The Feast of St Lawrence

2 Cor. 9:6-10, Jn 12:24-26. Today, we celebrate the Feast of St Lawrence, one of the seven Deacons of the third century Church in Rome and was martyred under the Emperor Valerian on the August 10th, 258, four days after the martyrdom of Pope Sixtus II. Little is known of Lawrence’s life except that he was noted for his generosity and was immensely popular with the Christians of Rome. In response to the call to be generous in today's first reading, Lawrence gave his life for the Church when the Roman authorities decreed that Christians should be executed and their goods confiscated by the Imperial treasury. After the death of Pope Sixtus II, the prefect of Rome demanded that Lawrence turn over the riches of the Church. Lawrence asked for three days to gather the treasury together. He worked swiftly to distribute as much Church property to the poor as possible, so as to prevent its being seized by the prefect. On the third day, at the head of a small delegation, he presented himself to the prefect and when ordered to give up the treasures of the Church he presented to the poor and the suffering, declaring that these were the true treasures of the Church. Accordingly, he is honoured as the patron of all cheerful givers.

Today, we are challenged to be cheerful givers not because we want God to reward us but because we have already received so much from God. Our giving is only a reflection of God’s giving to us. Let us think about the ways that we have been blessed by the Lord; our life, faith, talents and abilities, the presence of God in the life of people who have reflected God’s love. As our hymn declares: “All good gift are sent from Heaven above.” In today's Gospel, Jesus compares the death of a grain of wheat to the lives and deaths of His disciples. It is only when a grain of wheat gives up its own life that further grains can grow. Thus, it is necessary that we give up ourselves in order that others may blossom. Jesus equates service of others to dying to self, just as He performed service, including the ultimate service of His dying on the Cross.

May the Lord continue to bless us with gifts beyond our expectation and may we be willing to share as generously with others as God shares with us! Amen!! Remain safe and have a productive week!!!