Memorial of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr
(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:24-26)
In Italy today’s feast of St. Lawrence may be celebrated by looking up at the night sky. It is the time of year when bountiful shooting stars instill a sense of awe with creation. The legends of St. Lawrence lend themselves to think of him as a kind of meteorite.
St. Lawrence as a deacon in Rome was in charge of the Church’s treasury. One story portrays him leading anti-Christian officials to the city’s poor when asked to produce the riches of the Church. Another story describes him as quipping to his executioners who were roasting him alive that it was time for him to be turned.
Most everyone wants to be recognized as unique in some way. Currently it is fashionable to have one’s body tattooed in a singular way. We should encourage our young people to aspire to be different like St. Lawrence. Rather than standing out for something odd or destructive, they should want to excel in having good judgment and being long-suffering.
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