Phillip the Deacon: A Reflection on His Supernatural Life

The spiritual gifts given to deacons at ordination is a supernatural grace for the Sacred Liturgy, Holy Scripture, and Service to the Body of Christ. We are asked to foster these gifts as foundations for our ministry. One of our obligations as deacons is to pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily. A particular reading on August 10, 2021 helped me refocus on the ministry of a deacon from the 1st century. August 10th was the feast day of Saint Lawrence a Deacon and martyr for the Church of Rome. He was a fourth century Christian who was executed during the persecution of Emperor Valerian four days after the execution of Pope Sixtus II and his companions for their Catholic faith. He is an example of how Catholics, regardless of their position within the church or society, should be prepared to die for their beliefs.

The Office of Readings on pg. 1304 for Saint Lawrence's Feast Day focuses on the Book of Acts 6:1-6; 8:1,4-8. Something within those scriptures caught my attention regarding the Ministry of the Deacon that I had not thought of before. I will reflect on Phillip, the New Testament Deacon.