Here's is a graphic example of deacons living out their charge to be heralds of Christ. Remember the bishop's charge to deacons in the Latin rite? "Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach."
These deacons, and so many others, were truly "practicing what they taught."
People traffickers kill Orthodox deacons in Sinai Desert Christian News on Christian Today
Martyrdom is not simply historical; it is as current as today's news.
I meant to comment on this earlier. Thanks for bringing up this topic. Since deacons are more "in the world" I believe that one of our duties as preachers and teachers is to be the ones informing our congregations on the achievements and martyrdoms of brother and sister Christians and Catholics around the world.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I am always amazed at how little we American Catholics know about the suffering and the heroism of Chaldean Catholics in Iraq. And from what I have read I have realized they feel pretty much abandoned by their fellow Catholics.
Instead of haranguing Catholics about how they should be attending Mass on Sunday--simply telling the dramatic, interesting stories of courageous Catholics around the world who risk their lives to attend Mass can be a better strategy to stimulate spiritual sluggards.