Yesterday I had the privilege of being able to spend about an hour answering questions for a group of young men working toward their Ad Altare Dei Boy Scout award. I hope that some of them visit the blog today and perhaps join us with even more questions. It seems that an hour is too short a time to get all your questions answered.
The topic of the discussion was Holy Orders, and I was on the “seat of heat.” My job was to answer any questions about being a deacon that anyone could come up with. Well, here’s your chance to do that again—only this time in the combox. Actually, the questions were prepared and I knew what to expect, but I really wanted it to be open to anything that anyone wanted to know. Surprisingly in a recent Confirmation interview when I asked, "Do you have any questions?" I got a "What made you decide to become a deacon?"
It was really a pleasure to visit with the Scouts of my parish. I remember when I was their age and even younger how important the adult men in my life were to me. I especially remember my uncles and distant cousins. I will never forget the look of joy in their eyes when they had the opportunity to spend time with young people. There were some genuinely good individuals in my life as a boy, and I am thankful for them. So, I jump at the opportunity to pass it along when I get the chance. Also, I commend the Scout leaders who were there yesterday. I sometimes wonder how you guys manage to do all you do. Being a scout leader is a tough job.
Today’s reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians teaches us that Christ has set us free. It is a joy for me as a deacon to offer instruction for the Ad Altare Dei medal, and it is a real privilege to have such a program available to teach Scouts the value of knowing Christ in his power, for it is the power of our Lord that sets us free to be everything and anything we can dream possible.
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