, however, I will treasure these times for the rest of my life. But at long last, I am going to be ordained this Saturday as a transitional deacon. I am very excited to begin this journey!

But many people have asked me—what is a transitional deacon? Weren’t you going to become a priest? Well, in our diocese, a future priest has to first spend six months ordained as a deacon. In fact, it’s a step required of all Episcopal priests (and priests of quite a few other denominations too). Why is this? Certainly many a disgruntled ordinand has thought this as they faced waiting at least six more months before they could be ordained as a priest!

A deacon’s ministry, according to The Book of Common Prayer, is “to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need; and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.” In other words, the ministry of a deacon is one of dedicated service, to the church and to the world. Those who seek to be ordained as priests spend time as deacons so they will never forget that they must continue to be dedicated to a life of service, especially to those who are suffering or in need. But this is not just the calling of priests or deacons—all Christians are called to serve, called to be Christ to the world around us.

In this Easter season, then, I hope you’ll join me in asking a question we all should ask—who can you serve? Today, tomorrow, in the next weeks and months, who can you serve? Every one of us has gifts we can offer to the church and our communities. When we generously contribute our time, our talents, or our resources to others, we reflect Jesus to them. During Easter, we celebrate Christ’s love, goodness, and mercy toward us. With whom can we share that love, goodness, and mercy? How can we be Jesus to the world?

In Christ,

Jacob Robling