Friday 10 August
(Feast) St Lawrence • John 12:24-26
Today we celebrate the feast day of St Lawrence of Rome (c. 225–258). Like his Lord and Master, Jesus of Nazareth, he lived only thirty-three years. He was one of the seven deacons of ancient Rome and was put to death with many others during the Valerian persecution of 258 AD. A tradition has it that he was burnt to death on a grill and that, halfway through his ordeal, he said words to the effect, ‘You can turn me over now as I am done on this side’. Although it is, in fact, more likely that he was beheaded, the tradition has held and St Lawrence is the patron saint of cooks and chefs. A shrine to him in Rome, where he is also especially honoured as a patron, is said to contain the gridiron used to put him to death. The church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna is identified as standing on the place of his execution. Interestingly, the Benedictine monks of Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire have a special devotion to him.
St Lawrence did not hold on to his life in this world. He loved the eternal life and his Lord and Saviour so much that he was prepared, willing and eager, to lay down his life. No greater love can anyone have in terms of faith than to lay down their life. Throughout history the men and women who have been prepared to die for what they believe in have inspired countless others. We personally may not be called to lay down our lives as martyrs and shed our blood but we are called to live lives of heroic virtue. We are called to be martyrs of love, of service and of self-giving.
Many today see the Catholic Church in unfavourable terms. The child abuse scandal has caused untold damage to the Church’s reputation and standing in the world and, because of this stain, many today are not proud to be Catholics. However, we stand on the shoulders of saints like St Lawrence who laid down their lives for Christ.
O God, Blessed Lawrence showed forth the fire of his love for you, both by faithful service and glorious martyrdom. Make us love the things which he loved, and do the works that he taught, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 • Psalm 111(112):1-2, 5-9
John 12:24-26
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