Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Ordination to the Diaconate of Joseph Martin Hien Vu
24 November 2023
“Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ…” (Romans 8:35) With these words from Saint Paul, the Church of Broken Bay today greets the Church in Vietnam, which, although geographically distant, is so close to our hearts.
In the community of the Church neither physical distance nor cultural diversity separate us because our unity comes from being one in Christ. At the altar of the Lord, bishops, priests, and deacons, Christ’s lay-faithful, and men and women religious, are brothers and sisters redeemed in Jesus Christ. It is here, at this moment, that we are profoundly and particularly close, because it is Christ who calls us into communion.
As brothers and sisters of the Lord, we are all equal, however, we are not all the same. The unique gifts and charisms that have been given to each person, are part of God’s creative design. Each woman and man, created in the image and likeness of God, is animated by the Holy Spirit, to be a witness of God’s love and mercy to the world.
The same Holy Spirit equips us for Communion and Mission. The entire Christian people is called to communion in Christ who sends us on mission to proclaim the truth of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Together, communion and mission belong to Christ, however, as his disciples, we are anointed by the Spirit to participate in both. Participation in the communion and mission of Christ is not for the faint-hearted.
Today’s Gospel reminds us of the words with which Christ Jesus announced to his disciples the persecution they would suffer: “Beware of men, because they will hand you over to their courts and scourge you…; and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness to them and to the pagans” (Matt 10:17-18).
With these sober and challenging words, Jesus spoke to the apostles and disciples of all times; and he speaks them to us today with great frankness! The Good News of Jesus Christ is not a false prophecy given to deceive us. Nor is it a promise that glimmers in its offer of worldly pleasure and comfort.
In the fullness of the truth that always embodies his Word, Jesus prepared us for the worst: “Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all on account of my name; but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved”. (Matt 10:21-22)
My brothers and sisters do not be frightened or discouraged by these words, after all, the Gospel in which we believe is Good News for all. Jesus does not leave his disciples and his faithful defenceless, unprotected, or weak. In moments of persecution and struggle the Lord is with us.
Urging us on he reminds us in these moments of trial and tribulation, “…do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you”. (Matt 10:19-20).
This is the Good News today. The Holy Spirit. The Spirit of truth. God’s Holy Spirit will be strength for our weakness. With this strength we will bear witness to the world.
As we commemorate our holy Vietnamese Martyrs, can we not see this Gospel in action? Their lives are an encouragement to us that to bear witness to Christ crucified requires wisdom and courage beyond human strength. Might their suffering for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ also urge us to endure as disciples of the same Lord? Do they not offer the world the example par excellence of participation in the communion and mission of Christ?
Hien, what a wonderful time in history to be called to the ordained ministry as deacon. Without a doubt, the mandate to participate in the communion and mission of Jesus Christ is not for the faint-hearted. Nor is this a time of being immersed in the restructuring of the Church.
We live in an era which seems to be preoccupied with endless internal reviews, structural analysis, and administrative reorganization. Good leadership, transparent governance, and honest accountability are always to be lauded – in both the Church and society. However, your ministry as deacon, while emulating these values, will primarily be outward looking. It will be characterized by your deep desire to preach the Word of God by a life of holiness, service, and prayer.
As a man of virtue, you will offer your love, not to a wife and children, but as a sign of pastoral charity to the community of the Church. Your life of chaste celibacy will allow you the freedom to cling to Christ as you live the Christian faith. With an undivided heart you will accompany others who seek the truth of the Gospel.
As deacon, you will listen attentively to the needs of the people, announcing them in the midst of the assembly, so that the entire community of the Church will be united in the communion of prayer. Likewise, you will assist the bishop and presbyters at the altar, making ready the gifts of bread and wine from the People of God to be offered for sacrifice.
In the liturgical assembly, you will be the voice reminding the faithful that participation in the communion of Christ is actioned through participation in the mission of Christ. As deacon, you will send the faithful into the world to be witnesses of Jesus Christ.
My dear son, you are known to be a man of good reputation who is eager to live life in the Spirit and to grow in wisdom and love. Never allow yourself to be turned away from the hope offered by the Gospel. Though the sacrament of holy Orders, not only will you be a hearer of the Gospel but also its minister.
Hien, as you are ordained to the responsibility of the diaconate, I offer to you the unwavering faith of the Vietnamese Martyrs to be your inspiration and guide. As we will sing in the hymn, “Though flesh and bone might crumble, and blood may flow, their hearts are devoted to God alone”.
Let them inspire you never to compromise the faith that has been entrusted to you in baptism and let them intercede for you in your ordained ministry to serve God’s holy people.
May Mary, Star of the Sea and Queen of Martyrs guide you Hien and may Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and all the Vietnamese Martyrs inspire you to love God and to serve the People of God as deacon.