August 10, 2018

Lawrence

August 10, 2018:  St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

See 15 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
For the gospel

For 1st reading
For Psalm 112
Pope Francis to Knights of Columbus
Your convention theme, “Knights of Charity,” evokes the bond of faith and charity of your founders who wanted to establish a fraternal society committed to your Christian formation and mutual support.  In Gaudete et Exsultate the Holy Father speaks of the Beatitudes as Christ's followers “ID card":  the Sermon on the Mount gives us a portrait of the Master to reflect in our daily lives.  May your “Faith in Action” program, with its “Helping Hands” component, bear fruit in creative charity adapted to emerging forms of poverty and human need.
Thank you for your commitment to the family in encouraging men in their vocation as Catholic husbands and fathers, and defending the authentic nature of marriage and family.  Thanks too for your charitable outreach to persecuted Christians.  Pray for peace, conversion of hearts, commitment to dialogue, and just resolution of conflicts.
Read

  • 2 Cor 9:6-10  Whether you sow sparingly or bountifully, that's how you'll reap.  God loves a cheerful giver.  God can make every grace abundant for you.  The one who supplies seed and bread will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
  • Ps 112:1-2, 5-9  "Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need."  His heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.  Lavishly he gives to the poor, His generosity shall endure.
  • Jn 12:24-26  “Unless a wheat grain falls and dies, it remains just a grain; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.  Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.  To serve me, follow me, and the Father will honor you.”
Reflect
  • Creighton:  The legend of Lawrence's martyrdom combines fidelity, humor, and heroism:  “It is well done. Turn me over!” It's unlikely we'll be called to suffer a violent death in witness to Christ, but we're all called to be martyrs (witnesses) to God’s work in our daily lives, sowing bountifully, loving, serving, giving, lending to those in need, being fertile soil for God's sowing, following Christ....
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Receptive or contraceptive?"  Christians are to follow Jesus in giving all, but we can be tempted to walk away when asked to do so.  Jesus calls us to give cheerfully, joyfully thankfully, not sadly or grudgingly, pouring out our lives, giving immediately, offering our bodies as living sacrifices; we can't if we're conformed to the world and its culture of death.  If we save ourselves from this generation and not be "blinded by the god of the present age," we'll give as Jesus did. We can give life by giving all.
    Martyrdom of St. Lawrence
    (Masters of the Acts of Mercy)
    [See Tibaldi's]
  • Passionist:  "God loves a cheerful giver," but many aim to put themselves above others.  "If you're not smart enough, strong enough, or lucky enough, it's your problem."  We're taught an attitude of scarcity:  there's only so much, and if you get some, there’s less for me.  But an attitude of abundance says there's enough for everyone. Your gain is my gain, not my loss; the world benefits when more have what they need.  When Jesus says, "If you hate your life in this world, you'll gain eternal life," he's calling us not to cling to things of this life, status, power, or prestige, but to follow him and be servants of all.  Whenever someone needed comfort, healing, care, or kindness, Jesus gave generously.  When people were hungry, he shared his food and helped them multiply theirs.  He never turned his back or told people they deserved their state in life, called them names, or judged them; he looked for ways to make things better and called out authorities when they made things worse.  He operated from an attitude of abundance, never concerned that someone who gained something diminished him.  He never looked at life as a win-lose game in which he made sure he was winning; he looked for win-win, where everyone had what they need and was treated with dignity.  We're called to serve, not cling, to speak up, act, and raise the bar while many are lowering it.  What can you do today to live out that call?
  • DailyScripture.net:  "If it dies, it bears much fruit":  Jesus' audience understood new life produced by dead seeds sown.  Jesus was referring to his own death and resurrection, and our death and rebirth.  Jesus knew that his victory would come only through the cross.  When we "die" to ourselves, we "rise" to new life in Christ.  God gives us grace to say "yes" to him and reject what's contrary to his plan for us, and he promises we'll bear much "fruit" for him if we deny ourselves for his sake....
Dress legend
  • 'Arithmetic' pin:  The one who supplies seed and bread will multiply your seed... (1st reading)
  • 'Plant' pin:  Sow sparingly, reap sparingly; sow bountifully, reap bountifully (1st reading)
  • 'Money' tie:  God loves a cheerful giver (1st reading); blessed those who fear the Lord and lend to those in need;... (psalm)
  • 'Scales'  Blessed those who conduct their affairs with justice;... (psalm)
    • 'Horn' pin:  Their horn shall be exalted in glory (psalm)
    • 'Heart' clip:  Their hearts are firm, steadfast... (psalm)
    • 'Wheat' pin:  "The one who supplies seed and bread will increase the harvest of your justice" (1st reading); "A wheat grain that dies,..." (gospel)
    • 'Fruit' pin:  "...produces much fruit" (gospel)
    • 'WWJD' pin:  "To serve me, follow me" (gospel)
    • Red shirt, 'blood drop' pin:  St. Lawrence's martyrdom
    • C3TC18 name badge and C3 lanyard:  C3 Tech Conference Innovation Day...
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