April 28, 2024

Rex McKee

In the early chapters of Acts of the Apostles, we witness a tumultuous time for the fledgling Christian community. Many had experienced first-hand the profound events of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and the rush of wind of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. These followers of Christ were navigating uncharted territory, uncertain of what lay ahead. As Heidi once preached, their world turned upside down.

A shadow loomed over the community. Persecution was rampant as the religious authorities, threatened by the ministry of the Jesus movement, arrested Peter and John. Nevertheless, their faith resilient filled with the Holy Spirit. They appointed Seven Deacons to distribute food and resources which embodied the community’s commitment to care for one another and ensure justice and equality.

The community lived in secrecy and fear, scattered by persecution. They grappled with internal challenges, what to eat, who is in and who is out, they faced external threats. Saul, a zealous persecutor of the church, wreaked havoc among the believers, dragging them from their homes and imprisoning them. Saul’s persecution was relentless, yet his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus would soon transform him from persecutor to apostle, setting the stage for his pivotal role in the spread of the gospel.

The disciples undeterred continued to passionately share their Jesus stories, facing imprisonment and even death. Stephen’s ardent defense of his faith, culminating in his being stoned to death, inspired courage and conviction among the disciples.

Today we heard the detailed history of Philip the Deacon, whose ministry in the early Christian community provide us insights into the significance of the diaconate. Philip was chosen as one of the seven to oversee the distribution of food to widows in the early Christian community (Acts 6:1-6), he was led by the Spirit to evangelize in Samaria, where he performed miracles and preached the gospel (Acts 8:4-40).

His encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, whom he baptized on the wilderness road from Jerusalem to Gaza, underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:26-40). These three specific references to Philip in Acts reveal the multidimensional nature of the diaconate—rooted in service, evangelism, the inclusive embrace of all who seek God, and a commitment to challenging systems of injustice.

Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch delivers the striking example of the inclusive responsive nature of the diaconate. Traveling along the wilderness road from Jerusalem to Gaza, he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch—a person who, due to his sexual status, would have been marginalized, and excluded from communal aspects the Jewish traditions. Philip does not hesitate to engage with the eunuch, recognizing his sincerity listening to his reading aloud the passage from Isaiah, and then sharing his own stories of Jesus life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Traveling together, they come across a stream of water. In this impromptu setting, without religious buildings or formalities, Philip seizes the moment and baptizes the eunuch without seeking approval from religious authorities or waiting for a more convenient setting. The eunuch is welcomed into the Christian community through baptism, regardless of his tribe, sexual social status, or background. Philip is immediately taken up by the Holy Spirit sent to ministry in another setting, the eunuch leaves singing praises to the lord.

This spontaneous baptism in the wilderness underscores the radical inclusivity of the diaconate, as Bishop Loya preaches at the edges, the willingness to embrace and affirm all, regardless of societal norms, and to prophetically challenge systems of injustice that perpetuate exclusion and discrimination.

After Vatican 2 the Church embraced the restoration of the permanent diaconate, Deacons, once relegated to the shadows, emerged as prophets, beacons of social justice and community engagement. Living out the seismic shifts in power dynamics and pastoral practice that accompanied the resurgence of this ancient order.

The diaconate reemerged, not buried as a steppingstone to the priesthood but as a distinct calling, bringing unique perspectives and strengths underscoring the roles we ordained ministers provide in the spiritual tapestry of the faithful that ripple through the fabric of the Church.

The Episcopal Church played a pivotal role in reaffirming the diaconate as a full and equal order within its ecclesial structure. In 1967 The Episcopal Church officially restored the permanent diaconate for the ordination of both men and women, embracing the resurgence of deacons, The Episcopal Church bore witness to the consequences of this revitalization, witnessing the expansion of ministries and deepening engagement with the wider community. The inclusion of women in the diaconate challenging gender norms and fostering greater equality in ministry, echoing the sentiments of many who saw in this expansion a widening and a deepening of its witness to the world as we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood.

Jamal Patel, liberation theologian writes that “The role of the deacon in confronting systems of injustice brings unexpected consequences, as their prophetic witness challenges the status quo and calls the Church to embody the radical love and justice of the Gospel.” Through advocacy, activism, and solidarity with marginalized communities, deacons embodied the transformative power of servant leadership, inspiring and leading the Church to confront its complicity in systems of oppression. Deacons emerged as catalysts for change.

We are all called to embody diaconal ministry in our daily lives, reaching outside the walls of the church to those in need, sharing our own Jesus and Holy Spirit stories, proclaiming the gospel with boldness, and challenging systems of injustice that oppress and marginalize God’s children.

Reflecting upon Philip’s life and ministry, may we be confronted to embody our own understanding of the diaconate and its relevance for our lives today. As disciples, members of the body of Christ, may we answer the call to participate in the ministry of the baptized, in service, proclamation, and inclusion exemplified by Philip.

Deacon Susanne Epting writes in Unexpected Consequences: We see worship as communal and not something done for the people by a priest. The Eucharist is in this sense the work of the people, as a thank offering, as table fellowship, and as a reenacting of Christ’s full offering of his life to God. What is celebrated in worship is the life lived in Christ. Ministry is then not something the ordained do for others or that which is done for the sake of the Church. Ministry is the life of faith lived out in the world.

This summer on the feast of Mary Magdalene will be my 20^th anniversary of ordination to the diaconate. Some of you were there, have walked with me in my formation and in my years of servant leadership. I am thankful beyond words.

I have been reflecting this week on these Acts passages and my own diaconal journey, and the journey my sister Colleen is entering. I remember prior to my ordination a deep conversation with Archdeacon Irma Wyman and Bishop Jelinek about my call as a community organizer radical, somewhat orthodox, stretching the church at the edges, episcopalian to the core deacon. I was told that of all the deacons they had ordained they understood that I was in a small group in my passionate response to the Holy Spirit of Peace and Justice. As I look back, I know they recognized my path more than I gave them credit for.

May we all be inspired by these early Christians, I invite you to embody the Holy Spirit’s invitation to participate as gardeners at play in the fields of the lord, grounded in love, humility, and compassion. May we open ourselves to engagement with the Holy Spirit in all that we do, seizing each opportunity to actively follow the way of love, to share our personal stories, to serve, proclaim, welcome, and advocate for justice and peace with open arms loving each other as God faithfully loves us.

Amen.

10am Service