Daily Catholic Lectio
Sat, 10 August 2024
Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Saturday
Saint Lawrence, Feast
2 Cor 9:6-10. Jn 12:24-26
Martyrdom
Saint Lawrence (225 – 258 CE) was one of the seven deacons of the Roman Church. He died a martyr during the persecution of Valerian. In the early Church the deacons were the guardians of the properties of the Church. They used to share these resources with the needy.
Three things are said about him in history: (a) When the emperor Valerian wanted to confiscate all the properties of the Church, Lawrence took the poor people to the palace and said, ‘These are the properties of the Church; take them!’ (b) He was fried into death – a cruel death he endured. (c) When a church was built for Saint Lawrence, for about 10 days people were fed on a single loaf of bread.
In the gospel reading, Jesus says that a grain of wheat has to die in order to come to life. In the first reading, Paul talks about the importance of sharing. Saint Lawrence shared with others what he had and what he was.
Why do people die for God?
(a) They see through their eyes of faith something far greater than their own lives.
(b) They do not wish to compromise with their faith or values.
(c) Their courage supersedes other people’s threats.
Pain takes us up in our lives. Every pain is a mini-martyrdom.
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A pilgrim of hope ‘embraces suffering as martyrdom.’ (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 170).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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