DEACON ADAM WALK

“ADAM, YOU AREN’T WORTHY, BUT THAT SHOULDN’T STOP YOU!”

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This year’s Easter Vigil was the fifteenth anniversary of my entry into the Church. Receiving all of the sacraments of initiation was the first big milestone in a process of personal discernment that eventually led to my ordination as a deacon in November 2019.

My years of discernment have convinced me of several things, most importantly that God has a plan for every one of us, and that He gives us gifts and charisms to assist us in realising His plans. I have always marvelled at the diversity in the Church. People are called to serve God and His Church in such interesting ways, as a cursory look at the lives of the saints will confirm. Some combine a serious faith commitment with participation in secular professions. I have read of a Dominican sister who is a physician, a Jesuit brother who is an astronomer, and a Holy Cross priest who is a historian specialising in American presidents! Such examples helped me to accept that God might be calling me to be a deacon, while remaining committed to my marriage and my professional life.

I have never really had a problem trying new things, but I did struggle with a couple of aspects of discernment. First, was the sense of a lack of worthiness. Why on earth would God call me to anything, especially ordained ministry? As the Archbishop told me: “Adam, you aren’t worthy, but that shouldn’t stop you!” Second, I needed to learn to give up my normal preference for planning and being in control. Very early on, we were told that the Church discerns vocations, and it is clear to me there is a great deal of wisdom in this approach.

In the end, these struggles turned out to be positives in that they disposed me to the process of discernment and freed me to respond to God’s promptings without my plans and preferences drowning out the Holy Spirit. Now, I am left with a feeling of peace, knowing that I am, amidst my myriad inadequacies and occasional uncertainties, fulfilling God’s plan for my life. I trust that He will make up for whatever I lack.

DEACON PETER PELLICAAN: The Greatest Adventure

THE JOY OF A VOCATION IS THAT YOU’RE CALLED TO PLAY A PART IN THE ACTIVITY OF GOD!

Imagine for a moment that God is real. Imagine that God is the source of all life, the author of love, the cause of all that is good, true and beautiful. Imagine that every person is specifically designed by this all powerful and holy God and that the deepest desire of every human heart is to encounter God.

Imagine that this loving and creative God revealed himself to humanity by becoming a man, and that this man would give up his life so that humanity could be reconciled to God. Imagine that this God who became man was inviting you to be a part of this divine plan! Imagine that God would continue to impart grace through people like you and I!

The joy of having a vocation is that you’ve come to see that this whole ‘God-thing’ is not simply a product of the human imagination. It is reality. This Jesus, God made flesh, is in fact more real than anything. He is the way, the truth and the life. The joy of a vocation is that you’re called to play a part in the activity of God. You’re called to be a minister of God’s grace in order that God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and life would f low through you to those you minister to. What could be more exciting, challenging, exhilarating, and life giving! What could be more of an adventure!

For me personally, the encounter with Jesus began in baptism when I was only a week or so old, but this baptismal grace came to life for me anew when I encountered Jesus at about the age of 8. This was followed with another significant moment at 14 where I had the distinct sense that God was calling me to give my life in service of the Church. Though this calling has manifested itself in different ways in a variety of contexts, it has been a constant conviction and a great joy.

There is nothing more life giving for me personally then being involved in someone else’s encounter with God. It’s incredible to accompany people as they first discover the furious love, forgiveness, grace and mercy of God. It is such a joy to see people find healing, wholeness, purpose and identity as they encounter Jesus and surrender to him. This vocation thing – as the Archbishop likes to say – is like signing a blank cheque, and it will cost you your life – but in it you’ll find more life than you could ever give away!