How many divisions has he got?

• Green – Ordinary abundant blessings of the Lord
• Purple – Kingship of Jesus. Repentance o f Heart.
• Red – Total giving of self.
• Rose – Joy of faith
• White – Our Future and our Hope.

Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
Readings: 2 COR 9:6-10; PS 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9; JN 12:24-26

Diakonia

Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

Autocrats

Papal influence has been a problem for many dictators and autocrats who have tried to reduce it by, for instance, translating it into military terms. Stalin’s rhetorical question is well known: “The Pope! How many divisions has he got?” (Souce: The International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS))

Reflection

Diakonia service is not a battle of territory but of hearts. Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? (Matt 26:53).

Personal Reflection

Happy Feast Day, Brothers!

According to the latest edition of the Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae, or Statistical Yearbook of the Church, there were 49,176 permanent deacons worldwide in 2021. Source: https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/where-in-the-world-are-permanent

A division has 15,000 troops. So 3 and 1/2, but whos counting?

1. to administer baptism solemnly
2. to be custodian and dispenser of the Eucharist
3. to assist at and bless marriages in the name of the Church
4. to bring Viaticum to the dying
5. to read the Sacred Scripture to the faithful
6. to instruct and exhort the people
7. to preside over the worship and prayer of the faithful
8. to administer sacramentals
9. to officiate at funeral and burial services.”

Source: Lumen gentium

Sacred Readings

Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081024.cfm

First Reading

Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Responsorial

Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Gospel Acclamation

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life, says the Lord.

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry