Thursday, August 10, 2023
Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
The abundance of Deacon Lawrence
God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace abundant for you.
Looking closely, you could see a twinkle in his eye. Four days earlier his pope had been decapitated, Lawrence was in danger of death himself, but he was the Archdeacon of Rome and his prefect wanted the valuables of the church. The prefect ordered the deacon to turn over all those treasures immediately.
Deacon Lawrence asked for three days, and the three days were granted.
In all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.
I wonder how I would use those three days. Lawrence had a plan. Here is how Wikipedia describes what happened next.
The deacon worked swiftly to distribute as much Church property to the indigent as possible to prevent it from being seized by the prefect. On the third day, at the head of a small delegation, he presented himself to the prefect. When ordered to deliver the treasures of the Church, he presented the city’s indigent, crippled, blind, and suffering, and declared that these were the true treasures of the Church: “Here are the treasures of the church. You see, the church is truly rich, far richer than your emperor!”
How did the prefect react? I don’t think Deacon Lawrence cared.
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.
Lawrence did not spare the prefect with his sense of humor, or his sincere understanding of what constitutes value in the kingdom of God.
Behold, O prefect, in these poor persons the treasures which I promised to show you. And in addition, I will add pearls and precious stones – those widows and consecrated virgins, which are the Church’s crown.
St. Lawrence is the patron of numerous countries and cities, as well as several professions. The prefect was so angry at Deacon Lawrence that he ordered him to be roasted over hot coals. Which was done. Slowly. Eventually the erstwhile deacon said to those tending to him, “I’m well done on this side. Turn me over.” From this Lawrence became the patron saint of cooks, chefs and comedians, as well as roasters, the poor and firefighters.
Most of his fellow Christian leaders were decapitated. Perhaps he was too. The Latin description of his death was “Assus est,” which means he was roasted. But if the transcriber meant to write “Passus est” (he was martyred), then the story of his roasting loses its imprimatur.
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.
Deacon Lawrence knew he would be killed when he defied his Roman overseers. But he also knew these words of Jesus. He knew the quiet voice of Jesus whispering to him deep within. With that, he was free from fear. With that, the righteousness of Jesus replaced his own, and his death had no dominion.
(2 Corinthians 9, Psalm 112, John 8, John 12)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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