Have you ever heard a member of the Church complain about others in the Church? How about complain about the Pope? Bishop? Pastor? While some complaints are legitimately expressed and are appreciated, others are simply divisive. Unfortunately, there are those who seem to thrive on complaining about others. Often it is about insignificant things. I have had people complain about my having trees trimmed, about my coat of arm in my office, about my haircut (or lack of), other things that have little to do with serious issues.
In the first reading we hear of a positive that came from a complaint, the establishment of the Order of Deacon. While many Catholics are unfamiliar with Permanent Deacons, over the past 40 years they have reemerged as a vital part of the Church’s ministry. The greater part of their ministry is behind the scenes serving those in need and making a difference in the community without drawing attention to themselves. The Spirit of God continues to move and guide the church, sometimes even through valid complaints.
The second reading reminds us of our common baptismal commitment to allow ourselves to “be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” At each Mass, we lift up our hearts to the Father, offering ourselves as a sacrifice How many neighbors would recognize us as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own”? Following up on this Jesus, in today’s Gospel, reminds us, “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.” How well are we doing the works that Jesus did?
Countenance of God 