Bible
Study: 2ND Corinthians 9:6-10. / John 12:24-26.
Today, the
church remembers one its greatest heroes. He was not a priest nor a bishop, he
was simply a deacon but he was entrusted with a great responsibility, the care
of the material goods of the church. He is none other than St. Lawrence. To
show how much St. Lawrence is held in high esteem by the church, today is celebrated
as a feast day rather than a memorial.
According
Fr. Leonard Foley, O.F.M., Lawrence was a Roman deacon under Pope St.
Sixtus II. Four days after this pope was put to death, Lawrence and four
clerics suffered martyrdom, probably during the persecution of the Emperor
Valerian.
As deacon
in Rome, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of
the Church, and the distribution of alms to the poor. When Lawrence knew he
would be arrested like the pope, he sought out the poor, widows and orphans of
Rome and gave them all the money he had on hand, selling even the sacred
vessels to increase the sum. When the prefect of Rome heard of this, he
imagined that the Christians must have considerable treasure.
He sent
for Lawrence and said, “You Christians say we are cruel to you, but that is not
what I have in mind. I am told that your priests offer in gold, that the sacred
blood is received in silver cups, that you have golden candlesticks at your
evening services. Now, your doctrine says you must render to Caesar what is
his. Bring these treasures—the emperor needs them to maintain his forces. God
does not cause money to be counted: He brought none of it into the world with
him—only words. Give me the money, therefore, and be rich in words.”
Lawrence
replied that the Church was indeed rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But
give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.” After three
days he gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned and
widowed persons and put them in rows. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply
said, “These are the treasure of the Church.”
The
prefect was so angry he told Lawrence that he would indeed have his wish to
die—but it would be by inches. He had a great gridiron prepared, with coals
beneath it, and had Lawrence’s body placed on it. After the martyr had suffered
the pain for a long time, the legend concludes, he made his famous cheerful
remark, “It is well done. Turn me over!”
In our
first reading today, St. Paul admonishes us to be charitable towards the needy
saying: “He who sows sparingly reaps sparingly and he who sows bountifully also
reaps bountifully.” 2 Cor. 9:6 We often hear this quotation in Church during
harvest time or when it comes to donating but the truth is that St. Paul was
essentially talking about charity in this passage and not necessarily about
giving in church. By helping the poor, we are sowing seeds that would eventually
germinate for our good.
“He
scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 2
Cor. 9:9 Giving to the poor is a righteous act. Then comes a very popular verse
which I often hear people quote as a prayer for themselves. “He who supplies
seed to the sower and bread for good will supply and multiply your resources
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” 2 Cor. 9:10. We love to attribute
this blessing to ourselves but we forget that St. Paul intended it as a prayer
for those who give to the poor. If we are not kind and generous, how do we expect
this prayer to work for us?
Well, I must
agree that it is not easy giving to the poor. Especially in our day and time,
where there are a lot of crooks trying to take advantage of people’s generosity
and goodwill and even abled bodied persons who have resolved to making a career
out of begging. It takes a lot of courage at times to believe some people’s
ridiculous stories which in most cases are not true. Honestly, to give is a
sacrifice! It is a cross we have to carry if we must follow Jesus as he tells
us in the Gospel passage: “If anyone serves me, he must follow me and where I am,
there shall my servant be.”
Let us
pray:
Lord
Jesus, help me to be kind and generous especially to the poor and needy around
me so that like St. Lawrence, I may one day be with you in paradise. Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. Happy
new week.
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