Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
August 10, 2021
Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
Lectionary: 618
Reading I
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.
As it is written:
He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
Responsorial Psalm
- (5) Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Alleluia
- Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
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.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”
Reflection: MEANINGFULNESS OF DEATH
Lawrence was loved by all because of his generosity to the poor. Fraternal charity should prompt us to assist the poor and needy. Poverty does not necessarily lead to love, but true love leads to poverty. When we truly love we will find ways and means of finding and helping the poor and needy. If we do not love, we will not see the poor and we will give all kinds of excuses not to help the poor and deserving. His life is a clear manifestation of what the gospel speaks to us today: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit”. Whatever the biological facts may be, if the grain remains just like that, without contact with the earth, it remains dead. But by meeting the earth, it begins to bear fruit and the farmer gets a whole sheaf of wheat, with many grains on it. Remaining alone is a useless death, but dying for something is a meaningful death. The grain of wheat is used as an imagery to interpret Jesus' own death. His death will bring forth the ultimate fruit, our salvation. He promises that when he is lifted up, he will draw all men to himself. Jesus' ultimate service is the gift of his life in love. His death is life-giving. Jesus calls his disciples to love as he loves and to serve as he serves. People often die of something (sickness, old age, accident, etc). Some die for something (a cause – freedom of the country, propagate non-violence, end of racism, etc). Dying for something is a meaningful death. Jesus dies for our salvation.