Deacon and the Ministry of the Word
The deacon is entrusted with the proclaimtion of the Gospel. The priest proclaims the Gospel
only if no deacon is available. We see this historic role of the deacon illustrated in ancient icons, where deacon
saints are depicted holding a book of Gospels. The deacon's ministry, the second aspect of his three-fold ministry,
is not merely a ceremonial honor.
The deacon's Ministry of the Word is symbolized in the Entrance Procession, where the ancient practice of the deacon carrying the Book of gospels in the procession have been restored. In the same way, the Gospel Procession has been restored as one of the three great processions of the ancient liturgy (entrance, Gospel and Communion, with two lessor processions -- Offertory and Recessional.)
The Mass consists of two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Just as the priest plays a principle role in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the deacon plays a prominent role in the Liturgy of the Word. The deacon's most complete service in the Liturgy of the Word consists in proclaiming the Gospel, applying it to everyday life in the homily, and leading the assembly in prayer based on this reflection in the General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful).
Why are these roles assigned to the deacon as a servant of the Word? These assigned roles flow from his ministry to the poor and the outcast. As an icon of Christ the Servant, the deacon idealy helps us to be "doers of the Word and not just learners" (James 1:22-25). By his
The deacon's Ministry of the Word is symbolized in the Entrance Procession, where the ancient practice of the deacon carrying the Book of gospels in the procession have been restored. In the same way, the Gospel Procession has been restored as one of the three great processions of the ancient liturgy (entrance, Gospel and Communion, with two lessor processions -- Offertory and Recessional.)
The Mass consists of two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Just as the priest plays a principle role in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the deacon plays a prominent role in the Liturgy of the Word. The deacon's most complete service in the Liturgy of the Word consists in proclaiming the Gospel, applying it to everyday life in the homily, and leading the assembly in prayer based on this reflection in the General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful).
Why are these roles assigned to the deacon as a servant of the Word? These assigned roles flow from his ministry to the poor and the outcast. As an icon of Christ the Servant, the deacon idealy helps us to be "doers of the Word and not just learners" (James 1:22-25). By his
familiarity with the needs of those in the wider community, the deacon helps us to avoid becoming too internally
focused on our faith community. In the homily, the deacon should call the assembly to compassion and action on the
part of those who otherwise would have no voice. He does this by unpacking the social ramifications of the Gospel,
the Good News of Jesus, who came to "bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and new sight
to the blind; to free the oppressed and announce the Lord's year of mercy" (Luke 4:16-21).
The last part of the Liturgy of the Word is the General Intercessions, or Prayers of the Faithful. This is the part of the Mass where the assembly exercises its priestly role by praying for the needs of all the world. By virtue of his ministry of service, the deacon is supposed to be familiar with the special needs of those in the community.
So the deacon helps us to live both responsives to the needs of the world: action and prayer, "to pray as though everything depends upon God, and to act as though everything depends upon us." The corresponding part of the General Intercessions in the Eastern Church are the many litianies for the needs of the world sung during the Divine Liturgy: these litanies are always led by a deacon.
The last part of the Liturgy of the Word is the General Intercessions, or Prayers of the Faithful. This is the part of the Mass where the assembly exercises its priestly role by praying for the needs of all the world. By virtue of his ministry of service, the deacon is supposed to be familiar with the special needs of those in the community.
So the deacon helps us to live both responsives to the needs of the world: action and prayer, "to pray as though everything depends upon God, and to act as though everything depends upon us." The corresponding part of the General Intercessions in the Eastern Church are the many litianies for the needs of the world sung during the Divine Liturgy: these litanies are always led by a deacon.