Thursday, August 10, 2023

Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr

(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:24-26)

In one of his letters St. Ignatius of Antioch compares a bishop to God the Father and priests to the Holy Spirit.  He reserves a comparison to Christ for deacons.  Like Christ deacons are ordained specifically to preach to the poor and to visit the sick and incarcerated.

Today the Church honors St. Lawrence, one of her most illustrious deacons.  He lived in Rome during the third century and was martyred by being burned alive in the Valerian persecution.  A famous story has him telling his executioners that it was time to turn him over for he was cooked enough on one side!  It has been claimed that his martyrdom led to the conversion of the entire city. 

St. Lawrence makes us proud to be called by Christ.  He tended to the needs of the poor and remained cheerful under severe duress.  Most of all, Lawrence was faithful to the Lord Jesus until the end.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr

(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:2-26)

Of all the martyrs of the early Church, St. Lawrence is one of the most celebrated. As much as his bravery in the face of death, his sense of humor has captured the popular imagination.

Lawrence was a deacon in the Church of Rome with charge over the communal treasury. When he was brought before the authorities during the Valerian persecution of the mid third century, he was told to hand over the Church’s treasures. Lawrence then gathered the poor of the city and brought them to the Roman prefect announcing, “These are the Church’s treasures.” The quip gained for Lawrence a martyr’s death by burning. The story goes that during the gruesome ordeal, Lawrence maintained his sense of humor. After being skewered and fixed over a flame for a while, he reportedly told his executioners that they could turn him over because he was done on one side.

It is a virtue to emulate Lawrence’s humor. It is not that we should strive to become practical jokesters but, like him, we want to value everything – wealth and even health – as paltry compared with the eternal life won for us by the Savior.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr

(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:2-26)

It has been noted how stories about the popular St. Lawrence have indicated a change in times. Fifty years ago, before the second Vatican Council, catechists would tell children that when St. Lawrence was being burned alive, he told his executioners when it was time to turn him over because he was already done on one side. Such morbid humor indicates a saint’s certain conviction that he is bound for glory. After Vatican II the favorite anecdote about St. Lawrence is his response to the demand of the emperor that he hand over the jewels of the Church of Rome. Upon receiving the order, Lawrence gathered together the poor of the city and brought them to the Roman prefect announcing, “These are the church’s treasures.”

The second Vatican Council has infused the Church with a sense of optimism toward the world. We no longer only yearn for a happy death but also to know, love, and serve Christ in one another. Even the poor have this aim and assist in this purpose. Obviously this pursuit of Christ in this world is not really a contemporary insight but has been with the Church since her foundation. However, we should be eager to embrace it as well as to seek eternity at our deaths.

Homilette for Monday, August 10, 2009

Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr

(II Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:2-26)

Although not much is known about St. Lawrence’s life, he remains a popular saint. Probably his name appearing in the Roman Canon has contributed to his being remembered. Also, his name rings a bell in the consciousness of some because of the famous “night of San Lorenzo” (the night of August 10) when skies over Italy, at least, are ripe for meteor showers. Many as well have been charmed by the humor of Lawrence related in two stories surrounding his martyrdom.

Lawrence was a deacon in the Church of Rome with charge over the communal treasury. When he was brought before the authorities during the Valerian persecution (ca. 250), he was told to hand over the church’s treasures. Lawrence then gathered together the poor of the city and brought them to the Roman prefect announcing, “These are the church’s treasures.” The quip evidently won for Lawrence a martyr’s death by being roasted alive. The story goes that during this gruesome ordeal, Lawrence kept his sense of humor. After being tortured awhile, he reportedly told his executioners that they might turn him over because he was done on one side.

Humor was for Lawrence a virtue that we might emulate. He seemed to see everything – wealth and even his own physical welfare – as of little value compared with the eternal life won for us by the Savior.

Homilette for Friday, August 10, 2007

Friday, Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr

Fifty years ago martyrs enjoyed more popularity than today. People then enjoyed hearing the following story of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence. In a gruesome way to die St. Lawrence was roasted alive. Half way through the ordeal, however, St. Lawrence joked with his executioners. “I am done on this side,” he said, “you can turn me over.” To this day this saint is always pictured with a roasting brazier like we use to barbecue hamburgers.

Nowadays martyrdom is often ridiculed. If people call us a martyr, they likely mean to pay us no compliment. Rather, they probably think that we neurotically wish to suffer. Perhaps there is wisdom in not romanticizing martyrs as was done by frequent repetition of the story St. Lawrence’s brazier. After all, we pray “deliver us from evil” precisely to avoid the terrible choice between faith and premature death.

Yet it may be that we simplistically criticize former manners for their simplicity. The story of St. Lawrence’s martyrdom at least conveys the idea that there are values dearer than physical life. Eternal life is one such value and also our faith commitments. Whether it be priesthood, religious life, marriage, or just following the teachings of Jesus, young people today have great trouble committing themselves. Stories like St. Lawrence’s joyfully accepting his death for God may help everyone embrace these higher values more readily.