Friday, 10th August 2018

Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr

LECTIONARY
618

FIRST READING
2 COR 9:6-10

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.

PSALM
PS 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9

Response: 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.

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.

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.

Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.

GOSPEL
JN 12:24-26

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.”

Daily Reflection

10th August 2018

Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

The image of the grain of wheat dying in the earth in order to grow and bear a harvest is a metaphor of Jesus' own death and resurrection. Jesus knew that the only way to victory over the power of sin and death was through the cross. Therein lies the great paradox of faith that requires us to "die" to ourselves in order to "rise" to new life in Jesus Christ.

The process of 'dying to oneself' is really the path of discipleship through which each believer commits to Christ, submits to the will of God, serves the community and shares God’s love.

St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, whose feast we celebrate today, led by example in the way he lived and died. As Deacon, he was in charge of serving the needy. Tasked with surrendering the church's supposed wealth to the corrupt Prefect of Rome, he gathered the poor and the sick and presented them as the Church's treasure! For this he was roasted alive on an iron grill. When nearing the end, he prayed for Rome to be converted and for the world to know Jesus.