October 15, 2005
Gen14:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; John 6:51-59
Bishop John T. Steinbock
Welcome to all our deacon candidates and wives. This is a joyous day in your Christian journey as the Lord continues to lead you to a greater role in his service. This is the second major liturgical step towards the deaconate. The first was when you received the Order of Lector and you were encouraged to make the Word of God central to your life, reflecting and contemplating that word, so that you in turn can proclaim and teach the Word of God to others. Today you receive the Order of Acolyte. The Acolyte is appointed in order to aid the deacon and to minister to the priest at the altar, especially in the celebration of Mass. You will also be entrusted to distribute Holy Communion as a special minister.
It is good to quickly look at the setting of this celebration. We are celebrating this Liturgy on the feast of St. Theresa of Avila and ask her intercession in a special way for all you deacon candidates and wives. Also this day happens to be the fourteenth anniversary of the announcement of myself being appointed as the fourth Bishop of our Diocese. But more important it is within the context of drawing close to the close of the Eucharistic Year, in which we as God’s people have been called to an ever deeper devotion and love for our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. This ceremony is taking place as the Synod in Rome is taking place. Bishops from all over the world are reflecting on the theme: The Eucharist: source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church.
This is very fitting as the role of the acolyte is centered on the Eucharist. Our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist must be at the center of our lives. Our Holy Father John Paul reminded us over and over that the same Christ that walked this earth and died on the cross is the same Christ that is present in the Eucharist on our altars and that we receive in Holy Communion. The Vatican Council in its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy emphasized: The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the fountain from which all her power flows.” The Eucharist is at the heart of the Christian life.
The readings of the Mass affirms the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and especially in the life of a priest, deacon and acolyte who is called to take an intimate role of service in bringing Jesus in the Eucharist to His people. The bread and wine offered by Melchizedek in the time of Abraham looks forward to the bread and wine offered on our altars. The Acts speak of the disciples devoting themselves the breaking of the bread and to prayers. The Eucharist was central to the lives of the early Christians and continues to be central to our lives, and must lead us to concern and care for those in need.
Jesus speaks to you in a special way, you are receiving this Order today, in the words of the Gospel. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. May our devotion to the our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist truly lead us to Eucharistic lives, which are lives of thanksgiving and giving of ourselves in service, as Jesus came to give of himself for us.