I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:1-12)
Service at Table and Service of the Word (Acts 6:1-7)
In the first reading of today we have an interesting story of conflict resolution in the early church. Earlier in the Acts of the Apostles we read (Acts 4:32-35):
The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all accorded great respect. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from the sale of them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any who might be in need.
Soon, this ideal communal life was threatened by selfishness of individuals and clannish mentality among groups. In Chapter 5 we have a story of a couple (Ananias and Sapphira) who give into the temptation of not surrendering all that they had for the use of the community. In Chapter 6, as we heard in the first reading of today, we have a story of neglect of the minority group in the access to the resources of the community. Hellenist Christians were Greek speakers; perhaps they were the minority. Hebrews, of course, being the majority in the community in Jerusalem, and priding themselves that Jesus himself was a Hebrew, seemed to have had the lion’s share in the daily distribution of the common goods. This situation is brought to the attention of the apostles, who realise that they were not capable of administration of the temporal goods, since they were busy with “the service of the Word”. So they want to delegate the administration to a team of 2nd level managers (who would be later known as ‘the deacons’). It is important to note that even in the selection of these candidates the criteria used are not merely temporal: “men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom” (Acts 6:4). This delegation of duty is done so that the apostles themselves will continue to fully devote themselves to “prayer and the service of the word” (Acts 6:6).
What always intrigues me about this story is what follows immediately. We read in the next verses (in Acts 6:8-10):
Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. Then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, … They found they could not stand up against him because of his wisdom, and the Spirit that prompted what he said.
In short, though Stephen and his companions were basically appointed for “service at table” – for the administration of the temporal goods, they are not just tied down to administration. We see Stephen entering powerfully into the “service of the word”. And because of this, he will become the first martyr. A bursar becomes the first martyr for Christ. Why am I intrigued by this?
Service at Table and Service of the Word Today
Fifteen years ago, immediately after my ordination, I was all enthusiastic about my priesthood – wanting to preach, teach and to share the lives of people, especially the young in a rural parish in southern Tanzania. To my great disappointment, I was to be an administrator – looking after cows and pigs, following up building of churches, running after an accident case of a truck, etc. One fine day, as I was energetically driving a truck carrying some cement for the church that we were building in a village 40 kilometres away from the main parish, in that dusty road I asked myself: did I go through 12 years of formation to be a priest to be driving a truck? Of course, somebody has to do this, I was told. But should it be a priest? I was torn between the option to be like the rest doing also the administrative jobs (which also seem menial), not to appear elitist, and setting aside quality time for teaching and preaching the word and meaningfully celebrating the sacraments. So what was happening: Stephen and his companions who were elected for the service of the table got immersed in the service of the word; I (and I know I am not alone) who was elected to the service of the word found myself lost in the service of the table! And I was not comfortable with this. Incidentally, the day I had to move away from that parish for another ministry was the feast of St. Stephen (26 December).
Fortunately for me, I moved on from there and now I have a greater agency over my own priorities. Unfortunately for the church, a lot of priests (even Bishops) apparently find their fulfilment (I hope they do!) in being fully involved in the administration of the temporal goods. We can always find excuses why it has to be this way:
Oh yes, in the developing world, the church has to be involved in projects for development: education, health services, and even banking services. This has been the tradition of the church. Oh yes, our lay people are not ready yet to take up these tasks because they are busy with their own affairs. Oh yes, we don’t exist in the clouds. We need to have our feet firm on the ground. Etc. Etc. But my point of reflection is, should the administration of the goods of the church be managed by the ordained ministers? And this is not blaming anyone but only an introspection. A question that I ask myself, as I keenly observe all the developmental work done by the church in India and Africa: when our governments will be able to provide what the church is now providing, would the people still come to our churches? In a sense, can we not learn from what perhaps happened in the church in Europe? These questions are not directed to the hierarchy alone, but to every Christian: what do we expect from our ordained ministers: financial support for education, development of buildings in the parish property, efficient management of the projects? Or spiritual presence and accompaniment? And what is our own share, as Christians, in the service of the word?
Today, in the Gulf States (countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar), American sponsored independent churches are flourishing even among the traditional Catholic migrants from Philippines and South India. This is because, I think, in these American churches the Word of God is enthusiastically preached by lay missionaries. On the other hand, in the Catholic Church, we priests have monopolised the service of the word as our prerogative and often we do not have enough time for this, because we are lost in the service of the mammon. Fortunately now, there is an increase of powerful ministries led by Catholic lay people even in these countries. We thank God!
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6)
The word of God today challenges us to revisit the raison d’etre (reason of being) of the believing community – the church: to continue to experience God in Jesus, and to mediate that experience in the world. In the 2nd reading of today (1Pet 2:4-9), Peter tells us: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God…” Being a community of believers is, therefore, a privilege and a challenge: privilege to experience God; challenge to share that experience.
In the Gospel of today Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6)”; “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9)! This is the core of our Christian faith: to experience God in Jesus. Everything else is mere decoration. Thomas-a-Kempis wrote in the 15th century, “Without the Way, there is no going. Without the Truth, there is no knowing. Without the Life, there is no living.” The world today, as ever, needs the Way, the Truth and the Life. Are we ready to set our priorities right?