The word of the day is “appoint.”  Today’s society believes that there always is a better way.  Invention will improve anything. Innovation will make everything function more efficiently. However, the foundations of Holy Tradition in the church are enduring and are not subject to improvement. One of these is the church order of ordained clergy. Today in our reading of Act 6:1-7, we read of the establishment of the order of deacons in the church. The twelve apostles said, “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint for this business [of administration and caring]”  (OSB vs. 3). Based on this model, our deacons continue to…
The word for the day is “widow.” In our reading of 1 Timothy 5:1-10, St. Paul gives practical instructions for caring for the widows in Timothy’s congregation who are especially vulnerable. Paul directs that the church should support widows who do not have a family to support them (vs. 3).  But the Apostle teaches that “If any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents…” (vs. 3). Both the Old and New Testaments pay special attention to the plight of widows. In ancient society, most often, women had no means of support besides their husbands. The word “widow” in Greek refers to those women who have suffered loss, are…
The word of the day is “appoint.”  Today’s society believes that there always is a better way.  Invention will improve anything. Innovation will make everything function more efficiently and easily. However, the foundations of Holy Tradition in the church are enduring. One of these is the church order of ordained clergy. Today in our reading of Act 6:1-7, we read of the establishment of the order of deacons in the church. The twelve apostles said, “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint for this business [of administration and caring]”  (OSB vs. 3). Based on this model, our deacons continue to serve the church today.…
The word for the day is “widow.” In our reading of 1 Timothy 5:1-10, St. Paul gives practical instructions for caring for the widows in Timothy’s congregation who are especially vulnerable. Paul directs that the church should support widows who do not have a family to support them (vs. 3). But the Apostle teaches that “If any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents…” (vs. 3). Both the Old and New Testaments pay special attention to the plight of widows. In ancient society, most often, women had no means of support besides their husbands. The word “widow” in Greek refers to those women who have suffered loss, are…