Articles
Minding the Gap
Chris Meadows Comments Off on Minding the Gap
This essay is, in many ways, a sort of lament. Many of us have written extensively on the disappointing and even disheartening lack of deacons in attendance at the first General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality, either as participants or as theological or canonical consultants. As hurtful as it is, we must certainly continue Read More
‘The Imitation of Christ’ by Thomas à Kempis
Chris Meadows Comments Off on ‘The Imitation of Christ’ by Thomas à Kempis
By the time “The Imitation of Christ” (Noll Library, OSV, $29.95) appeared bearing the name of its author, Thomas à Kempis (one estimate places it between 1418-27), the diaconate had all but disappeared as a permanent order in the Catholic Church. Written primarily for contemplative men and women, it would have also served as a Read More
‘Let God Love You’
Chris Meadows Comments Off on ‘Let God Love You’
When my husband, Larry, teaches about Christian prayer, the first thing he does is write this simple phrase on the whiteboard: “Let God love you.” It is a phrase he said to me when I was in a dark place spiritually. The participants in the class usually have the same look on their faces that Read More
Deacons and Mental Health
Chris Meadows Comments Off on Deacons and Mental Health
The headlines are disturbing: “Deaths by suicide reach ‘highest number ever recorded’; ideation likely higher, expert says.” And this: “Pope Francis laments the spiritual poverty in a culture that leads to teen suicides.” Yet there are hopeful headlines: “Dioceses wake up to youth mental health crisis, helping parents, teachers and pastors take action.” And, “As Read More
Being a Healthy Servant
Chris Meadows Comments Off on Being a Healthy Servant
“Do you know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.” — 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 What I have realized in my years of diaconate formation is that Read More
From God’s Heart to Ours
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The interior life is centered in our hearts, where our deepest longing exists. Our heart’s deepest need is to be loved by God. Divine love is nuptial. The dynamism of nuptial love consists of a continuous self-emptying of love, the divine gift of self to the other. We see this love witnessed in sacramental marriage, Read More
A Vehicle of Forgiveness
Chris Meadows Comments Off on A Vehicle of Forgiveness
The evangelizing witness of the deacon serves as an icon of mercy in the life of the Church. The deacon, as a grace-filled sign of God’s presence through a life of service, becomes the bridge for the Father’s evangelizing mercy, connecting God’s infinite, compassionate love to authentic healing in both the parish and families. How Read More
Striking a Healthy Balance
Chris Meadows Comments Off on Striking a Healthy Balance
The words “be aware but don’t despair” popped into my head several months ago as I was putting together the headlines for my daily Catholic radio program. The expression hit me at the time when several challenging stories were being released from Rome, along with tragic reports of the wars raging on in various parts Read More