Location: San Fernando Cathedral
My dear brothers, who are about to be ordained to the Diaconate, dear family, and friends, for us to follow the Lord Jesus, we must embrace his humility and compassion. The selections of scripture that you have chosen for this morning’s liturgy well suit the context in which you are to be ordained.
Isaiah speaks powerfully to us of the anointing of the Lord which you will receive in your ordination as deacons.
The prophet proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord…” This passage encapsulates the essence of the diaconate. As a deacon you are called to be a servant, an instrument of God’s grace, bringing hope and healing to those in need. This anointing signifies not only a divine selection, but also a mission to proclaim the Good News, to comfort the afflicted, and to serve the marginalized.
In Acts 6, we witness the early Church grappling with the practical needs of its community. The apostles recognize the necessity of appointing deacons, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to serve the needs of the people. This moment is pivotal as it highlights the importance of service in the life of the Church.
The deacon’s role is not merely administrative; it is a ministry of presence, compassion, and advocacy. And so, you as a deacon are called to ensure that no one is overlooked, that the needs of the community are met, and that the Gospel is lived out in tangible ways.
As the church gathers to celebrate your ordination to the diaconate, we pray for both of you. Robert, you have shared that a central value for you is to serve with humility—to be a steadfast presence for the people of God, genuine and close to their hearts. Walk with them, remain with them. May these noble desires flourish within you, bringing forth a spirit of purity and joy. Guillermo, you long to live out your diaconate with the unwavering dedication and courage of the Cristeros, who gave their lives as martyrs for Christ and His Church. You recognize that your own martyrdom will unfold in the daily, devoted service to God’s people. Bring alive the proclamation well know to you and to us, ¡Viva Cristo Rey!
In the Gospel of Luke proclaimed to us this day we see the missionary aspect of the diaconate is central as we witness Jesus sending out the seventy-two disciples, instructing them to go ahead of Him into every town and place where He Himself was about to go. This sending forth is a reminder that you as a deacon are not only a servant within the Church, but also a missionary in the world. The call to “heal the sick” and proclaim that “the kingdom of God is at hand to you” is a charge that resonates deeply with the diaconal vocation. As a deacon you are to be a herald of hope, bringing the presence of Christ into the lives of others.
In your preparation for ordination, you have deeply reflected on the profound responsibility that comes with this calling. You as a deacon are to embody the spirit of service, to be a bridge between the altar and the world, and to live out the Gospel in every action. This vocation is not merely a role but a way of life, rooted in humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to the mission of Christ.
As the Church gathers to celebrate this significant moment of your ordination to the Diaconate, may you embrace the grace of the Holy Spirit, stepping into this sacred ministry with joy and dedication. Pope Francis has taught us that the Church of Jesus Christ is a Synodal Church. The diaconate serves as a model of service that embodies the synodal journey, inviting all members of the Church to participate actively in its mission. The world is in need of the light of Christ, and through the diaconate, that light can shine brightly, bringing hope and healing to all.
May the words of Isaiah resonate in your heart as newly ordained deacons: “They shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall be called ministers of our God” (Is 61:6). This brothers, is a call to a life of service, a life that reflects the love of Christ in every encounter.
My dear family and friends, let us pray for our dear brothers that they may be a faithful servants, compassionate ministers, and joyful witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus. May they follow the example of St. Anthony and may our Lady of Guadalupe continue to form them as she formed Jesus to be faithful to the Father’s Will.
