Deacon Tom Writes,
“Devoted to the Cause”
Webster’s Dictionary defines “Devote” as: “to commit by a solemn act 1) as devoted oneself to serving God or 2) to give over or direct (as time, money, or effort) to a cause, enterprise, or activity”.
In the midst of a global crisis, a worldwide pandemic, it is easy to see not only who is devoted to a cause but also the cause to which they are committed. On the one hand, there are those who risk their own personal safety (and that of their family) by doing what their vocation calls them to do – protect the lives and safety of others or place themselves at the service of others. We know who they are: the medical professionals, police officers and fire and rescue personnel. There are the field workers who continue to work the fields harvesting our food supply. They are truck drivers who bring these items to market. They are the ones who work in grocery stores and warehouses stacking shelves and moving inventory to keep us fed; restaurant and fast-food employees who leave home and venture out to their places of employment to prepare food for so many people. They are people who are devoted... committed to keep us safe, fed and help give others a sense of normalcy while placing their own lives at risk. Then, on the other hand, are those who ignore the health warnings put out by the medical and governmental authorities. Their behavior puts others at risk. They engage in their own self-serving behavior and disregard and disrespect the personal safety of others, to the point, in some localities, of protesting reasonable and professionally necessary precautions that safeguard the health and well-being of their neighbors. “By their fruit you will know them” St. Matthew noted. Mt 7:16
Our First reading today expresses the primary and central activity of the early “Believers” following Christ’s death and resurrection…. as being “devoted...to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to prayer”.
This has been a unique time for Christians, especially us Catholics who hold the Eucharist as the foundational reality of our faith. We gather to hear the Word of God and celebrate Christ’s presence in a real and sacramental way in the Eucharist. The coronavirus has temporarily suspended this two thousand year practice. To say the least, the last half of Lent, Holy Week and Easter have been extremely challenging. Perhaps, more so than ever, we have faced a different desert experience. What has helped me on my Lenten journey is the sacrifice and selflessness of those professionals whose concern has been for the lives and safety of others. They make God smile and they give many others a ray of hope in the goodness of humanity.
We emerge from Easter a little frazzled and dazed yet, as undoubtedly was the case that first Easter, we face the future with renewed hope knowing that our lives will never be the same.
We know that as Christianity took root during those early days, many people experienced deep and profound changes in the way they lived their lives as they began to care for and respond to the needs of their neighbors all because of the life and teachings of Christ and the work of the Apostles.
The changes people made were remarkable. We read some of them in the Acts of the Apostles that chronicles the early days of our church and how the community of believers came together initially to be nourished by Word and Sacrament. But it soon grew into much more than that. We read today that….
Awe came upon everyone.
Wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
All who believed were together and held things in common.
They would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each ones need.
Every day they devoted themselves
to meeting together in the temple area
...and to the breaking of the bread in their homes.
They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart.
Praising God and enjoying favor with all people.
And every day the Lord added to their number
those who were being saved…..
People remain devoted to many causes today. Some are devoted to do good for others. Some are devoted to themselves. It is an individual choice!
As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, we pray that the Father of mercies, the God of all consolation will be with us in mind, heart and spirit and with those who are devoted to serving others.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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