August – My Reflection Month

August seems to be the month where we naturally begin to look forward, the days are not quite as long and the nights are getting cooler. We start to see fall registrations for sports and classes and the Back to school advertisements start to appear.
We start to shift from the lazy days of summer to the structures and routines of fall.
In the Church we have shifted to John’s Gospel, which focuses on Jesus’ Eucharistic discourse, and with in the Sunday Gospels.
With the anniversary of my diaconate ordination in the month of August, in the past few years it seems that I take this month as a personal reflection month, in which I focus my personal reading and prayer on the ongoing formation, ministry and life of the Permanent Deacon.

For the next little while … I step back, or maybe it is step into, actually let’s go with step aside… because life is still forward, I cannot go into ‘Monk Mode’. I still have to be present to my family, my job, my Parish, and my ministry.
So I will journey with myself and two of the books that I impacted me at the beginning of my diaconate journey.
A Deacon’s Retreat by Deacon James Keating
A New Friendship by Edward L. Buelt

During this time, if I may… I ask that you pray for me and all of my brother deacons, that the Holy Spirit may guide us in our home life, employment and in our ministry to God’s people.
That we may have understanding of others and compassion for all. To help us know the gifts that we have been given and to show us how to use them in serving others.
Bless us with the humility needed to accept rejection, and the ability to discern God’s will, and the peace of mind that comes with serving Him.
This prayer also extends to the men in the deaconate formation and those being called, their wives and families, the Pope, our Bishops, Priests, religious, parish communities, and all peoples. May we serve each other in love, and understanding.
Give us the courage, strength and grace to help build a world of justice and peace through Jesus Christ, the Living Bread from Heaven.
Amen.

Peace,
DG