Did you notice that the leaders of the early Church placed the responsibility for finding deacons on the "community of the disciples"? (Acts 6:2) That's us! We need to be on the lookout for those who would make good leaders in the Church.
This was new for the early Christians. Jewish priests and Levites were born into their positions. The apostles were called and chosen by Jesus Himself. The early Church, however, called the lay people to raise up future leaders from "among [their] own number" (Acts 6:3).
Our priests and bishops today cannot possibly know each person who may hear a call to religious life and other forms of leadership in the Church. They depend on each one of us to do our part in building up the Church. We can do this by:
The leaders of the Church depend on you. "Look around" (Acts 6:3).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be full of encouragement (Nm 13:2, 30ff). |
| PROMISE: | Jesus "told them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' " –Jn 6:20 |
| PRAISE: | Jacob leads retreats for young people, specifically for vocation discernment. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College