I. Introduction: Framing the Question: What is the Diaconate?
When it was time for Jesus to return to the Father, He met the eleven who had been with
Him since the beginning of His mission and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-
20 NABRE) Jesus commands the eleven to continue his mission, He sent them into the world to
serve the world, to bring the “good news” to all nations, to preach and live the Gospel. How were
they to accomplish this mission? At the feast of Pentecost Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to His
disciples, He establishes His Church, the body which will be the visible sign of God’s work on
earth. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to His Church to bring them the Grace necessary to accomplish
their mission. The eleven prayed, cast lots, and chose Matthias to complete their number and so
were twelve. The early community of disciples would grow and through the Holy Spirit many
were added to their numbers. Soon it would become evident that the twelve would need
additional help.
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