The Sacred Order of Deacons

An Ordination Sermon preached by yours truly in May 2005 at Saint Alban's Cathedral, Oviedo, Florida:

This Ordination Day, like all such sacred occasions, causes me to hearken back to my own Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons – a hellaciously hot morning in Southern Maryland in June 1996. On that occasion, the Bishop who ordained me almost passed out from the heat. This is my first Ordination sermon, so let us hope that mystical experience will not be reproduced here today.

The Prayer Book Ordination Service holds up two original Deacons for our particular attention, Saint Stephen and Saint Philip, two of the first seven Deacons ordained by the Apostles to be their helpers in the distribution of the Church’s welfare payments.

The establishment of the Order of Deacons was the first time in the long Apostolic history of Bishops that they ‘passed the buck.’ Deacons were ordained to resolve Church crisis.

In a few moments, the Bishop will ask our candidates if they are willing to do what Saint Stephen, Saint Philip, and their five brothers did – to HELP – especially at the Holy Eucharist. Deacons pledge themselves to receive money and other assistance and to make sure those in need receive it. Deacons are to look for people in need and make sure they get help.

I cannot predict Doc’s and Tracy’s ministries will end as Saint Stephen’s did, with an angry mob beating their heads in with rocks, but that is precisely the way Saint Stephen’s tumultuous Diaconate ended-up.

Saint Stephen died because he spoke the truth to the Jewish leaders of his day – and to the world. Later in the Mass, when the Bishop asks our candidates if they will frame and fashion their lives according to the Doctrine of Christ, he will not be referring only to decorous ministerial behaviour…

Saint Stephen reminds us that one supreme price of being a Christian is the constant willingness to speak God’s truth, no matter what the consequences may be.

The Book of Acts also describes how Deacon Saint Philip converted the Ethiopian eunuch and led him to Holy Baptism – the tool he used was his knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. The man was reading the Prophet Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood what he read. The man replied, ‘how can I, unless someone explains it to me?’

Saint Philip explained to him – he led him to Jesus Christ, the living Word of God.

Doc and Tracy are about to pledge their fidelity to the Scriptures, and their diligence in reading, teaching, and preaching the Holy Scriptures.

We are ordaining them so that they may lead people to our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and Saint Philip shows us how.

There is a third Deacon Who presence permeates the Ordination Mass this morning, and that is the Deacon Who is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is one Sacrament is three grades or levels – because the ministry the Sacrament conveys is the one Ministry of Christ Himself. Hence, it is male in character in all three levels, by Christ’s will and institution. The Ministry is the extension of Christ’s Incarnation.

We see that Ministry incarnate now in His Church in three ways.

The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ is
The Bishop – because He watches over us and feeds us as the Good Shepherd of our souls.

The Priest – because He sacrificed Himself on the Altar of the Cross to take away the sins of the whole world.

But what Our Lord calls Himself is the DEACON.

He asks His disciples the question, ‘which one is greater, the man that sits down to eat or the one who waits on him?’ Obviously the man who sits down to eat, but Our Lord says:
But I am among you as one who serves.
I am here as a waiter, a helper, a Deacon.

Doc and Tracy, my dear friends - I charge you to remember
Deacon Saint Stephen
Deacon Saint Philip
and the Deacon Jesus Christ

May God so replenish you with the truth of His doctrine and adorn you with innocency of life that you may both by word and good example serve God in this Office through our Lord Jesus Christ, who reminds us-

I am among you as a Deacon!