August 10, 2010
Memorial of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
By Beth DeCristofaro
Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. (John 12:24)
Piety
Prayer to St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
O Generous patron of the Church’s poor, St. Lawrence, pray to the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that all the poor of the Church in need in every corner of the world may feel the effect of the love of their brothers and sisters who seek to help them.
Deliver the Church from the greed and envy of the powerful and protect her rights and property so that she may serve the needy in freedom, giving them good things for soul and body.
May we come some day with all those whom we helped on earth to the bright mansions of heaven where we will enjoy the riches of God’s house and the company of the Savior who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen
Study
It’s true. Unless a seed cracks open and dies in nurturing soil and water, it will not give life. These readings feel especially poignant today, the memorial of the early Christian Lawrence, martyred in 258, because of the murder of ten medical aide workers in Afghanistan late last week.
Lawrence was known for his work with the poor. When Roman leaders demanded that he turn over to them the of riches of the church, Lawrence gathered a crowd of downtrodden, sick, outcast and presented them as the treasures of the church. The medical personnel were in Afghanistan because of their Christian belief and commitment to serving the poor – in this caring for eyes, teeth and general health. They were not overtly spreading Christianity in the sense of proselytizing as the Taliban claimed but their kindness and their conviction in the dignity of all persons was surely proclaimed.
Lawrence and these doctors, technicians and interpreters were martyred in ways which most of us will never be called to experience. We are called, however, as Christians, to die to greediness, attraction to small gods and narrow-minded views of who God wants us to love. … God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you … Paul reminds us that abundant and cheerful giving is rooted in God’s own abundant generosity and that as we can never outdo that divine generosity, we will always have more to give as we give more.
Action
What can I do today to help the poor – whether poor in material or spiritual ways? Do I have extra clothes or change to hand over to someone else? Can I take the time to listen without judgment to a colleague or family member? Can I give to someone who mistreats me or those I love? Can I tap into God’s abundance rather than being unconvinced of my own?
