Homily - Diaconate Ordination Mass Of Ambrose Wanyonyi
Diaconate Ordination Homily (Ambrose Wanyonyi)
Num 3:5-9
Anunciation Parish (Christ the King Worship Site)
Ps 96
5 December 2015
Acts 6:1-7
Luke 10:1-9
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Today’s celebration, a rather historic moment in the Diocese of Evansville, represents anything but a straight line. This man, Ambrose Wanyonyi, is not a native of the Diocese. He is not a Hoosier or a Boilermaker or Irish or, for that matter, of German descent. He is not even an American citizen. Coming to us from the country of Kenya, on the continent of Africa, by way of the Glenmarys, Ambrose has done anything but come to us in a straight line. His focus, however, has been one of maintaining a straight line in his vocation to love and serve the Lord. In the mutual embrace between the Diocese and Ambrose we should have a deeper appreciation of what it means to profess being one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
Pope Francis often speaks of missionary discipleship, exhorting us to go beyond our comfort zones, what is familiar, to the margins of society and the ends of the earth in witness to the joy of the gospel. In his Apostolic Exhortation, he states:
I dream of a “missionary option,” that is, a missionary impulse capable
of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things,
times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the
evangelization of today’s world rather than for self-preservation. The renewal
of structures demanded by pastoral conversion can only be understood in this
light: as part of an effort to make them more mission-oriented, to make ordinary
pastoral activity on every level more inclusive and open, to inspire in pastoral
workers a constant desire to go forth and in this way to elicit a positive response
from all those whom Jesus summons to friendship with him. [EG, 27]
Our brother Ambrose has dared to leave the familiarity of family, friends, culture and land, journeying to southwest Indiana as a missionary disciple. He exudes that joyful witness of the gospel by his engaging smile, gentle nature and respectful manner. His willingness and ability to embrace the culture of this particular Church and its people reflects the way in which Jesus Christ our Savior transcends all cultures and societies to bind us together as one Body, one Church, as one Family of God. Our brother Ambrose comes among us as one sent to serve rather than be served. In turn, we embrace him as our own.
Turning to our Scripture passages, we draw inspiration for further reflection on the nature of ministry and service in the Church. Just as Aaron and the tribe of Levi were summoned to discharge the duties of service to the larger community of God’s people, as recorded in the Book of Numbers, so worthy candidates like our brother Ambrose are called forth to serve among the People of God. As noted in the Acts of the Apostles, the purpose of the diaconate is rooted in the needs of the people rather than the preferences of the minister. As reflected in the mission of the seventy-two, in the Gospel of Luke, those called to ordained ministry must have the necessary courage, humility and generosity to be sent beyond what might be considered familiar, comfortable or safe. We must trust in the very Word of God, the Good News we proclaim by the witness of words and deeds. If the minister is not inspired and transformed by the Gospel, why should anyone take us seriously?
In his Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si’ (“Praise be to you, my Lord”), promulgated in May of this year, Pope Francis references the canticle of St. Francis of Assisi, reminding us that the earth, “our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.” [LS, 1] Elsewhere, in this same document, he writes;
“Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.” [LS, 12] A call to conversion and action, our Holy Father’s encyclical points out that one’s relationships with God, self, others and all creation is intricately bound together.
Ambrose, as an ordained cleric, like all priests and deacons, you are to bear witness to intricate bond of God, self, others and creation by the witness of your life in service to others, particularly the poor, the homeless, the sick, the elderly, the dying, the immigrant, the unborn, the abused, the addicted, the lonely, the prisoner and all who may be on the brink of hopelessness. In this great land of opportunity, considered by some as the lone “Superpower,” you must be especially attentive to the various forms of poverty — whether material, emotional or spiritual — that exists among us. The ultimate means of eradicating the root causes of poverty, injustice and environmental suicide is through the call of conversion, both personal and communal. The role of service to which a deacon is called to embrace must point to this necessity of conversion, outreach and accompaniment. Of course, all this must be predicated on prayer, the Word of God and the faithful celebration of the Sacraments. Your own personal witness — grounded in the promises of liturgical prayer, celibacy and obedience — is essential to effective pastoral leadership of God’s holy people. Such a leader must be capable of cultivating a “culture of encounter,” fostering dialogue and permeating an abiding sense of mercy. Trusting that you have what it takes to carry out the sacred duties of the office of the diaconate, we embrace you as our own the name of Jesus Christ and His Church.
