Called to serve

Today is the feast of St. Jude. My parish held its annual St. Jude Novena of Masses. It is always a wonderful time of blessing for my parish and a time to join with others in prayer for all of our needs. Priests that have had a connection to our parish in the past are invited back to say Mass and preach. The priest who said Mass Monday night served at our parish as a curate in the early 1980s. He now teaches at the college level as well as teaching candidates for the permanent diaconate. We have two deacons at our parish. The priest joked a bit with him. He also pointed out that the word "deacon" comes from the Greek word "diakonos" which means "servant." He told the congregation that by virtue of our baptism we are all called to the diaconate - not the ordained variety, obviously, but we all are called to serve - every day - every one.