Handing it Over
“You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.” Psalm 23: 5b-6. NRSV
Recently, I was at a meeting where I was asked to lead a healing service. Usually, I can do almost all the parts and readings in the service, but I have been having difficulty with my voice after a long illness with deep coughing and hoarseness that damaged my vocal cords.
I am in speech therapy. My voice is improving, but it’s still not as strong as I’d like it to be. I knew I had to ask others to help. In the end, the only part I participated in was the short homily, and I assisted with the laying on of hands and anointing. There were two other deacons and a priest present, and I asked them to help with the anointing.
The service was beautiful, particularly as we heard many other voices. After the service, the two deacons and the priest approached me and told me they could not express how meaningful it was to do the anointing. One was almost in tears. I was moved by how passionately each person spoke about how being involved in this sacramental rite of laying on hands and unction brought healing to them, as well as to those they prayed for.
Suddenly, I knew I was now being called to do what deacons are supposed to do, to hand over other ministries to others. This is a significant part of the deacon’s ministry. We help others be involved in a ministry, and then hand it over to them.
I am not giving up my call, but I am sharing it with others now. It is more than just delegating. It sacramentally invites others to participate in a ministry to which they are now called. This can be true in outreach and parish life ministries. In fact, it is a principal part of every aspect of ministry. We encourage, mentor, and lead others to become the person God created them to be.
Joanna Seibert https://www.joannaseibert.com/