Herald of Christ’s Kingdom: Lent meditation 1

Rev’d Jon Swales MBE is a mission priest in the Church of England. He heads up Lighthouse in Leeds, a fresh expression of church for adults battered and bruised by the storms of life. https://stgs.org.uk/lighthouse

It has recently been agreed for Lighthouse to became a placement for deacon ordinands.

Jon has kindly offered us his meditations on the diaconate and on being a deacon, as a series of Lent reflections.  https://www.cruciformjustice.com

‘The Bishop, drawing on the liturgical resources of the Book of Common Worship, described the task of the deacons as follows,

‘Deacons are called to work with the Bishop and the priests with whom they serve as heralds of Christ’s kingdom. They are to proclaim the gospel in word and deed, as agents of God’s purposes of love. They are to serve the community in which they are set, bringing to the Church the needs and hopes of all the people. They are to work with their fellow members in searching out the poor and weak, the sick and lonely and those who are oppressed and powerless, reaching into the forgotten corners of the world, that the love of God may be made visible.

Deacons share in the pastoral ministry of the Church and in leading God’s people in worship. They preach the word and bring the needs of the world before the Church in intercession. They accompany those searching for faith and bring them to baptism. They assist in administering the sacraments; they distribute communion and minister to the sick and housebound.

Deacons are to seek nourishment from the Scriptures; they are to study them with God’s people, that the whole Church may be equipped to live out the gospel in the world. They are to be faithful in prayer, expectant and watchful for the signs of God’s presence, as he reveals his kingdom among us. (Common Worship Ordination Services)

Meditation One: ‘Herald of Christ’s Kingdom’

‘Deacons are called to work with the Bishop and the priests with whom they serve as heralds of Christ’s kingdom.‘ –  Ordination of Deacons

Twelve years later, I can reflect on these words, ‘herald of Christ’s kingdom,’ and how it has to a greater or lesser extent revealed itself in my ministry.

The kingdom of Christ, the government of God, the alternative divine empire, is that which all followers of Jesus participate in and are called to enact.

It finds its root, foundation, and telos in the life and work of the Messiah Jesus. Jesus began his public ministry by announcing, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand.’ He proceeded to exemplify this Kingdom by extending a warm embrace to the marginalized, offering solace to the afflicted, confronting injustice, actively pursuing peace, proclaiming forgiveness, and ultimately laying down his life as an act of self-giving sacrificial love.

The kingdom, long hoped for by the saints of old, represented the values and vision of heaven and anticipated the day when all tears would be wiped away.

In ordination, I committed myself as a servant to this kingdom, and my ministry is successful only to the extent that it aligns with the compassionate kingdom of King Jesus.

The vocation of a deacon encompasses a multifaceted commitment. It encompasses a wholehearted embrace of the Kingdom’s values, entailing active participation in its unfolding narrative and vision. Simultaneously, it carries the weighty responsibility of proclaiming and heralding the profound message of Jesus and the Kingdom He inaugurated. This dual calling necessitates both living out the principles of the Kingdom through compassionate service and vocally articulating the transformative good news that Jesus brings to the world.

In my last twelve years of ministry, this diaconal vocation has drawn me to speak of Christ to many people from many walks of life.

I have pronounced the name of Jesus and shared His life and work in church services attended by hundreds, but also in intimate encounters with vulnerable individuals who cannot participate in conventional social gatherings.

The emissary of King Jesus can often be found kneeling at a kerbside, extending compassion to those desperate for solace, or delivering a message of hope to weary souls behind prison walls. This humble servant whispers the name of Jesus to those submerged in deep trauma, their wrists bearing the scars of profound emotional anguish. It is also spoken reverently at the graveside of those who have tragically taken their own lives.

In the act of proclaiming Jesus and His compassionate Kingdom, I’ve witnessed a power at work that surpasses my mere words and transcends my human limitations. This extraordinary power, emanating from the very heart of God, has given rise to countless moments of palpable divine love and grace, stirring within the listener an awakening to the King and His Kingdom.

There exists a wondrous potency when we speak of Jesus, where divine love interlaces seamlessly with mercy, and both the herald and the recipient are enveloped in the experience.

The historical Jesus, who heralded the advent of the Kingdom, remains the living Christ, beckoning us anew to enter into His presence. He is the good shepherd, whose voice resonates with His sheep, and His kindness embraces both the servant and the served.

Father of Creation,

God of Compassion,

Your Son proclaimed, embraced, and enacted a compassionate Kingdom.

You have called us as deacons to herald this Kingdom.

By your Spirit, equip us afresh for this sacred calling,

That we would take every opportunity to speak of Christ and his love.

Amen’

(image from https://tafj.org with thanks)