PHOTOS | Archbishop Aquila to New Denver Transitional Deacon: ‘God Comes First’
- André Escaleira, Jr.
- 8 minutes ago
- 4 min read
As the archdiocese’s newest deacon was ordained, the Denver archbishop called him and each of the faithful to deeper faith, surrender, and hope in God.
Denver’s newest transitional deacon — and indeed all of us — have a renewed challenge from our spiritual father: put God first.
During his homily at Deacon Enrique Cruz Bautista’s ordination Mass, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila exhorted those gathered to brighten their lights so as to shine in a world captured by darkness.
“The Lord assures us that we are to be those who trust in his word and who know and love his word, especially the Gospel,” Archbishop Aquila said. “It is letting your heart and your mind truly be formed by the Word of God, not putting your word first, but putting God’s word first within your life.”
The archbishop drew from the Mass’ first reading from Jeremiah, in which God calls the young prophet to follow and serve him, telling him, “See, I place my words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9). In like manner, Archbishop Aquila told Deacon Cruz, all clergy — deacons, priests and bishops alike — must ask God’s guidance in their own words and preaching.
“Each time, before you preach, you should pray to the Holy Spirit, asking God to fulfill his promise by placing his words in your mouth, so that it is he who you proclaim,” he said, emphasizing the need to preach Jesus Christ first and always, rather than oneself. “These are important words to meditate on, especially in the time in which we live, where there is so much confusion, where there are times of putting our word, ourselves, before the Word of God. We are to see ourselves as slaves for the sake of Jesus. We are to let our light shine out of darkness and bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God and the face of Jesus Christ.”
(Photos by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic)
For all witnesses to the Gospel, but especially for those ordained to preach the Good News, this prioritization requires putting first things first, allowing God to be God. It requires a John the Baptist level of humility, in which one would say, “He must increase. I must decrease” (John 3:30). Drawing from the second reading from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, the archbishop called Deacon Cruz to that radical humility.
“[St. Paul] is reminding you to never be arrogant, to never be one who thinks that he deserves certain things, to never be one who wants to be placed on a pedestal, but always to be one who points to Jesus Christ, that it is God working through you,” he said. “This is only possible if you surrender yourself to Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit, making yourself a total self-gift. You are entitled to nothing. God promises you his grace and to be with you the more you surrender to him.”
This humble, surrendered service ought not be begrudgingly rendered, though, Archbishop Aquila quickly clarified.
“It is important that you always be ready to serve others when you are called upon. Do not be grouchy; do not grumble; do not complain. That is not the way of Jesus. But rather, see the face of Jesus in every person you serve,” the archbishop said, pointing to the example of St. Teresa of Calcutta, who challenges each of us to be lights to the world, to reflect the joyful face of Christ to those most in need. “She never resisted the service of others. Nor can we as deacons, priests and bishops.”
For Deacon Cruz, even his very being, now configured to Christ the Servant through a radical self-gift, will serve as a beacon of light in a dark world, the archbishop said. Through his promises of celibacy and obedience, as well as his ordained service to God’s children, he will evidence the beauty of a life lived for God first and foremost.
“Be that light in the world by your living celibacy, to give light to others, to confound them, so that they may see that God is to come first within our lives before all else, that we are to serve him,” Archbishop Aquila said.
As Deacon Cruz began his ministry of service to God and his people, Archbishop Aquila prayed that he would be a faithful, humble witness to the Father, always pointing others back to him.
“My prayer for you as you become a deacon today is that you will take to heart these readings, that you will know that God is faithful to his promise when he says, ‘I am with you to deliver you. I place my words in your mouth,’” he concluded. “May you have a deep love for the Word of God, for it is a living word that will continue to form you. Throughout your diaconal ministry and in the future as a priest, I pray that you will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and that in your ministry and through your good deeds, you will always give glory to the Father.”
