The stories in the Acts of the Apostles have much to teach about the growth of the Christian community and its message.  An interesting reflection arises for our Vincentian spirit when we consider the events surrounding the selection of the first deacons.

The situation finds clear expression.  Some members of the early church were not receiving a proper share of the food resources of the community.  People were not getting what they needed.  And so, the disciples gather and consider:  “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.” (Acts 6:2)  Then, they select seven deacons who are to carry out this humble ministry at table.

Among the deacons chosen for this service are Stephen and Philip.  In the next chapters of the book, we find that Stephen will be the first martyr of the early church for his bold and unswerving proclamation of the word.  Philip will be forced to leave Jerusalem, and we soon find him preaching and converting in Samaria and Caesarea.  Thus, these new ministers, far from simply serving at table, become powerful instruments of the Gospel.  The reasoning of the Apostles needs some adjusting.  While they should not “neglect the word of God to serve at table,” they should not think that serving at table leads to a neglect of the word of God.  The new deacons demonstrate this truth forcefully.

I find Vincent’s heart in this realization.  We remember how he teaches his communities:

“So then, if there are any among us who think they are in the Mission to evangelize poor people but not to alleviate their sufferings, to take care of their spiritual needs but not their temporal ones, I reply that we have to help them and have them assisted in every way, by us and by others . . .  To do this is to preach the Gospel by words and by works, and that is the most perfect way; it is also what Our Lord did and what those should do who represent him on earth . . .” (CCD 12, 77-78)

Vincent would teach his communities that it is not enough to take care of the spiritual needs of those whom we serve; we must also attend to the physical needs.  He taught the missionaries:

“Coming to evangelize the poor does not simply mean to teach them the mysteries necessary for their salvation, but also to do what was foretold and prefigured by the prophets to make the Gospel effective.” (CCD 12, 75)

Mission and charity are intimately connected.  Vincent would find the efforts and success of the early deacons a wonderful illustration of the way in which the Christian message must be proclaimed and applied.  We hear the way in which that reality needs to be expressed in our lives as we take Vincent as our model in the following of Christ.