It is the end of another work week.
Since ordination, that statement really doesn’t seem true. My professional job as a clinical social worker continues as it has for nearly 30 years now, but it has be transformed into an expression of diaconal ministry. I find it odd to call it a “work week”, because what had been very earth-bound has become much more than that now. The professionalism of what I do is intact and clear; but there is new energy, impetus, purpose and focus in what I do. If you were to observe my current interactions with patients and compare them with what I was doing three years ago, you would see little difference, I suspect. What has happened quite unexpectedly, and without prompting by me, is more conversation from my patients about God and faith.
Perhaps they are Google-ing me and reading this blog and have become aware of me as deacon. I strongly suspect a couple of them have, although not a one has made mention of it.
Ministry is a 24 hour reality. I am never not a deacon. I am also never not a husband. I can stop being a clinical social worker though, and I do regularly; I pull out of that role and responsibility to maintain balance. Life can still make sense when I am not “being” a social worker; it ceases to make sense, though, if I try to cease being, even for a minute, a deacon or a husband.
Over 80% of diaconal ministry for me is in the office. Ten percent is in the parish. One hundred percent of ministry is with my wife and family. Yes, I know the math doesn’t add up, but the spiritual reality does. Let me try to explain.
Wherever I may be in ministry, whether engaged in psychotherapy with patients, preaching at Mass, visiting the sick, in the nursing homes and hospitals, offering benediction at Holy Hour, or praying the Liturgy of the Hours—- wherever I am in ministry, my wife and children are with me in spirit and in my very being. They are not often physically present with me, but they are as inseparable from me at those times as is my right arm. My wife and I are one.
Wherever I may be in ministry my parish family is with me too. From each Mass that I assist, I take them with me in my service to others and I bring them back along with all the people I have served, to the altar at the next Mass. That is why it is so important for me to assist often at Eucharist and raise the chalice to the Father in thanksgiving.
As an aside, the deacons of the Diocese of Winona made their annual retreat last week. Our far-flung diocese does not make it easy for us to gather often, but I believe I can speak for all in saying the fraternity was so welcomed. I stand in awe and wonder of the ministry so many of my brothers are engaged in throughout the diocese.
Finally, winter is coming. For any reader who has never experienced a Minnesota winter (unless you are from the Dakotas or Wisconsin), you may have a difficult time understanding the import of that comment. Winter is coming. I am prepared this year. Furnace is working fine. Got a brand new snow thrower too.
God bless each of you.
