St. Lawrence and the Rest of Us.

Saturday 10^th August, 2019. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, Psalm 112 & John 12:24-26

_“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” *(John 12:24-25)*_

Today, the church remembers one its greatest heroes; Saint Lawrence. He was a Roman deacon under Pope St. Sixtus II. As a deacon in Rome, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church and the distribution of alms to the poor.

During a time of persecution, Lawrence knowing he would be arrested like the Pope, 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 had a 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 treasures of the Church.”

The Prefect was so angry he had a great gridiron prepared, with coals beneath it, and had Lawrence’s body placed on it. Lawrence died like a piece of meat being roasted slowly over a hot charcoal fire. We remember him today especially for his heroic act of charity. As St. Paul teaches in today’s first reading: “He who sows sparingly reaps sparingly and he who sows bountifully also reaps bountifully.” (2 Cor. 9:6). God loves a cheerful giver.

St. Lawrence did not simply give to the poor, his giving was at the risk of his own life. Lawrence must have thought carefully where to hide the material riches of the Church and he recalled the words of Jesus. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20). Lawrence exemplifies the meaning of this passage. Storing up treasures in heaven means kindness to the poor and needy.

Jesus says unless a grain of wheat falls and dies, it remains alone but after it dies, it bears much fruit. The Emperor felt that by killing Lawrence, he would have succeeded in destroying the Church. Little did he realize that thousands of years later, the church he tried to destroy would still be standing but his empire (the Roman Empire) would have become relegated to the pages of history. Lawrence is an example of a seed that fell to the ground only to grow into a big tree bearing much fruit.

Lawrence gladly accepted the Cross. It is a coincidence that today’s Gospel passage is like a repetition of yesterday’s Gospel passage (Matthew’s version). Jesus wants us to gladly embrace the Cross for the sake of God’s Kingdom. “He who loves his life loses it and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.” (John 12:25). Would I be willing to die for my faith?

I conclude our reflections today by mentioning a young lady whose name has become very popular in my country today. While some exploit her story for political reasons, some others do not even believe anything that has been said about her. Her name is Leah Sharibu. According to the story, she and other girls were kidnapped by the dreaded terrorist group called Boko Haram from their school Hostel. While others girls were released after some negotiation with the Government, she was held captive because she refused to deny her Christian Faith. Recently a nurse who was kidnapped at that time and released reported that she alongside other girls were murdered by the terrorists. Like Lawrence, Leah choose Jesus above her own life.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, bless me with the kind of wisdom you gave St. Lawrence and the courage to let go of my very life for your sake. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, Psalm 112:1-9, John 12:24-26).